Manuscripts in Morocco| Writers RETREAT | 30 Sep-3 Oct 2024

Embark on a transformative journey into the heart of creativity with our first writer’s retreat. Settle amidst Morocco’s rich landscapes, culture and vibrant hues to delve into your writing amid awe-inspiring beauty. 

Whether you’re at the outset of your writing journey or a seasoned author working on their next literary endeavour this retreat offers quiet space for writing without the interruptions of our daily lives. We bring you a masterclass led by award-winning writer Irenosen Okojie and workshops on publishing and editing from award-winning editor Rukhsana Yasmin as well as individual feedback sessions catered to your particular writing needs.

With morning rejuvenating yoga sessions overlooking the ocean, led by Meriem Bendahmane offering a harmonious blend of movement, mindfulness and relaxation to complement your creative exploration and all meals provided by our local chef, this retreat offers a holistic experience to maximise your creative writing experience. 

For those of you looking for further adventures, choose between sunset horse-rides on the beach or excursions to the ancient town of Essaouira. Your experience awaits at the crossroads of inspiration and serenity amidst Morocco’s captivating landscapes.

 

What's included in the Manuscripts in Morocco Writing GrowthCamp?

This 3-night retreat – includes the following:

  • Accommodation
  • Workshops and masterclass
  • Guided yoga and meditation
  • Villa Meals – breakfast, lunch and dinner*
  • Airport transfers** in Morocco
    See further details below.
**Transfers included are on a group basis only, please consult before you book your flights.

NOT Included

  • Flights – see below
  • Local transfers (UK, etc.)
  • 1 dinner at a restaurant*
  • Excursions
  • Optional Activities
Price Options

Early Bird / Regular prices per person:

**Early Bird rate should be fully paid by August 14th, 2024

  • Single bed/Shared bed in a Shared Eco-dome – £490 / £590
  • Single bed in a Shared Twin bedroom  – £550 / £650
  • Single bed in a Double bedroom – £590 / £690
  • A Single bedroom – £650 / £750
    Getting There

    Flights

    Illuminate provides a complimentary travel concierge to advise and help you book your flights. Before booking your flight, we recommend consulting with us. Our team can help you source the best options available.

    Shared below is an example of how we can help shortlist flights as per your requirements – they are recommended flights only, and others are available (but subject to approval for inclusive airport transfer costs):
    (Please note these are reliable and can be used if you are coming from the UK)

    TOTAL FLIGHTS COST: Starting from £42 for 3N  (Round Trip)

    Outbound Monday 30th September – 3hrs 40mins

    • 06:20 London Stansted Airport (STN) – 10:00 Essaouira (ESU) | From £17 by Ryanair

    Inbound Thursday 3rd October – 3hrs 35 mins

    • 19:55 Essaouira (ESU) – 23:30 London Stansted Airport (STN) | From £24 by Ryanair

    **Flights costs as per our research on Skyscanner.net on 30 July.

    Local transfers between the airport and the retreat venue are included in the retreat package based on group bookings, please do consult us before booking.

    _____________________________________________________________________

    Villa Location:

    Essaouira
    Address- Ras Sim, Ouassen 44000, Morocco
    Distance between the Essaouira Airport (ESU) and the accommodation – 23 km (27 min by car)

     

    Check-in time: 12:00
    Check-out time: 11:00

    *Subject to change, and Terms & Conditions.

    Retreat Location

    A stunning Eco-lodge just a stone’s throw from Sidi Kaouki Beach, near Essaouira. The comfortable accommodation is arranged across 2 Domes, 4 double bedrooms and 2 single bedrooms. There’s an open kitchen from where we’ll deliver nutritional meals all day, apart from when you venture to Essaouira town for restaurant meals. The breathtaking terrace view is an inspiring space for writing and creative sessions and it provides a perfect backdrop for morning and evening yoga or meditation. A well-stocked library, table games, and nearby horse-riding activities mean you’ll always have something to do or relax in your free time.

    Join us for an unforgettable retreat experience where every moment is infused with serenity, beauty, and boundless possibility.

    Accommodation Details

    Eco-lodge in Essaouira

    Accommodates up to 18 people
    · 2 eco-domes with 3 beds each
    · 2 double bedrooms & 2 twin bedrooms
    · 2 single bedrooms
    · WiFi
    · Outdoor terrace furnished with sunbeds
    · Beachfront & ocean views
    · Hammam
    · Jacuzzi

    About the Luminaries

    Writer-in-Residence IRENOSEN OKOJIE (MBE) is a Nigerian British author whose work pushes the boundaries of form, language and ideas. Her novel, Butterfly Fish, and short story collections, Speak Gigantular and Nudibranch, have won and been nominated for multiple awards. Her journalism has been featured in The New York Times, the Observer, the Guardian and the Huffington Post. She was a Contributing Editor for The White Review. She co-presented the BBC’s Turn Up for The Books podcast, alongside Simon Savidge and Bastille frontman Dan Smith. Her work has been optioned for the screen. She has also judged various literary prizes including the Dylan Thomas Prize, the Gordon Burn Prize, the Dublin Literary Award and the BBC National Short Story Award. She was a judge for the 2023 Women’s Prize for Fiction. Vice Chair of the Royal Society of Literature, she was awarded an MBE For Services to Literature in 2021. In 2023 she was named a visionary artist in Red Magazine’s The Next 25 Visionaries to watch. Her novel, Curandera is forthcoming from Dialogue Books in 2024. She is the director and founder of Black to the Future festival, a multidisciplinary Afrofuturist festival.

    Our lead luminary, Rukhsana Yasmin, is an award-winning editor who has worked at Saqi, Profile, and Serpent’s Tail and as a literary agent at the Good Literary Agency. She is also a former deputy editor of Wasafiri and co-editor, with Susheila Nasta, of Brave New Words: The Power of Writing Now, her freelance projects include editorial development and copy-editing services in fiction and nonfiction for several organizations, including Hachette, PenguinRandomHouse, Simon&Schuster, and HarperCollins. She has delivered workshops in the UK and internationally with the Commonwealth Foundation, and British Council and judged several prizes.

    Our yoga instructor, Meriem Bendahmane is a passionate yoga teacher with professional experience in designing and leading yoga classes and yoga retreats of different styles. She is a certified 500-hour yoga instructor and massage therapist, she believes yoga is the best practice to embrace your true self and cultivate contentment in our incredibly competitive society. Yoga, also known as “union,” is a beautiful path to achieving oneself that enables everyone to become more receptive to endless possibilities, thus freeing yourself from the burden of your internalized anxieties and unleashing your creativity to its highest potential.

    Schedule: Activities, Wellness, Yoga and Meals

    SCHEDULE

    Monday, Sept 30, 2024: Arrival and Welcome

    • Welcome drink and tour at the Ecolodge and beach walk.
    • Evening yoga: Slow flow to unwind and let go.
    • Dinner: Gather for a nourishing dinner in the company of your fellow writing peers and Irenosen, where conversations on writing can continue.

    Tuesday, Oct 1, 2024: Deepen your Creative Writing

    • Morning mindfulness: Answer the call of your creative journey and be inspired by the ocean views.
    • Enjoy a delicious and healthy Moroccan breakfast.
    • Mentorship: One-to-one mentoring session offering further advice for writers who want to continue writing with the support of our editor.
    • Lunch at the villa
    • Free time: OPTIONAL – explore your adventurer side with one of our outdoor activities (horse riding by the ocean, dromedary ride, surfing class, cave exploration)
    • Sunset talk: Gather for a mint tea and bonfire to exchange ideas with the group.
    • Dinner at the villa.

      Wednesday, Oct 2, 2024: Take your Creativity to the Highest Level

      • Morning: Free-flow yoga at the terrace to increase creative thinking.
      • Breakfast
      • ONLINE EVENT: Meet a renowned writer to learn from a master creator at the peak of his career and put your questions to him in the Q+A.
      • Lunch at the villa.
      • Free time: Continue crafting your prose or travel through history with a visit to the old town of Essaouira. Let its ramparts, its spiritual energy, infused with centuries of mysticism and spirituality further delight and inspire.
      • Dinner: Enjoy a final dinner with your writing peers and our Luminaries Rukhsana and Irenosen at an emblematic restaurant in Essaouira town.

      Thursday, Oct 3, 2024: Closing and Departure

      • Morning: Gratitude and relaxing meditation.
      • Relish a final breakfast at the villa.
      • Closing Circle: Gather to reflect on your experience with your peers.

       

      Optional extra activities

      • Spa/Hammam
      • Horse riding on the beach
      • Quad biking

      Contact the Team if you would like more details or to book any extra activties.

      Cancellation Policy

      CANCELLATION

      You can cancel your retreat booking for free up to two weeks before it starts. If you cancel within two weeks, you’ll get half of your money back. Plus, if we find someone else to take your spot, you’ll get 75% back. We know plans can change, so we’re here to help. Just ask if you have any questions about our cancellation policy. We want you to feel happy and relaxed about your booking!

       

       

      Our Writer-in-Residence & Writer Luminary

      Irenosen Okojie

      Rukhsana Yasmin

      Our Yoga Luminary – Meriem Bendahmane

      Our Ecolodge in Essaouira

      Essaouira ancient town

      Essaouira Activities 

      Finalise Selections/Checkout