Geographical and Historical Background:
Discuss Morocco's location in North Africa, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
Highlight its diverse geography, including the Atlas Mountains, the Sahara Desert, and the coastal areas.
Explore Morocco's historical significance, with influences from Berbers, Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, and Europeans.
Mention key historical landmarks such as the ancient city of Volubilis and the UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Captivating Cities:
Highlight the iconic city of Marrakech, known for its bustling medina, vibrant souks, and magnificent palaces like the Bahia Palace.
Discuss the capital city, Rabat, with its blend of modern and traditional architecture and historical sites like the Kasbah of the Udayas.
Explore the coastal city of Essaouira, renowned for its charming medina, beautiful beaches, and vibrant arts scene.
Mention other cities worth visiting, such as Fez, Casablanca, and Chefchaouen, each offering unique cultural experiences.
Depend of airport or port of arrival, the first day may change, however the overall activities are similar. Upon arrival at Casablanca's Mohammed V airport, we will greet you and drive you to the heart of the economic capital of Morocco, Welcome to the modern coastal city of Casablanca. Casablanca's main attraction is the relatively modern and monumental Hassan II Mosque. Inaugurated in 1993, it sits on an outcrop jutting into the Atlantic and offers breathtaking views. It has a 690 feet (210 m) minaret— the tallest structure in Morocco and the tallest minaret in the world. What makes this mosque additionally unique is that it is one of the few mosques in the country non-Muslims are permitted to enter. Join a guided tour and appreciate the fine examples of Moroccan and Islamic artisanship. Overnight at Hotel,
After breakfast we will head toward to Rabat, which is the administrative capital of Morocco. Our morning will consist of a visit to the Mohamed V Mausoleum, and Discover the Hassan Tower, the minaret of the incomplete mosque and Mausoleum of Mohamed V. A 12th-century project that was abandoned soon after construction began. lunch in the capital, after we will take the road to asilah
The coastal town of Asilah is renowned for its 15th-century ramparts, traditional handicrafts, and local art scene. as artists you will Admire the colonial architecture, take in the views along the coast, and visit the many artists’ galleries and artisan workshops.
After breakfast we will visit the Medina of Asilah wich has a Mediterranean-influenced buildings, including whitewashed houses with blue accents on walls and doors. The array of houses decorated with paintings highlights the island's reputation as an artists' hangout. Something The artist will really like to sketch or paint depends on our Instructor.
In the afternoon: departure toward The Blue City . Chefchaouen, a visual delight clad in blue walls, doors, windows, stairways, alleyways, and archways–everything is a combination of soft, pastel sky blue and deeper, more powerful hues.
Free time to relax and then dinner. Our first visit of the city will be at night in order to experience the incredible colors!!!
Breakfast before the first visit of the colorful streets of the city: set up and paint in the streets. Picnic lunch or light meal with the famous pastillas! Afternoon: Another location to sketch and paint will be discovered. As well as paint the pretty colorful fountains: Diner in town and soiree in the riad , discussion about our paintings ...
Days punctuated by the discovery and inspiration of the many breathtaking alleyways, doors, stairs, porches and roofs not to mention the colourful laundry and the view over Chefchaouen. All this just by a short walk on the surrounding hills. We mustn’t forget to have fun painting the bags of pigments found throughout the city and why not use their pigments to complete our travel diary! In a discreet and respectful way, we can also paint the inhabitants, so typical of the Rif.
Today, you will say goodbye to Chefchaouen and travel south to Fes. On the way to Fes, you’ll visit Volubilis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that contains Morocco's best-preserved Roman ruins. You can take a nice break from driving to wander the massive complex, exploring large merchant homes with visible heating systems, temples, and many well-preserved mosaics. A Wonderful place to sketch .
The last stop before Fes is the prosperous city of Meknes. It has a smaller medina than Fes and you can explore at a leisurely pace, without worrying about aggressive shopkeepers. Your Guide will lead you through the Ville Impériale area, where you can see gardens, palaces, the impressive gate of Bab al-Mansour, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, and the Royal Stables. Many of these palaces were constructed with materials taken from Volubilis, so be on the lookout for Roman columns hidden in unexpected places! You’ll end the day in Fes, one of Morocco's four imperial cities. Fes was founded by Moulay Idriss I and was made the capital of the Idrisid dynasty by his successor, Moulay Idriss II. You will be taken to your riad in the Fes medina, and the late afternoon into the evening will be yours
In the morning : After breakfast, discover Medersa (old Coranic school) sketch and detailed painting of the fabulous decorations in "Zellij" and "moucharabieh" the Fontaine Nejjarine, quickly sketch and/or paint before having lunch or light meal. Visit the tanneries of Fès : relax and paint with the colors of this incredible site, in the alleys around the tanneries.
review work, share impressions, finish some sketches if necessary, dinner, relaxation
After breakfast in our Riad, we can touch up and finish any pages not yet terminated in our journal including those days in The north and then we will return to Casablanca.
Today is departure day will drive you to Casablanca airport
Ivani Ranieri was born in São Paulo and graduated in Fine Arts from Santa Marcelina College in 1982. She also obtained a Post-Graduate degree in Watercolor Painting from the same institution in 1998. The artist furthered her studies in printmaking at Scuola Lorenzo Di Medici in Florence, Italy and Scuola Internazionale Di Grafica in Venice, Italy.
For 17 years, Ivani was a printmaking and watercolor teacher at Santa Marcelina College and since 1991, she has organized and guided drawing, watercolor, and printmaking workshops nationally and internationally, in places such as Monte Verde, Natal (RN), Praia de Camburi (São Paulo), Nova York School Art League in New York, France in the Provence region (2019), and in Venice, Italy since 1992 with Scuola Internazionale di Grafica and Bottega del Tintoretto.
Since 2000, she has been a guest artist at the International Watercolorists' Meeting in Paraty, Brazil, and has also been invited to represent Brazil at watercolor festivals in Pakistan, Turkey, and Greece. Soha Kahlil, the coordinator of the Festival Urbino In Acquerello in Italy, invited her to be the curator of the Brazilian group since 2016.
In addition, Ivani Ranieri guides regular online and in-person watercolor courses, as well as contemporary printmaking courses in her studio since 1986. She can be found on Facebook as Ivani Ranieri and her Instagram is @ivaniranieri.
Located in Casablanca, 4 km from Hassan II Mosq, Campanile Casablanca Centre Ville has accommodations with a fitness center, free private parking, a shared lounge and a restaurant. With a bar, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. Guests can have a drink at the snack bar.
All rooms come with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, an electric tea pot, a shower, free toiletries and a desk. Guest rooms have a closet.
A continental breakfast is available each morning at the hotel.
Speaking Arabic, English, Spanish and French at the reception, staff are always on hand to help.
Hotel is located next to the sea, 1 km north of the center of Asilah. It offers tennis courts, a solarium, an outdoor pool and children’s pool.
The air-conditioned rooms have private bathrooms, satellite TV and free Wi-Fi internet access in public areas.
The hotel has its own restaurant, which serves regional cuisine. The Al Khaima also serves a daily breakfast in the dining room, which overlooks the terrace and pool.
Located in Chefchaouene, within 200 m of Kasba and 70 m of Outa El Hammam Square, Riad Hicham provides free WiFi throughout the property. Featuring a 24-hour front desk, this property also provides guests with a restaurant. Certain rooms at the property include a patio with a city view.
At the riad, every room includes a wardrobe. Complete with a private bathroom equipped with a shower and free toiletries, guest rooms at Riad have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and selected rooms come with a terrace. At the accommodation each room has bed linen and towels.
A halal breakfast is available daily at Riad.
Located in Meknès, Riad le petit ksar features a shared lounge, terrace, restaurant, and free WiFi throughout the property. Some units at the property feature a patio with a garden view.
All guest rooms in the hotel are equipped with a coffee machine. Featuring a private bathroom with a shower and free toiletries, rooms at Riad le petit ksar also provide guests with a city view. At the accommodation, every room includes air conditioning and a safety deposit box.
Riad le petit ksar offers a continental or halal breakfast.
Volubilis is 30.6 km from the hotel. The nearest airport is Fès–Saïs, 72.4 km from Riad le petit ksar, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
Riad Dar Chrifa has been designed to create a true Moroccan atmosphere, but without compromising on modern comforts.
Enjoy a delicious breakfast in your room or on the terrace at any time you choose. Traditional and delicious Moroccan cuisine is offered on the patio or terrace.
Traditional Dishes
One of the most striking features of Moroccan cooking is the quality and fquality and freshnes of the ingredients. Produce comes from a land without pesticides, chemicals,
hormones or preservatives. Animals are slaughtered just hours before they are este The meat you are offered will generally be mutton, not lamb. Market vegetables whave been gathered that morning. Spices, herbs, fresh fruit, nuts and dried fruthae an invigorating vitality completely removed from the packaged and imported products available in much of Europe and North America.
lo encourage you, here are explanations of some of the most common and popular Moroccan traditional dishes (for details of Arab and French pronunciation,see Language,
Harira: a thick soup of chick peas, lentils and haricot beans often flavoured witn mutton or chicken, lemon and tarragon.mutton or chicken, lemon and tarragon.
Brochettes: Grilled kebabs of mutton, liver and fat.
Kefta: Spicy meatballs made of minced mutton and offal, often served in a negg sauce.
Pastilla/bastilla: A pie made up of multiple layers of flaky pastry filled With y
chopped pigeon meat, eggs, almonds and spices. Chicken or fish may be used instead of pigeon.
Tagine: Along with couscous, this is the most universal of Moroccan dishes -
slowly simmered stew,cooked in its own juices in an earthenware bowl with a distinctive conical lid. The tagine provides the foundation for using a whole spectrum
of ingredients, spices and styles. The most popular variants found on most menus across Morocco are: tagine de viande (mutton stew cooked with vegetables or serve
alone with prunes); tagine de poisson (bream or sardine stew cooked with tomatoe and herbs); tagine de lapin (rabbit stew); and tagine de poulet aux olives et citron
(a delicious chicken stew cooked With lemon and olives). The lemon gives a deliciou bitter zest to the meat.
Mechoui: Lamb roasted whole on a spit or baked in a special oven. This delicate and fragrant meat, far removed1 from the usual mutton, is eaten with bread. It is, howevel
an elaborate luxury which is often only available if ordered well in advance.
Couscous: This dish is made from half-baked flour which is then ground into semolina-like grains. A perecty prepared couscous is laboriously cooked in a succession of steamings and oilings that allow each grain to cook while retaining adistinct granular texture. couscous served outside of a home or a good restaurant is
unlikely to be found at its best. It is usually accompanied by sept légumes (seven steamed vegetables) with the odd lump of mutton. It can also be served as a pudding
with sugar, cinnamon and rich, warm goat's milk.
Cornes de gazelle: Croissant-like pastries filled with honey and almonds.
Frequently Asked questions about the workshop in Morocco
- Is Morocco safe for tourists?
Yes, this is a country where you will have no security concerns. Our itinerary is well marked and we will always be accompanied by local guides. Tourists who in the past have been attacked, have ventured to places where even Moroccans would not dare to go. So leave without fear: for my part I feel much more in danger at the Gare de Lyon than in the middle of the palm grove!
-How many participants will there be in the course?
Rest assured, we will be a small group! The course is confirmed as soon as there are 6 registered participants and we can go up to 12, even 15 at most. A small group allows the teacher to have time with everyone; beyond that it is a little bit difficult but not impossible
Finally, know that it is possible to come accompanied by your spouse or your children. The accompanying persons benefit from all the visits, but pay a little less because they will not have the workshop with the instructor.
- The meeting point is in Casablanca or Marrakech airport (depends on the start of our journey)
What time should you arrive ?
no later than 12H00
Ideally it would be best to find a plane that arrives in on early in the afternoon and which leaves in the late afternoon.
If you arrive in a few days before the trip and workshop, we can pick you up before picking up the other interns from the airport. obviously with a supplement
- Who will pick us up and where exactly?
Our guide throughout the stay, will be there with the bus and a driver, pick you up at the exit Airport (the main arrivals gate), as soon as you pass the door that leads to the outside. Here are his contact details in case of delay: 00 212 6 60 19 43 24 Or 00 212 6 78 79 49 03.
- Where will we sleep the first night?
Our driver will drive us directly from the airport to Casablanca (a 1 hour drive), where we will be expected for dinner and to spend our first night.
- Will we stay several nights in the same gîte?
It depends on the program
- How many will we be per room? Are they mixed?
The rooms have a large beds with bathroom and toilet in each room.
- To whom should we pay the balance of the stay, and when?
See conditions
- Will we have other fees?
Everything is included in the price: full room and board, internal transport and tours. Just plan a little change for your drinks on the terrace and your souvenir purchases. There is a currency exchange office at the airport, just before the exit, which does not take any commission.
For information, 1 euro = 10 dirhams, 1 dollar = 10 dirhams approximately
- Are sheets, blankets and towels provided?
In all the hotels, sheets, blankets and towels are provided, even at the camp in the desert, where we will spend a night.
- What clothes should you bring?
Take light clothes, because it can be very hot during the day, but also a small fleece for the evening, because the nights are cool.
There is a swimming pool so you can take your swimsuit. Don't forget to bring your sunglasses and a scarf or cap to protect your head!
- Which notebook to choose?
See the teacher
*List Of The Busiest Airports In Morocco*
# Casablanca:
CASABLANCA MOHAMMED V INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - CASABLANCA AIRPORT (CMN)
**Located 30 kilometres south-east of Casablanca.
**Is among the five busiest airports in Africa.
# Marrakech:
MARRAKESH AIRPORT (RAK)
**Located 5 kilometres from Marrakesh city centre.
**RAK Airport is a focus city for Ryanair
**Tangier: Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport
The airport is named for Ibn Battouta (1304-1368), a Moroccan traveler who was born in Tangier.
**Fes :
Saïss Airport or Fès–Saïss Airport
**Located about 13 km from the city center of Fez
Casablanca , Rabat, Asilah, Chefchaouen
When we receive your deposit we will email you to confirm your reservation and payment.
Once the retreat becomes guaranteed (minimum number of registrants met) we will contact you to confirm your reservation and arrange payment of the balance for the retreat if only the deposit was paid at registration.
If for any reason the retreat does not become guaranteed, you will be refunded any funds paid (deposit or total amount).
A deposit is required to the teacher :
Ivaniatelie@uol.com.br