Watercolor Painting Retreat in the Moroccan Countryside with Donna acheson

Watercolor Painting Retreat in the Moroccan Countryside with Donna acheson
2024

The purpose above all is to enjoy yourself while discovering the daily life of the inhabitants and the charm of the local sites. At the same time you will be making your own travel log inspired from your sketches. thus, creating a most unique travel souvenir. The itinerary is contains: trips, theoretical instruction, demonstrations, practical exercises, quick sketches and plein-air watercolor paintings. We will go on specific day or half-day trips for painting, full of ambiance and colors and where blue will be the guest of honor !
At the end of the week, you will finish up your travel log (with or without advice from the teacher) adding paper clippings, tickets, stamps, vegetation... etc. That you found during the days spent.
Day 1

Arrival in Marrakech at the Marrakech-Menara International Airport. after the meeting , the departure will take place towards Ouarzazate(about 200 km from Marrakech). taking the road which passes through the High Atlas mountain range. On our way we will drive through the Tizin’Tichka pass, at an altitude of more than 2200 m and which links the valley of the Tensiftwadi in the north, to the Asif Ounila valley a semi-arid region in the southeast. We will stop for the night in Aït-ben-Haddou, located in the Ounila valley and which is the traditional crossing point for caravans connecting Marrakech to the south of the Sahara.

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Day 2

"Le Ksar": Here we will begin our first sketches of Aït Ben Haddou from the panoramic terrace of our gîte. In the afternoon we shall visit the historic city and sketch in the shaded alleys and along the wadi. At the end of the day, we will leave Ait-ben-Haddou to arrive at one of the largest palm groves in Morocco where we will spend the night.


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Day 3

"The Palm Grove": In the morning discover the splendor of the date palms and the sheltered fruit and olive trees that they protect. The local population will warmly welcome you, adding to your feeling of well-being, all this under the heat from the Moroccan sun. The palm grove, with its flora and its kasbahs, will provide many subjects for the second page of your travel journal.

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Day 4

"The Souq": We will visit the souk where traveling merchants, artisans, blacksmiths, leather products, original and everyday goods of all kinds can be found.  After a painting session, immersed in the middle of this Moroccan market we will be on our way to the Gorges Dades, located at the foot of the High Atlas. We will then continue on towards the Dades Tinghir Gorges which carve their way through the mountains creating impressive cliffs. In Todgha, you will be facing two steep cliffs of 300 meters’ high, separated by a narrow corridor of around twenty meters: this is an unforgettable spectacle to draw, paint or photograph.

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Day 5

The drive from Tineghir to Merzouga (renown for the highest dunes in the world) passes by a succession of ksour and oasis. This region was one of the compulsory crossing points for caravans of slaves and gold traffic from Sudan and Guinea. Your caravan awaits you for a one hour trip on the back of a camel to watch the sunset from the top of a dune....

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Day 6
Departure from Merzouga to take the direction of our lodging in Skoura, via Tafilalet and Rissani the region of Jewish and Muslim Saints.
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Day 7

The Kasbahs of Skoura ": Amridil and those of the Oueds of the palm grove. Continue working on your travel journal.

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Day 8

A relaxing morning spent at the gîte to finalize your travel journal finishing sketches, painting, collages and the layout with the advice of the teacher. Lunch break. In the afternoon, free time and an opportunity to shop for souvenirs, or simply let the song of the birds guide your steps in the palm grove. Last night in Bassatine.

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Day 9

It is hard to say goodbye. but, this is the farewell day......Transfer to Marrakech-Menara International Airport.

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Why you will love this trip

• With the help of a local guide, you will have the impression of going back in time to the Middle Ages wandering the labyrinthine medina of Ait Ben Haddou, Skoura and Merzouga.

• Take the opportunity to travel through the spectacular red dunes of the Sahara by camel and have an unforgettable sunset experience.

• Djemaa el-Fna Square in Marrakech is a city within the city. Explore one of the largest meeting places in the world, joining the night carnival atmosphere of fortune tellers, dancers and healers.

Skoura is a town in Ouarzazate Province, Drâa-Tafilalet, Morocco. According to the 2004 census it had a population of 2,808.[1] Skoura is a fertile oasis lined with immense palm groves. The Kasbah Amerhidil is part of Skoura palm grove alongside more.



Our services

Lodging: Kasbah in the heart of the valleys and palm grovesTechnical support and overall support during all your travels.





For more details on the itinerary of this trip, I invite you to read the document which you will find below in the section "Download and print your registration from".





Terms

Workshop Trip 9 days / 8 nights all inclusive:

This price includes:

- More than 40 hours of lessons spread over 9 days for a maximum group of15 people

- Airport / Hotel transfers

- (air-conditioning) 17-seater vehicle with driver

- official licend tourist guides

- Full board accommodation, single room, double room for couples (all rooms have a private bathroom)

- Entrance fees to monuments

- Tourist taxes to be paid on site

- Cocktails / henna party

-Traditional hamam


Accompanying Person Trip 9 days / 8 nights all inclusive:

- Full board accommodation, single room, double room for couples (all rooms have a private bathroom)

- Airport / Hotel transfers

- (air-conditioning) 17-seater vhicle with driver

- official licend tourist guides

- Entrance fees to monuments

- Tourist taxes to be paid on site

- Cocktails / henna party

-Traditional hamam


These prices do not include:

- Roundtrip flights to Marrakech

- Painting equipment

- On-site purchases.

Gallery Photos :


Do you have pre-booking questions? Please contact us.

contact us quick question

Good To Know

Travelers from the US only are required to have a valid US Passport – but it must NOT be due to expire within 6 months of your return flight.

Your flight destination will be Marrakech Menara International Airport (RAK) / Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport. Royal Air Maroc is the only airline that has direct flights from the US to Morocco, from both JFK and Washington Dulles.

You can also book flights traveling through major European airports, as there are many connecting flights to Marrakech through economy airlines such as Ryan Air, Easyjet, Iberia, etc. We’ve found that it is easier to find good connecting flights on the way to Marrakech than on the return, but you can take the opportunity to end your trip with a day or two stop in Spain, France, Portugal, England….

Immunizations are not required or necessary but check here for CDC recommendations.

Weather is predictably unpredictable so be sure to check on the estimated conditions the week before you travel. Even though Marrakech can be quite warm by day, it is usually quite cooler at night so pack light clothes that you can layer. We recommend cotton pants, long skirts, wraps or large scarves over tank and tee shirts, and a sweater or light jacket for chilly nights.

Your most important fashion asset: comfortable shoes for traversing the Medina on sightseeing and shopping adventures!

Morocco is a Muslim country and women generally dress more modestly than in the US or Europe. Like elsewhere, dress codes are gradually becoming more lax and there is a lot of tolerance for tourists, but wearing clothing that covers your best “assets”, and that your grandmother would approve of, shows cultural respect, good taste, and common sense.

The currency here is the Moroccan Dirham, and the exchange rate usually hovers these days around 10 Dirhams/1 Dollar. You CANNOT exchange for Dirhams outside of Morocco, but there are several currency exchange booths in the airport when you exit Passport Control and also located all around the Medina. Larger stores and restaurants may take Euros, but it’s really best to have dirhams.

If you bring large bills ($100) to exchange be sure that they are newer bills with holograms. Otherwise they will slide them back to you with a shake of their head.

Another good option for padding your wallet with dirhams is to use the ATM machines which are located around the medina. The exchange rate is a little better, especially if your bank or credit card doesn’t add foreign transaction fees (some homework for you). Be sure to notify your bank of your foreign travel destination so they don’t flag you for fraud. I also recommend that you bring 2 or 3 cards-just in case you still get flagged (happens!) and find too many things you just can’t live without.

  • Free Wifi access in all rooms and common areas
  • Bedside Mineral Water
  • Hair Dryers
  • One-time complimentary laundry service for retreat weeks

Extra items you should pack:

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