WORKSHOP: LET MARRAKECH INSPIRE YOU
Marrakech, the pink city of Morocco, was founded almost 1000 years ago and still breathes the legacy of its long past. The city is not just a place of history to visit; you will also find centuries-old trading spots where ideas and traditions continue to thrive and the energy can be intimidating. Autumn is a pleasant time to explore the city; the summer heat has subsided; the days remain comfortably warm, and evenings are refreshing. Enjoy the spirit of the city from a Riad in the Medina, the old walled center of the city, with the narrow alleys and hidden courtyards.
YOU WILL VISIT THE HIGHT LIGHTS OF THE CITY
Marrakech has a lot of historical palaces, gardens which will give the feeling of being in another century. In the 1920’s the French painter Jacques Majorelle designed a dreamy botanical garden that eventually fell in despair and was purchased in the 1980’s by Yves Saint Laurent and Piere Bergé. They brought the garden back to life and the garden has been opened to the public again in 2008. Yves Saint Laurent fell in love with Morocco in the 1960’s. Oftentimes, he went there to find inspiration for his fashion collections. The Berber museum has a well curated collection of indigenous jewelry and cloths.
Next to the garden you will find the Yves Saint Laurent museum which was built in 2017 by the Fondation Pierre Bergé - Yves Saint Laurent. The museum has a gorgeous collection of clothing and accessories by Yves Saint Laurent. During one of my visits, the museum had an exhibition of rugs that were done by women from the Atlas Mountains. The exhibition wanted to give a name to the women who make those rugs just for personal use. They have no contact with the western world, art, or television but those rugs were all pieces of modern art. Last year they have put poetry next to some amazing dresses of YSL.
The Secret Garden was opened to the public only a few years ago after years of restoration. It is one of the Medina’s largest and most important gardens dating from the 19th century. The garden is divided in two distinct areas; an Islamic garden and a more exotic garden with fruit trees, olives, and pomegranate. The garden has an elaborated irrigation system, which was once part of a network that distributed water throughout the city.
Marrakesh is a former imperial city; a major economic center and home to mosques, palaces and gardens.
When visiting the Badi Palace you will find monumental ruin with vast reflecting pools and an amazing view of the city from its ramparts. The Moorish minaret of the 12th century Koutoubia mosque can be seen from different parts in the Medina, is the symbol of the city. Close by you will find the beautiful Bahia Palace, a gorgeous decorated palace that was once owned by slave-turned-vizier Abu “Bou” Ahmed. You will get a good view on the Arabic architecture, the beautiful zelliges with amazing handcrafted work.
ASWELL AS SOME HIDDEN TREASURES
Walking around in the narrow streets of the Medina you well get lost for sure. Only then you will you find hidden treasures such as the Perfume museum with a discreet sign that will guide you to the entrance of a small riad. I can vividly remember discovering the Boucharouite Museum by accident because one of the small streets was blocked and I had to make a detour around. I had read about the museum but when I saw it on the map I thought it would be impossible for me to find it. The museum was a guesthouse until a few years ago it was converted to a museum.
I’ve always admired the Morocco rugs, but on my last visit I saw rugs which were so amazing that they were more of art pieces rather than rugs. They were made of combinations of different techniques and the use of plant-dyed wool. In case where there was not enough wool they would cut old T-shirts or pullovers in small strips.
Le Map opened only a few years ago, it is a private collection of a Swiss couple. They build an amazing museum where they showcase only a part of their collection which they collected over the years with pieces from Africa, the Middle-East and the Far East.
GET LOST IN THE SOUK
There is no better way to learn the city than getting lost in the souks. Forget maps, they won’t help you to get around in the maze-like alleys. And when you are really lost you will find somebody who will guide you out. Negotiating is a sport in the souks. It will take some time to getting used to it. Once you know the rules of the game you will enjoy it. You will see the many areas for traditional textiles, pottery, spices, and leather handbags. You can spend days searching for your pair of slippers or one of those twinkling lanterns. The shopkeepers are amazing, whenever they see you, they always remember what you bought or what you were interested in on your previous visit. Don’t hesitate to ask for custom made, your favorite color or a different size as most products are made right there in the souk.
TRENDY SHOPPING
The small shops in the souks are not the only place where you can find amazing things. There are trendy shops in the Medina or in the Gueliz district. You will find traditional object next to a more contemporary selection, inspired by Moroccan traditions such as textiles, accessories for the house, shoes, and design pieces. Taking an extra suitcase is advised as you will find it hard to resist the shopping.
TRENDY PLACES TO EAT DELICIOUS FOOD
Salads, tagine, couscous, fresh pomegranate juice, and mint tea are some of the traditional Moroccan cuisines, each offering vibrant flavors and fragrant spices. There are small restaurants tucked away in the Medina. You will discover them when you get lost in the narrow streets. These restaurants are as colorful as the food they serve. In the evening you will enjoy dinners in the Riad, where they serve delicious traditional dishes.
THE CITY AND THE ARABIC CULTURE WILL INSPIRE YOU DURING THE WORKSHOPS
Exploring the city in the morning and finding inspiration for the different workshops in the afternoon will be a pleasure for your senses. You will unwind by designing some Moorish motifs and translating those patterns onto a tote bag. You will also craft a trendy pin brooch, inspired by the small discoveries made in the Souks. Create a charming key holder that will remind you each day of a wonderful stay in Morocco. And after visiting the Perfume museum, you will even have the chance to compose your own signature fragrance. The combination of exploring a new city and being creative is a unique way of learning about a country and its traditions.
The blend of exploring a new city and engaging in hands‑on creativity offers a memorable, intimate way to learn about the country and its living traditions.
TIME TO RELAX OR DISCOVER MORE OF MOROCCO
Visiting all the highlights of the city can feel overwhelming, so the afternoons will be more relaxing as we ease into a creative mood. There will be a free day to simply hang out in the Riad, enjoy an extra massage and read by the pool, or wander and shop in the Souks. Another option is to head out of Marrakech after breakfast to explore more of Morocco. You could take a trip to the Ourika Valley to visit a waterfall and stop along the way to see a traditional Berber house, followed by a refreshing lunch beside the river. Or perhaps the seaside town of Essaouira will appeal to you more for a calm coastal escape.
YOU WILL STAY AT LA VILLA NOMADE, A VERY ELEGANT RIAD IN THE MEDINA
In the heart of the medina it is surrounded by the mint and orange fragrances of the souk. The riad was built at the beginning of the last century and has been restored in the purest Moroccan tradition. Natural terracotta floors, walls finished with tadelakt and finely worked decoration.
Arriving at the medina, making the last turn to the right, going through a dark corridor and than you open the heavy wooden front door onto a haven of peace. You leave the hectic of the Bab Taghzout district behind you and you feel as arriving in paradis; a patio filled with palm trees and a tickling fountain, covered with rose petals, stucco details, alcoves hidden behind silken curtains, hidden staircases.
Every moment of the day is a delight at the riad. You will enjoy a delicious breakfast on the patio, bio-aromatic treatments of the hammam. Have a refreshment time in the pool after exploring the city. Enjoy a mint tea on the roof terrace, and finally relax in one of the 12 rooms, lulled in the universe of great explores, from Livingstone to Saint-Exupery.
PROGRAM
Arriving on Thursday 24 September: Workshop starts on Friday 25 October and leaving on Thursday 1 October
THURSDAY 24 September
Pick up from the airport
Dinner at La Villa Nomade
*
Friday 25 September
Breakfast at 8 AM - Guided visit of the Souk - lunch break - Workshop in afternoon - diner at La Villa Nomade
*
Saturday 26 September
Breakfast at 8 AM - Visiting Le Jardin Majorelle and the YSL museum - lunch break - Workshop in afternoon - diner at La Villa Nomade
*
Sunday 27 September
Breakfast at 8 AM - Visiting Badi Palace - Bahia Palace - Le Map museum - lunch break - Workshop in afternoon - diner at La Villa Nomade
*
Monday 28 September
Breakfast at 8 AM - Visiting The Secret Garden - Madrasa Ben Youssef and /or Photography Museum - lunch break
Workshop in afternoon - option visit Perfume museum and workshop at the museum; making your own perfume
diner at La Villa Nomade
*
Tuesday 29 September
Free day - option to make a day trip to Essaouira or Atlas mountains or just to relax in the Riad
*
Wednesday 30 September
visiting art gallery Comptoir des Mines in Guelliz - or the Hotel Mamounia
lunch break - - Workshop in afternoon - diner at La Villa Nomade
*
Thursday 1 October
Departure
BOOKING INFO and PRICES
LA VILLA NOMADE
MAD double room ( MAD / person)
MAD single room
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
7 nights at La Villa Nomade
BREAKFAST - DINNER
one hammam or massage
*
WORKSHOPS
350 EURO
workshops in the afternoon: inspired on the Moroccan rugs - Arabic tradition - interior design and architecture
All materials needed for the workshops are included
NOT included is the workshop in the Perfume Museum - optional
*
You should count a budget of 145 euro
for entrances museum
*
YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE: send me a message on info@martineclaessens.com
PAYMENT for LA VILLA NOMADE
50% when making booking - non refundable
50% by the end of August
*
PAYMENT for WORKSHOP
50% when making booking - non refundable
50 % beginning of Septembre
NOT included in the price is the flight - transfert from/to the airport - travel insurance - medical insurance
lunch - drinks in the Riad - entrance museum - workshop Perfume museum - day trip - tips
STILL 4 ROOMS AVAILABLE
it is possible that small changes will be made to the program
For more information please contact me at: info@martineclaessens.com