Desert in Bloom — 5 Nights in Fayoum + Cairo Closing Celebration
There is another side of Egypt, beyond the temples and tombs, where flowers grow at the edge of the Sahara, palms shade ancient villages, and fertile fields have been cultivated for thousands of years.
Join culinary artist and author Loria Stern, celebrated for transforming edible flowers into extraordinary works of art, for an intimate five-night journey into Egypt's Fayoum Oasis.
Just two hours from Cairo, Fayoum is a world of contrasts: green farmland and desert, pottery villages and ancient ruins, palm groves and vast expanses of sand. Long known for its craft traditions and extraordinary fossil landscape, it offers a glimpse of an Egypt few travelers experience.
Our home will be Villa Fayoum, an intimate 12-room historic villa hidden within a lush garden in the village of Tunis. Created with traditional Egyptian materials and layered with antiques, textiles and art by Al Moudira founder Zeina Aboukheir, the villa feels less like a hotel than a beautiful private home in the oasis.
Over five days, we'll explore Fayoum through the things that grow—and are created—here.
We'll venture into fields of calendula to meet local growers and, when the harvest allows, gather petals alongside them. Back at the villa, Loria will lead us in transforming edible flowers and local ingredients into her signature botanical creations.
We'll visit the pottery village of Tunis and work alongside a local ceramicist, creating pieces inspired by the flowers and botanical forms we've encountered. We'll ride on horseback through farmland and village landscapes, discover ancient temple ruins, and experience the rhythms of rural Egyptian life.
And then we'll leave the green oasis behind for the extraordinary desert landscapes of Wadi El Rayan and Wadi Al-Hitan—the Valley of the Whales, where prehistoric whale fossils emerge from what was once an ancient sea.
Throughout the journey, there will also be time simply to be at Villa Fayoum—to gather around the table, wander its gardens, linger over meals, and allow the landscape to become part of the creative process.
On our final day, we'll return to Cairo for a dramatic finale: the Great Pyramids of Giza, lunch overlooking them at Khufu's, and an afternoon exploring the treasures of the Grand Egyptian Museum.
For those who wish to continue deeper into Egypt, an optional journey to Al Moudira and the Nile will follow.
Desert in Bloom is an invitation to experience an unexpected Egypt—through flowers and food, craft and cultivation, ancient landscapes and the people who continue to shape them.
~ The Retreat ~
Day by Day
Day 1 — Cairo → Fayoum | Arrival in the Oasis
Private transfer from Cairo to Fayoum, approximately two hours away. Arrive at Villa Fayoum in Tunis Village and settle into the historic garden villa. Keep this first afternoon intentionally light: time to explore the property, wander the gardens, unpack, and settle into the slower rhythm of the oasis.
Evening: Welcome gathering with Loria Stern, followed by a beautiful dinner at the villa introducing the flavors, flowers, and ingredients of Fayoum.
Day 2 — Fields & Flowers | Calendula + Loria Workshop
After breakfast, venture into Fayoum's agricultural landscape to visit local calendula growers.
Meet the farmers, learn about cultivation and harvesting, and—depending on the timing of the crop—walk into the fields and gather calendula petals alongside them.
Return to Villa Fayoum for lunch and some downtime.
Afternoon: Botanical workshop with Loria Stern, using edible flowers and locally sourced ingredients to create one of her signature flower-inspired culinary projects.
Dinner and evening at the villa.
Day 3 — Earth & Clay | Tunis Pottery Village
After breakfast, explore Tunis Village, famous for the pottery tradition established here by Swiss artist Evelyne Porret.
Visit local workshops, meet ceramicists, visit a local women’s weaving cooperative, and learn about the village's distinctive approach to pottery.
Hands-on pottery workshop: Create a piece inspired by the flowers, leaves, palms, and botanical forms encountered during the retreat.
Lunch in Tunis Village.
Visit a local women’s weaving cooperative, where we’ll meet the artisans keeping Fayoum’s textile traditions alive. We’ll learn about the natural fibers, colors, patterns, and techniques used in their work, watch the weaving process firsthand, and hear how these skills are passed from one generation of women to the next. There will be time to browse and purchase pieces directly from the makers, supporting the cooperative and the women behind the craft.
Unscheduled afternoon—pool, gardens, sketching, reading, or simply being at the villa.
Dinner at Villa Fayoum.
Day 4 — From Green to Desert | Wadi El Rayan + Valley of the Whales
Depart after breakfast by 4x4 for Wadi El Rayan, where the cultivated oasis abruptly gives way to immense desert.
Continue into Wadi Al-Hitan — the Valley of the Whales, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where fossils of prehistoric whales reveal that this seemingly endless desert was once an ancient sea.
Explore the fossil landscape and museum, with lunch or a picnic in the desert.
Return to Villa Fayoum in the late afternoon.
Dinner at Villa Fayoum.
Day 5 — The Living Oasis | Horses, Farmland & Farewell
A final morning immersed in the landscapes and rhythms of rural Fayoum.
Morning: Horseback ride through the oasis, passing farmland, palm groves, irrigation canals, and village landscapes—a slower way to experience the agricultural traditions that have sustained Fayoum for thousands of years.
Lunch: Return to Villa Fayoum for a leisurely lunch.
Afternoon: Unstructured time at the villa to rest, wander the gardens, finish creative projects, pack, or simply enjoy the oasis.
Evening: A special outdoor farewell dinner in the gardens of Villa Fayoum, with candlelight, flowers, and a menu inspired by the ingredients, colors, and landscapes encountered throughout the week.
Day 6 — Fayoum → Cairo | Pyramids + Khufu's + GEM
After an early breakfast, depart Villa Fayoum for Cairo.
Morning: Guided visit to the Giza Pyramid Complex, including the Great Pyramid and Sphinx.
Lunch: Khufu's, overlooking the pyramids.
Afternoon: Explore the Grand Egyptian Museum, bringing the journey from rural and ancient Egypt into the extraordinary collection of objects created by the civilization that grew along the Nile.
From here, guests can either depart Cairo / stay overnight or begin the optional extension south.
Where you will stay
Our time at Villa Fayoum offers a beautiful immersion into the slower rhythms of oasis life. Tucked into the village of Tunis, the intimate historic villa is filled with layered textiles, antiques, and Egyptian craftsmanship, with lush gardens and quiet courtyards just beyond its doors. It feels less like a hotel than a private home—a place to gather around the table, wander through the gardens, create, and settle into the landscape of Fayoum.
“There is a kind of beauty that can only be found when we slow down enough to notice it.”
This Retreat Is For You If….
You're a creative person—or simply someone who wants to feel more creative—and believe inspiration often begins by stepping outside your everyday world.
You're fascinated by food, flowers, art, craft, gardens, and the stories behind the people who make and grow things.
You love beautiful places, but you're even more interested in understanding what makes them distinctive.
You're drawn to travel that takes you beyond the obvious.
You appreciate beautiful accommodations, wonderful meals, thoughtful details, and the luxury of having the logistics taken care of.
And you're excited by the idea of traveling with a small group of curious, creative people who arrive as strangers and often leave as friends.
You do not need to be an artist, baker, chef, or experienced maker to join us. Curiosity is enough.
Meet Your Host
Loria Stern
Culinary artist, author, and baker Loria Stern has transformed the simple beauty of edible flowers into an art form.
Founder of EAT YOUR FLOWERS, her garden-to-table baking company, Loria is celebrated for creating extraordinary botanical confections using pressed edible flowers, herbs, and other ingredients drawn from the natural world. Her work has been featured in Vogue, The New York Times, and Harper’s Bazaar, and she has collaborated with brands including Prada, Whole Foods, Bloomingdale’s, and Adidas. Her cookbook, Eat Your Flowers, was published by HarperCollins.
Long before launching her own company, Loria honed her craft in professional kitchens in New York, working in bakeries, restaurants, and hotels. Today, her approach brings together those culinary skills with a deep appreciation for the nutritional, medicinal, and aesthetic qualities of plants.
Raised in Ojai, California, surrounded by gardens and year-round natural beauty, Loria has always been connected to the landscape. That relationship between place, season, flowers, and food remains at the heart of her work.
In Fayoum, Loria will invite us into her creative process—from encountering flowers where they are grown to preparing them for baking and ultimately transforming them into something beautiful and delicious. It is a rare opportunity to experience her work at its source: in the landscape, around the table, and with our hands.
What’s Included
Accommodation
5 nights at Villa Fayoum — an intimate historic villa in Tunis Village, surrounded by lush gardens and inspired by the colors, textures, and traditions of the oasis
Meals & Dining
Daily breakfasts, lunches, and dinners
Welcome dinner at Villa Fayoum
Special outdoor farewell dinner in the villa gardens
Meals inspired by seasonal ingredients and the flavors of Fayoum
Desert picnic or lunch during our Wadi Al-Hitan excursion
Workshops with Loria Stern
Hands-on botanical and baking workshops with Loria Stern
Visit to local calendula grower to learn about the cultivation and harvesting of edible flowers
Opportunities to gather fresh calendula from the fields, depending on the harvest
Baking with fresh calendula, edible flowers, and locally sourced ingredients
Creative exploration inspired by the flowers, colors, textures, and landscape of the oasis
Craft, Culture & Creative Experiences
Hands-on pottery workshop with a local ceramicist in Tunis Village
Visit to a local women’s weaving cooperative to meet the artisans and learn about traditional techniques, fibers, and patterns
Time to explore the pottery workshops and creative community of Tunis Village
Opportunities to purchase pottery, textiles, and other pieces directly from local makers
Curated Excursions & Experiences
Private 4x4 excursion into Wadi El Rayan
Guided exploration of Wadi Al-Hitan — the Valley of the Whales, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Visit to the fossil museum and prehistoric whale fossil landscape
Horseback ride through the Fayoum Oasis, passing farmland, palm groves, irrigation canals, and village landscapes
Unstructured time at Villa Fayoum to enjoy the gardens, pool, and slower rhythms of the oasis
Villa Life & Amenities
Intimate 12-room setting surrounded by gardens
Beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces for workshops, meals, and gathering
Pool and gardens for relaxing between activities
Time built into the itinerary for rest, reflection, and independent creative pursuits
Local Experts & Hosts
Workshops and creative sessions led by Loria Stern
Local growers, ceramicists, weavers, and artisans sharing their knowledge and traditions
Local guides for our desert and cultural excursions
On-the-ground support throughout the retreat
Transfers & Logistics
Private group transfer from Cairo to Villa Fayoum
All transportation for scheduled retreat excursions and activities
4x4 transportation for Wadi El Rayan and Wadi Al-Hitan
Private transfer from Villa Fayoum to Cairo on our final day
All entrance fees and permits for included excursions
Not Included
International flights to or from Egypt
Airport transfers in Cairo outside of the scheduled group transfers
Accommodation in Cairo before or after the retreat
Meals, tours, or activities not specified in the itinerary
Alcoholic beverages
Gratuities for villa staff, guides, drivers, instructors, and local hosts
** Please tip your guides, small tips go a long way in Egypt to support the local communities!
Travel insurance and any personal expenses
Retreat Investment
| Room Type | Price (Per Person) | Notes | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared Twin Room | $4950 | 2 | |
| Private Room | $5500 | 6 | |
| Private Villa Fayoum Suite | $6500 | 1 | |
| Payment Schedule -$2500 non-refundable deposit due within 7 days of booking. | |||
| Balances Payments due ______ |
Reserve Your Place
Contact Us
For questions or to reserve your spot, please contact us:
thecuratedpassenger@gmail.com
+ 1 323.608.8553.
We’re happy to help with cabin selection, itinerary details, or any special requests.