Team retreat abroad: the complete guide for HR and team leads
By Charlotte Schoeters · · 8 min read
What a team retreat abroad is, what it costs, how long it takes to plan and what a good programme looks like. With a sample programme in Morocco.
A team retreat abroad is a trip of several days in which a team leaves the office behind to recharge, reconnect and think together, in a setting where everything is organised for them. Unlike a classic incentive trip, the programme is not just fun: it combines rest and movement with time to talk about the team and its plans.
In this guide we explain how it works, what it costs and what we have learned from organising retreats since 2017.
Why abroad?
A day in a meeting room close to home rarely feels like a break. Distance helps: no detour past the office, no evening at home with the laptop, and a group that eats, practises and talks together for a few days. People see each other in a different light, and that is exactly what a team needs after a busy period, a reorganisation or a strong year.
Who is it for?
- Companies that want to reward a team: an incentive trip that people actually remember
- Management teams and founders who need a leadership offsite with time to think
- Teams after a busy or difficult period who need to recharge together
- Smaller teams of 6 to 20 people, a group that large incentive agencies often overlook
Day retreat, weekend, midweek or abroad?
Not every team needs a week in Morocco. These are the formats we work with, each fully tailored to the employer's budget:
- Day retreat in Belgium: yoga, breathwork and time for reflection in one day, ideal as a kick-off or a reset
- Weekend or midweek in Belgium: two to four days with classes, good food and room for team sessions
- Retreat abroad, usually 4 nights: the full experience, with distance from everyday life and a programme around your team
- In-company yoga: a weekly class at your office (in and around Antwerp, €150 per session)
What does a team retreat abroad cost?
A custom retreat with Yogavibe in Morocco starts from €950 per person, from 6 people. That includes the stay with exclusive use of the house, full board by a private chef, two classes a day and Charlotte as your host. Flights are not included: your team books them itself, so you stay flexible on dates and departure airports.
The final price depends on the number of nights, the group size, the accommodation and the extras. We often work in our riad in Essaouira (up to 12 guests) or our villa in Marrakech (up to 10 guests), but we can just as well look for another place that fits your budget and group size. Extras such as airport transfers, massages, hammam, a guided hike or a workshop are added as you wish.
How far ahead should you plan?
Ideally 2 to 4 months ahead, especially for spring and autumn, the most popular seasons. A short timeline:
- Week 1: brief us on your group, goal, dates and budget; you get a draft programme within 48 hours
- Week 2: a call with Charlotte to refine the rhythm, activities and accommodation
- Confirmation: a deposit secures the dates and the location
- Weeks before departure: everyone books flights; we handle dietary needs, room plan and activities
- On site: you arrive, the rest is taken care of
Sample programme: 4 nights in Morocco
- Day 1: arrival, lunch in the garden, a gentle first class and dinner together
- Day 2: morning class, breakfast, a team session in the morning, free afternoon, Yin yoga in the evening
- Day 3: excursion (a guided hike in the Atlas mountains, the medina or surfing), healthy apéro by the pool
- Day 4: morning class, a workshop or second team session, closing dinner
- Day 5: last class, breakfast and departure
Everyone joins at their own level. Nobody needs yoga experience, and anyone who prefers to skip a class is always free to do so.
Tax points for Belgian employers
A collective staff event can, under conditions, be a tax-free social benefit for the employee. An individual reward trip linked to performance, on the other hand, is often seen as a taxable benefit. The deductibility for the employer is also limited and depends on how the event is set up. Check the treatment with your accountant or social secretariat before booking; we are happy to provide a clear quote and invoice for that.
Want to know what a retreat for your team would cost? Tell us your group size, period and budget: Charlotte replies within 48 hours with a draft programme.
Incentive trip to Morocco: a private villa or riad →
FAQ
What is a team retreat?
A team retreat is a trip of one or more days in which a team leaves the office to recharge, reconnect and think together, in an organised setting with a programme of rest, movement and team time.
How much does a team retreat abroad cost?
With Yogavibe, a custom retreat in Morocco starts from €950 per person, from 6 people, including the stay, full board, two classes a day and on-site guidance. Flights are not included.
What is the minimum group size?
From 6 people. For companies there is no real maximum: for larger groups we work out a tailored solution and accommodation.
Do employees need yoga experience?
No. Classes are adapted to every level, including complete beginners, and nobody has to join every class.
Is a team retreat tax-deductible in Belgium?
That depends on how it is set up. A collective staff event is treated differently from an individual incentive trip. Ask your accountant or social secretariat before booking.