
DREAMING IN COLOUR
In search of Matisse's Morocco
FULLY BOOKED
30th Jan - 6th Feb 2020
Led by Valda Bailey and Doug Chinnery
Many are surprised to learn that Matisse spent time painting in the medieval walled city of Tangier and was greatly inspired by North Africa's vivid colours and sharp contrasts of light and shadow.
We have put together a tour of northern Morocco offering an insight into the fascinating culture and diverse landscapes of this compelling location.
The first night of the tour will be spent in the enchanting capital city of Rabat.
The day after our arrival we will travel to the blue town of Chefchaouen - surely one of the prettiest villages in Morocco. There are many theories about how it came to be such a beautifully pacifying colour - some say it was painted blue by the Jews who settled there after fleeing Hitler, others say it’s to keep the mosquitos away, while some just said it represents the colour of the ocean. Whatever the reason, we will doubtless enjoy interpreting the vibrant colours and textures of this artsy mountain village.
We will also spend three nights in Fez, one of Morocco’s four imperial cities. From the golden gates of Dar el-Makhzen to the rich history of the Mellah (Jewish quarter), we will attempt to engage with this fascinating urban sprawl and create our own interpretative images.
The maze of alleyways through the medina (the city’s oldest neighbourhood and UNESCO World Heritage Site) is utterly unique in that it has retained much of its history and roots. We will find much to inspire us. It radiates as if lit from within - the raking light reveals textures and patterns on the rough earthen walls giving us an incredible canvas to work with.
Just as Matisse really didn't like to travel farther than a 400-yard radius from his hotel, so we will take a similar approach to our creative endeavours. This does not promise to be a frenetic tour of every attraction in the region - we are more concerned with immersing ourselves in the culture of the country, taking our time and trying to connect in a more familiar way than a whistle-stop journey would allow.
30th Jan - 6th Feb 2020
FULLY BOOKED - email for waitlist.
Because we are taking over both riads in their entirety, we have to accept all the rooms they have. As these are priced differently, we feel the easiest and fairest way is to price the tours accordingly.
Rooms will be sold on a first come, first served basis. Doug and I will take whichever two rooms are left.
We have decided to make the tour inclusive of all meals. We discovered that Fez is not really accommodating of large parties wishing to split meal tabs 12 ways. During our last tour in this area, we ended up wasting a lot of precious photographic time trying to figure out who owed what. This seemed particularly frustrating when we had just stopped for a quick coffee or a snack.
Therefore the prices below include all meals and drinks (when taken with Doug and Valda) apart from alcohol (Sorry!)
STANDARD ROOM £2,395
SUITE £2,495
SUPERIOR SUITE £2,650
DEPOSIT DUE AT TIME OF BOOKING - 20%
INCLUDES:
FULL-BOARD BASIS (not including alcohol)
1 nights single room accommodation at Hotel des Oudaias , Rabat.
3 nights single room accommodation at the the Riad Myra
3 nights single room accommodation at the Riad Cherifa
Transfers to and from Fez Airport and around the region.
Private tour of Fez to discover areas unseen by tourists and meet with and photograph the artisans at work.
All meals, teas, coffees, soft drinks (when taken with Doug & Valda)
Tuition from Valda and Doug
Max, 10 clients.
EXCLUDES
Flights, insurance, meals (apart from those listed), alcohol, meals, drinks and snacks taken when exploring alone, airport transfers, should your flight not coincide with ours.
Fitness level - moderate. Walking on uneven surfaces. Not suitable for those with limited mobility.
Average temperatures, both locations 18C
FLIGHTS
30 Jan Ryanair FR1364 Stansted-Rabat 16:35/19:50
06 Feb Ryanair FR1365 Rabat-Stansted 20:15/23:35
Flying time about three hours.
Those of you who have travelled with us before will know that we leave nothing to chance when it comes to nourishment and hydration. That also extends to accommodation.
Following extensive research (and much excitement) we have found two delightful riads that we hope will suit us perfectly.
In Fez we will spend our time at the Riad Myra - built at the beginning of the last century and now beautifully restored. This boutique, luxury riad is located in the vibrant heart of the Fes medina. As is traditional, the riad has a central courtyard with intricate stucco work, colorful mosaics and imposing wooden doors. Surrounding the courtyard are the guest rooms, beautifully decorated with colorful drapes and brocades.
Each of their the suites contains the work of local artisans: original mosaic tile floors, intricate carved plaster, rich cedar ceilings and doors, and hand-crafted furnishings.
In Chefchaouen we will have sole occupancy of the Riad Cherifa - it has just 12 rooms. Opened in 2016, it sits in the heart of Chefchaouen’s old medina and comprises two traditional houses, with the Andalucian-Moroccan architecture characteristic of the city. Its rooms and suites are appointed in a beautiful style, with traditional mosaics, woodwork and antique furnishings throughout.
As is customary in Morocco there is a roof terrace. This one overlooks the mid-Atlas mountains. It will doubtless prove a very important place for us to convene with camera and drink at the end of the day where we can sit and watch the sun descend over the distant hills.