Journey into the Heart of Morocco – A Cultural & Soulful Retreat
Journey into the Heart of Morocco – A Cultural & Soulful Retreat
Marrakech-Médina, Morocco
Up to 12 in group
February 21 - 28, 2026
Retreat Highlights
- Wander through the vibrant Medina of Marrakech, where colors, scents, and hidden courtyards awaken the senses.
- Journey into the Sahara with a Berber caravan, ride camels at sunset, and sleep beneath a sky overflowing with stars.
- Stay in traditional riads or Moroccan villas, immersing yourself in local beauty and hospitality.
- Enrich your experience with daily cultural stories about history, Islam, and the timeless traditions of the Berber people.
- Balance adventure with rest — a flexible program that honors both exploration and inner stillness.
- Guided with heart and knowledge by Mina & Alec, who share years of life and love in North Africa.
About this Retreat
Dr. Milena Davidova (Minasaida)
I am Milena Davidova, also known as Minasaida. Call me what you will — I am, and always will be, nothing but myself. Walking my path means following my own way, and through teaching, learning, and evolving, I share what I discover along the journey.
I am a certified Arabist with a PhD in Arab Social Studies, specializing in women’s dance traditions and healing rituals across the Middle East. I speak Bulgarian, French, Arabic, English, and a little Russian. Over the past 25+ years, I have worked as a dancer, choreographer, and teacher, blending ancient Arabic dance, yoga, energy work, and somatic awareness into practices that empower women, nurture inner balance, and reconnect them with their soul.
I am the founder of Alima, Bulgaria’s first Arabic dance school, and the creator of Dance, Love, Fly, Create!, a dance-energy-spiritual method for self-discovery, emotional clarity, and personal transformation. My work draws on Ayurveda, intuitive guidance, and extensive experience leading rituals, breathwork, visualization, and practices for chakra and elemental balance.
I have authored and directed numerous original dance and dance-ritual performances, including The Epic of Gilgamesh, The Magic Lamp, Life, Love, I Love You!, Elements, and Path to Light. I am also the author of Fragments of Middle Eastern Dance History, based on my doctoral research.
Through my practice, I help women around the world calm the mind, reconnect with their body and energy, awaken their healing potential, and experience profound self-love and acceptance. My mission is to guide each individual toward harmony of body, mind, and soul — helping them feel grounded, radiant, and fully alive.
We are Milena and Alexander – Mina and Alec – and we are delighted to invite you into our deep love for Morocco. Together, we will set off for Marrakech, the beating heart of Berber culture and history.
Mina (Milena Davidova) – PhD in Arab Social Studies, researcher of women in Muslim societies, and creator of Dance, Love, Fly, Create!, a dance-based wellness practice rooted in ancient North African rituals.
Alec (Alexander Naydenov) – Artist, sound creator, and founder of Muse Coils, crafting unique soundscapes for meditation and deep listening.
Together, we invite you not as tourists but as seekers. We will walk by your side as you encounter Morocco not just with your eyes, but with all your senses and with your soul.
Details of this retreat
Hello, you seeking, adventurous soul,
We are Milena and Alexander – Mina & Alek – and we are thrilled to share our love for Morocco with you. Join us as we journey to Marrakech, the Berber cultural and historic capital, a city of a thousand faces where everyone can find something of their own. Known as the orange-pink city, Marrakech glows in shades of rose and clay, nestled between the majestic Atlas Mountains and the timeless Sahara.
We will welcome you at Marrakech airport and settle our special group in a traditional Moroccan riad in the Medina, or a spacious villa just outside the old city walls, depending on the group size. We do our best to ensure the space is reserved exclusively for our group, creating a warm, intimate, and authentic atmosphere.
Marrakech is vibrant yet serene, and the adventure begins even before check-in. We do not offer standard tourist luxury separated from local life. Instead, we invite you to immerse yourself in the winding streets, scents, and sounds of the city. Of course, we will visit major attractions and museums, but we will also explore hidden treasures of this 11th-century city. Enjoy flavorful local cuisine, wander endless markets, and discover handmade crafts.
Each day brings new opportunities and nuances. During this cultural retreat, Milena will share knowledge from her research and academic work about local customs, traditions, Islam, Moroccan history, and the Berber tribes you will meet closely. Alek brings years of regional experience and countless stories from our travels.
When you feel full of the city’s energy, we will embark on a two-day desert journey. Travel comfortably through the Tizi n’Tichka pass and Draa Valley to the gateway of the Sahara – Zagora. Explore the UNESCO-protected Aït Ben Haddou, featured in iconic films. Ride camels (optional) to a Berber desert camp, enjoy the sunset over the dunes, tea, and a shared dinner, and immerse yourself in the profound silence and harmony of the desert. Wake early to watch the sunrise, then return to Marrakech, stopping in Ouarzazate along the way.
The retreat program is flexible. Each day includes a curated schedule of museums and cultural sites, but participants choose which activities to join, balancing adventure and rest.
We are Milena and Alexander – Mina & Alek – and we are thrilled to share our love for Morocco with you. Join us as we journey to Marrakech, the Berber cultural and historic capital, a city of a thousand faces where everyone can find something of their own. Known as the orange-pink city, Marrakech glows in shades of rose and clay, nestled between the majestic Atlas Mountains and the timeless Sahara.
We will welcome you at Marrakech airport and settle our special group in a traditional Moroccan riad in the Medina, or a spacious villa just outside the old city walls, depending on the group size. We do our best to ensure the space is reserved exclusively for our group, creating a warm, intimate, and authentic atmosphere.
Marrakech is vibrant yet serene, and the adventure begins even before check-in. We do not offer standard tourist luxury separated from local life. Instead, we invite you to immerse yourself in the winding streets, scents, and sounds of the city. Of course, we will visit major attractions and museums, but we will also explore hidden treasures of this 11th-century city. Enjoy flavorful local cuisine, wander endless markets, and discover handmade crafts.
Each day brings new opportunities and nuances. During this cultural retreat, Milena will share knowledge from her research and academic work about local customs, traditions, Islam, Moroccan history, and the Berber tribes you will meet closely. Alek brings years of regional experience and countless stories from our travels.
When you feel full of the city’s energy, we will embark on a two-day desert journey. Travel comfortably through the Tizi n’Tichka pass and Draa Valley to the gateway of the Sahara – Zagora. Explore the UNESCO-protected Aït Ben Haddou, featured in iconic films. Ride camels (optional) to a Berber desert camp, enjoy the sunset over the dunes, tea, and a shared dinner, and immerse yourself in the profound silence and harmony of the desert. Wake early to watch the sunrise, then return to Marrakech, stopping in Ouarzazate along the way.
The retreat program is flexible. Each day includes a curated schedule of museums and cultural sites, but participants choose which activities to join, balancing adventure and rest.
Schedule
Morning:
Gentle awakening with sunrise and optional meditation or quiet reflection.
Traditional Moroccan breakfast served in the riad, a feast of fresh bread, local jams, fruits, and mint tea. Guests can also prepare their own breakfast in the fully equipped kitchen or enjoy a quiet cup of tea in one of the riad’s magical corners.
Guided cultural walk, exploring local markets, hidden courtyards, and historic sites.
Midday:
Free time for personal exploration or rest.
Lunch is flexible: you may eat at local cafés, street food stalls, or prepare your own in the kitchen.
Daily cultural lecture or discussion on Moroccan history, Berber traditions, regional culture, and local customs.
Afternoon:
Continued excursions to gardens, palaces, museums, or scenic viewpoints.
Quiet moments for reflection, tea, journaling, or simply soaking in the Medina’s atmosphere.
Optional follow-up talks or interactive sessions related to the day’s discoveries.
Evening:
Flexible dinner: some evenings participants cook and share food together, creating a magical communal table with Moroccan music and dance.
Optional rooftop stargazing or night walk in the Medina.
Special Days (Desert Excursion):
Travel through the Atlas Mountains and Draa Valley.
Camel caravan into the Sahara, sunset over the dunes, Berber camp with fire circle, music, and optional communal meals.
Sunrise over the desert, followed by breakfast in the camp and return journey to Marrakech.
Program Flexibility:
Every day includes a curated program of museums, cultural sites, and experiences.
Participants choose which activities and excursions to join, allowing for personal pace, interest, and rest.
This schedule blends cultural exploration, personal reflection, daily learning, and shared experiences, while honoring individual freedom and choice.
This retreat is more than a journey through Morocco — it is a voyage into culture, history, and the self, offering moments of reflection, connection, and soulful discovery.
Gentle awakening with sunrise and optional meditation or quiet reflection.
Traditional Moroccan breakfast served in the riad, a feast of fresh bread, local jams, fruits, and mint tea. Guests can also prepare their own breakfast in the fully equipped kitchen or enjoy a quiet cup of tea in one of the riad’s magical corners.
Guided cultural walk, exploring local markets, hidden courtyards, and historic sites.
Midday:
Free time for personal exploration or rest.
Lunch is flexible: you may eat at local cafés, street food stalls, or prepare your own in the kitchen.
Daily cultural lecture or discussion on Moroccan history, Berber traditions, regional culture, and local customs.
Afternoon:
Continued excursions to gardens, palaces, museums, or scenic viewpoints.
Quiet moments for reflection, tea, journaling, or simply soaking in the Medina’s atmosphere.
Optional follow-up talks or interactive sessions related to the day’s discoveries.
Evening:
Flexible dinner: some evenings participants cook and share food together, creating a magical communal table with Moroccan music and dance.
Optional rooftop stargazing or night walk in the Medina.
Special Days (Desert Excursion):
Travel through the Atlas Mountains and Draa Valley.
Camel caravan into the Sahara, sunset over the dunes, Berber camp with fire circle, music, and optional communal meals.
Sunrise over the desert, followed by breakfast in the camp and return journey to Marrakech.
Program Flexibility:
Every day includes a curated program of museums, cultural sites, and experiences.
Participants choose which activities and excursions to join, allowing for personal pace, interest, and rest.
This schedule blends cultural exploration, personal reflection, daily learning, and shared experiences, while honoring individual freedom and choice.
This retreat is more than a journey through Morocco — it is a voyage into culture, history, and the self, offering moments of reflection, connection, and soulful discovery.
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change
Getting Here
Minasaida's Dance, Love, Fly, Create, Marrakech-Médina, Morocco
Directions
While every participant will come from different direction, we will pick up from the Marrakech airport everybody.
Accommodation
Guests will be accommodated in traditional Moroccan riads (historic houses with courtyards) or spacious villas, reserved exclusively for our group. All rooms are double occupancy, with either en-suite bathroom and toilet, or a private bathroom located just outside the room depending on the riad. Each house includes a kitchen, gathering spaces for talks and sharing, a central courtyard, and often a rooftop terrace with beautiful views over the Medina. Riads are full of hidden corners — magical spots where you can sip tea, contemplate the intricate details, or simply listen to the call to prayer rising across the city. Accommodation is carefully chosen to balance group intimacy with personal comfort, creating a home where you can rest deeply and feel embraced by the spirit of Morocco.
Program Price
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
Our retreat home will be a traditional Moroccan riad or villa in Marrakech. A riad is a historic Moroccan house built around an inner courtyard, offering peace, beauty, and authenticity in the heart of the lively Medina. Depending on the group size, we may also stay in a spacious villa just outside the old city walls, surrounded by quiet and comfort. In both cases, we do our best to ensure the entire space is reserved only for our group, creating a warm, intimate, and authentic atmosphere.
Meals
Menu Types
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
Breakfast included and is served in the riad. Guests prepare their own lunch or eat out. Optional shared dinners with Moroccan ingredients, music, and a communal atmosphere.
What's Included
- All airport and local transfers
- 7 nights accommodation in traditional riad or villa in Marrakech with Moroccan breakfast included and served in the riad
- 2-day Sahara excursion (transport, Aït Ben Haddou visit, camel ride, Berber camp with dinner, breakfast, and overnight stay)
- Daily cultural talks and stories about Moroccan history, Islam, and Berber traditions
- Two dedicated guides with years of experience living and traveling in North Africa
What's Not Included
- Flights to/from Marrakech
- Personal Travel insurance
- Lunch and dinner (from €10/day depending on your choices)
- Entrance fees to museums and attractions (approx. €80 for all suggested sites)
- Personal shopping and souvenirs
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