WORKSHOP: LET MARRAKECH TALK TO ALL YOUR SENSES

MARRAKECH, A CITY WHICH MAKES US DREAM AWAY

Marrakech, the pink city of Morocco, was founded almost 1000 years ago. The city is not just a place of history to visit, but you will find centuries-old trading spots where ideas thrive and the energy can be intimidating. Autumn is a good time to explore the city; the summer heat has subsided; the days can still be warm but evenings are refreshing. Enjoy the spirit of the city from a Riad in the Medina, the old walled center of the city.

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 goes 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 my last visit, 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.

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.

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. A guide will help you to find your way back. 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. There are small restaurants hidden 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.

THE CITY AND THE ARABIC CULTURE WILL INSPIRE YOU DURING THE WORKSHOPS

Exploring the city in the morning and getting inspired for different workshops in the afternoon will be a pleasure for your senses. You will be able to create your own perfume after visiting the Perfume museum. An oriental dancing lesson on the roof terrace will bring you in the mood for the traditional Moroccan evening with live music. You will get relaxed by designing some Moorish motifs. The rugs will inspire you to work with fabric and wool. The combination of visiting a new city and being creative is a unique way of learning about a country and its traditions

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 Wednesday 30th September: Workshop starts on Thursday 1st October and leaving on Monday 5th October

WEDNESDAY 30 September

Pick up from the airport

Dinner at La Villa Nomade

*

THURSDAY 1st October

Breakfast at 8 AM - Guided visit of the Souk - lunch break - Workshop in afternoon - diner at La Villa Nomade

*

FRIDAY 2nd October

Breakfast at 8 AM - Visiting Le Jardin Majorelle and the YSL museum - lunch at La Villa Nomade - Workshop in afternoon - Free evening

*

SATURDAY 3th October

Breakfast at 8 AM - Visiting Badi Palace - Bahia Palace - Tiskiwin museum - lunch break - Workshop in afternoon - diner at La Villa Nomade

*

SUNDAY 4th October

Breakfast at 8 AM - Visiting The Secret Garden - Boucharouite museum - Perfum museum and workshop at the museum; making your own perfum - lunch break - free afternoon

Gala diner with life music at La Villa Nomade

*

MONDAY 5th October

Departure

BOOKING INFO and PRICES

LA VILLA NOMADE

585 euro/person/double room

820 euro/single room

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

5 nights at La Villa Nomade

BREAKFAST - LUNCH on Friday - DINNER on Wednesday - Thursday and Saturday - GALA DINNER on Sunday with live music - (drinks are not included)

hammam or massage

Oriental dance session

*

WORKSHOPS

250 EURO

workshops on Thursday - Friday - Saturday: inspired on the Moroccan rugs - Arabic tradition - interior design and architecture

All materials needed for the workshops on Tuesday - Wednesday and Thursday are included

NOT included is the workshop in the Perfume Museum

*

You should count a budget of 145 euro (prices from 2019, small differences can be possible)

for

entrance Jardin Majorelle - YSL museum - Secret Garden - Badi Palace - Bahia Palace - Tiskiwin museum - Boucharouite museum - Perfume museum

workshop at the Perfume museum to make your own perfume

guided tour in the Souks

*

to give you an idea of the TOTAL for La Villa Nomade - Workshops - museums ( as all mentioned above)

WHEN SHARING A ROOM: 980 EURO

STAYING IN SINGLE ROOM: 1215 EURO

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 MAY

*

PAYMENT for WORKSHOP

BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER

NOT included in the price is the flight - transfert from/to the airport - travel insurance - medical insurance - drinks in the Riad - entrance museum - workshop Perfume museum - tips

FULLY BOOKED

is possible that small changes will be made to the program

For more information please contact me at: info@martineclaessens.com