MOROCCO
MOVEMENT & MAGIC IN MOROCCO RETREAT
Peacock Pavilions
Marrakech, Morocco
April 18-24, 2027
with Melanie Caines & Guest Facilitator Anne Whelan
Morocco is calling! Take in the vibrant colors, souks, and gardens of Marrakech, experience the peace and beauty of the Agafay Desert, and indulge in a luxurious traditional Hammam/Spa. Our retreat home will be a stunning boutique hotel just 30mins from the exotic Red City where you can soak up the sun, take a dip in the pool, and enjoy three course dinners served by candlelight.
You’ve built something real. Now you need a week to think clearly about what’s next.
This is a special edition of our Movement & Magic retreat designed for founders, business owners, and senior leaders. The same gorgeous mix of yoga, nourishing food, and rich cultural experiences — with a structured leadership thread woven gently through the week.
Each morning starts with yoga and movement with Melanie. The focus and clarity that come from a beautiful location, expert guidance, and the time to attend to yourself and your own needs set the perfect tone for reflection on your professional life. Around mealtimes, Anne facilitates honest, small-group conversations about your business and leadership. In between, you rest, explore, and enjoy Morocco. You’ll leave restored, with a simple plan for the next 12 months and a renewed sense of how you want to lead.
This retreat will be led by Melanie Caines (retreat leader — yoga, meditation, & breathwork) and Anne Whelan (leadership facilitator — strategy & leadership).
Satisfy all your cravings for self-care and exploration: you deserve this magic.
GOOD TO KNOW:
Group size: 6-14 people
Exclusive use? Yes we will be the only guests at the property.
THE RETREAT
ARE YOU READY TO FIND MOVEMENT, MAGIC, & MORE?
This retreat is perfect for founders and co-founders of small and mid-sized companies.
Business owners and partners (professional services: physicians, lawyers, accountants, etc., creative firms, etc.).
Senior executives and directors with strategic responsibilities.
If you are carrying big questions about the future of your business or role, feel stretched thin, or know you need space to think and re-focus, this week is for you.
HOW THIS RETREAT CAME TO BE
When Anne joined her first Nova Retreat with Melanie, she found herself at a dinner table with a group of guests who happened to be founders and leaders in their professional lives. The conversation turned to how restored they all felt — how the yoga, the space, and the time away had given them something they couldn’t find at home. And then someone said: imagine if we could bring that same clarity and focus into our professional lives.
The idea stuck. By the next retreat, Anne and Melanie started working out a plan — a week that keeps everything you love about a Movement & Magic retreat and adds a gentle, structured leadership thread. This is that retreat.
YOUR WEEK
Here’s the shape of the week:
Your mornings begin with yoga, breathwork, and meditation with Melanie. Around mealtimes, Anne facilitates small-group Founder Circles — one each day, following a natural five-day arc:
Grounding — Where you are (business & self)
Centering — What really matters
Mantra — Your guiding principle for this season
Manifesting — A simple strategy and action plan
Energy — Resourcing the leader
Each participant also receives a one-on-one strategy session with Anne, plus a pre-retreat group call and a post-retreat check-in.
The rest of the time? The pool, the olive grove, a hammam in Marrakech, the Agafay Desert, and three-course dinners served by candlelight.
By the end of the week, you’ll have:
A one-page plan for the next 12 months
A personal leadership mantra
A short list of decisions and first moves for the next 30–90 days
Your energy back
GET THE FULL PROGRAMME GUIDE
Including detailed itinerary, facilitator bius, programme details, travel info, and FAQ.
CLICK HERE and choose the DOWNLOAD BROCHURE option.
THE EXPERIENCE
OUR RETREAT HOME
Our glorious home for the week will be Peacock Pavilions, a handmade, artisanal boutique hotel in an olive grove on the outskirts of Marrakech.
We will have exclusive use of the whole property for our retreat week.
Peacock Pavilions has been featured on CNN International and HGTV, as well as in the New York Times, Elle Decor and in multiple travel guides.
The hotel features a pool, outdoor gym, outdoor cinema, yoga pavilion, and a painted dining tent.
CULTURAL EXCURSIONS
Our retreat will include the following cultural excursions:
Guided tour of the Marrakech Medina
Spa Experience (Hammam + Massage)
Agafay Desert Excursion
THE FOOD
Peacock Pavilions provide a fixed daily menu, served family-style, that relies on local, fresh ingredients, some from their own gardens.
Breakfast – fresh bread baked daily from the village’s communal bread oven (rebuilt as part of our charity, Project Soar), homemade jams, eggs or muffins, yogurt, fruit, just-squeezed juice, coffee, and tea.
Lunch – light and fresh (soups, salads, tarts, etc.) served with cookies or fruit for dessert.
Dinner – three delicious courses, served by candlelight, ending in an herbal infusion from the garden to help you sleep.
accommodations & Fees
Deliberately intimate and exclusive, Peacock Pavilions sleeps 14 retreat participants in 2 guest pavilions and two unique bungalows. Peacock Pavilions is located on a private estate in a farming village and you may hear the sounds of village life and the call to prayer during your stay.
| DAWN & DUSK BUNGALOWS |
Burrowed behind gorgeous olive trees, the Dawn & Dusk bungalows feature custom calligraphy and a myriad of layered art pieces. There is 1 bedroom in each bungalow (with 1 king bed or 2 twin beds) with ensuite bathroom and air conditioning/heating.
| ATLAS PAVILION |
Draped in bougainvillea, the Atlas Pavilion is a private 1300 square foot house decorated in glamorous tribal chic style. There are two double occupancy rooms here: two ensuite bedrooms (option of king or two twin beds), with fireplaces and air conditioning/heating
| MEDINA PAVILION |
With its own rose garden, the Medina Pavilion is a private 2,400 square foot house, decorated in modern global style. There are three double occupancy rooms here: three ensuite bedrooms (option of king or two twin beds), equipped with air conditioning/heating.
Single Occupancy Room
(1 bed + private bathroom)
Promo (until September 30): $4500 USD
After September 30: $4850 USD
Double Occupancy Room
(2 twin beds + private bathroom)
Promo (until September 30): $4000 USD pp
After September 30: $4350 USD pp
what to expect
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
- Flights
- Gratuity for Peacock Pavilions staff
- Alcohol
- Travel Insurance
- Ground transportation from Marrakech to Peacock Pavilions on arrival day and back to Marrakech on departure day
YOUR RETREAT FACILITATORS
MELANIE CAINES – RETREAT LEADER
Melanie is a yoga teacher, wellness entrepreneur, and retreat leader with more than 17 years of experience in mindful movement and wellness. She is also a formidable business leader in her own right — growing Nova Yoga from a start-up studio in St. John’s, Newfoundland into Nova Retreats, which has hosted over 70 retreats for hundreds of people around the world. She is the creator of Move With Melanie, an on-demand platform offering hundreds of yoga, mobility, and self-care practices. Melanie’s teaching philosophy centers on empowering individuals to cultivate strength, freedom, confidence, and joy both on and off the mat. This founders and leaders edition was Melanie’s idea — born from watching her retreat guests, many of them business owners and leaders, come alive when given space to think clearly.
ANNE WHELAN – LEADERSHIP FACILITATOR
Anne is a seasoned entrepreneur, CEO, and corporate director who has led complex organizations through growth, change, and uncertainty. Named one of Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women multiple times, she is known for asking clear, sharp questions that cut through noise and for helping leaders translate big ideas into simple, actionable plans.
Anne is also a novice yogi who loves learning new poses — though she’s still trying to get her heels to touch the floor in Downward Dog. She has been on Melanie’s retreats to Costa Rica and Croatia and knows firsthand the magic of giving yourself time and space away. When Melanie asked her to bring her leadership and strategy experience to a special edition retreat, it was a natural fit.
TRAVEL
FLIGHTS
The arrival day is Sunday, April 18 and the departure day is Saturday, April 24.
The closest airport is Marrakech Airport (RAK). , approximately 30minutes for the retreat centre. We can also arrange transfers from Casabalanca (CMN).
For full travel details, ground transportation pricing, and flight options please CLICK HERE and choose the DOWNLOAD BROCHURE option.
TRAVEL QUESTIONS?
For travel questions please contact Melanie at novayogaretreats@gmail.com.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE TERMS & CONDITIONS
• A $750 USD non-refundable deposit (per person) is required to reserve your spot.
• 50% of balance is due October 18, 2026
• Remaining balance is due December 18, 2026
• Payments can be made via credit card, Interac e-transfer, or cash.
• Proof of Emergency Travel Medical Insurance AND Trip Interruption/Cancellation Insurance are both required.
• Yoga classes are all levels; no previous experience is required. All sessions are optional.
For full cancellation policy CLICK HERE and choose the DOWNLOAD BROCHURE option.
NOVA RETREATS
Nova Retreats proudly curates small group wellness retreats filled with connection, joy, and authentic experiences. We welcome travellers who are able to go with the flow and who are interested in embracing and respecting different countries, cultures, and customs. Each trip is thoughtfully planned and lovingly led by sole owner, operator, and founder, Melanie Caines, who proudly collaborates with beautiful venues and amazing yoga teachers for a truly unforgettable and rejuvenating week. Since 2014, Melanie has curated and hosted over 70 retreats for hundreds of people from all over the world.
Magic happens when we give ourselves time and space, outside our daily routines and lives, to think, breathe, experience, & enjoy. We look forward to sharing that magic with you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need a passport?
Yes you are required to have a passport.
I don’t have anyone to go with and I don’t want to pay for single occupancy – can you find me a roommate?
Yes! Melanie can try to match you up with another solo traveller. You can pay your deposit and if a match cannot be made your deposit will be refunded.
I have dietary restrictions – is this retreat able to accommodate me?
Yes certainly; once you have reserved your spot please pass on any allergies, restrictions, or requests.
Do I need to be an advanced yogi to join this retreat?
Yoga classes are all levels. No previous experience is required. All sessions are optional and you are encouraged to find what is best for you.
Is this a business bootcamp?
Not at all. The leadership sessions are conversational and reflective – think peer circle, not conference room. The pace is intentionally spacious; you will never feel overscheduled.
Can I bring my kids?
This retreat will be an adult-only vacation.
How can I reach you if I have further questions?
You can email Melanie at novayogaretreats@gmail.com.
TESTIMONIALS
In a word, Nova Yoga Retreats are delicious! Melanie and her co-leaders hold space beautifully, guiding the group through yoga and meditation practices and “off campus” excursions with gentle mastery. You can show up and know that everything has been taken care of. Her groups are always welcoming; I attended two retreats solo and left both with amazing friends. Melanie chooses retreat locations with natural and artistic beauty and most importantly–soul. Her love of travel and exploring new cultures adds so much to the experience. Last, but not least, the food and accomodations are always a delight!
It felt like a true escape from my normal life. I feel like I was able to connect to the area and the people who journeyed with me. Your ability to curate a safe space to be and a place to play for people is truly a gift, Melanie. Thank you.
I can’t recommend Nova Yoga’s retreats highly enough. Melanie put together an amazing week that stretched our bodies and our minds, and left both stronger and more restored. This experience was much more than “just” yoga — it was truly a reset physically and mentally, and a wonderful opportunity to restore and refresh alongside amazing and kind women.
From the moment I arrived, I knew it would be a transformative journey. Each class left me relaxed and rejuvenated. This, along with amazing food and people, made for an unforgettable experience. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for the perfect yoga getaway.
The Nova Yoga Retreat an amazing experience! The instructors created a very welcoming and relaxing atmosphere. I’m not sure I’ve ever been more relaxed than I was during this retreat. I challenged myself both physically and mentally and I felt stronger in both ways by the end of the week. I made new friends, learned new yoga skills, breathed in the epic beauty of the countryside and really enjoyed the excursions! A beautiful country and yoga retreat experienced with an amazing group of strong, vibrant women! I can’t wait to plan my next trip with Nova Yoga Retreats.
Melanie finds the best places and brings together the most amazing people.
Melanie has created a unique and magical experience that allows people of all ages to deepen their yoga practice in beautiful and comfortable locations. Mel makes you feel safe, able, and confident. She offers opportunities to modify all poses to accommodate your body. Her suggestions and “challenges” allow for growth in both body and mind. You leave the retreat feeling empowered and refreshed. I just returned from my second retreat with her, and am looking forward to planning my next one. Absolutely amazing experiences.
I love the opportunity to get away from the tourist areas and get to know the local scene. The food was fabulous, staff and accommodations were excellent. The yoga was wonderfully therapeutic. And I really enjoyed getting to know the group. This was a wonderful experience for me and my first time travelling as a single. It gave me the confidence to try it again.
Melanie is the most incredible yoga instructor. Her retreats are absolutely amazing. A magical experience of a lifetime. If you haven’t done one of her retreats, you are really missing out!
From the retreat lodgings to the food to the excursions and of course yoga for all levels and styles, it was a travel highlight of my life!
Highly ecommend this enriching yoga retreat experience. This was my second time attending a Nova Retreat, and I’m already looking forward to returning. It’s a truly enriching experience—an opportunity to step away from the busyness of everyday life and reconnect through yoga, mindfulness, and a warm, supportive community. The setting in Marrakesh adds a unique and magical dimension to the retreat. The culture, the atmosphere, and the beauty of the surroundings make it an unforgettable place to recharge. I wholeheartedly encourage anyone seeking rest, renewal, and inspiration to take this time for themselves—you won’t regret it.
I met some incredible people, ate some amazing food, and deepened my yoga practice. The tranquility and grounding was just what I needed. I would highly recommend Mel’s retreats for both the inexperienced and experienced traveller because you can really cater to what you want and need, and you will meet similar people with whom you can enjoy the journey.