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Mountains and Medinas

Following in the footsteps of the famous painter of Kasbahs, Jacques Majorelle, a unique and fascinating experience waits for artists and adventure lovers on this new... Read more

£1995 pp sharing excl. flights
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Date
12 Oct - 21 Oct 2023


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Location(s)
Marrakech, High Atlas Mountains
AFRICA / Morocco


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Tour content
Oil and/or watercolour plein air painting


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Tutor(s)
Vicki Norman

“Colour is everything, the harmony of colours together on the canvas and beautiful layers of paint on the surface inspire me every time.” Vicki Norman

Following in the footsteps of the famous painter of Kasbahs, Jacques Majorelle, a unique and fascinating experience waits for artists and adventure lovers on this new Art Safari.

Your artistic journey starts in the captivating red city of Marrakech and traverses centuries old caravan routes across the high peaks of the Atlas Mountains.  Enroute, you’ll encounter Berber mud villages, magnificent Kasbahs, and discover mesmerizing landscapes with dramatic canyons and rock formations, softened by lush valleys and palm groves.

Painting excursions will be varied and exciting with artist tutor Vicki helping you to capture the essence, mood and vibrancy of the inspirational surroundings in your paintings.  Colour is everywhere and your palette will be vivid and wonderfully contrasting. Blues, greens, and blacks are set against rich earthen reds, ochres and stony creams.

In Marrakech will we take a sketching tour of the medieval medina and majestic Koutoubia Mosque famed for its minarets and visit the labyrinthine souk and jewel coloured Jardin Majorelle with its blend of Art Deco and Moorish influences.

As we set out into the desert, we will stop in Telouét to visit the Pacha el Glaoui Palace whose beautifully decorated interior is testament to the hugely profitable trade routes that passed through these now dusty villages.  We continue south through the Ounila Valley flanked by blazing ochre-red mountains terraced with green gardens and on to the shady palmeries of the Draa Valley with its peaceful pastoral scenes.

Before returning to Marrakech we spend a couple of nights near Ouarzazate to explore Morocco’s most famous Kasbah, Ait Ben Haddou.  This 17th century fortified citadel epitomises the beauty of Morocco’s ancient adobe architecture.

The Berber people are renowned for their friendly hospitality and our local guide will help welcome us into the heart of this ancient and artistic culture…

The accommodation is in a mixture of comfortable Moroccan Riads and locally run guesthouses. Our lodgings in the Atlas Mountains will include a simple auberge and a carefully restored Kasbah.  What they lack in creature comforts they more than make up for in atmosphere, wonderful traditional Berber hospitality, and unique settings.  Many have roof terraces with stunning panoramic views….

 

Itinerary

Days 1 & 2Arrive Marrakech
Days 3 & 4Telouet
Days 5 & 6Draa Valley
Days 7 & 8Ait ben Haddou
Day 9Marrakech
Day 10Depart
Ask for full itinerary
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TOUR COST:

From £1995 per person sharing excluding flights.

Single Room Supplement from £355

FLIGHTS:

We are happy to arrange your flights for you but offer you the option of sourcing them yourself.

The joining point for this tour is Marrakech.

Please liaise with us for flight timings; we aim to have the group all travelling on the same flights.  If arriving at a different time from the group, there may be a small charge for separate airport transfers.

OUR PRICES INCLUDE:

9 nights’ accommodation in standard hotels, all meals, art tuition, English speaking local guide throughout, group road transfers, and airport transfers to meet group flights.

OUR PRICES EXCLUDE:

Flights to Marrakech, visa (if required), drinks, gratuities, optional activities, art materials, and personal expenses.

Enquire now on 01394 382235 or [email protected]

Please note:  A reasonable level of fitness is required on this trip, as you will be walking around towns and villages and on hillside paths, which are at times rocky.  Some of the sites such as Ait Ben Haddou also have steep stairways.  The pace is not strenuous, but some days you could be on your feet for 2 or 3 hours at a time.  It is important to bring shoes you are comfortable walking in.