Berber and Oriental Dance Workshop
Spa Edition : 11 Days in Morocco

Romance and Grace of the East
Air Included from New York

The romance and grace of the East, the Harem, the sophisticated, cultured ladies of the Harem; the grace, the skill, the allure. "belly dancing was only one of the cultural delights of the Harem. Come and see them all!

While you're here, get to know Moroccan cuisine , and even attend a belly dancing workshop to experience the romance of the Harem firsthand." You've seen--you've felt--the rhythms and motions of oriental dance in the movies, or, more genuinely, during your travels in the East.
Now, we afford you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the sensuous art of belly dancing and other oriental rhythms during a stay in Morocco. You'll attend daily dance workshops in the fabulous desert fortress that is Marrakech. Of course, you'll have time to see the palaces and souks of the city as well. And your guide will use her network of contacts to Provide an entrée to Moroccan home life and customs as rarely experienced by outsiders. Join us for this unique experience.

DAY 1 - DEPARTURE FOR MOROCCO - Saturday
We'll take off from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, bound for Morocco. Departure on the first Saturday of each month

DAY 2 - MARRAKECH Sunday (BD)
Our Morocco-based personnel will greet you at the international airport of Casablanca, and assist you with the formalities. Those arriving directly from New York on Royal Air Maroc will be offered a complimentary tour of the Great Mosque of Hassan II, then will join participants arriving on British Airways on a short flight onward to Marrakech. On arrival in Marrakech, our local staff will greet you and usher you to the superior (four-star) Tikida Garden Resort Spa Hotel.
You'll have time to relax with a mint tea in the local style, and to stretch your legs. In the evening, we'll meet with our dance workshop instructor.

All transfers are always on a private basis , private air-conditioned vehicle, with a private chauffeur

DAY 3 - MARRAKECH , The Flavors of Morocco Monday (BLD)
After breakfast, it's time for our first workshop, a two-hour session of belly dance and Berber/folk dance. But it isn't all serious study!

One of the special ways of understanding a culture is through its cuisines--not only sampling exotic tastes, but experiencing the preparation of dishes, how they figure in ritual and ceremony, and how they have grown out of the earth and traditions, we'll proceed to the Ecole Hotelière, Marrakech's own hospitality & Culinary Academy and training school, for a demonstration of the preparation of pastry-style doughs. We'll stay for a lunch of salads, tagine of Maghdour kebab, and refreshing fruits.

In the afternoon, we'll see some of the sites of this city, which Winston Churchill called "the most beautiful place in the world at sunset"! Our stops will include the Koutoubia, the landmark mosque of the city, with a tower that duplicates the Giralda of Seville, in Spain; the hidden tombs of the Saadian dynasty; the Menara pavilion and gardens; the ruins of sprawling Badi Palace; the Bahia Palace, with room after stately oriental room of intricate plasterwork and sedate hidden gardens; the Ben Yousef medersa; and the Koubba (chapel) of el-Ba'adiyn. We'll return to our hotel for dinner.

DAY 4 - MARRAKECH Tuesday (BLD)
We'll have another three-hour dance workshop in the morning, covering belly dance and other forms of oriental dance, then we'll rendezvous at the Yacout restaurant, this time to see the detailed preparation of bestilla. In this uniquely Moroccan dish, a squab or chicken is prepared in a sauce of lemon, egg, almond and onion, enveloped in a thin dough called warfa, and garnished with cinnamon and sugar. We'll stay for lunch , on bestilla, of course.

After lunch , we'll set out to discover the souks of Marrakech, those labyrinthine warrens of stalls and shops where goods from near and far have changed hands over the centuries. We'll have a chance to witness artisans at work, creating the very goods that are on display, including crafters of fine brassware, and tanners and dyers of skins, working over great open-air crocks that appear to survive from another world. Of course, we'll save time for Djemaa el-Fna square, with its circus atmosphere of itinerant dancers, jugglers, acrobats, storytellers, soothsayers, snake charmers, medicine men, water sellers, and public scribes. Our eventful day concludes with a fine Moroccan dinner in a private room at Dar Haj Idder, accompanied by an oriental band, and dancing--which we can now join in!

DAY 5 - MARRAKECH Wednesday (BD)
After our morning session of belly dance and oriental dance, we'll spend the afternoon in a hammam, the traditional Moroccan steam bath, with scrubbing and a ritual all its own. We'll return to our hotel for dinner.

we'll spend the afternoon in a hammam
the traditional Moroccan steam bath, with scrubbing and a ritual all its own.

DAY 6 - MARRAKECH Thursday (BLD)
We'll have our morning dance workshop. Then it's time for an unusual excursion into Moroccan culture, through a henna party. The painting of hands and body and the coloring of hair with this natural red dye are a symbol of joy at weddings and a way of enhancing one's beauty. We'll all share in this time-honored tradition. Dinner will be in a private room at the Douirya. Once again, we'll have a band, and the occasion to practice our dancing.

DAY 7 - MARRAKECH Friday (BD)
This morning, we'll have our last dance workshop--and we'll reflect on how far we've progressed in just a few days! Then we'll spend an afternoon getting to know Moroccan culture through its food, as we visit a local family and learn how to prepare traditional pastries. We'll return to our hotel for dinner.

DAY 8 - MARRAKECH Saturday (BLD)
You'll have free time this morning to relax, or to explore Marrakech on your own. Perhaps you'll take a steam bath, or explore the newer part of town, with its wide boulevards and sidewalk cafés. We've set aside the afternoon for a return visit to the souks, where you can shop to your heart's content for brassware, leather, carpets, basketry, and many other goods and crafts from near and far. Of course, every price is individually set, depending on the quality of the wares and your skill at bargaining. Our farewell dinner will be set in a private room at the Diaffa, to the accompaniment of an oriental band. We'll try out our newly acquired skills, and a jury will select the recipient of an oriental dance costume, valued at $500. May the best dancer win!

DAY 9 - WELLNESS, SPA, FITNESS (B) Sunday
Two days to luxuriate yourself in the SPA: you will have 4 different treatments - according to your own choice and the advice of the professional staff on site - for a total of 2 hours per day alternatively on mornings and afternoons.
Bathrobe, sandals and towels are provided. Just bring your swimsuit and bonnet !

DAY 10 - WELLNESS, SPA, FITNESS (B) Monday THE TIKIDA SPA

Facilities offer:
Heated Fresh Water swimming pool       * Hydro- massages
Algo-therapy         * Jet Shower cabin
Fusion shower       * Massage Rooms
Cellu M6 room       * Presso-therapy room
Facial- care rooms * Aerobics – Fitness : 2 work out rooms with Fitness machines and Cardio .
Traditional Hammam, with steam room .
Beauty salon : hair dresser, hand and foot care, Henna Tattooing

DAY 11 - DEPARTURE FROM MARRAKECH (B) Tuesday
After breakfast, our local personnel will call for you and see you to Marrakech Menara airport to begin your journey home, via Casablanca. Bon Voyage.

RATES per person in US from New York :

Rate includes:

• Round-trip air fare from New York to Marrakech to Cairo and return, in economy class , including taxes. (Please inquire about attractive add-on fares available from other cities through Travel in Style.) .
  Most West Coast cities : $ 450 add on, Chicago, DC, Denver : $ 350 USD , based on round trip with tax included.
  May - Sep : Please add $ 450 air fare supplement
  When you handle your own air fare across the Atlantic : Please deduct $ 500 , we'll still provide you with the air fare Morocco Egypt.

• All ground transportation in Morocco Accommodation in first-class (four-star) hotel in Marrakech.
  
  
• Meals as indicated with preset menu (B = continental breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
  
  
• Oriental dance workshop and classes as indicated in private meeting room at hotel.
  
  
• Guided tours, excursions, and activities as described, including the services of a lady guide, and all entry fees.
  
  
• Three private Moroccan dinners as described Prize to winner of competition on last evening, as described
• Spa Service & facilities use as prescribed.
  
  

• Tips.
• Travel Insurance
• Personal expenses and gratuities
• Beverages

Notes:
While there may not be a whole lot of social situations to which the average North American woman can bring skills as a seductive belly dancer, the rhythms of Oriental dance are fun to learn, rewarding to master, flattering to the figure, and aid to fitness. This newest vacation adventure from Travel In Style is based on storied dessert fortress city of Marrakech.
Henna party: One of the "insiders" excursions into Moroccan culture, a chance to attend a henna party, the painting of hands and body and the coloring of hair with this natural red dye is a symbol of joy at weddings and regarded as a way to enhance one's beauty

• Heated-pool in winter, free shuttle service to downtown Marrakech

• Two Golf courses

• "The Forum", Congress Center

• Fitness and spa center complete with balneo therapy cures, hair and beauty salon.

• Reading and bridge room

• Car rental.

• Souvenir shop & boutique , jewelry store.

• 24 Hour room service

Luxury stay & Spa Experience at the new & luxurious Sofitel Essaouira