CRAFT+CULTURE

The October Tour journeys to Marrakech, the Atlas Mountains, Sahara Desert, and Fes.

Join an insider experience of the artisan crafts, architecture, food, and culture of amazing Morocco, curated and hosted by Kirsten. The tour starts in magical Marrakech, heads to beautiful Ourika Valley, then journeys into the vast Sahara Desert, and finally up to historic Fes. Morocco is one of Kirsten’s favorite global destinations and loves sharing this inspiring country with others.

Through guided daily reflections, explore the intersection of faith, ethical design, and regenerative travel as you learn directly from local artisans and participate and support initiatives that empower women.

This retreat is specifically focused on responsible, sustainable tourism. Kirsten has found this to be one of the most meaningful ways to engage with travel and another culture. As a traveler to Morocco with ARTIST & NOMAD, you will be investing your time and resources in local businesses that support women and artisans. You will be inspired to consider how you can use creativity/design in your everyday life to express what you value. You will learn about models of direct trade and social business that are truly empowering local women, artisans, and youth. You will be challenged to open your heart to the beauty found in the culture and crafts of Morocco and learn how to see this beauty all around you as you pay attention and begin to notice details. One of our main partners on the tour is The Anou, an award winning collective of over 600 artisans from cooperatives, associations, and workshops across Morocco. We will visit some of the village cooperatives as well as their main studio is Fes, learning about dying, weaving, spinning directly from the artisans.

The tour is 10 nights and includes hands-on artisan workshops, cooking classes, locally guided medina tours with locals, visits to local community based cooperatives and social businesses, and an adventure into the Atlas Mountains and Sahara desert. You will stay in hand-picked designer riads, kasbahs, and dars. Only 10 spots available on this special travel experience with Kirsten.

What’s Included?

• 10 nights stay in designer riads, kasbahs, and boutique hotel handpicked by Kirsten. (Detailed itinerary and specific accommodations provided to registered guests only.)

• All meals are included. Our culinary adventure will include a mix of traditional Moroccan food as well as modern cuisine and international options. The food in Morocco is delicious and healthy.

• Learn from Locals! Each tour invites you to participate in multiple hands-on workshops led by local experts and artisans. Workshops vary depending on specific tour, but examples of what to expect include:

  • natural dyes, carding wool, weaving rugs, and basketry

• Each tour includes the opportunity to learn how to make delicious Moroccan cuisine (tajines and couscous) from local women at an empowerment NGO.

• Journey into the Atlas Mountains to experience vast beauty of this historic region.

• Enjoy a camel ride at sunset and the starry skies and traditional music of the desert

• Learn about the history of the architecture and historic medinas through walking tours with our trusted local guides such as a special Islamic Architecture walking tour in Fes.

• Visit a local village in the Atlas Mountains to learn directly from an artisan owned weaving cooperative.

• Spend a day hiking with our local Amazigh friend in the Ourika Valley. Visit the home of a local Amazigh women to enjoy some tea time while learning about traditional home life in this area. Picnic at the top of a hill overlooking the valley at the end of our hike.

• Shop the souks, especially directly from artisans, local designers, and social business models that ensure local people are the ones to benefit the most from your purchase.

• Optional opportunity to book spa treatments at a traditional Hammam.

• Guided daily reflections curated and led by Kirsten to explore the opportunity to engage with wonder, beauty, design, faith, and gratitude during your journey.

• A&N Journal and Tote Bag (made in Marrakech!)

What is NOT included:

• Flights, airport transfers outside of group plans, travel insurance, extra food or personal purchases, optional hammam, alcohol

Moroccan Tour Details:

• Maximum travelers: 10 women

• Cost per person: $3900 USD (shared occupancy, 2 per room)

• Single supplement: +$1500 (limited availability)

• Payments:

  • Deposit: $1000 with registration to confirm your spot (nonrefundable)

  • First Payment: $1450 due March 1,

  • Final Payment: $1450 due August 1

• Travel Philosophy:

  ARTIST & NOMAD practices regenerative travel and asks that all travelers agree to follow this philosophy during their journey. Read the Travel Philosophy HERE.

• Terms: Payments are nonrefundable. Travel insurance is required to protect yourself incase of emergency or change of plans. Participant must arranged travel to and from the tour start and end date and location. Airport transfers included only for those arriving/departing within the timeframe suggested. Full terms HERE.

  • Minimum age of 14. All under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. (We love mother-daughter and sister duos on ARTIST + NOMAD retreats!)

  • Space is limited to 10 women. More details about payments and terms if you click the registration link below.

• Questions? Email us and we’d be happy to connect.