Textiles Tour ITINERARY A

Arrive in Marrakech (preferably on a late morning/lunchtime arrival flight) and transfer to your accommodation. Take lunch in the hotel or in a local restaurant in the Medina and then have a Guided Tour in the afternoon into the Medina; cross the Jemaa El Fna Square and then enter the labyrinthine and bustling Souks. This provides an overwhelming introduction to not only the vibrancy of the Medina itself but also of the rich, varied colours and textures that assail the senses seen in the scarves, clothing, materials, leathers, fruits and vegetables.

In the morning visit the Museum of Carpets. The building itself is a restored 17 th century riad (a riad is a traditional home), in itself a delight to enter and inside of which much cosy atmosphere exudes. There is first a Guided Tour through 6 rooms of exposition. Carpet styles, their decorations, the symbolic patterns are all topics that are discussed. Further, the materials, types of wool, natural dyes and tools used (traditional and modern) are also part of the discussions. As well as gaining much knowledge (and plenty of photography opportunities to record what is being seen), there is ample time to ask questions, of course. Later, your group will engage in a Weaving Workshop and make a "mini carpet". Clear instruction is given as well as all necessary materials/equipment. After lunch in a rooftop restaurant in the Medina, visit the Artisanal Complex of Marrakech; much to inspire here as well. It is located just on the edge of the Medina, a short walk away. Much opulence of decoration is seen here. Huge, impressively carved wooden doors are seen as well as much in the way of extensive Moroccan tiling (on floors, walls and, yes, on ceilings!). Patterns and design abound. Basketry, leather working, lampshades, metalworking, pottery are all seen too. So much to motivate and excite your students. After this the group can either return to the Jemaa El Fna square and the Souks or return to their hotel.

First visit the Marrakech Tanneries to see all the stages of leather production. The raw hides arrive dried or salted and are first rehydrated and washed in water to remove all dirt and unwanted materials. After this, hides are soaked in a mixture of water and lime to help loosen any remaining hair. Then various processes convert the hides into soft sheets of leather that will be sold to factories and handcraft makers. Items made from the various grades of leather are then seen in the tannery’s outlet. Mid-morning, depart Marrakech and travel south towards the High Atlas on a route that leads to the Ourika Valley. The group will arrive at the very beautiful and colourful Anima Gardens. These gardens are set against the fabulous backdrop of the High Atlas peaks. This is an art and nature garden where, once again, the vivid colours and textures are vibrant and alive. As well as exotic the plants and large-scale art works seen throughout the Anima Gardens, sculptures too add further impact to your time here. Lunch will be taken here in the garden's restaurant. Return to Marrakech in the late afternoon.

First visit Majorelle Gardens; once owned by Yves Saint Laurent, this again offers an absorbing area of colours and textures guaranteed to inspire. “Majorelle Blue” and vivid yellow are strongly represented in the gardens. Cacti and bamboo add new textures and forms to consider, especially where they are reflected in ornamental pools. Nearby to the Majorelle Gardens is the Pierre Bergé Museum of Berber Arts. This widens the scope for your students as it includes objects from the Rif Mountains to the far north of Morocco as well as from the Sahara to the far south. The four distinct areas of the museum each haver their particular theme. Throughout the areas, audiovisual presentations are available. Then visit Le MAP Marrakech - Monde des Arts de la Parure. Here many artifacts, accoutrements and costumes are seen. After lunch and in the afternoon, for more specialist souk experiences you will be Guided into the Souk des Teinturiers, the Semmarine Souk (perhaps with the opportunity to see/try making button knots) and the Dyer's Souk. Much real-life activity is seen in these souks e.g. where wool and silk are dyed, where many artisans are seen at work engaged in aspects of weaving, sewing and embroidery. There is the opportunity for interaction and perhaps some practical activities with the artisans.

Departure day; depending on flight time (NOTE: group needs to be at the airport at least 3 hours before departure), this can be formatted to best suit your wishes.