Sketching Morocco

A small-group art journaling adventure across Morocco with urban sketcher, Taria Dawson. Ten days of culture, creativity, and guided exploration for anyone drawn to capturing the country’s essence in their own hand.

Morocco

Marrakech → the Agafay Desert → Essaouira → Oualidia → Casablanca

Host: taria Dawson

From €3,795

10 people

JOIN THE RETREAT

Day 1

Apr 9, 2026

The Journey Begins

Daily snapshot:

Meals included

Dinner

Sketching Workshop

No

Accommodation

Jadali Hotel

Overview:

Arrive to a seamless welcome with fast-track airport assistance and a private transfer to your hotel. As evening falls, step into the living theatre of Jamaa el-Fna, where music, lanterns, and spice-scented souks set the tone for Morocco. Celebrate your first night with a stylish welcome dinner

Day 1

Apr 9, 2026

The Journey Begins

Daily snapshot:

Meals included

Dinner

Sketching Workshop

No

Accommodation

Jadali Hotel

Overview:

Arrive to a seamless welcome with fast-track airport assistance and a private transfer to your hotel. As evening falls, step into the living theatre of Jamaa el-Fna, where music, lanterns, and spice-scented souks set the tone for Morocco. Celebrate your first night with a stylish welcome dinner

Day 2

Apr 10, 2026

Marrakech: Sketching & the Medina

Daily snapshot:

Meals included

Breakfast, Lunch

Sketching Workshop

Yes

Accommodation

Jadali Hotel

Overview:

Ease into the rhythm with a relaxed morning sketching session and time to capture first impressions. In the afternoon, explore the cultural heart of Marrakech, from Dar El Bacha to the Secret Garden and the intricate beauty of Ben Youssef Medersa. Lunch is served above the rooftops at L’Mida, with the evening open

Day 2

Apr 10, 2026

Marrakech: Sketching & the Medina

Daily snapshot:

Meals included

Breakfast, Lunch

Sketching Workshop

Yes

Accommodation

Jadali Hotel

Overview:

Ease into the rhythm with a relaxed morning sketching session and time to capture first impressions. In the afternoon, explore the cultural heart of Marrakech, from Dar El Bacha to the Secret Garden and the intricate beauty of Ben Youssef Medersa. Lunch is served above the rooftops at L’Mida, with the evening open

Day 3

Apr 11, 2026

Majorelle & Berber Heritage

Daily snapshot:

Meals included

Breakfast, Lunch

Sketching Workshop

Yes

Accommodation

Jadali Hotel

Overview:

Begin at the iconic Majorelle Garden, where bold color and botanical geometry inspire an on-site sketching workshop. Continue into Marrakech’s artistic legacy at the Berber Museum and YSL Museum, then enjoy lunch inside the garden grounds. The afternoon brings calm studio time to translate the day’s textures into your own work.

Day 3

Apr 11, 2026

Majorelle & Berber Heritage

Daily snapshot:

Meals included

Breakfast, Lunch

Sketching Workshop

Yes

Accommodation

Jadali Hotel

Overview:

Begin at the iconic Majorelle Garden, where bold color and botanical geometry inspire an on-site sketching workshop. Continue into Marrakech’s artistic legacy at the Berber Museum and YSL Museum, then enjoy lunch inside the garden grounds. The afternoon brings calm studio time to translate the day’s textures into your own work.

Day 4

Apr 12, 2026

Anima Garden: Art in Nature

Daily snapshot:

Meals included

Breakfast, Lunch

Sketching Workshop

Yes

Accommodation

Jadali Hotel

Overview:

A short drive brings you to Anima Garden, a dreamlike blend of sculpture, landscape, and mountain views. Sketch among installations and quiet pathways, then pause for mint tea and pastries at Café Paul Bowles with the Atlas Mountains as your backdrop. The remainder of the day is at leisure back in Marrakech.

Day 4

Apr 12, 2026

Anima Garden: Art in Nature

Daily snapshot:

Meals included

Breakfast, Lunch

Sketching Workshop

Yes

Accommodation

Jadali Hotel

Overview:

A short drive brings you to Anima Garden, a dreamlike blend of sculpture, landscape, and mountain views. Sketch among installations and quiet pathways, then pause for mint tea and pastries at Café Paul Bowles with the Atlas Mountains as your backdrop. The remainder of the day is at leisure back in Marrakech.

Day 5

Apr 13, 2026

Contemporary Art & the Agafay Desert

Daily snapshot:

Meals included

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sketching Workshop

No

Accommodation

Inara Camp

Overview:

Start the day immersed in contemporary creativity at Jardin Rouge, home to the Montresso Art Foundation. After lunch at Café de La Poste, trade city vibrance for desert stillness as you journey into the Agafay. Settle into camp, then enjoy a camel ride at sunset and a candlelit dinner beneath the stars.

Day 5

Apr 13, 2026

Contemporary Art & the Agafay Desert

Daily snapshot:

Meals included

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sketching Workshop

No

Accommodation

Inara Camp

Overview:

Start the day immersed in contemporary creativity at Jardin Rouge, home to the Montresso Art Foundation. After lunch at Café de La Poste, trade city vibrance for desert stillness as you journey into the Agafay. Settle into camp, then enjoy a camel ride at sunset and a candlelit dinner beneath the stars.

Day 6

Apr 14, 2026

Agafay: Desert Light & Deep Rest

Daily snapshot:

Meals included

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sketching Workshop

Yes

Accommodation

Inara Camp

Overview:

Morning brings a sketching workshop shaped by Agafay’s soft horizons and shifting light. The rest of the day unfolds at your own pace, with options for wellness, stargazing, pottery, or gentle adventure. Meals are enjoyed at camp, allowing the desert’s quiet beauty to take center stage.

Day 6

Apr 14, 2026

Agafay: Desert Light & Deep Rest

Daily snapshot:

Meals included

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sketching Workshop

Yes

Accommodation

Inara Camp

Overview:

Morning brings a sketching workshop shaped by Agafay’s soft horizons and shifting light. The rest of the day unfolds at your own pace, with options for wellness, stargazing, pottery, or gentle adventure. Meals are enjoyed at camp, allowing the desert’s quiet beauty to take center stage.

Day 7

Apr 15, 2026

Two Paths

Daily snapshot:

Meals included

Breakfast, Lunch (with extention)

Sketching Workshop

No

Accommodation

Heure Bleue Palais (with extention)

Overview:

Option A: Departure
Private transfer to Marrakech Airport, carrying home a week of vivid impressions and a sketchbook full of Morocco.

Option B: Coastal Extension to Essaouira
Drive west to breezy Essaouira, where ocean air, blue shutters, and historic ramparts shift the creative palette. Settle in and enjoy a relaxed sunset dinner at Ocean Vagabond overlooking the Atlantic.

Day 7

Apr 15, 2026

Two Paths

Daily snapshot:

Meals included

Breakfast, Lunch (with extention)

Sketching Workshop

No

Accommodation

Heure Bleue Palais (with extention)

Overview:

Option A: Departure
Private transfer to Marrakech Airport, carrying home a week of vivid impressions and a sketchbook full of Morocco.

Option B: Coastal Extension to Essaouira
Drive west to breezy Essaouira, where ocean air, blue shutters, and historic ramparts shift the creative palette. Settle in and enjoy a relaxed sunset dinner at Ocean Vagabond overlooking the Atlantic.

Day 8

Apr 16, 2026

Essaouira: History, Sea Air, and Poolside Sketching

Daily snapshot:

Meals included

Breakfast, Lunch

Sketching Workshop

Yes

Accommodation

Heure Bleue Palais

Overview:

Discover Essaouira’s layered story through its medina, artisan quarters, and ramparts shaped by centuries of trade and coastal life. Lunch is served at Heure Bleue Palais, with optional pool access. Later, unwind with a poolside sketching session capturing the city’s soft Atlantic light.

Day 8

Apr 16, 2026

Essaouira: History, Sea Air, and Poolside Sketching

Daily snapshot:

Meals included

Breakfast, Lunch

Sketching Workshop

Yes

Accommodation

Heure Bleue Palais

Overview:

Discover Essaouira’s layered story through its medina, artisan quarters, and ramparts shaped by centuries of trade and coastal life. Lunch is served at Heure Bleue Palais, with optional pool access. Later, unwind with a poolside sketching session capturing the city’s soft Atlantic light.

Day 9

Apr 17, 2026

Oualidia: Oysters, Ocean, and a Beach Workshop

Daily snapshot:

Meals included

Breakfast, Lunch

Sketching Workshop

Yes

Accommodation

La Sultana Oualidia

Overview:

Travel south along the Atlantic coast to Oualidia, a serene lagoon known for oyster farms and birdlife. A traditional boat takes you to a private beach for a gourmet seaside lunch, followed by a visit to local oyster beds. End the day with a meditative beach sketching session guided by tide and horizon.

Day 9

Apr 17, 2026

Oualidia: Oysters, Ocean, and a Beach Workshop

Daily snapshot:

Meals included

Breakfast, Lunch

Sketching Workshop

Yes

Accommodation

La Sultana Oualidia

Overview:

Travel south along the Atlantic coast to Oualidia, a serene lagoon known for oyster farms and birdlife. A traditional boat takes you to a private beach for a gourmet seaside lunch, followed by a visit to local oyster beds. End the day with a meditative beach sketching session guided by tide and horizon.

Day 10

Apr 18, 2026

La Sultana Oualidia: Wellness and Water

Daily snapshot:

Meals included

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sketching Workshop

Yes

Accommodation

La Sultana Oualidia

Overview:

A full day celebrating lagoon life at La Sultana, blending creative practice with deep restoration. Enjoy a morning sketching session, then choose your pace with spa rituals, kayaking, paddleboarding, cycling, or quiet moments by the water. A beautiful farewell dinner closes the retreat.

Day 10

Apr 18, 2026

La Sultana Oualidia: Wellness and Water

Daily snapshot:

Meals included

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sketching Workshop

Yes

Accommodation

La Sultana Oualidia

Overview:

A full day celebrating lagoon life at La Sultana, blending creative practice with deep restoration. Enjoy a morning sketching session, then choose your pace with spa rituals, kayaking, paddleboarding, cycling, or quiet moments by the water. A beautiful farewell dinner closes the retreat.

Day 11

Apr 19, 2026

Departure

Daily snapshot:

Meals included

Breakfast, Lunch

Sketching Workshop

No

Accommodation

--

Overview:

After breakfast, your private transfer takes you to the Casablanca airport for your onward flight. Depart with desert stillness, coastal light, and a sketchbook that holds Morocco in every page.

Day 11

Apr 19, 2026

Departure

Daily snapshot:

Meals included

Breakfast, Lunch

Sketching Workshop

No

Accommodation

--

Overview:

After breakfast, your private transfer takes you to the Casablanca airport for your onward flight. Depart with desert stillness, coastal light, and a sketchbook that holds Morocco in every page.

Meet Taria Dawson

An artist who makes sketching feel joyful, personal, and alive.

British sketchbook artist and author Taria Dawson has spent years exploring the world through ink, watercolor, and handmade craft. Her warm teaching style makes sketching feel inviting for both beginners and experienced artists. Her ebook Sketchy Adventures Around the World captures her belief that a sketchbook is more than a record—it's a way of noticing. On this retreat, Taria leads guests through sketching Morocco’s medinas, markets, coasts, and desert light, sharing techniques and prompts that make each scene come alive.

JOIN THE RETREAT

Where you'll stay

Spaces chosen for comfort, atmosphere, and inspiration.

Jadali Hotel, Marrakech

4 nights • A refined boutique hotel in Marrakech’s Hivernage district, where contemporary design meets Moroccan craftsmanship. Rooftop pools, quiet terraces, and a 1,200 m² spa create a calm setting just minutes from the medina — an ideal base for days filled with sketching and exploration.

Inara Camp, Agafay

2 nights • Inara Camp offers a refined yet authentic desert retreat—a seamless blend of comfort, artisan detail, and immersive desert experiences. It’s ideal whether you’re soaking by the pool, sketching dunes at sunset, tasting local cuisine under the stars, or exploring Agafay’s quiet grandeur.

Heure Bleue Palais, Essaouira

2 nights • Step into a world of refined luxury at Heure Bleue Palais, a beautifully restored 19th-century riad nestled within Essaouira’s historic medina. This Relais & Châteaux property perfectly blends traditional Moroccan architecture with elegant, contemporary comforts. Each of the 33 rooms and suites is thoughtfully designed with intricate tilework, carved wood details, and plush furnishings, creating a serene and intimate atmosphere. Enjoy stunning panoramic views of the city and ocean from the rooftop pool and terrace, relax in the indulgent spa, or savor exquisite Moroccan and international cuisine at the hotel’s acclaimed restaurants. With its blend of heritage charm and modern sophistication, Heure Bleue Palais offers an unforgettable retreat in one of Morocco’s most enchanting coastal towns.

La Sultana, Oualidia

2 nights • La Sultana Oualidia is the premier luxury hotel in Oualidia, offering an intimate boutique experience with only 12 exquisitely designed rooms and suites, each featuring private terraces and seawater Jacuzzis. Situated on the tranquil lagoon’s edge, the hotel blends natural materials like stone, tadelakt, and wood with hand-painted furniture and local artwork, creating a refined yet authentic atmosphere. Guests can indulge in gourmet dining focused on fresh seafood and French-inspired cuisine, unwind at the spa, take a dip in the heated infinity pool, or relax on the private sandy beach. The hotel is also eco-conscious, fully self-sufficient in water. For adventure, activities such as surfing, fishing, birdwatching, and horseback riding immerse visitors in the region’s natural beauty, making La Sultana Oualidia a standout choice for luxury and exclusivity on Morocco’s Atlantic coast.

Practical questions, answered clearly.

What to expect

What makes Sketching Morocco different from a typical group tour?

Do I need any artistic experience to join this retreat?

What is the group dynamic like?

How physically demanding is the retreat?

Can dietary restrictions or allergies be accommodated?

Are double rooms only for two travelers, or can solo guests share?

What makes Sketching Morocco different from a typical group tour?

Do I need any artistic experience to join this retreat?

What is the group dynamic like?

How physically demanding is the retreat?

Can dietary restrictions or allergies be accommodated?

Are double rooms only for two travelers, or can solo guests share?

What’s included in the retreat?

Will there be free time during the retreat?

What should I pack for the sketching workshops?

Why is Adler Marlow well-suited to hosting retreats in Morocco?

How do we accommodate mobility, dietary, or health needs for multiple generations?

What is the weather like in Morocco during April?

What’s included in the retreat?

Will there be free time during the retreat?

What should I pack for the sketching workshops?

Why is Adler Marlow well-suited to hosting retreats in Morocco?

How do we accommodate mobility, dietary, or health needs for multiple generations?

What is the weather like in Morocco during April?

I’m ready to say yes.

Share a vision, a wish, or a feeling and we’ll help shape it into a journey.

Join the Retreat