marrakech photographique

Marrakech - 3rd of April - 31 degrees celsius - 15005 steps

We did savor 6 days of summer in spring to the max! Our start at Chambres d'Amis in the Medina, interspersed with a few nights in Gueliz was a great success.

Waking up once more with that magical round window and that bright blue sky and palm tree, lying in bed.

On the last day in Marrakech we got up early as usual and had breakfast once more at our neighbors in Villa Majorelle, in between the Majorelle garden and YSL museum. We got the VIP table with Majorelle blue chairs and the breakfast with omelet, olives, fresh bread and msemen pancakes is excellent.

We left for the medina, crossing the exuberant fruit and vegetable market, made another round and had a drink at Soul Food, around the corner at Le Jardin, because it was really too busy there. This place is genuinely no longer the green oasis, as we got to know it in 2012.

After one last round of shooting the the pure and authentic medina life (always surprising if you look closely) we headed to the photography museum Maison de la Photographie. This small and charming museum is also one of those places you always have to return to. We had lunch on the roof terrace and saw the snow capped peaks in the distance. Such a breathtaking sight. Curious sparrows joined us at lunchtime and picked up some bread on the table to eat it somewhere safe on the adjacent roof.

On our wandering back via an unknown route and getting lost, we came across beautifully painted houses in berber style.

And one last dip in the pool, shower, change, packing our bags and a cool drink, before Mohammed came to pick us up and take us to Menara Airport. It's really over now, also the re-experience via 6 photo reports and blog posts. We had a blissful holiday together. During and after this Marrakech trip I received many questions whether Marvelous Marrakech workshops are planned.

I have organized the travel workshops workshop since 2014 together with Ank for so many years. First the Cool Crochet workshop, later also the Green Gardens version without crochet. And ultimately the all-encompassing Marvelous Marrakech workshops. I have had the pleasure and the privilege to show other the true splendor of Marrakech and to experience it in a very special way. I did it with so much love and I've met so many lovely folks during all these years and enjoyed the travel workshops so much, but it is now time for something else. End of an era... It felt so gooood to just enjoy being here with Henk. Or make a trip with Ank like we did last November to Taroudant. Marrakech was en still is mon amour!

The red city has become more and more touristy over the years and I am very happy to have experienced the more authentic and quieter Marrakech. The very last "Marvelous Marrakech" in October 2021 was perchance a highlight, because after the lockdowns it was so unique and quiet and pure again. I stopped at the peak I think, which always seems to be the best choice. I can only say, if you want to go, DO IT, because it is magical and you enter a whole different world. It is safe and highly recommended to visit Marrakech with a friend or even alone. And try to go to the left sometimes, where everyone goes to the right...

a carpet with your name written all over it

MARVELOUS MARRAKECH - You are invited to the ultimate Marrakech trip.

One of the many magical places in the Medina is the carpet souk. The best way to see the old carpet trade traditions, is to visit to the daily auction of Berber Carpets. And guess what? We have included the carpet auction in the program, because you simply have to experience this beautiful tradition. Big chance you will find a carpet among all the thousands of carpets, with your name written all over it.

Do you want to join us us in October?

Perfect if you want to travel alone, but also a great trip to make with your friend, mother, daughter or sister.

Marvelous Marrakech! Seven days in Marrakech with a distinctive workshop program.

Explore Marrakech every day in a different way. We have combined new places and topics with the best from our programs from previous years.

Together we will explore the authentic Marrakech in a special and unique way.

Off the beaten tracks with workshops and exciting adventures while discovering Marrakech and surroundings. Where everyone else goes to the right we go to the left. By showing you the real beauty of Marrakech, your visit to the Red City will be a much more precious experience!

Price € 795,00 per person (excl. tourist tax € 2,50 pppn)

The price is based on a shared twin bedroom and excluding flight tickets.

INCLUDED:
- transfer from airport Marrakech to Riad Chambres d'Amis (v.v.)
- shared twin bedroom (6 nights) including breakfast in Chambres d'amis.
- 2 dinners & 5 lunches (drinks are not included)
- 4 workshops and a daytrip to the desert

CRAFT-WORKSHOP & CARPET AUCTION
Buying wool, cotton and yarns in the souk. Moroccan craft class in the open on the colourful Place des Epices, where Aisha will teach you characteristic Moroccan craft techniques (materials are included). After lunch we will continue the Moroccan craft class with Aisha in The Secret Garden. (Needless to say, I will give a crochet class aswell.) At the end of the afternoon we will visit the Carpet auction in the souk, an unforgettable and colorful experience!

GARDENS WORKSHOP During the workshop we will visit and explore all kinds of gardens in and around Marrakech; an Arabic garden, a botanical garden, secret city gardens, hidden courtyards, an art garden, museum gardens and vegetable- and herb gardens.

INSTAGRAM-PHOTO WORKSHOP
Street photography in the medina. Learn how to anticipate the moment, to identify locations with suitable subjects and develop confidence in photographing on the street. Learn to select and frame a moving subject and explore color to create impact. A visit and lunch at Maison de la Photographie.

VEGGIE COOKING WORKSHOP
Vegetable shopping on the locals markets in the Medina and souk. Cooking class by Moroccan women under the banana trees at Chambres d'Amis. Home cooked lunch on the rooftop terrace.

A DAYTRIP TO THE DESERT
A daytrip to a the desert with a fabulous Moroccan lunch in the shade of a berber tent. Imagine a charming bivouac with a couple of berber tents and a view to completely unwind. You don’t often find yourself at such magical surroundings that it makes you wonder… Is this a movie set? The light, changing skies and views are astonishing! A day in the Agafay desert is a great way to experience the Moroccan desert without having to travel too far!

DAY OFF
Halfway the week we have planned a day off! We can suggest a visit to the luxurious Beldi Club, a visit to Jardin Majorelle and Yves Saint Laurent Museum or you can use the day for shopping in the souk (optionally with personal shopper). This week is a real treat for travellers, who would like to discover the real and authentic Marrakech. An adventurous journey, you can make on your own, while you will be 'pampered' and only have to enjoy and relax.

7 DAYS IN MARRAKECH OCTOBER 2020
Arrival : Wednesday 7th of October 2020
Leaving : Tuesday 13th of October 2020
The workshop will start with a welcome dinner on the rooftop of Chambres d'Amis at 7PM on Wednesday. For early arrivals Chambres d'Amis can offer you a small program on the first day.

Each morning will start with a traditional Moroccan breakfast on the roof terrace at our base camp Chambres d'Amis.

If you would like to join one of the workshops, please send an e-mail info@woodwoolstool.com

I will send you an application form and more information about the travel workshop.

The Marrakech travel workshop 2020 is a collaboration with Ank van der Pluijm, my friend and owner of hotel CHAMBRES D'AMIS, oasis in the Medina of Marrakech and our wonderful green 'basecamp' during the workshops week. You will, of course, be overloaded with impressions in Marrakesh, and Hotel Chambres d’Amis will be your quiet home to return to. Our street Derb Moulay Abdelkader is located in a very quiet and safe residential area, and very easy to find.

It is possible to book extra nights, before or after the workshop (info@chambresdamis.com)

resume crochet

Time to resume crochet...

Good weekend everyone! Y'all do what y'all gotta do.

marvelous marrakech - berberlife

On the second last day of the Marvelous Marrakech workshop program, we visited a Berber village in the countryside.

Immediately after arrival we were welcomed by a group of Berber crafters with tea and freshly baked bread and pancakes. We had tea together on their homemade berber carpets, among the olive trees and goats.

Artist Hamid invited us, to have a glimpse into the lives of the Berber women and assisted with the translation of our conversations.

The Berber women learned the craftsmanship and technique from their mothers, as well as patterns, colors and symbolism. Who learned it from their mothers, and so on. They don't make a design before they start weaving, instead they seem to work from a kind of ‘Berber Instinct' which they simply translate into actual carpets.

After our visit to the Berber village, we drove on to Berberlodge, even though it may sound almost the same, this is something completely different.

We had a delicious lunch in the shade of the olive trees and the rest of the afternoon we chilled at the pool, in the hammock and the amazing garden.

And naturally we stayed at Berberlodge until sunset (incredibly beautiful light!) and drove back to Marrakech in the twilight.

Upon returning home at Chambres d'Amis, Aziz was pouring mojitos and we had our moroccan farewell dinner on the roof terrace.

What a beautiful 'berberlife' day! ... and a perfect way to celebrate this marvelous week full of adventures with a wonderful group of women!

SHOUKRAN Ank, Abdessalem, Aziz, Fatiha, Andel, Rachida, Hasna, Malika, Mohamed, Hamid, Mohammed, Hicham, Aisha, Tamara, Karin, Christelle, Anette, Ina, Aly, Monica, Wendy and all the lovely folks we met this week!