Workshop

Capture the colours, culture, and beauty of the Maghreb in a guided workshop tour

Join me on this appreciation of Morocco through an artist’s eye. We will paint and sketch and experience meetings with local artists and appreciation of artistic spaces around the country. Non-painters are welcome and will have plenty to enjoy as well!

Day 1 MARRAKECH 
Marhaba! Welcome to Morocco! Transfer from the airport to your riad for a rest before a Welcome Meeting this afternoon followed by a tasting-style dinner in the famous Djemma El Fna night market.

Day 2 MARRAKECH
Spend the morning at the stunning Majorelle Garden and Berber museum depicting many beautiful traditional Moroccan textiles and jewelry. Lunch in the garden is a welcome refreshment at the afternoon is free to find a spot to capture the garden’s brilliant colors or relax at our riad.

Day 3 SKOURA
Cross the High Atlas Mountains, stopping to visit preserved kasbahs in their stunning red earth landscapes before stopping to stay in a cozy guest house along the Route of the Kasbahs this evening.

Day 4 SAHARA DESERT
Head deeper into the changing desert landscape, passing through the arid, rocky desert known as the hammada. Tonight we set up camp at a desert hotel before riding camels into the sunset, dining on a traditional Saharan tagine and maybe some drumming lull us to sleep under the spectacular starry sky.

Day 5 BERBER GUESTHOUSE
Enjoy a leisurely morning in the desert before heading to a village nestled in one of the largest palm oases in North Africa. Set up to paint this afternoon on the terrace with a view over red rock mountains and a million date palms. Homemade lunch and dinner.

Day 6 BERBER GUESTHOUSE
Enjoy a guided walk through the palms to learn about local life and farming here. The peace of the oasis and views out over the thousands of palm trees are truly spectacular.

Day 7 MIDDLE ATLAS
Say goodbye to our hosts as we head north. Our journey today takes us through the Middle Atlas mountains and sweeping landscape vistas to a a cozy guest house in the heart of a medieval mountain village where we’ll enjoy breathtaking views and a home-cooked meal.

Day MIDDLE ATLAS
Spend the morning visiting the colorful village and surrounding countryside, chatting with local artisans or painting.

Day 9 FES (ARRIVAL DAY Program II)
This morning we continue on to Fes, where we’ll soak up the sights and sounds of Fes’ labyrinthine medina with a guided tour before trying out a new skill at an Arabic calligraphy workshop this afternoon. Many charming choices for dinner abound in the medina. We welcome Program II participants and say farewell to Program I participants.

For those booked onto Program II, you can arrive any time today, preferably before 5pm in order to join us for a welcome meeting and dinner. You can arrange additional pre-trip accommodation nights, a private transfer service from the airport in advance with Summer or make your own arrangements if coming from elsewhere.

Day 10 CHEFCHAOUEN (DEPARTURE DAY Program I)
We’re off further north to Chefchaouen, the Jewel of the Rif Mountains. This picturesque blue-washed medina perched atop a hill hosts splendid views of the mountains and plenty of colorful shopping as well as charming local character.

For those booked onto Program I, you can depart at your leisure from the Fes airport or by train to Casablanca (5 hours). Additional post-trip accommodation nights, taxi or private transfer services can be arranged in advance with Summer.

Day 11 TETOUAN/TANGIERS
We wind our way back out of the Rif Mountains to the once-internationally controlled Tangiers, a beautifully restored city overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar. On the way we’ll stop to visit a local art studio to see how it’s enhancing the awareness of art in the community. Tonight we’ll stay in the historic kasbah where we can appreciate these views, architecture and local life.

Day 12 CASABLANCA
Continue south to Casablanca, the largest city in Morocco and home to one of the largest mosques in the world. See the magnanimous Hassan II Mosque then go for a traditional scrub and relaxing massage in the opulent mosque hammam or dinner at the famed Rick’s Cafe.

Day 13 ESSAOUIRA
We depart early for the Atlantic Coast and the seaside beckons. We’ll journey further south to the enchanting seaside town of Essaouira, a beautiful city with an artistic and bohemian vibe. We’ll catch a first-class train followed by a comfortable coach bus. The cool air and wide sandy beach are a welcome respite after our long journey, as is dinner accompanied by live music!

Day 14 ESSAOUIRA
Essaouira’s colorful artisan goods include thuya woodwork, leather and silver jewelry. It is easy to spend several days here wandering the charming medina, watching the sunset over the Portuguese ramparts and grooving to live music in the city’s quaint restaurants and bars. Get oriented to the city and enjoy it’s slower pace–find a place to paint and enjoy some gelato on the main square.

Day 15 ESSAOUIRA
Free day for painting, beach walking, shopping, browsing, and enjoying the UNESCO World Heritage city as you please.

Day 16 DEPARTURE DAY
Goodbye Morocco! We say ma salama but feel free to extend your stay to enjoy the post-festival vibe of this quaint city. It’s an excellent place to unwind! Book your departure transportation in advance with Summer. There are private transfers, comfortable coach buses and even limited flights out of Essaouira. Please allow 3 hours to get to Marrakech, 5 hours to get to Casablanca and 30 minutes to get to the Essaouira airport.

Physical Activity Rating: 3
Culture Shock Rating: 4

PRICE: USD$5100 per person based on double occupancy. Additional pre-accommodation or post-accommodation hotel nights in Marrakech $175, in Essaouira $175. Single Supplement upon request.

Full Program Price Includes: 9 nights boutique riad or hotel; 5 nights simple country lodging; 1 night Sahara camp; 15 breakfasts; 4 lunches; 10 dinners; Desert Camel Ride;  Guided tour in Fes;  Calligraphy workshop; Private Transportation, train and comfortable local bus; Expert tour host; Georgia Mansur Artist-in-Residence & Workshop fees; Airport transfer in from Marrakech airport/train station for Program I or Fes airport/train station for Program II.

Program I: $3250 per person based on double occupancy. 3 nights boutique riad or hotel; 5 nights simple country lodging; 1 night Sahara camp; 9 breakfasts; 4 lunches; 7 dinners; Desert camel ride; Guided tour in Fes; Calligraphy workshop; Private transportation. Expert tour host; Georgia Mansur Artist-in-Residence fees; Additional pre-accommodation or post-accommodation hotel nights in Marrakech $150, in Essaouira $150. Single Supplement upon request.

Program II: $2650 per person based on double occupancy. 7 nights boutique riad or hotel; 7 breakfasts; 1 lunch; 4 dinners; Private transportation. Expert tour host; Georgia Mansur Artist-in-Residence fees; Additional pre-accommodation or post-accommodation hotel nights in Fez $150, in Essaouira $150. Single Supplement upon request.

Not Included: Optional activities/excursions;  Other tips, meals (approximately $10-25 per meal), drinks or personal expenses; International flights (direct to Casablanca from Montreal or NYC on Royal Air Maroc or to Marrakech via most European cities on AA/Iberia, Delta/KLM, Air France, etc.) Casablanca airport is connected to Marrakech by train (approximately 4 hours) or by air (approx. 30 mins); Travel insurance (required; World Nomads, Travel Guard, Allianz are good options).

PLEASE NOTE: A $600 non-refundable deposit per person is required to reserve your space, payable by check, wire transfer or PayPal with 50% of the remaining balance due by February 14, 2023 and the remaining balance due by April 14, 2023. Credit card payments incur a 3% surcharge. This itinerary is subject to change depending on weather, availability of activities, unforeseen circumstances, emergencies, etc.  Cancellations made between February 14th and 180 days prior to the departure date will be refunded 50% of the total cost less the non-refundable deposit. Cancellations between 90 and 179 days prior to the departure date will be refunded 25% of the total tour cost less the non-refundable deposit. Cancellations less than 90 days prior to the departure date will be charged in full.

This tour is a curated experience of Morocco, its people, music, art, and natural beauty. As your private escort, I will encourage exploration, inspiration and reflection through local interaction and personalized experiences. Accommodation is in locally-owned hotels, riads and auberges chosen for their proximity, charm, and support of local business. While we have private transportation, interaction with locals is encouraged, whether it be the taxi driver, receptionist or local carpet weaver! Free time will be given when possible to allow you to choose independent activities, in order to gain unique personal experiences and an element of adventure is always to be expected! Attendance at included activities is not mandatory but no reimbursement will be made for non-participation. For more information or to book a space, please contact me directly at summer@summerdavistravels.com