Mesmera's Music & Dance Travels
Mésmera’s Dance and Music Travel Adventures began with her performance video production “Afrika: Mother of Dance” over 20 years ago. The magnificent beauty of the land, tribes and wildlife quickly generated an interest in joining her on safari to Kenya and Tanzania. After several amazing trips, she designed the perfect itinerary for Peru which included Iquitos for a week on the Amazon River and also Macchu Picchu. Then Brazil beckoned with visits to Copacabana, Rio, Ipanema, Paraty, Morro de Sao Paulo, Ariau in the Amazon, Bahia and Sao Paulo for the Luxor Festival. Next came four fabulous adventures to Spain for music, Flamenco, and a couple time traveling adventures to the ancient walled city, Fez, Morocco to stay in the Medina. In 2014 Mésmera traveled to Greece and Istanbul and in 2015 the Turkish itinerary where we visited Istanbul, Pamukkale, Ephesus, and more which all who went agreed it was one of their favorites. Then in 2016 it was on to Argentina with visits to Buenos Aires, Jujuy, Salta, and lots of Tango dancing! Then, Portugal beckoned in 2017 with its beautiful beaches, palaces, cathedrals, Fado music, and cuisine. It was so beautiful we had to go back in 2018, so we headed to Portugal, Spain & Morocco. Then, Costa Rica in 2019 where my group enjoyed Rx: Beauty in Playa Hermosa, Blue River, Tabacon Hot Springs, Monteverde, and, of course, San Jose.
Here are a few classics from over the years!
Argentina 2016 |
Portugal, Spain, Morocco 2018 |
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Spain & Morocco 2012 |
Athens, Crete Istanbul 2014 |
Turkey 2015 |
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Past Commentary
"Our Portugal trip brought me back to life (hence the excessive drinking and general exuberant behavior that Nataly keeps reminding me about). I loved this country on first sight - elegant shabby-chic, beauty and strong male dominance in the air - I don't know how to say it better, but I hope you understand what I mean. Thank you for taking us there and for all other adventures we had together - they constitute the best part of my favorite memories..."
-Stella, Ohio
"I had such a wonderful time on the trip!!! It was great to spend time with you all the gals were nice. I am in awe of your fitness level, the amazing way you dance and your interaction with all the gals. We all had such a great time!!!"
-Dianna, Arizona
"Thank you for organizing this trip once again Portugal is a very interesting place and I see it just getting more popular. Take care hopefully I can come out sometime to a bellydance function in California soon."
-Kathy, North Carolina
"I just want to thank you for another unforgettable trip! Thank you for putting it all together in a way no one else could do!
What a wonderful time we had, what a beautiful country we saw! The boat trips, the Fado music, the Flamenco, your amazing dance- I will never forget it. Thank you so much for brightening my life, and I believe-not only mine but all members of our group! Hugs, kisses and millions of thanks to you!" (Portugal)
-Nataly, Ohio
"Another fantastic trip!!! Home safe and sound...to snowy weather here in Colorado; I miss the sun in Lagos already! It was such fun traveling with all of you and hope to again, soon! Mz, thank you so much for putting all this together...another fabulous trip. You are the master! xoxo" (Portugal)
-Tammy, Colorado
"Thank you so much for the amazing energy you give to everyone - because the trip to Spain would not have been the same without you as the organizer. LOVED IT!"
- Beth, Florida
"Hope you are rested and reminiscing in the afterglow of our adventures in Spain. I know I am. I've been going through my photos and will get a CD out to you hopefully by the end of this week ... Mésmera ......... it was a real pleasure meeting you. I'm so glad to have taken the time to weave this journey into my life. What an interesting group of ladies to travel with. I enjoyed them all! Ciao for now"
- Annette, Florida
"Gaudí’s architectural artwork in Barcelona; the lively and genuinely welcoming bellydance community in the coastal town of Tarragona; glimpsing swathes of picturesque towns, villages and vast plains from the high-speed train; passionate flamenco performances in courtyards draped with verdant vines in Sevilla; Córdoba’s monumental mosque; the Alhambra’s lush, breezy gardens overlooking Granada; visiting the storied windmills in the La Mancha region on the way to the walled city of Toledo; gazing upon miles and miles of olive groves covering the countryside; perusing the treasury of art housed in Madrid’s many museums, followed by a live drumming class, finishing the night with dancing in a Moroccan-style tea house, were all the more enjoyable in the company of such a vibrant group of women."
- Rosibel, Los Angeles
"Dear Mésmera,
My Brazil tour with you in November 2005 was spectacular in every aspect and made my belly dancing experience complete. You, our gracious hostess, the great company of many women, our 5 star hotel accommodations with delicious food, and the best guides, shows, Samba classes, shopping......... did I mention Shopping? I'm ready to go again, real soon, I have traveled a lot and this is one of the best trips ever! Thank You!"
- Linda, Los Angeles
"I LOVED going to Africa with you! I’m not sure I ever talked to you about it, but your trips are magic, so healing. Africa was so vast and dancing with you on M.t Kilimanjaro while herds of wildebeest and giraffes and elephants stampeded below us and you and I and our rainbow veils… But I just wanted to share with you that you healed me in ways that go beyond words. I’m not sure if you know how you touch women with your strength and grace and beauty. So if I never said it before I’m saying it now—thank you."
-Marci, New Orleans
"What an ADVENTURE! From the riot of color, music and dance that is Rio, to the rich Afro Brazilian culture and history in beautiful Bahia, to the glittering, sizzling Luxor Bellydance festival in sophisticated Sao Paulo, our November 2002 journey through Brazil with Mésmera was a non-stop pleasure-fest: a thoroughly delightful sensory indulgence to treasure forever! The accommodations, transportation, exciting and inventive itinerary and the company were five-star deluxe, all the way. Oh, and the FOOD! Bursting with freshness and flavor, each delicious meal rivaled the last in sheer exotic delight. From the amazing breakfasts of european-style pastries and native breads to the lavish dinner feasts complete with elaborate, tropical desserts, I was completely and utterly enchanted. I have traveled all over the world, and have never eaten food this amazing. Time cannot pass quickly enough until our return trip there; the island breezes call me, the Samba music beckons, and I am helpless to resist!"
- Leela, Los Angeles
-Stella, Ohio
"I had such a wonderful time on the trip!!! It was great to spend time with you all the gals were nice. I am in awe of your fitness level, the amazing way you dance and your interaction with all the gals. We all had such a great time!!!"
-Dianna, Arizona
"Thank you for organizing this trip once again Portugal is a very interesting place and I see it just getting more popular. Take care hopefully I can come out sometime to a bellydance function in California soon."
-Kathy, North Carolina
"I just want to thank you for another unforgettable trip! Thank you for putting it all together in a way no one else could do!
What a wonderful time we had, what a beautiful country we saw! The boat trips, the Fado music, the Flamenco, your amazing dance- I will never forget it. Thank you so much for brightening my life, and I believe-not only mine but all members of our group! Hugs, kisses and millions of thanks to you!" (Portugal)
-Nataly, Ohio
"Another fantastic trip!!! Home safe and sound...to snowy weather here in Colorado; I miss the sun in Lagos already! It was such fun traveling with all of you and hope to again, soon! Mz, thank you so much for putting all this together...another fabulous trip. You are the master! xoxo" (Portugal)
-Tammy, Colorado
"Thank you so much for the amazing energy you give to everyone - because the trip to Spain would not have been the same without you as the organizer. LOVED IT!"
- Beth, Florida
"Hope you are rested and reminiscing in the afterglow of our adventures in Spain. I know I am. I've been going through my photos and will get a CD out to you hopefully by the end of this week ... Mésmera ......... it was a real pleasure meeting you. I'm so glad to have taken the time to weave this journey into my life. What an interesting group of ladies to travel with. I enjoyed them all! Ciao for now"
- Annette, Florida
"Gaudí’s architectural artwork in Barcelona; the lively and genuinely welcoming bellydance community in the coastal town of Tarragona; glimpsing swathes of picturesque towns, villages and vast plains from the high-speed train; passionate flamenco performances in courtyards draped with verdant vines in Sevilla; Córdoba’s monumental mosque; the Alhambra’s lush, breezy gardens overlooking Granada; visiting the storied windmills in the La Mancha region on the way to the walled city of Toledo; gazing upon miles and miles of olive groves covering the countryside; perusing the treasury of art housed in Madrid’s many museums, followed by a live drumming class, finishing the night with dancing in a Moroccan-style tea house, were all the more enjoyable in the company of such a vibrant group of women."
- Rosibel, Los Angeles
"Dear Mésmera,
My Brazil tour with you in November 2005 was spectacular in every aspect and made my belly dancing experience complete. You, our gracious hostess, the great company of many women, our 5 star hotel accommodations with delicious food, and the best guides, shows, Samba classes, shopping......... did I mention Shopping? I'm ready to go again, real soon, I have traveled a lot and this is one of the best trips ever! Thank You!"
- Linda, Los Angeles
"I LOVED going to Africa with you! I’m not sure I ever talked to you about it, but your trips are magic, so healing. Africa was so vast and dancing with you on M.t Kilimanjaro while herds of wildebeest and giraffes and elephants stampeded below us and you and I and our rainbow veils… But I just wanted to share with you that you healed me in ways that go beyond words. I’m not sure if you know how you touch women with your strength and grace and beauty. So if I never said it before I’m saying it now—thank you."
-Marci, New Orleans
"What an ADVENTURE! From the riot of color, music and dance that is Rio, to the rich Afro Brazilian culture and history in beautiful Bahia, to the glittering, sizzling Luxor Bellydance festival in sophisticated Sao Paulo, our November 2002 journey through Brazil with Mésmera was a non-stop pleasure-fest: a thoroughly delightful sensory indulgence to treasure forever! The accommodations, transportation, exciting and inventive itinerary and the company were five-star deluxe, all the way. Oh, and the FOOD! Bursting with freshness and flavor, each delicious meal rivaled the last in sheer exotic delight. From the amazing breakfasts of european-style pastries and native breads to the lavish dinner feasts complete with elaborate, tropical desserts, I was completely and utterly enchanted. I have traveled all over the world, and have never eaten food this amazing. Time cannot pass quickly enough until our return trip there; the island breezes call me, the Samba music beckons, and I am helpless to resist!"
- Leela, Los Angeles