Flying into Marrakech from Gatwick at around 14.00, we would hope to be ready to venture out into the rich and crazy experience of the Jemaa el-Fna in Marrakech as the sun sets.

 

This famous square is the throbbing heart of Marrakech where fortune tellers, snake charmers, poets, and storytellers come to entertain the crowds. They generate an intoxicating atmosphere whose cultural importance inspired UNESCO to create its “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.”

All life is here. As the sun sets Berber musicians and Gnaoua dancers begin their nightly performances, acrobats and slapstick comedians start performing all across the square, and clouds of smoke rise up from purveyors of street food as they barbecue their nightly offerings. The sounds and smells are unmistakably exotic, intriguingly unfamiliar and utterly compelling.

 

Marrakech has the largest traditional Berber market in Morocco. We will have time to wander around the narrow streets of the medina, with its vibrant energy and patinated beauty. The soft pink of the stone will give our images a romantic warmth and the reflected light will bathe everything in dreamy rose-tinted hues

 

We will make time to visit the famous Majorelle Gardens - purchased by Yves Saint Laurent.

 

After three days we leave behind the urban hustle of Marrakech and head southeast towards the Sahara Desert......hoping for almond blossom along our route.

 

The route is spectacular and dramatic - as we drive we will be presented with astonishing views of the snow topped peaks of the Atlas Mountains. We will take to stop at tiny Berber villages Stopping en-route at Boumaine Dades - considered one of the most attractive villages in Morocco. The traditional adobe houses will further enhance the warm colour palette of the images we have been making. The ancient buildings and the humble lives of the villagers will offer us a very different view of life in this ancient land.

 

We will drive along the Rose Valley and then onto Todra Gorge, a spectacular gash in the hills that surrounds Tinerhir. The cliffs loom above as you approach the mouth of the Todra Gorge. Rising 300m, the honey-colored hues of the sheer face change constantly as the sun moves across the sky. Nomads can often been seen in the gorge. Many deserted Kasbahs, mud brick villages and green oasis, dot the whole area.

 

From here were continue deep into the desert where we finish this segment of our journey in 4x4's across the dunes. We arrive to the comforts and luxury of our desert camp where we will be greeted with mint tea and fresh dates or nuts.

 

We will be served a delicious dinner followed by campfire entertainment - listening to the songs and rhythms of the desert as we enjoy music, drums, and singing from our Berber guides. Chilled wine around the camp fires will certainly help the evenings along. The sights and sounds of the desert at night will surely enchant us as our guides share the secrets of the Sahara. We sleep in luxury canvas tents - this is glamping in every sense of the word, make no mistake.

 

As we depart from our camp we pass through Ouarzazate - known as the gateway to the Sahara. Although Ouarzazate is arguably not the prettiest town in Morocco it provides a useful place to stay en-route to the coast. Close by, Aït Benhaddou - an ighrem (fortified village) along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech - is now perhaps the most reknowned collection of earthen buildings in the area, being one of the locations where Game of Thrones was filmed. Of course we will find our own ways of interpreting the warm burnished tones and soft shapes.

 

Our final port of call is the laid back town of Essaouira. Offering us a relaxed seaside vibe, it is undoubtedly popular with tourists, however the quiet, uncommercial side of it can be discovered with little effort. The colour palette is very different - a tapestry of blue and white set against golden sands while the gentle breeze and salty air invigorate our senses.

 

Essaouira translates as “little picture” from Arabic, and it’s not hard to see why. A painter’s dream location (and by logical extension, a photographer's too), we will capture the unpretentious architecture with the colourful rugs hung up on sun-bleached walls.

 

After a couple of days winding down slowly beside the ocean, we make our leisurely back towards Marrakech for an early evening flight back to London

 

 

There is a diverse selection of accommodation on offer in Morocco - our belief is that we want to be at least as comfortable as we are at home while enjoying the essence of being in a foreign country. Therefore, when we select our riads, our first consideration is comfort and a memorable and authentic experience.

Because we choose to stay in riads rather than Western-style hotels we often take over the whole property, we have to take all the rooms they offer us. The fairest way is to  structure the prices to reflect the grade of room (classic, superior, suite) selected.  It is perhaps, necessary to point out that all rooms in a given price bracket are going to vary slightly. Some may be larger, have better views or nicer bathrooms. We can only  be guided by what the raids charge us and our pricing structure is based on that. Thank you for your understanding.

 

 

MARRAKECH

Riad de Charme - This Riad is located in the Medina and a 10-minute walk to Jamaâ El Fna Square. It offers swimming pools, a hammam and a panoramic roof terrace.

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BOUMAINE DADES

Xaluca Dades. Exposed stone walls and a modern, Moroccan décor are offered in the rooms and suites. All accommodation has views of the Dades Valley and the suites have a terrace.

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SAHARA

Luxury Desert Camp - on the undulating apricot sands, an escape from the crowds of the cities – as well as other tourist camps. Aside from your guide and your companions, the only other people you may encounter during your stay are the native Berber Nomads that call this harsh yet beautiful environment home.

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OUAZARZATE

Kasbah Dar Daif is located 3.1 miles from the centre of Ouarzazate and offers views on the Atlas Mountains and the lake.

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ESSAOUIRA

Charming Riad Rahayne, located inside the medina

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27th Jan - 5th Feb 2021 - FULL

10 day tour

Based on our experience this year, we will once again include all food and wine on the tour. This drastically cuts down the time (and frustration) spent at the end of each meal calculating who owes what. Certainly, the upfront costs, for you, the client, are higher but, we feel, these decisions will help to make the tour relaxed and memorable.

We have pre-booked our riads so we can be assured of the quality and let our clients know what they will be getting for their money. Some of the cheaper tours rely on local guides to assign accommodation just prior to arrival. I have read enough reviews to realise that this approach is wholly unsatisfactory.

Because we choose to stay in riads rather than Western-style hotels we often take over the whole property, we have to take all the rooms they offer us. The fairest way is to  structure the prices to reflect the grade of room (classic, superior, suite) selected.  It is perhaps, necessary to point out that all rooms in a given price bracket are going to vary slightly. Some may be larger, have better views or nicer bathrooms. We can only  be guided by what the raids charge us and our pricing structure is based on that. Thank you for your understanding.

 

FULL - email for waitlist

1 space left - Doug and I will take whichever two rooms remain after everyone has booked.

PRICING:

Standard room (4 available)  £3,395    all sold

Superior room  (6 available)   £3,495   all sold

Suite               (2 available)   £3,650      all sold

Partner rate (non photographing)  £1,650

 

DEPOSIT DUE AT TIME OF BOOKING - 20%. Balance due 60 days before departure

Includes £10 carbon offsetting fee. This is a voluntary contribution. Please advise us if you would rather opt out and we will cover your contribution.

INCLUDES:

Nine nights single room accommodation at the riads specified under the accommodation tab

Transfers to and from Marrakech airport (if your flight coincides with ours).

Tuition from Doug and Valda

All meals, drinks and snacks, when taken with Doug and Valda.

Wine and beer and yes, G&T's at sundown

All entrance fees

Max, 10 clients.

EXCLUDES

Flights, insurance, meals (apart from those listed), airport transfers, should your flight not coincide with ours.

Fitness level - moderate. Some walking on dunes and on uneven pavements.

Average temperature High 20C°, Low 5°C

Very little rain.

 

RECOMMENDED FLIGHTS:

27.01.21: BA2666    LGW/RAK 09:25/13:55

05.02.21: BA2667   RAK/LGW 19:00/21:40

Flying time about three and a half hours.

GMT +3 hours

 

DEFINITIONS:

Bailey Chinnery Photography shall mean Valda Bailey and Doug Chinnery

The Client: shall mean the person or persons listed on the invoice as the person booking the tour or workshop and anyone they are booking on behalf of

The Fee; shall mean the fee listed on the invoice for the purpose of the Client(s) attending the workshop or tour (including any applicable taxes should they apply)

The Dates; shall mean the dates listed on the invoice and workshop of tour website listing in respect of the commencement and termination of the workshop or tour

The Deposit; shall mean the sum listed on the invoice

The Invoice; shall mean the document sent to the client(s) indicating payment required for the workshop or tour

The Workshop or Tour; shall mean any place, event or location together with such details as may be recorded on the invoice and web page to include accommodation, tuition from Bailey Chinnery Photography and other services or extras as described during the dates outlined.

AGREEMENT:

The invoice and these Terms and Conditions shall form the entire agreement between the parties save for any variations agreed in accordance with these Terms and Conditions and no variation or modification shall be effective unless accepted by Bailey Chinnery Photography in writing.

Deposit

A Deposit is required when the client books a Tour or Workshop in order to reserve a place on the requested dates. The Deposit will apply towards the Fee payable for the Workshop requested by the Client and is non-refundable. The place on the Workshop or Tour is not secure until the Deposit is received. Bailey Chinnery Photography reserve the right not to accept any booking without giving a reason.

Payments

The balance of the Fee must be paid for or on behalf of the Client no later than 60 days prior to the dates. The Client shall always remain the persons liable to Bailey Chinnery Photography for the Fee on behalf of the Client. Any bank or PayPal charges incurred due to returned cheques will be debited to the Client and payable in addition to the Fee.

Cancellation

In the event of the Client cancelling their place on the workshop or tour, Bailey Chinnery Photography reserve the right to charge a cancellation fee in accordance with the following scale:

The Deposit may be returned if cancellation takes place more than 3 months prior to the Dates if an alternative booking can be secured.

100% of the Deposit may be retained if cancellation takes place less than 3 months prior to the Dates

100% of the Fee will be retained if cancellation takes place within 28 days of the workshop or tour

If Bailey Chinnery Photography can secure an alternative booking at any time up to the Dates they may be able to return some or all of the Fee at their discretion and  retain an administration fee of £100.

Coverage

Bailey Chinnery Photography cannot be held responsible for the lack of photographic coverage caused by any restrictions in force by officials or organisations of any location where the Workshop or Tour is due to take place. Bailey Chinnery does not guarantee any specific location or photograph, although every effort will be made to deliver the Workshop or Tour as described on the website and tour notes.

Travel and Accommodation

The Fee does not cover any costs associated with the Workshop or Tour beyond accommodation, transport (as provided by Bailey Chinnery Photography) and all photographic tuition during the Workshop or Tour. All other costs and expenses associated with attending the Workshop or Tour are the responsibility of the Client.

Force Majeure Whilst every care is taken to provide the Tour or Workshop on the Dates, it is subject to alteration or cancellation by Bailey Chinnery Photography owing to any cause beyond its reasonable control, i.e. act of God, fire, war, road closure, illness etc.

Cancellation by Bailey Chinnery Photography

In the event of cancellation by Bailey Chinnery Photography, Bailey Chinnery Photography’s liability shall be limited to a full refund of any sums paid by the Client in respect of the Workshop or Tour. A rearrangement onto a future Tour or Workshop can be arranged free of charge. Bailey Chinnery Photography will not be responsible for any further costs, losses, claims or actions howsoever arising, and the Client hereby indemnifies Bailey Chinnery Photography against same.

Illness and Non-Attendance

Bailey Chinnery Photography will use all reasonable endeavours to ensure that the named photographers will be available to lead the Tour or Workshop; however, in the unlikely event that one cannot attend, an alternative replacement leader will be sought. If this is not possible the Workshop or Tour may still be able to proceed with a single leader and without reduction in Fee.

Client Responsibility

It is the responsibility of the Client to possess a valid passport (if required) and all visas, permits and certificates, including medical certificates required for the Workshop or Tour. All advice or notes given by Bailey Chinnery Photography on such is given in good faith. It is the responsibility of the Client to arrive on time, to be healthy enough to complete the tour and come with the appropriate clothing, footwear and equipment.

Governing Law

This agreement shall in all respects be governed by the law of England and Wales and the parties hereto submit to this jurisdiction.

Insurance

The Client is hereby advised to take out a suitable insurance policy to cover for any expenses, losses, claims or actions of any kind arising in connection with but without limitation to both cancellation by either party and force majeure affecting the Workshop or Tour or any event or matter relating to or dependent upon the Workshop or Tour.

Liability

Bailey Chinnery Photography do not accept any liability for personal injury, accidents or losses of any kind whatsoever, and however caused, during the course of the Workshop or Tour and the Client hereby indemnifies Bailey Chinnery Photography against any claims, costs, losses or demands howsoever arising in this respect.

Declaration

In booking and paying a Deposit for a Workshop or Tour with Bailey Chinnery Photography the Client hereby agrees and confirms that they have read and understood the content, meaning and effect of these Terms and Conditions and acknowledge that they have been afforded the opportunity of seeking their own separate and independent legal advice prior to paying the Deposit indicating their complete acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.

Updated 19.02.20