CREATIVE Adventure : MOROCCO  
From Kasbah To Coast   25TH September - 4th Oct 2020

A Sketchbook Drawing, Painting & Mixed Media Creative Adventure 

Pack your sketchbook and join artists Tessa Pearson and Lara Harwood for inspiring 10 days journey to the high Atlas mountains, through the Tizi n Test Pass . Draw exotic gardens and ancient ramparts in the southern city of Taroudant and explore the coastal town of Essaouira with boats, souks and sunsets.

From the Kasbah to the coast.

25 September 2020 - 04 October 2020

 All welcome ! Suitable for beginners to advanced artists.  Maximum number of artist participants 14

9nights / 10 day £1516 pp shared Room  and limited single @  £2303 pp single

(Price does not include flights & insurance or Alcohol)

Very Important !  You will need to book your own flights to arrive for the first day of the workshops.Transfers from Airport to Riad  will be arranged etc once we have this info from you. Please let us know ASAP about your flight bookings. 

We are partnering with Discover Ltd. (ABTA bonded and ATOL licence holder)

For Bookings please email : bookings@discover.ltd.uk   

(Deposit is 30% on booking )

JOIN MAILING LIST

See itinerary below....

Itinerary

Day 1 - Welcome to Marrakesh and introductions 

You will be met at the airport and escorted to the Riad Dar Doukkala in Marrakesh medina. If you arrive earlier in the day you will be able to relax on the Riad rooftop terraces, have lunch and maybe go out and explore a little. Later arrivals should be in time for evening drinks and an introductory talk by Tessa and Lara which will give you the opportunity to meet each other and we can discuss the following days arrangements. Dinner will be in the Riad.

Day 2 – To the Kasbah

After breakfast we will depart by private transport to the High Atlas mountains and the Kasbah du Toubkal at Imlil. (approximately 90 minute journey).  Arriving at Imlil, you will be met by a member of the Kasbah staff who will ensure your luggage is loaded onto a mule and you will be guided on a short 15-minute mule ride or walk up to the Kasbah. On arrival we will enjoy Berber tea and welcome talk about the Kasbah followed by lunch on the terrace. In the afternoon we will take a guided walk up along the ancient paths and mule tracks, enjoying the spectacular views of landscape and on to the Berber village of Arrempt, stopping a couple of times to sketch , with guidance from Lara and Tessa.  You may also choose to stay at the Kasbah and draw from the terraces. Dinner will be at the Kasbah. 

Day 3 - Drawing and painting in the valley by the river

  This morning we will walk down to the beautiful river valley below the Kasbah for sketching and painting. Lunch will be a lovely Berber picnic in the valley and in the afternoon you are free to explore the village shops and cafes or draw in the Kasbah gardens or out on the terraces. Late afternoon Tessa will demonstrate techniques and ideas for mixed media to develop your sketches and we will have a quick share of sketchbooks before dinner which will be at the Kasbah.

Day 4 - Studio day to explore sketchbook and mixed media at the Kasbah 

Today we are based at the Kasbah where you can experiment with some mixed media techniques and continue to develop your sketchbook work . Tessa and Lara will demonstrate and advise and the studio space will allow a little more space for your creativity. We may also be able to hold some small group workshops in simple monoprint printmaking techniques. Dinner will be at the Kasbah.

Day 5 – From the Kasbah to Taroudant through the Tizi n Test Pass

After an early breakfast we will depart for the journey down to Taroudant. This will take us through stunning mountain scenery with wonderful views of ancient Berber villages and mosques. We will make several stops during the journey for sketching the views. Lunch will be at the spectacular Tizi n Test pass , one of the most famous and beautiful passes in Morocco. After lunch we will continue down to Taroudant, arriving late afternoon where we are staying in the acclaimed boutique hotel Riad Dar Al Hossoun, a beautiful eco- lodge with lovely contemporary gardens with many rare plants. Dinner will be at Dar Al Hossoun.

Day 6 – Taroudant and Dar Al Hossoun

Today you are free to sketch in the fantastic gardens at Dar al Hossoun or choose to go on various outings ( not included in holiday price) to explore other gardens in nearby Riads and Taroudant, to the medina of Taroudant with its ancient walls and busy souk, or other lifestyle and landscape activities. Lunch is not included today as you may choose to stay at the Riad or venture further afield. (The outings include lunch – see their website for details). In the evening we will have a discussion and show and tell of sketchbooks work. Dinner will be at Dar Al Hossoun.

Day 7 – From Dar Al Hossoun to Essaouira via the coast

After breakfast we will leave Dar Al Hossoun and drive via Agadir along the coast road up to Essaouira. We will stop along the way at a surfing village for sketching and the beach of Sidi Kaouki where we will be able to get some lunch ( not included) and relax and sketch on the beach where there are often camels and horses ( you could have a ride !) and various cafes . We will arrive late afternoon in Essaouira where we are staying at the Riad Watier, a traditional guesthouse renovated entirely by Moroccan artists and craftsmen, in the heart of the medina. Dinner will be at Riad Watier.

Day 8 – Exploring and sketching in Essaouira

We will spend the day in the medina of Essaouira, enjoying the wonderful colours and sights of the old doors, the markets, the cafes and the ramparts with the famous fishing boats .Lara and Tessa will discuss and demonstrate techniques for capturing sketches of people and busy market scenes, and show you their favourite places. Lunch is not included today as there are many places to cafes and restaurants to choose from including the famous Salut Maroc with it’s amazing tiled interior. Dinner will be at Riad Watier.

 Day 9 – More exploring and sketching in Essaouira

Today we will start with a share of sketchbooks and ideas before returning to favourite spots for drawing and sketching. The medina of Essaouira is small and easy to find your way around, and the shopping opportunities are very tempting! Lunch is your own choice again ( not included) – Lara and Tessa will advise on good places to go where you can people watch and sketch from your table. In the early evening we will return to the port to watch the spectacular sunset over the rocks and maybe try to catch this in our sketchbooks or just enjoy a photo. Our last nights dinner will be at Riad al Madina .

Day 10 – early return transfer to Marrakesh for flights home. Please do not book your flights before afternoon departures as the transfer is 3 hours plus 2-3 hours check- in time. Late departures may leave their luggage at an arranged hotel in Marrakesh until they need to leave.