“with hands and heart”
awakening the senses on a journey through Morocco
with India Flint
SEPTEMBER 16 - OCTOBER 1, 2025
with hands & heart
”A 16-day all inclusive travel experience with India Flint in Morocco, including a 3-day textile and dyeing workshop in the Sahara Desert.
Our journey through the sunset lands of Morocco on the western edge of legendary El Maghreb begins in Tangier, (often described as a city of storytellers having lured writers and artists for centuries) where we will begin our ‘journeycloths’ in the fabled botanic gardens situated on a hilltop overlooking the sea. From there we travel to the fabled blue city Chefchaouen, visit the Roman ruins at Volubilis and climb to the heights above the fabled village of Ait Ben Haddou.
Learn about the processes that shape beautiful hand-weavings at Afous Agous women’s collective in the high Atlas, negotiate with a wandering trader for a dragon’s egg pocket-stone filled with crystals at a mountain pass coffee stop, marvel at the flora that manages to grow in these arid lands, visit a henna farm and at last arrive at Ait Isfoul on the northern edge of the Sahara, where we will catch our breath and spend contemplative days in the studio printing with leaves we may have gathered along the way and making experimental watercolours from found pigments to use in our notebooks.
Our path eventually brings us to Marrakech where we luxuriate in a hammam, wander the souks and visit several marvellous museums. Those who wish may book a workshop at the Perfume Museum to create a personal scent, adding yet another layer to their experience of Morocco.
a note from India,
“The first time Michelle invited me to accompany a tour in Morocco I actually declined the offer, simply because I had never set foot there and it seemed utterly presumptuous to offer a workshop in a place so exotic to me. I chose instead to join a tour as participant, and then later travel on to Essaouira under my own steam. Arriving in Morocco I was enchanted by the architecture, the colours, the scents and the sounds. I fell in love with boucharouite rugs and found eucalyptus (the dye plant I have specialised in) growing in unexpected places, cochineal on cacti and even woad (a plant that yields blue) growing wild in the Atlas Mountains. Out in the desert I wondered whether the many windfall dates might be used to reduce an indigo vat and I dreamed of returning to this remarkable country with a dye-pot in hand. I hope you’ll want to gather there with me . . .
about India Flint:
India Flint’s work conflates the visual and written poetics of place and memory, using walking, drawing, assemblage, dyeing, stitch, image-making and text as a means of mapping country, recoding and recording responses to landscape working with cloth, paper, stone, windfall biological material, water, minerals, bones, the discarded artefacts and hard detritus of human habitation, the local weed burden. She negotiates a path between installation, printing, painting, drawing, writing and sculpture, philosophically rooted in topophilia (the love of place). Fellow artist Chris Orchard has described the work as “using the earth as printing plate, and time as the press”. India is known for the development of the ecoprint, has been engaged with plant dyes and earth pigments for over thirty years and is represented in museum collections in Australia, the USA and Europe. Her knowledge and research have been shared in several books (most notably Eco Colour 2008, Second Skin 2011, both published by Murdoch Books) and through an increasingly intense domestic and international workshop program from 1998 until the plague struck in 2020. She now directs the School of Nomad Arts from her base in rural South Australia.
Nota Bene: this is a prospective itinerary. It is subject to modest modifications, dependent on local weather, new opportunities and the desires of the group.
All driving times are approximate depending on traffic and the number of stops required by the group. BLD are refer to Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner :)
Day 1: Tangier
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
arrival
Upon arrival you will be met at the airport, train station or ferry and transferred to our Riad.
Upon check in the afternoon will be free as to allowing of the arrival times of others.
Evening will bring a lovely cocktail meet and greet followed by a beautiful Welcome Dinner, where we will get to know each other and enjoy our first delicious Moroccan evening meal together in Tangier.
D
Day 2: Tangier
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
hunting & gathering
BREAKFAST 8 AM | DEPART 10 AM
Wake up to the delicious sound of birds chirping in the patio of your riad.
After breakfast, we will make our way to the Botanical Gardens and where we will wander the gardens and enjoy a lunch. Following lunch we will explore the souks with our local guide.
At the end of this intense day, we will relax and enjoy a group dinner on the rooftop.
BLD
Day 3: Chefchaouen
Thursday, September 18, 2025
on route to Chefchaouen
BREAKFAST 8 AM | DEPART 9AM
We depart Tangier and make our way to the mountain Blue town of Chefchaouen, through the scenic landscape of the Rift Mountains. (2.5 hours).
Following lunch and check in, the afternoon will be enjoy an orientation wander and you will be free for you to rest of the afternoon to spend enjoying as you wish.
We will meet 6 PM to have a little wine and journal time before enjoying dinner together.
BLD
Day 4: Fez
Friday, September 19, 2025
on route to Fez
BREAKFAST 8 AM | DEPART 9 AM
After an early breakfast in our riad we’ll start driving to Fez via Volubilis. (4.5 hours)
The first stop will be Volubilis, to explore a large Roman ruin where our local guide will lead us through the history of the Roman ruins and the mosaics that date back to the 2nd century B.C.
After lunch we’ll head to Fez and overnight in the heart of the oldest Medina in Morocco.
BLD
Day 5: Fez
Saturday, September 20, 2025
Fez
BREAKFAST 8 AM | DEPART 9 AM
After breakfast, our local guide will join us on an explorative journey of the oldest medina in Morocco that dates back to the 9th century.
We’ll explore the narrow winding cobblestone streets of the medina, where donkeys are the main mode of transportation. We will include historical sites of the medina, including the University of Al Karaouine, the oldest university in the world started in 851 by a woman (Fatima Fhriya), the Moulay Idriss mausoleum, the Nejjarine fountains, the famous (and odiferous) tanneries, as well as the King’s Palace and the Jewish quarter. Lunch will be in the medina. The tour ends around 3-4 p.m.
BLD
Day 6: Gueliz
Sunday, September 21, 2025
on route to desert
BREAKFAST 8 AM | DEPART 9 AM
Today is a travelling day as we depart Fez and continue our journey with a quick overnight on route to the doorway to the desert Ouarzazate . . . (6.5 hours)
BLD
Day 7: Ouarzazate
Monday, September 22, 2025
journey onward,
BREAKFAST 8 AM | DEPART 9 AM
Today, we leave to continue our journey to Ouazazate (3.5 hours) driving through the beautiful Atlas Mountains and Tishka Mountain Pass.
Following a lovely local lunch we will be joining the women's Carpet Collective of Agous Afous to share the afternoon with the local woman to learn how they use natural dyes & weave the infamous Moroccan carpets. There are carpet purchasing opportunities here as well as having one custom made and shipped to your home. We love to support these beautiful and talented women.
BLD
What People Are Saying,
Morocco has always in my mind, been a place of mystery. Choosing to travel there with Michelle as my guide was one of the highlights of my life! From the moment I met her, I got the sense I would be safe, cared for and exposed to new experiences. I joined the “Poetics of Place” tour with the very talented India Flint. Never in my wildest dreams did I think everything would be as fabulous as it was. The accomodation was stunning, the food delicious and the myriad of experiences we were privy to such as: MAP museum, women’s cooperatives, antique hidden shops, swimming in the desert, visiting Ancient towns, sea glass collecting, cooking tangines, henna hands, tradition Berbere welcome, watching artist create, shopping in the Medinas and on and on was so full and rich. The highlight for me was time in the desert with India and the other women at Michelle and Kamal’s Kasbah. An oasis with studio, pool, gorgeous rooms, every whim attended to and a view that was just magical. Michelle’s support staff were knowledgeable, respectful and very kind and she went up and beyond to make sure everything ran smoothly and beautifully. The focus on women run businesses and cooperatives was an absolute focus and very appreciate by all of us who went. Truely this journey was unforgettable and I fell in love with Morocco, its people and would not hesitate it taking a trip with Michelle anywhere!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
JANE HIGGINS
Day 8: Zagora
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
journey onward to Aitisfoul
BREAKFAST 8 AM | DEPART 9 AM
Afer breakfast we will continue our journey to the desert and stop for a visit in the Village of Tazzarine to see the Henna growing farms. (4.5 hours)
Following lunch we will make our way to my Kasbah Aitisfoul where we will spend the next 4 nights and create with India in my studio in the Sahara. The rooms are air conditioned, wifi available, a pool to lounge, local musicians to listen too and for those that have a camel ride on their “must do”s”, an optional desert drive to the dunes to watch the sunset & the moon rise over the desert. Our private chef will make sure you are well fed and teach you how to make your own personal tagine.
BLD
workshop with India
Day 9, 10 & 11: Aitisfoul
Wednesday, September 24, 2025, Thursday, September 25, 2025
& Friday, September 26, 2025
We will now enjoy gentle workshop days at Ait Isfoul and time to dye small cloth and paper bundles.
Our days will unfold in a rhythm to suit you: explore a little or a lot, in and around the workshop.
During your free time you can chase the light with your camera or draw in your
sketch book, or explore the local area.
One of these days, we will participate in the weekly local Souk for our Souk to Tagine Experience where we will shop like the locals and return to Aitisfoul for a hands-on Tagine cooking class with Chef Mohamed. BLD
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
10 am - 1 pm: Workshop
1 pm - 2:30 pm Lunch
2:30 pm - 4:30 pm Workshop
Day 12: Ait Ben Haddou
Saturday, September 27, 2025
on the road
BREAKFAST 8 AM | DEPART 9 AM
Today we will start our journey back up the old caravan route. (4 hours)
We will be spending the afternoon enjoying the old Kzar of Ait Ben Haddou where will spend the night at local Kasbah. You can explore with your sketchbooks, climb the hill for spectacular views or indulge in shopping, walk across the river in this historic village and taste some Berbere Pizza, marvel at the old doors or visit local female artist Hafida Zizi.
BLD
Day 13: Marrakech
Sunday, September 28, 2025
journey onward, Marrakech
BREAKFAST 8 AM | DEPART 9 AM
After breakfast we will make our way to Marrakech going over the Tiska Pass. (3.5 hours)
Following lunch and check in we will have our pre-booked Hammam and massages to wash the desert sand away.
BLD
Day 14: Marrakech
Monday, September 29, 2025
museum day,
BREAKFAST 8 AM | DEPART 9 AM
Today we will wander out into the Medina of Marrakech and experience the beautiful MAP Marrakech Museum where we will enjoy a rooftop lunch amongst their rooftop garden. The afternoon will be free to wander or shop on your own. This evening we will meet up and enjoy a walking food tour with a local.
BLD
Day 15: Marrakech
Tuesday, October 30, 2025
souking,
We will enjoy a guided artisan souk tour followed by lunch. The afternoon you will have a few options that will be have been pre arranged - enjoy time on your own or participate in the “Perfume Museum Workshop” crafting your signature Moroccan scent guided by their resident perfumier. Majorelle Garden, shopping the souk with a guide or enjoy an architectural guided tour and visit the Ben Yousef Madressa.
(These are optional activity - they require pre booking, there is an additional cost to these add ons
Farewell dinner this evening!
BLD
Day 16: Marrakech
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Blisama, farewell… for now
BREAKFAST 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Airport transfers or onward adventures.
**If you are interested in arriving early or staying on after our adventure and seeing more of Morocco please let me know and I can help you make your dreams come true!
B
There will be time for aleatory poetry, photography, drawing and dreaming in this extraordinary land; as our shoes leave their fragile prints in the dust of forgotten storms, our noses delight at the intriguing fragrances in the air and our hearts open to the magic of a place unlike any other.
India x
THE INVESTMENT
This is a 16 day all inclusive Art of Travel Experience, including a 3 day workshop with India Flint in Morocco
$7295 USD (Twin Shared Room) Single Room Supplement $1800 USD (Limited Supply)
$2000 USD NON REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT IS DUE UPON ENROLMENT
12 Participants
September 16 - October 1, 2025
TOTAL AMOUNT || $7295 USD twin share
Single Room supplement $1800.00 USD (limited supply)
DEPOSIT || $2000 USD
$2000 USD NON REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT IS DUE UPON REGISTRATION
You may transfer this workshop to another person if you can’t attend. If there is a waitlist we will connect you with the next person on the list. Once transferred or sold, your reserved spot will be removed. If we cancel this workshop you will be refunded.
PLEASE NOTE:
There will be no refunds for this trip due to the planning and logistics involved. When you register be sure to know all you can about travelling to Morocco.
**PLEASE DO NOT BOOK YOUR FLIGHT TO MOROCCO WITHOUT CANCELLATION INSURANCE OR PRIOR TO RECEIVING AN EMAIL TELLING YOU THAT WE HAVE MET THE REQUIRED MINUMIM NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS ADVENTURE. THE CALL DATE IS SET FOR MAY 1, 2025. 12 PERSON MAXIMUM.
** Airport pick-up is only for indicated dates. Should you plan to arrive earlier to stay at the hotel you will be responsible for your own transfer fees. We can help you arrange your transfer and extra night if required.
TRIP AND PRICE DETAILS
You will be sent a list of supplies to bring after registration. Please do not book flight until we send you an email confirming that you can go ahead.
Deposit $2000.00 USD - non refundable due upon registration.
Balance payment is due: June 1 , 2025
PASSPORT
Foreign visitors wishing to travel to Morocco should be in possession of a passport valid for at least 180 days.
What’s included
transfers to and from Airport, train station or ferry on arrival and departure days only
lodging (double occupancy)
all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner (2 courses) including water, coffee & tea (additional beverages and alcohol are not included and will be at your own expense to be paid directly at the meal
water will be available to refill your refillable water containers, on the bus
english speaking guide
all guides + entrance fees
welcome swag bag
3-day workshop with India Flint
transportation throughout the trip and sightseeing attractions as per itinerary
many amazing memories
What’s NOT included
airfare and travel costs to and from Morocco
transfers other than arrival or departure days are available at extra cost to you
travel medical Insurance (mandatory)
trip cancellation insurance (strongly advised)
soda, juice, smoothies, and alcoholic beverages
optional activities
arriving early or staying later are at your expense, happy to help you with arrangements
SUPPLY LIST: -. will be sent out after registration
additional nights lodging or any add - on escapes
personal spending money
OUR TEAM . . .
OUR TEAM . . .
OUR LOCAL TEAM CONSISTS OF MYSELF, MY PARTNER, OUR ASSISTANT, OUR ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDE AS WELL AS OUR RESIDENT TEACHER AND OUR TRUSTED DRIVER THAT WILL JOURNEY ALONGSIDE YOU ON THIS ADVENTURE TO MOROCCO.
IMPORTANT NOTE FROM MICHELLE
You are required to get travel medical insurance, there are many companies but we use World Nomad.
Trip cancellation insurance strongly recommended.
Morocco can be overwhelming for the first time visitor. It is for the traveller who is open to new cultures, and is willing to have plans delayed, or a schedule which may shift. Flexibility is essential and participants should not be fearful travellers; being open to the diversity is all part of the experience and fun.
This is for the person who wants to travel to Morocco with the safety of a group; it is for the adventurer, the person who wants to feel all their senses in this amazing country.
Must have the ability to walk for longer distances on uneven surfaces and keep up with the group. There are often stairs that must be used as elevators are not common in Morocco.
If you have specific allergies (i.e. peanuts, wheat, gluten, dairy, etc.), it will be harder, but not impossible, for you to find food that suits your needs. We are unable to cater to any specific dietary issues - you will need to manage this. All meals will have vegetarian courses.
Consult a doctor, nurse or health care provider, or visit a travel health clinic preferably six weeks before you travel. (side note: If you have any pending health concerns you should contact your health care provider prior to registration).
Should you have any questions prior to registration please email me here.
Frequently asked questions . . .
