Marrakech, Morocco- Spring 2022!

• 6 days and 5 nights at our 4-star accommodation, Riad Hikaya, featuring air-conditioned rooms with private en-suite bathrooms
• All excursions and ground transportation
• Roundtrip private airport transfers
• All meals including breakfast, lunch, and dinners (except dinner on night 3 during free time)
• Bottled water at all meals (some meals will also include Moroccan mint tea)
• Daily afternoon tea with snacks
• Tips for included meals, transport, excursions, and hotel staff
• Welcome tea ceremony
• 8 CE credits (click here for more info)
• Charity donation to BLOOM non-profit
• All hotel amenities including in-room wifi, “sens de Marrakech” toiletries, daily fresh water, rooftop jacuzzi, bathrobe and Moroccan slippers, in-room docking stations, and nightly turndown service with rose petals

• Airfare
• Dinner on night 3 during free time
• Additional alcoholic drinks, coffees, teas, or soft drinks 
• CE certificate (optional add-on at check out for $16)

A $500 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of booking to secure your spot on this retreat. Check out options include payment of the deposit only, or you may pay for your trip in full. All payments are due 3 months before the date of departure. 

For cancellations made more than 3 months before departure, payment will be refunded in full with the exception of the $500 non-refundable deposit and less any and all applicable credit card transaction fees and costs. For cancellations made within 3 months of departure or less, all payments and deposits will be fully non-refundable due to advance reservations for retreat lodging and activities. Please note that this trip requires a minimum of 5 guests to run, and departure is not confirmed until 3 months before the date of departure. Great Minds Abroad reserves the right to cancel the departure with written notice to the customer prior to departure confirmation, and advises customers not to book any non-refundable reservations before this point. For COVID-19 related questions, please see the FAQ section below.

Due to the small size of our lodging, single rooms may be available upon request depending on room availability for an additional charge of $550. You may request this option at the time of booking, and every effort will be made to ensure your request is met. If a single room can be secured for you, you will receive an additional email with further instructions and payment information.

A: This retreat is designed for women mental health professionals who want to truly immerse themselves in the local Moroccan culture while expanding their professional horizons. This includes psychologists, therapists, counselors, social workers, and psychiatrists. If you want to experience exotic Marrakech off the beaten path while making friendships and memories that will last a lifetime, this trip is for you! Experience with travel is not required!  If your career isn’t mentioned and you’d like to inquire about joining this retreat, contact me here.

A: Yes! Great Minds Abroad empowers women to get out of their comfort zones through travel, and solo travel is the perfect way to do so! Because retreat group sizes are small and designed to be immersive, you will get to know your fellow travelers in no time! There will also be opportunities to meet with your fellow travelers through a pre-trip virtual happy hour, as well as a private facebook group. Single rooms may be available for an additional $550 depending on availability, or if you prefer, you can match up with fellow travelers to share a room and start the bonding right away! 

A: Yes! Marrakech is safe for female travelers! Moroccan hospitality is one of the best reasons to visit. As Morocco is a predominantly Muslim country, it is recommended that you dress appropriately (looser clothing that covers knees and shoulders) and abstain from using crude words or gestures in public. It is common for men to speak to you as you walk on the streets (“Hey beautiful” is a common one!), but this is harmless and will not persist if ignored. 

A: Moroccan cuisine consists largely of bread, couscous, and meats and vegetables flavored with an assortment of spices. It is delicious and always plentiful!! There will be a vegetarian option at all meals, and other dietary accommodations may be available upon request. Due to the Muslim culture, alcohol may not always be available at restaurants, but many of the restaurants we will attend should have alcoholic beverage options (not included in cost). Bottled water will be provided at each meal, and some meals will include Moroccan mint tea as well.

A: Marrakech enjoys a pleasant and fairly dry climate, with only 2-3 days of rain during the months of March and April. The average daily high will be 75°F, and the average nighttime low will be 52°F. 

A: Our schedule includes light walking around Marrakech, and some of the older buildings have narrow steep stairways. There is also a camel ride scheduled for this trip, but alternate transportation may be arranged. Please note that due to the nature of the building structures in Marrakech, many locations are not handicap accessible. If you require a specific accommodation for this trip, please contact me to discuss prior to booking.

A: The official language spoken in Morocco is Darija, a Moroccan form of Arabic, as well as French, English, and Spanish. Most Moroccans can easily converse in English! A small phrase in Darija goes a long way with locals, and for this reason your welcome packet will include basic travel phrases for you to practice if you’d like!

A: Yes, you will need a valid passport with at least one blank page per stamp (a minimum of two pages). Your passport must also be valid for another six months after departure from Morocco (i.e. if your passport is set to expire within six months of your last day of travel in the country of Morocco you will not be allowed in). It is your responsibility to ensure that you get it renewed ahead of time! There is no need for a tourist visa on this retreat.

A: It is recommended travelers are up to date on measles and other routine vaccinations (such as MMR, DPT, and polio) before entering the country of Morocco. It is highly suggested that travelers additionally obtain a Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccine as a safety precaution. Proof of these vaccines are not required. All travelers are required to be fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine no later than 2 weeks before the date of departure, and will be required to submit proof of vaccination via the white COVID-19 vaccination card. 

A: Upon paying the deposit for the trip, you will receive a welcome packet containing a packing list, as well as all the relevant trip information and fun additions to make your retreat magical!

A: The local currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD), which is roughly converted to USD when divided by 10 (100 MAD = 1 USD). Note: this is not to be confused with United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED), which has a higher conversion rate! Credit cards are accepted at major business locations, but many market stalls and cafes are cash only. ATMs are located throughout the city, including one right near our lodging.

A: Yes! Great Minds Abroad has partnered with the Maryland Psychological Association to provide eight (8) continuing education (CE) credits for this retreat. Furthermore, these credits will satisfy the diversity and cultural requirements of licensure if needed- a real win-win! Check out more information here!

A:  Yes! Because this trip provides continuing education (CE) credits, you will be allowed to count a portion of your retreat as a business expense. It is recommended that you consult with your tax accountant to determine which portions of the trip are eligible. Going on your dream trip that you can ALSO expense makes this retreat even dreamier!

A: It is MANDATORY that all travelers hold a travel insurance plan ahead of their scheduled departure to cover expenses such as medical issues during your trip, trip interruption or cancellation, or lost goods. This is not included in the retreat price. Please note that you are required to hold a plan that includes coverage for COVID-19. World Nomads is one option that offers COVID-19 coverage, but please research plans that work best for your individual needs before purchasing (full disclosure: Great Minds Abroad is a World Nomads affiliate partner). Emergency evacuation coverage is not required for this retreat, but you may purchase a policy if desired.

A: A hammam is a traditional Moroccan spa in which you are soaked and exfoliated with a black soap made from olives called Beldi, often followed by the application of a clay body mask called Ghassoul which is found only in the Atlas Mountains just outside Marrakech. Moroccans consider the act of hammam cleansing to be a purification ritual, and it is often a weekly ritual just before Friday prayers. It is quite a unique and authentic way to experience Moroccan culture! For those that wish, the hammam experience can be further enhanced with other spa services such as a massage or facial. There is a hammam spa located in our lodging at Riad Hikaya, or there are several in the city that can be recommended during your free time. Booking in advance is highly suggested!

A: The closest airport is Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK), which is 2.5 miles from our lodging. It is suggested that travelers arrive at a minimum of two hours ahead of the retreat start time to allow for customs and airport transfers.

A: The safety of both the guests on this retreat as well as the impact of our travels on the local communities are the highest priority. Several measures have been implemented to ensure this retreat runs safely, including a smaller group size, small lodging size, private dining and events wherever possible, and focusing on disinfection and good hygiene practices at our lodging, restaurants, and private transport vehicles. All local guides, drivers, experts, and hotel staff are all fully vaccinated as well. Sanitation items and masks will also be provided as needed. All efforts will continue to be made to remain up to date with the latest information on the COVID-19 statistics and vaccination procedures in Morocco, as well as pandemic-related events around the world. 

All travelers are required to be fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine, with the final dose administered no later than 2 weeks before the date of departure, and will be required to submit proof of vaccination via the white COVID-19 vaccination card. A negative COVID-19 PCR test is required to attend this retreat, and travelers who deliver a positive result will not be allowed to attend and will assume all financial responsibility for any lost expenses. Travelers are also mandated to hold a travel insurance policy with COVID-19 coverage (see above for travel insurance info). Travelers may be required to show a negative COVID-19 PCR test upon entry and exit of their destinations, and are responsible for all costs associated with the required tests. Should a traveler deliver a positive result on this test, they may be required to undergo a mandatory quarantine period at their own expense.

You may cancel your reservation at any time, for any reason, more than 3 months before departure to receive a full refund less the non-refundable $500 deposit and less any and all applicable credit card transaction fees and costs. Should the risk of traveling on this retreat outweigh the benefits, this retreat will be rescheduled to a later date and you will have the option to move your reservation or receive a full refund less the non-refundable $500 deposit and less any and all applicable credit card transaction fees and costs. Please note that there may be slight pricing differences for a rescheduled departure due to changing costs on the ground, and all efforts will be made to reduce these costs when possible. 

A: Both of these documents can be found on the Legal Hub section of the website.