Marrakech Berber

01/03/2023 -
06/03/2023
Marrakech, Morocco
World music
Malika Zarra
Small group - 10
£ 1890 - based on 2 sharing
£ 340 GBP - single supplement

Illustrations by Rosanna Tasker

Divine magic

Stepping into Marrakech Airport is like entering the inside of a heavenly kaleidoscope. No one thinks twice about checking their iPhone for messages or completing that oh-so-important level twenty-seven on Candy Crush. How could they? Above, shards of refracted light stream through diamond-shaped structures, zapping everyone with divine magic. This is a place devoid of mortal restraint such as walls and ceilings. It’s a cathedral of dreams, a waiting room before you enter the heavenly arena. We’d all been sucked into the biggest, most enchanting Moorish lampshade where only peace and calm existed. It was beautiful, and as I didn’t have a signal on my mobile, it was definitely worth a look!

We were staying in the Medina, in the old city of Marrakech, just a short taxi ride from our celestial waiting room. Dodging donkeys, market stalls, small children and plumes of 2-stroke, we’d arrived within 30 minutes at a drop-off-point just outside the Medina’s fortified walls and plumb in the centre of the most fabulous Souk.

As we said our goodbyes to Muhammad, our convivial taxi driver, a welcome party appeared in the mist as if summoned from a genies lamp.

Our escorts, Loebas and Bobby looked similar – both unusually blond, hairy and with big ears. They cut a strange figure in this part of Morocco. They knew the streets well, however, and darted confidently this way and that as they cleared a route in front of us. Soon they led us down an ever-narrowing street until we came to a dark tunnel. ‘Mildly terrifying’ I whispered to Témi.

Four eyes peered out from the darkness followed by two excited wagging tails. ‘Oh good, the muscle’s still with us’. Loebas and Bobby, Kbour’s two resident dogs, looked up at us with quizzical tilted heads as they ushered us into the shadowy passage.

We emerged pretty much instantaneously outside our Riad. ‘Welcome to Kbour and Chou’ said Khalid, the third member of our escort. There was a pregnant pause while we both drank in the enormous smile of pride and warmth radiating from Khalid’s face. ‘Choukran’ spat Témi.

Kbour Chou Bedroom Two

Kbour Chou Bedroom Two

Kbour Chou Bathroom Two

Kbour Chou Bathroom Two

Kbour Chou Courtyard

Kbour Chou Courtyard

Kbour Chou Dining

Kbour Chou Dining

Unlock and unwind

We entered into a little oasis. An inner courtyard filled with lovely smells, banana plants, Moorish decor and the sound of water. It was immediately seductive, without any need for effort or pretence. Our bags were taken to our room as the extraordinarily charming and softly spoken Egon sat us down with a lovely glass of hot mint tea and a selection of pâtisserie. ‘We don’t have any locks on the bedroom doors’, Egon told us. ‘No need’ he said.

We very quickly understood the reason behind Egon’s seemingly lax attitude to security. This is a small home – a sanctuary. There is nothing ‘hotel-like’ about Kbour. You get an immediate sense of family and belonging here. Everyone has a deep-rooted love for the house and for their guests. Whether it’s breakfast with Aziz and Khalid on the roof terrace, Mouna making up our room or Rachida in the kitchen, you quietly get to know everyone, and their kindness zaps you like those shards of light in our Moorish lampshade.

No locks on the doors? Obviously not.

Whether it’s the warmth of the open fireplaces in each room or the breakfast on the sun-drenched rooftop, you immediately feel completely relaxed here. Each room has its own unique character, and the detailed touches in each don’t go unnoticed. This is a refuge and the perfect counterpoint to the wonderfully chaotic Medina on our doorstep.

Our five nights of North African singing in Marrakech promises to be a particularly unique Singing Holidays treat. Not only will we be staying in the exquisite Kbour and Chou, but we’ll also be singing for three hours each morning with the exceptionally talented Malika Zarra.

Malika Zarra

Few musicians have the ability and life experience to absorb and excel in diverse musical styles quite like Malika. Having been born in the high Atlas into a Berber family, Malika grew up predominately in France before settling in New York. She has performed in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall (opening for Bobby McFerrin) and the London and Montreal Jazz Festivals. Her discography is extensive and includes the fascinating album ‘Berber Taxi‘ which in many ways exemplifies Malika’s rich palette of musical influence.

From Berber and Gnawa music to Jazz and French Melodie – our five-night stay in Marrakech is more than just ‘a holiday’. It’s the opportunity to be totally immersed in the very epicentre of Moroccan music – a chance to unplug, de-Spotify and discover a new and fascinating musical culture through the wonder of singing.

A little bird told me

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Summary

Price

£ 1890 GBP

Based on two sharing a twin or double room.

£ 340 GBP

Single supplement.

Date

01/03/2023
06/03/2023

Everything but flights

The price quoted includes everything except flights and drinks outside mealtimes. From pick-up to drop-off, we’ll be on hand to take care of every expense and every need.

Included

  • Transfer from the designated pick-up and drop-off point (normally the destination airport).
  • Any group transfer during your holiday.
  • Any group trips or events within the timeframe of your holiday, unless otherwise specified.
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day of your trip).
  • All tuition.
  • Accommodation.
  • Concert promotion.

Experts

All of our experts are obviously outstanding, inspirational artists, however they’re also lovely human beings. Their priority will always be 100% on you and your development. They are an integral part of the week, so be prepared to make new friendships.

Friendship

You can expect to be among like-minded people who love to sing. You can expect a supportive, non-judgemental group and many laughs.

Nurtured and taken care of

Témi and Alex organize and run every Singing Holidays event. Unlike most holiday companies, we’re with you from first contact right through to our sad farewells at the end of your stay. There are no reps, no faceless office staff, no strangers picking you up from an airport. Just us.

Food and accommodation

Témi and Alex spend weeks recceing each holiday, so you can get the very best from your stay. Nothing is by chance — we check every restaurant, we eat every menu, we jump on every bed, we take a toothbrush and magnifying glass to every bathroom, skirting board and wardrobe. When you arrive, you can relax in the knowledge that we’ve well and truly done our homework.

Direct contact

From first encounter to said farewells at the end of your holiday, you’ll be in direct contact with either Alex or Témi. Singing Holidays has been running events in Italy and beyond since 2010, and one of our core values is to also keep things small and contained, so we can give you the best experience.

Insurance & data protection

Singing Holidays Ltd has full liability insurance cover with First Underwriting Ltd. We adhere to GDPR to protect your privacy and any data you submit via our website or sister website singingnest.com is secured with 128-bit SSL encryption.

Covid-19

Booking a holiday during a pandemic isn’t for the faint-hearted. However, if you book a Singing Holidays event, and then you are unable to travel due to mandatory country restrictions, then you will be eligible for a full refund (including any ‘non-refundable’ deposit payment).

Kbour & Chou
13 Derb Najem
Marrakesh-Safi
Morocco

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Feefo Gold Award Singing Holidays 2023
Sustainable Holidays

Sustainable holidays with award-winning service. We are contributing to global reforestation and repairing damaged ecosystems. Every time you book a singing holiday, we’re busy planting trees and buying up land – helping to mitigate climate change.

© 2023 Singing Holidays™ Est. 2009
Singing Holidays Ltd. No. 11691653

Feefo Gold Award Singing Holidays 2023
Sustainable Holidays

Sustainable holidays with award-winning service. We are contributing to global reforestation and repairing damaged ecosystems. Every time you book a singing holiday, we’re busy planting trees and buying up land – helping to mitigate climate change.

© 2023 Singing Holidays™ Est. 2009
Singing Holidays Ltd. No. 11691653

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