c e r a m i c s in
M O R O C C O
June 17 - 23, 2024 | *Sold Out
June 24 - 30, 2024 | 4 spaces available
FEZ, MOROCCO
$3,600 USD
One of our most unique offerings, the Thread Caravan Morocco trip involves deep cultural immersion in northern Morocco as we connect with local families practicing age-old regional crafts.
We’ll start in the 1,000+ year old walled city of Fez Medina, where we’ll stay in riad-style boutique hotel accommodation and orient ourselves for our journey to the scenic Rif mountains. Once in the mountains, we’ll join master potter Mama Aïcha in her homestay atop Mount Sidi Masoud to learn about the ceramic practicesof the Sless tribe/
With expansive views of the surrounding mountains and the Al Wahda Dam, we’ll take inspiration from the rugged landscape as we build, paint, and fire earthen ceramics alongside Mama Aïcha, experimenting with natural pigments and goat hair brushes. We’ll enjoy home-cooked, family-style meals and learn about other regional crafts, all while immersing ourselves in the lifestyle of Northern Morocco.
Returning to Fez Medina, we’ll engage in a weaving workshop and have time for a traditional hammam.
ITINERARY
-
Group arrival to Fez
Guided walking tour of the historical medina, visiting with top artisans in the town.
Group welcome dinner and trip orientation.
Settle into our beautiful rooms at Jardin des Biehn. -
Breakfast in the garden at Jardin des Biehn.
Private transportation to the Rif mountains (a scenic rural drive that is approximately 2-3 hours).
Settle into the home of pottery artist Mama Aicha. Homemade lunch prepared by Samira.
Afternoon building earthen ceramics pieces.
Group dinner.
-
Spend the morning continuing to build ceramics pieces. In the afternoon, take a 20-30 minute scenic walk down the hill to visit extended family members who weave palm baskets.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included today, home-cooked meals with Mama Aicha and family. -
Morning visit to the local town market, to shop for trinkets and learn more about the agricultural lifestyle of northern Morocco.
Spend the afternoon back at the home studio painting ceramics pieces with earthen pigments and horsehair brushes.Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included today, home-cooked meals with Mama Aicha and family.
-
Early morning firing of ceramics pieces we’ve created together.
Breakfast and lunch home-cooked with Mama Aicha and family.
In the afternoon, return to Fez. Option for a traditional hammam.
Group dinner at a favorite restaurant in Fez.
Overnight Jardin des Biehn. -
Group breakfast in the hotel gardens.
Walk through the medina to visit a weaving cooperative. This cooperative unites weavers across Morocco in a weaver-owned project. Here we will take a 3 hour workshop to learn how to create rugs using the knotting technique traditional to Morocco, each guest creating a small piece of their own.
Group lunch on a rooftop nearby.
Free afternoon to explore the medina and do last minute shopping and visits.
Farewell group dinner at another wonderful restaurant.
-
Final group breakfast in the hotel garden.
Farewells and departures. We hope you join us again!
TRIP
DETAILS
GROUP
This trip is limited to 8 guests, who will accompanied by 1-2 Thread Caravan trip facilitator(s) and the Ard Artisans host.
During the June 17 - 23 dates, we will be inviting renowned Oaxacan ceramics artist Macrina Mateo Martinez to participate in this experience as a guest.
ITINERARY
Please contact us if you’d like to receive a copy of the tentative itinerary.
PRICING + PAYMENT
Pricing is $3,600 USD for a shared room, with the option for a $450 USD single room supplement (for the nights in Fez).
*All nights while in the mountain accommodation will be shared occupancy rooms.
When reserving the June 17-23 trip, there is the option to Pay it Forward. This payment will contribute to the cost of inviting renowned ceramic artist, Macrina Mateo Martinez from Oaxaca, to participate in this experience as a guest.
A non-refundable deposit it required in order to reserve your space on this trip. The remaining balance can be made at your convenience on this page at least two months prior to the trip.
When making a reservation, there is the option to Pay it Forward. These contributions are directed exclusively towards our Artisan Exchange Program.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation for our three nights in Fez will be in a centrally-located boutique hotel, Jardin des Biehn, in the Fez Medina. In this hotel, there is the option for a private room upgrade.
In the mountains, we will be staying in a rural homestay. The home is very clean, and the family has been hosting travelers for years. But it is rustic - squat toilet, fire-heated bucket shower system, shared rooms and no wifi. This is part of the charm of the place and experience, and the only way people can have the opportunity to connect with master potter Mama Aicha. We kindly request that anyone reserving this trip come with an open mind.
GETTING TO MOROCCO
This trip starts and ends in Fez. We ask that guests arrive by 5pm on the trip start day, and depart any time on the trip end day.
COST INCLUDES
Artisan Experiences: This trip includes a multi-day ceramics course (complete with building, glazing and firing pieces), led by an ~85 year old master female ceramicist. It also includes a one-day weaving workshop, visit with basket weavers, guided medina tour and optional hammam experience.
In-Country Transportation: We’ll be taking a mix of private shuttles and taxis.
All Meals: All meals are included and will offer a range of home-cooked to fine dining experiences.
Accommodation: In boutique hotel in Fez and homestay in the Rif mountains.
Support: A Thread Caravan trip facilitator will guide this experience in partnership with local guides and hosts. Our team will be available in the months leading up to the trip to help you prepare.
Carbon Emissions Offset: We’ve partnered with Trees for the Future to plant 50 tress on your behalf in order to offset the carbon emissions of your travel to Morocco. If you’d like to plant additional trees to offset carbon emissions, there is an option for that at check out.
ADDITIONAL EXPENSES
Alcoholic Drinks: Thread Caravan does not cover the cost of alcoholic beverages (and they will not always be available in Morocco).
Airfare: To and from the Fez airport or train station
Personal Travel Insurance: Personal travel insurance is required for this trip. Please find an insurance that covers medical emergencies, theft, and trip cancellations.
Extra Excursions: During our scheduled free time, guests will be responsible for all incurred expenses.
Personal Expenses: Shopping, medicine, snacks, etc.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFO
Vaccinations: The CDC recommends preparing for Moroccan travel with routine vaccinations as well as Typhoid and Hepititis A.
VISA: A visa is not required for US citizens visiting Morocco for less than 90 days. If you plan to spend more than 90 days in Morocco, or are a citizen from a country other than the US, please look into visa requirements or contact us to help you.
Passport Validity: Passport must have at least 6 months validity at time of entry as well as at least one empty page.
Clothing: Morocco is a predominantly Muslim country. While a hijab is not required for female travelers, we request that everyone in our group wear conservative clothing (covering shoulders, chest, and legs completely).
Trip Preparation: We will send a trip preparation packet to you one month before the trip. It will include things like an exact itinerary, a suggested pack list, useful country information and more.
QUESTIONS? CONTACT US.
“Never would I have imagined the journey that Thread Caravan led through Morocco; it can only be described as a dream. From wandering medinas and navigating delicious menus, to learning from & sharing homecooked meals with a master ceramicist 80 years into her craft, digging through barns stocked with hand-built pottery, nestled in the rural mountains of Northern Morocco, to stomping our feet alongside folkloric dancers in a mud built Kasbah in an oasis valley: this trip was transformative in so many ways.’
“Everyday was a new lesson to learn from such a unique place, a lesson in craft, in life, in peace, in friendship, in taste and flavor, style, vision, and opinion. Everyday was a new connection to a place, a new way of seeing, a new admiration. Days were balanced between group outings, workshops, and meals, and free time to slowly enjoy a sunset or a rooftop pot of mint tea - to try a new restaurant or revisit a favorite, and to bargain with a rug dealer in a freshly uncovered corner of the market.’
“The tender moments shared with my fellow travelers and our numerous hosts is something I cannot put a value on. Thank you, Thread Caravan, for orchestrating such a thoughtful and genuine introduction to Moroccan life and culture.”
-Monica Mediros, Bricolage Press, California
