This trip will be taught in English
Your 10-Day Creative Journey Through Northern Morocco
Astrid is inviting you on a 10-day painting and sketching journey through Northern Morocco - from the seaside mosque of Casablanca to the cobalt-blue streets of Chefchaouen and the ancient medina of Fes.
Whether you're a total beginner or a more experienced sketcher, this trip is designed for all levels, giving you space to learn, create, and be inspired by one of the most visually rich regions in the world - all while being fully taken care of.
Daily sketching & painting workshops by Astrid
Travel by private driver through iconic Moroccan towns & cities
Fully taken care of - accommodation, meals & transport included
Ten days through Northern Morocco, with a sketchbook in your hand.
This trip takes you on a 10-day loop through the north of Morocco, organised on the ground by Moroccan Meraki, a local team that specialises in artist-led travel.
You travel with a small international group, with your own driver, a local guide and Astrid. Along the way we stay in carefully chosen riads and hotels, and every day you get workshops by Astrid to learn how to fill your sketchbook with travel sketches and watercolor illustrations.No experience needed, just curiosity.
The route runs from the Atlantic coast (starting in Casablanca) to the Rif mountains, and every stop is picked for what it gives you to paint: the huge Hassan II Mosque right on the sea, the fishing harbour and blue doors of Asilah, the spot at Cap Spartel where two seas meet, the cobalt-blue alleyways of Chefchaouen, the Roman ruins of Volubilis, and the spice-scented medina of Fes.
Daily watercolor & sketching workshops by Astrid
Every day, Astrid leads a relaxed sketching and watercolor session, so you can capture the places you pass through in your own way. Whether you are a complete beginner, somewhere in the middle, or already paint regularly, you are welcome. Everyone works at their own pace & Astrid is there to guide you every step of the way. You come home with a sketchbook full of memories, and a little more confidence to keep filling its pages.
Watercolor & ink techniques
Learn essential techniques to bring your sketches to life with fluid lines and vibrant washes.
Travel Sketchbook Practice
Build a personal sketchbook filled with memories, scenes, and creative impressions from the trip.
Finding your own style
Explore your unique visual voice through observation, intuition, and playful experimentation.
Plein-air urban sketching workshops
Capture the energy of Morocco's blue cities, souks, and Roman ruins in live, on-location sessions.
The programme
We've put together a 10-day loop through Northern Morocco, starting and ending in Casablanca. All accommodation, transport, meals, guide and entry fees are included throughout.
Day 1 | Arrival in Casablanca → Rabat
Your private guide and driver welcome you at the airport. Have your painting gear ready: we head straight to the Hassan II Mosque, a jaw-dropping masterpiece by the ocean, to paint its towering minaret and seaside setting. After lunch of fresh local fish, official guides take you inside to marvel at the mosaics and prayer hall. Afterwards we drive to Rabat, Morocco's capital, to settle into your hotel for the evening.
Day 2 | Rabat → Asilah
After breakfast, a local guide takes you through Rabat: the Mohammed V Mausoleum and Hassan Tower. Late morning, sketch or paint in the Andalusian Garden and the blue-and-white Kasbah of the Udayas. After lunch, we travel to the coastal town of Asilah, where you'll paint the harbour's fishing boats before strolling the artsy medina — famous for its white walls, blue doors, and mural festival.
Day 3 | Asilah - free painting day
A full day inside Asilah's old city walls: narrow streets, blue doors, white walls and flowers, perfect for painting. Lunch is fresh fish at a local restaurant. In the evening, relax at the hotel - pool, a drink, or simply unwind.
Day 4 | Asilah → Tangier → Tetouan
We drive to Tangier for a guided medina tour, lunch of grilled fish, then on to Cap Spartel — where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean — to paint and enjoy a camel ride on the beach. In the late afternoon we continue to Tetouan for the night.
Day 5 | Tetouan → Anakhla Dam → Chefchaouen
A short guided visit and painting session in Tetouan's old medina ("The White Dove"), lunch and sketching at the scenic Anakhla Dam, then on to Chefchaouen to paint the Blue City from a hilltop viewpoint before checking in.
Day 6 | Chefchaouen - free painting day
Sunrise breakfast on a riad terrace overlooking the blue medina, sketching the cobalt alleyways, an afternoon at Al Hawta Square to sketch and people-watch, and dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 7 | Chefchaouen → Volubilis → Fes
We drive to the Roman ruins of Volubilis - mosaics, columns and olive groves with mountain views - for a tour and painting session, before continuing to Fes and your riad for the night
Day 8 | Fes - free painting day
Paint the iconic Bab Boujloud gate, explore the medina's souks, visit the tanneries, and discover ancient madrasas before an evening on your riad's rooftop terrace.
Day 9 | Fes → Casablanca
A morning pottery workshop in Fes (Zellij mosaics & ceramics), then the drive back to Casablanca for a farewell dinner together.
Day 10 | Departure
Free morning, then transfer to Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport (CMN).
What participants said about Astrid's Watercolor Retreats
All-inclusive Trip
€3.600,- p.p.
What's included
✓ 10 days / 9 nights across Northern Morocco (Casablanca, Rabat, Asilah, Tangier, Tetouan, Chefchaouen, Fes)
✓ Your own private rooms (riads & hotels)
✓ Daily watercolor & sketching workshops with Astrid on location, with demos, personal guidance, and gallery & feedback moments to learn from each other
✓ All meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner), water, coffee & tea
✓ Private, air-conditioned transport with driver throughout
✓ English-speaking local guide for all excursions & city tours
✓ Entrance fees & local taxes
What's not included
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International flights (nearest airport: Casablanca)
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Travel insurance (recommended)
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Personal purchases and expenses (foods, drinks) outside the agreed programme
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Watercolor & sketchbook material. Astrid will provide a list with Art materials to bring.
Meet your hosts
Astrid
Watercolor artist & teacher and adventurer
I’m an art teacher who can’t help but get excited when someone discovers the magic of making something with their own hands. Helping people tap into their creativity, try new techniques, and see what they’re capable of is what gets me out of bed in the morning.
I never travel without my watercolor sketchbook (sometimes even 5): and it has taken me to different corners of the world: from the fjords of Scandinavia to the Souks of Morocco and the colorful streets of Mexico. Sketching and painting helps me slow down, observe, and stay curious to the world around me. II’m adventurous, endlessly curious, and love sharing my passion for making with others.
Organising this retreat is a dream come true, a way way to bring creative people together in a relaxed, inspiring setting.
Mohamed
Local travel company | Moroccan Meraki
Mohamed and his team at Moroccan Meraki organise artist-led trips across Northern Morocco from the medinas of Fes and Chefchaouen to the coastal towns of the north. On the ground, they take care of transport, accommodation, meals, and local expertise, so you and Astrid can focus entirely on painting.
Everything in one overview
All-inclusive:
Travel & Stay
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Stay: 10-day loop through Northern Morocco: Casablanca, Rabat, Asilah, Tangier, Tetouan, Chefchaouen, Volubilis, Fes
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Closest Airport: Casablanca Mohammed V (CMN)
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When: 7 - 16th of October 2027
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Arrival: Pick up from the airport
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Private transport & driver + local guide throughout
Creative Programme
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Daily sketching & watercolor workshops with Astrid (all levels welcome)
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Plein-air sessions in medinas, coastal towns & Roman ruins
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Daily group feedback & review sessions to learn from eachother.
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Visits to artisan workshops (Fes pottery & Zellij mosaics)
Food
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All meals, water, coffee & tea included throughout
Investment
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€3.600,- p.p. all-inclusive (see "What's included" above)
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Payment in two easy steps:
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€1,000 deposit when you book (secures your spot)
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€2,600 remaining balance by 1 June 2027
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Group
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Minimum group size: 6 participants
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Maximum group size: 12 participants
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Language: English spoken
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Drawing or painting level: no prior skills needed - beginners and experienced artists both welcome
In the rare case of fewer bookings, the retreat may be canceled and you will be refunded. Please refer to the 'algemene voorwaarden'.
Still have questions?
Check out these FAQ's.
If there is anything we haven’t covered here, don't hesitate and send an email to Astrid: watercolor@astridtenbosch.com
Dit aanbod valt onder de garantie van STO Garant.
Je kunt de voorwaarden van deze garantieregeling vinden op de website van STO Garant (www.sto-garant.nl/downloads).
