Tides Within & Francesca Stafford present
The Morocco Retreat
Everything you need to know before you land in Marrakech — essentials, packing, what to wear, and how the days will unfold.
01 — Before you go
Essentials
The practical bits — sorted well ahead of the 25th, ideally this week.
Where we're staying
A luxury eco villa around 30 minutes from Marrakesh — modern Moroccan architecture, natural textures, panoramic views and a private outdoor pool.
Room types (private / double / twin / triple) are as booked — you'll hear from us on your room nearer the time.
Passport & visa
- Passport valid for 6+ months beyond 29 Sept, with a blank page for the entry stamp
- UK & most EU/US passport holders don't need a visa for stays under 90 days
- Double-check your own nationality's requirements before booking flights
What's included included
- 4 nights' accommodation
- Daily extended yoga classes — vinyasa, slow flow, restorative, yin & sound baths
- Private outdoor pool access
- All meals, including a sunset desert dinner on the final night
- Guided instruction from Francesca & Victoria throughout
- Free transfers from Marrakesh city centre
What's not not included
- Flights — book to Marrakech Menara (RAK)
- On-site massages — available to book locally, around £40
- Travel insurance
- Personal spending & gratuities
Pricing
- Private room: £1,299
- Double/twin sharing: £949–£999
- Triple sharing: £849
- Deposit: £250, non-refundable, secures your place
Worth confirming the final balance due date with guests who haven't paid in full.
Money
Moroccan Dirham (MAD) — not usually available to buy before you travel. Withdraw cash on arrival (airport or medina ATMs) and bring a card as backup. Keep small notes handy for markets, tips and the on-site massage.
Plugs & power
Morocco uses Type C/E sockets, 220V. UK guests will need an adapter — most of continental Europe won't.
Phone & wifi
Check your roaming rates or bring an unlocked phone for a local SIM/eSIM at the airport. Wifi is available at the villa — happy to confirm details closer to the time.
Health
No mandatory vaccinations for UK/EU travellers, but worth checking your routine jabs are up to date (NHS Fit for Travel or your GP). Stick to bottled or filtered water. It's a dry climate, so mosquitoes aren't common unless there's been recent rain — no need to pack repellent as standard.
Travel insurance
Not included — please arrange your own before you travel, and make sure it covers any excursions (e.g. hiking, camel trekking) and yoga/movement activities. Bring your policy number and 24-hour emergency line with you.
02 — Climate check
Weather & what to pack
Late September in Marrakech is warm and dry by day, but drops sharply once the sun goes down — dress in layers you can add and shed.
Sun & heat
Layers for cool evenings
Practical
Yoga & movement
Documents & money
03 — What to wear
Clothing options
Natural, breathable fabrics — cotton and linen — cope with the heat far better than synthetics. Think light, loose and layerable.
On the mat
Breathable, stretchy layers — pack a light long-sleeve for cooler early or evening sessions.
By the pool & downtime
The villa's own grounds — anything relaxed goes.
Medina, souks & excursions
Loose clothing that covers shoulders and knees is both respectful and genuinely cooler in the heat.
Shared evenings
Nothing formal — just a step up from daywear, plus something warm once the sun's down.
04 — Day by day
Schedule
How the days unfold — a full practice arc from grounding through to closing, with plenty of room either side.
1Arrival dayFri 25 September›
2Rooted & ReleaseSat 26 September›
3Growth & Heart opensSun 27 September›
4Renewal & desert supperMon 28 September›
5Departure dayTue 29 September›
Free time sits either side of each practice — this is your retreat, so all sessions are optional.
05 — Life at the villa
Housekeeping
The small, human details that make shared living easy for everyone.
Morning silence
Optional, but please be respectful of anyone practising it. If you need to speak to Victoria or Francesca, of course, just do.
Phone use
We encourage keeping it to a minimum — this is your time to switch off and tune in.
Food & snacks
All meals are included, from breakfast banquets to the closing sunset desert dinner. Let us know any allergies or dietary requirements in advance so the kitchen can cater.
Pool & massage
The villa's private outdoor pool is yours throughout. On-site massages can be booked locally for around £40 — not included, so pre-book if you'd like one.
Quiet time
Please respect a 10pm quiet time.
Light in the shala
The shala is lit with soft solar lighting for evening practice — enough to see by, though a phone torch is handy for finding your room after dark.
Check-out, Tuesday 29th
10am, and it's a firm one this time — another retreat checks in right behind us, so please have bags packed and rooms clear by then. Brunch is still there for anyone without an early flight.
Photos & video
We'll be taking some photos and videos for marketing and promotional use on our website and social media. If you'd rather not appear in any, just let us know — we'll keep it to a minimum.
Need anything?
Francesca — francesca@francescastafford.com · Victoria — hello@tideswithin.com
Or WhatsApp Francesca (07875 217 373) or Victoria (07983 638 885) for anything urgent.
06 — Worth adding
Anything else to include
Beyond the essentials — the details that head off most last-minute questions from guests.
Emergency contacts
Francesca (07875 217 373) & Victoria (07983 638 885) by WhatsApp, plus the villa's own number and Morocco's emergency lines (15 ambulance, 19 police) worth adding once confirmed.
Medical & injury disclosure
A short, confidential form so teachers know about any injuries, conditions or pregnancies before movement sessions.
Group code of conduct
"What's shared in the group stays in the group" — worth stating explicitly alongside the phone-use and quiet-time norms.
Cultural etiquette
Dress modestly outside the venue, ask before photographing people, and note Morocco is Muslim-majority — alcohol availability varies by venue.
Tipping guidance
A rough guide in MAD for villa staff, drivers and guides, so no one's caught out or over-tips out of uncertainty.
Final balance & deadlines
The £250 deposit secures each place — worth sending a reminder of the final balance due date to anyone who hasn't paid in full.
Transfer pickup point
The exact time and location in Marrakesh city centre for the group transfer, sent out with enough advance notice to plan around flights.
Luggage guidance
A note on airline baggage allowance, and encouragement to pack light given the transfers.
Sustainability note
The villa's eco ethos — a line encouraging refillable bottles and minimal plastic.