May 5 – 20, 2027
Fly home date: May 21
This textile and arts tour of Morocco takes you ‘Behind the Scenes’ with a small group of friendly people to share an authentic experience of Moroccan hospitality.
The itinerary is special because although we visit justifiably popular cities like exotic Marrakech, we’ll go “off the beaten path,” into rural desert areas to join a women’s coop for a natural dye workshop and visit women making shaggy colorful rugs in desert villages.
In the remote Sahara Desert regions, we’ll ride camels (optional!) to our tent camp, and sleep in cozy felt tents. We’ll see rustic pottery being made on underground kick wheels and glazed with a luminous green. We’ll take a walk in a date palm plantation and see how these sweet morsels are cultivated.
Everywhere we go, our guide will show us the best places to eat, the hidden corners to visit, and the most interesting artisans and friends to meet.
Charming and comfortable hotels called riads will be our home bases. As we travel, we’ll explore the historic walled kasbahs, watch craftsmen at work, and poke around in the traditional little souks for treasures to take home.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Dye wool yarn with natural plants in our hands-on workshop; buy fair-trade rugs.
- See UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the bustling Medina of Fes
- Shop for jewelry, spices and crafts in the souks of exotic Marrakech
- Learn how tile mosaics are made for floors and walls.
- Visit the fabulous Hassan II Mosque, at seaside Casablanca
- Ride a friendly camel in the Sahara Desert to our glamping tent camp!
- Be baffled by a button-knotting demo; try it for yourself!
- Make a savory tajine lunch in our country cooking class.
BEGIN YOUR ADVENTURE
An Overview of Your Journey
Casablanca to Marrakech
We’ll start this marvelous adventure by flying in to legendary Casablanca. The next day we’ll visit the fabulous Hassan II Mosque, at seaside Casablanca. The mosque has exquisite mosaics inside and out. Here we’ll have a specialized guide and she’ll explain the mosque’s amazing statistics and its special features.
Next, we’ll hop in our Sprinter and drive south to fabled and friendly Marrakech. Even today Marrakech feels exotic and other-worldly, especially in the old fortified city area, called the medina, a densely packed, walled medieval city.
Little market shops in the Medina offer a treasure of traditional textiles, baskets, felted slippers, pottery and jewelry. Here we can meet master artisans at work, and wander the narrow, cobblestone streets of the market.
Legendary Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains
One day we’ll drive outside of Marrakch into the mountains, to the beautiful Ourika Valley. A river runs through the village and we’ll have lunch of delicious typical tajines by the riverside.
Another morning in Marrakech we will have a professional cooking class. Moroccan food is divine and we’ll create delicious dishes that include your choice of either vegetable or chicken tajine, a typical, succulent stew. We will also see the stunning Majorelle Gardens begun by French painter Jacques Majorelle, and the excellent museums of authentic Berber jewelry, clothing and textiles. Lunch that day will be in the pretty garden patio of the Yves Saint Laurent Museum complex.
Later, we’ll drive over the Atlas Mountains to the desert city of Ouarzazate. Many “swords and sandals” movies are filmed in the studios here in the stark landscape.
One day we’ll visit a women’s coop group of traditional rug makers. They will explain the natural dyes they use for the brilliant carpet colors. Then in our workshop, we’ll dye skeins of wool yarn. They will show us how they knot the beautiful rugs sold in the coop, and you can try your hand at knotting. The purchase of the excellent quality carpets made by the local Berber women helps them directly to improve their quality of life and that of their children.
We’ll also visit the recycled rug makers in their desert village. These ingenious ladies knot strands of unraveled sweater yarn onto a warp and make the colorful creations at left.
Ait Ben’Haddou UNESCO Site
Along the way, we’ll see the mystical ksar or fortified city at Ait Ben’Haddou, a spectacular complex of earthen dwellings surrounded by high defensive walls reinforced by angle towers. A UNESCO site since 1987, Ait Ben’Haddou is a striking example of southern Moroccan pre-Saharan architecture. We’ll also spend one night glamping in upscale tents on the Saharan dunes! Friendly camels will take us over the sand to the tent camp –or you can choose to go in one of our Jeeps.
We’ve partnered with a California-based library project. We’ll visit a Berber community’s high school library, meet the students, and donate English language books that we have brought. Then we head inland to Midelt, land of fossils, geodes, crystals, and minerals. Next day we’ll head north to Ifrane, and on to our cozy riad in Fes.
The busy Fes Medina
The bustling city of Fes is primarily known for its ancient sprawling medina or walled city, the best-preserved in the Arab world. It’s another UNESCO World Heritage site.
Major monuments that we will visit in Fes date to the 13th and 14th centuries. The world’s oldest university, University of Al Quaraouiyine is here. We’ll spend several days in Fes, sleeping in a charming riad decorated with zellij mosaic tiles.
In the medina, our guide will show us the mosques and madrasas with their highly decorated mosaic walls. Craftsmen still work and sell their products here, and like others, this medina is divided into areas by trade—the leather crafters, ceramicists, and so forth. Wander in the medina to find traditional arts of Morocco: carpets, leather slippers, brass lanterns, or antique silver jewelry.
In the Fes medina, we’ll visit a friend who has a small shop with stacks and stacks of beautiful carpets. He will explain the various techniques and patterns with different examples, from different areas of the country.
Ceramics and on to the Capital – Rabat
We’ll tour a large ceramics factory in Fes where craftspeople still hand-paint plates and vases. You’ll be amazed to see how workers there cut out the tiny tile pieces for zellij, complex mosaics composed of geometric shapes. They make colorful mosaic panels to decorate walls, fountains and floors of mosques, madrasas and villas.
Then we will drive north to see highlights of Rabat, especially the excellent and newly renovated Musée National de la Parure, or Jewelry/Costume Museum. It’s in the Kasbah of the Oudayas, in the palace of Sultan Moulay Ismail (end of 17th century). The museum building is surrounded by lovely Andalusian-style gardens; these and the Kasbah comprise another UNESCO site. The palace was converted to a museum in 1915, during the French Protectorate over Morocco. It was totally renovated in 2023.
After lunch, we’ll drive back to Casablanca to our hotel. The rest of the day is free to pack up suitcases and prepare for the flights home. May 20 is our last included night of hotel. At our Farewell Dinner, we’ll take leave of old friends and new, then get a good sleep to prepare for our flights home tomorrow from Casablanca (CMN), on May 21.
Where You Will Be Staying…
Fes Riad Chrifa
Beautifully renovated villa just two blocks from one of the Medina gates. Rooms are spacious with typical zellij mosaics and traditional furniture. Delicious breakfasts and dinner are served in the central patio. One evening we’ll have a buffet-style DIY picnic on the rooftop terrace. From here, the view of the Medina and the evening call to prayer are especially amazing.
Riad in Zagora
Built next to a date plantation in an oasis, this riad is so relaxing! Spacious and traditionally decorated rooms surround several courtyards with lounge chairs, a bar and a pool. Tropical trees and colorful bougainvillea enhance the patios. A good restaurant on site serves great meals.
Additional Details & Experiences
What Is There to Buy in Morocco?
There are wonderful things to bargain for and take home from Morocco. We will visit numerous artisans and you can purchase arts and crafts directly from many of them. We’ll see hand-knotted buttons (above), pretty handwoven pillows and woolen rugs. Felted slippers, handmade leather slippers, ceramic plates, and unusual button-decorated caftans are also good buys. Having the memory of the woman who made your rug, or the young man who painted your beautiful cobalt blue plate makes those items so much more meaningful and precious.
Zellij – Moroccan Mosaics
You’ll see intricate and colorful mosaics on walls and floors all over Morocco. To learn how they are made, we’ll visit a mosaic workshop, usually part of a ceramics factory. Cut from hand-made ceramic tiles and set upside down on a paper pattern, the little pieces are carefully fitted together. Then a slurry of cement binder is poured on top and soothed over neatly. When dry, the piece is turned upright to reveal the colorful patterns. Once you see how these intricate mosaics are constructed, you’ll start seeing them everywhere and appreciating them for their skill and craftsmanship.
Bring Books to Donate
We hope you’ll bring some books for teens to contribute to this high school library project. We have a list of most-read, favorite books that we will send to you for suggestions if you like — or gently used books from the thrift store or from your bookshelves are fine too! We’ll donate books in English to a couple of school libraries in rural areas. Students start learning English in high school and become avid readers when they have gripping stories to read.
BTSA travelers on past trips have had a wonderful time talking with the students, sharing lives through phone photos and lively chatter.
Morocco is over the top amazing – the sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and COLORS are so intense! The Textiles and Tajines Tour is a marvelous blend of yes, textiles and tajines, but also culture, history, and architecture, with camels and goats thrown in for good measure! The trip was a wonderful well-planned experience.
Sharon B. – Minnesota
Photos From Previous Adventures in Morocco
Check Trip Availability
Trip signups are accepted on a first-come, first serve basis. Please provide your details below and we’ll be in touch to confirm whether spaces are still available for this trip. If you need to get in contact, please email: info@btsadventures.com
Registration Information
- Dates: May 5- 20, 2027
- Fly Home Date: May 21, 2027
- Deposit: $500
- Tour Cost: 16 Nights From $6325
- Single Supplement: $995
For more information:
Phone: 707-939-8874
E-mail: info@btsadventures.com
Read: Frequently Asked Questions
Travel Plans
You will be flying in and out of Casablanca (CMN airport code) arriving on May 5 and departing on May 21. (Note that May 20 is the last included night of hotel for this 16-night trip.)
You can search for a plane ticket on Orbitz.com or Booking.com OR you can contact your favorite travel agent for a ticket. Royal Air Maroc has some direct flights from some US cities such as (JFK). Link below.
Royal Air Maroc https://www.royalairmaroc.com
Visas
Visa Information for Morocco:
A tourist visa is not required for stays of less than 90 days for citizens of most countries, such as USA, UK, Australia, Canada, etc. Check for current info for other countries on the Morocco Embassy website.
When we arrive at the Casablanca CMN airport, the Immigration officials will stamp our passports with an entry date; they are friendly and the process is easy!
Passport Validity:
Your passport must have at least six months of validity at time of entry. You also need one blank passport page for the Morocco entry stamp.
What’s Included
- 16 nights accommodations, double occupancy), in charmingly decorated riads (small private villas with central courtyards), and modern hotel in Casablanca)
- All meals and non-alcoholic beverages.
- All ground transportation by private van with excellent, professional driver
- Bottled water in the van for all road trips
- Transportation to/from Casablanca airport; early and late transfers included also.
- English- and French/Arabic-speaking easy-going and professional tour leader to accompany the tour
- French -and English-speaking textile expert Cynthia Samaké also accompanies this itinerary
- Day trip to the beautiful Ourika Valley to savor a special tajine by the riverside
- A cooking class in Marrakesh to learn gourmet cuisine; eat our delicious dishes for lunch
- Entrance to all historical sights, museums, etc., on the itinerary
What’s Not Included
- Guide and Driver TIPS
- Personal items/laundry
- Alcoholic beverages
- Between-meal snacks and bottled water when not in the van. (It’s rare that anyone needs extra food; our meals are typically very generous.)
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
What information will I receive after registering?
Once you sign up for a trip, we will e-mail a general itinerary, lists of Suggested Reading, what to take, cultural considerations, weather charts, etc.
How can I get a detailed itinerary for a tour?
A day-to-day itinerary will be sent once you sign up for a trip. If you need specific information about the flow of the trip and the pace of the specific activities, before committing to the trip, get in touch with your questions and we will be happy to fill you in.
What sort of clothing should I bring?
When you sign up for a tour, you’ll receive detailed lists of what to bring to your destination, as well as weather info, to more easily coordinate your wardrobe with the heat or cold.
We will also include suggestions for appropriate clothing for dressing in conservative countries. Basically, you’ll need modest clothes that cover your shoulders and legs. Being well-dressed will show the locals that we respect them and their society.
Are laundry services available?
Most hotels have a laundry service and prefer that you don’t wash clothes in the bathroom sinks. If there is no laundry service, and you don’t want to wash your jeans and wait a day or two for them to dry, asking at the hotel desk is a good place to start.
Please note that it is considered demeaning to wash someone else’s underpants, so we ask that you wash your own undies. Hang them to dry discreetly in the bathroom.
Are laundry services available?
Most hotels have a laundry service and prefer that you don’t wash clothes in the bathroom sinks. If there is no laundry service, and you don’t want to wash your jeans and wait a day or two for them to dry, asking at the hotel desk is a good place to start.
Please note that it is considered demeaning to wash someone else’s underpants, so we ask that you wash your own undies. Hang them to dry discreetly in the bathroom.
Are laundry services available?
Most hotels have a laundry service and prefer that you don’t wash clothes in the bathroom sinks. If there is no laundry service, and you don’t want to wash your jeans and wait a day or two for them to dry, asking at the hotel desk is a good place to start.
Please note that it is considered demeaning to wash someone else’s underpants, so we ask that you wash your own undies. Hang them to dry discreetly in the bathroom.
Do I need any vaccinations or immunizations?
This varies with each country. Make an appointment with your travel doctor/clinic and take your tour itinerary with you. Some areas of certain countries require malaria pills and others do not; same with Yellow Fever and others, such as Cholera and Typhoid. The travel nurse or physician will have all the latest requirements at hand.
OR You can consult the CDC.gov (Center for Disease Control) website information pages for your specific destination so that you have the latest official information.
For all travel, you should be current on your typical childhood and international travel shots such as Polio and Tetanus. Some countries require proof of Yellow Fever vaccination for entry, if you are coming from a country that has yellow fever.
Behind the Scenes Adventures requires you to have had at least two COVID vaccinations. We won’t ask for proof; this requirement is on the Honor System. We recommend you have all available boosters as well.
How much physical activity is involved during the trip?
Each trip has different activity levels that will be fully explained in the specific tour material. But no activities or events are mandatory, and you are always welcome to sit at the bottom of the stairs to a temple or wait in the van while others ascend or visit a particular place. Walking sticks are fine to bring if they help you. We cannot accept wheelchairs or walkers.
For most tours, you’ll need to be able to walk the distance of 4-5 city blocks on your own, with sturdy shoes. Please note that sidewalks in many countries are full of big holes and broken cement chunks, with bits of re-bar sticking out, and you must constantly be alert to these dangers. In urban areas where distances are greater, the group will take taxis and/or get help from local assistants. If you need a personal taxi or additional special aid, that will be at your expense.
What will the weather be like?
Our Morocco trips are planned for temperate weather with little or no rain, in the spring months of March to June, and fall (September-November). During these seasons, the weather is warm but pleasant, unlike the freezing cold of winter. The summer temperatures of July and August are far too hot, especially in the desert areas.
During our trips, average daytime temperatures are usually in the 60s and to mid 80s, and nights can be cooler, in the 50s-60s; bring layers! The coastal regions like Essaouira can be visited year-round. Temperatures are hard to predict nowadays, but we will send average Weather Charts with your pre-departure info.
Meals & Accommodations
What sort of food will we be eating?
Moroccan cooking abounds with subtle spices and intriguing flavor combinations. Think tart green olives paired with preserved lemon rind in a tagine of tender chicken or the surprise of rich chicken pie dusted with cinnamon and powdered sugar (called b’stilla), soups, or many different chopped, vegetables – raw or cooked – made into delicious salads. Fresh bread is always plentiful too.
Before the trip we will send you a list of dishes and information about traditional Moroccan cuisine. And we will have at least one cooking class where you can choose to prepare a dish exactly how you want it!
The guide will sometimes choose a variety of typical dishes to share around the table, so we can taste many different combinations and find our favorites. Then other times, you can order what you like from the menu, when it is in English. The portions are huge, and we have never had anyone leave the restaurant table hungry! Some restaurants don’t have menus but have a specialty that everyone receives.
Will I be able to accommodate my dietary needs?
If you have any special dietary, health, or nutrition issues, restrictions, etc, there is no guarantee that
Behind the Scenes Adventures will be able to accommodate your special diets in foreign countries.
Please contact us before departure, and bring sufficient alternative foods. Travelers with severe peanut allergies or other life-threatening allergies cannot be accepted. Vegan diets are possible but with much less variety than at home. Vegetarian or gluten-free diets are often fairly easy to accommodate, but also with less variety than what is available at home. Note that the guide and tour leader cannot cater to your special diet in a group; you’ll be responsible for choosing foods you can eat.
Flights & Travel
Will I need a visa for connecting countries?
It is very rare to need a visa for a connection if you stay in the Transit area. This will be regulated by the connecting country and the airline will send information as to this requirement.
What are the requirements for my passport to be valid?
Your passport needs to have one blank page for your visa, although, with an E-Visa, you will have just a piece of paper to show, and don’t need room for anything except Immigration stamps in your passport.
Your passport must remain valid (not expired) for 6 months after you enter each country.
Will I be met at the airport?
Yes! A driver (and the guide if possible) will meet you with a sign – beariing your name and/or Behind the Scenes Adventures. The driver will have your flight schedule and he will know that you need time to pick up your luggage. Wait for him in the terminal, right outside the Arrivals area, and don’t go with any other drivers that don’t have your name on a placard.
For each trip, we’ll send more specific info about the exact pick-up spot. The driver will help with your luggage and a small tip of $5 USD would be appreciated anywhere..
What is the best airline to fly to the country?
Many airlines fly to Morocco. Check out Royal Air Maroc, (RAM) the national Moroccan carrier. Plug in your home city and your dates and destination on the RAM website: https://www.royalairmaroc.com/int-en
Also check Orbitz.com or Expedia.com for good fares to either Marrakech or Casablanca, wherever your trip starts.
For the Berber/Amazigh trip, you’ll need a round-trip ticket to and back from Marrakech. Check the Morocco tour arrival and departure dates carefully before purchasing.
RAM is a very good airline that flies direct to Marrakech from some US cities such as JFK in New York. If you depart from San Francisco (SFO) for example, you’ll ccnnect at JFK and continue straight to CMN – Casablanca or Marrakech.
You can search for a plane ticket on the actual airlines’ website, on Orbitz.com or Expedia.com, or you can contact a travel agent or AAA for a ticket.
What will we use for transportation?
Around the city of Marrakech, we’ll use taxis or walk short distances. Taxis often cannot navigate the narrow streets of the medina and they are not allowed in the souk section of the medina either.
For our day trip to Ourika Valley and our drive to Essaouira, we’ll use private vehicles so we can stop along the way for photos, to visit the argan oil coop, the goats in the trees, and other interesting things.