Click Here: Slow Art Retreat / Marrakech, Morocco / October 21-27, 2018
Click Here: Slow Art Retreat / Marrakech, Morocco / October 21-27, 2018
Slow Art In Marrakech!
Join Diva Pyari, Rae Dunn & our local guide for a magical week in Marrakech, Morocco! A land out of time, rich with color, tiles, spices, fragrances... An ancient city a thousand years old which has seen Roman rule, Vandal settlement, a rich showering of of Islamic culture, and, in our era, a lovely French influence.
We'll start our mornings with beautiful Moroccan breakfasts, followed by slow art workshops - beginning with a meditation, then a creative lesson with Diva (modern calligraphy with traditional dip pen) or Rae (travel sketching and watercolors). The days (and candle-lit dinners) will be carefully curated with our local hosts and guide!
Refreshing body and mind, we'll discover ancient beauty rituals in the hammam, or Turkish baths. We'll fill up our sketchbooks, visiting the inspiring Majorelle Garden of Yves Saint Laurent and the incredible tiles and architecture of the Bahia Palace. And oh YES we'll shop to our bohemian hearts content in the souks of the Medina, and the night market of the legendary Jemaa el Fna!
Marrakech is a spinning chaos of hustle and bustle among the winding alleyways in the Medina, around every corner! And then you dip into a 'riad' (a traditional house, palace, or hotel - typically with latticed balconies overlooking a central courtyard) for tea or a meal - and immediately there's calm again. The high walls of the riad are instantly soothing and serene, and we will be staying in one such peaceful and lovely oasis! In fact our luxury riad has a private hammam with two excellent masseuses available to book treatments, an amazing chef, & a rooftop terrace with pool and incredible sunset views of the Atlas Mountains!
We’ll also get a break from the city mid-week for a day trip to a stunning Kasbah in the Atlas Mountains. We’ll go on a camel ride to the river, make traditional mint tea from the Kasbah gardens, and enjoy a dinner fit for queens — it will be a beautiful day from start to finish.
Scroll down for our complete prospective itinerary.
12 participants max. No refunds.
Photos here by Alicia Etienne @aliciaswissmiss
What's included:
Shared or Private Accommodations, 7 days/6 nights (I will pair you up unless you request to room with someone in particular)
Most meals (all breakfasts, 3 lunches & 5 dinners)
4 Slow Art Workshops
Daily meditation
Group transportation
Calligraphy & Art supplies
What's not included:
Airfare
Some meals (2 lunches & 1 dinner - during free time, tho we will give wonderful suggestions)
{There is the possibility of a 3 day add-on excursion in the desert -- think camels and dunes and traditional tented Bedouin settlements! If this is something you're interested in please make a note when you register and I will be in touch about it shortly.}
PROSPECTIVE ITINERARY
Sunday, Day 1
Arrivals, we will arrange group transport from the Marrakech Airport to our accommodations, check in is after 3pm but you can leave your bags sooner and hang out.
6:30pm Rooftop Welcome Drinks!
7:30pm Candlelit Dinner at our Riad with traditional tagines
Monday, Day 2
7:30-9:30 Moroccan Breakfast at our Riad
10-12:30 Slow Art Workshop: Guided Meditation with Diva, Travel Sketching & Watercolors with Rae.
1:00 Lunch at our Riad with typical Moroccan salads and homemade breads
2:30 Guided visit to the Saadien Tombs, Bahia Palace, and the Jewish Quarter
6:30 Optional drinks at El Fenn, a lovely nearby riad with rooftop terrace
7:30 Walk to the Night Market and a casual dinner on the Jma El Fna square
Tuesday, Day 3
7:30-9:30 Moroccan Breakfast at our Riad
10-12:30 Slow Art Workshop: Guided Meditation, Modern Calligraphy with Diva
1:00 Another delightful lunch at our Riad!
2:30 Guided shopping in the Souks! The best shopping of Marrakech, from rugs to poofs, ceramics to argan oil. How to haggle and how to spot quality. We'll also visit a local artist/designer Diva's crazy for!
6:30 Moroccan Music Concert in a 17th century palace museum!
8:00 Dinner at another lovely restaurant, a true favorite :)
Wednesday, Day 4
7:30-9:30 Moroccan Breakfast at our Riad, 10:00 Guided Meditation
10:30-1:00 Slow Art Workshop at Majorelle Garden with Rae, Travel Sketching & Watercolors
1:00 Free Time, follow our Secret Marrakech map for recommendations -- lunch at La Famille, visit the YSL Museum, the best shopping, relax poolside at our Riad, or spa time in the hammam!
7:00 Walk to the night market & another yummy dinner at Jma El Fna
Thursday, Day 5
7:30-9:30 Moroccan Breakfast at our Riad, 10:00 Guided Meditation
10:30 DAY TRIP to the Atlas Mountains!! We'll stop at incredible gardens and visit a luxurious Kasbah high in the mountains. We'll take a camel ride to the river for a picnic lunch, visit a berber village, and make traditional mint tea with herbs from the garden.
Free Time (evening): Optional dinner at the gorgeous Kasbah or back in Marrakech
Friday, Day 6
7:30-9:30 Moroccan Breakfast at our Riad
10-12:30 Slow Art Workshop: Guided Meditation, Modern Calligraphy with Diva.
1:00 Free Time, try a lovely nearby lunch at Le Jardin
Free Time - Refer to our Secret Marrakech map for more of our must-sees!
7:30 Farewell Dinner at a beautiful French restaurant with stunning rooftop views - a decadent evening to complete a magical week together... Let's dress up!
Saturday, Day 7
7:30-9:30 Moroccan Breakfast at our Riad
10-11:00 Check out. Group Transport to Airport (or farewells to those continuing on in Morocco)
Note: We suggest you purchase travel insurance in case of any unforseen happenings. Please be sure you can make it before registering, there are no refunds. Also, these retreats are active, you must be able to manage stairs, walking tours, and more at a reasonable pace.