Holiday itinerary
The coastal town of Essaouira is the perfect host for this combined photography and cooking holiday, famous for its history, maze of Souks, rich culture, stunning landscapes and bright North African colours and flavours.
Photographers will be inspired on this unique course as you’ll get out and about to discover the Souks, seascapes, Medinas, Argan oil producers, stunning sunsets and much more. You’ll also benefit from the small group tuition also included in the course.
As well as learning the fundamentals of photography, this holiday is a real opportunity to explore your culinary creative side and the fascinating Moroccan culture with two cookery lessons, a chance to quietly study and absorb the richness of this enchanting town, allowing you to produce photographs that go far beyond the usual holiday photo snaps, and create delicious authentic dishes to enjoy once you’re home. You'll also be able to use the onsite swimming pool on the 2 days you have your cooking classes from April to May (inclusive).
During this memorable photography and cookery holiday your attentive hosts will be on hand to organise many elements of your week, inviting you to relax, visit a Hammam, take a camel trek or horse ride and of course go shopping.
Accommodation is set in magnificent boutique Riad, the Maison du Sud, in the centre of Essaouira which boasts a lovely roof terrace ideal for enjoying warm evenings sat outside admiring – and even photographing- stunning sunset light over the town.
Get more from your Digital SLR camera and improve your culinary repertoire on this unique photography and cooking holiday in Morocco, enjoy the warm climate and hospitality, great food, stunning surroundings and take home memories from this beautiful area to treasure for a lifetime.
Suitability
Photography
- Photography is suitable for all levels from beginners to advanced
- Minimum age 18
- The aim of this holiday for beginners is to learn more about their cameras and how to take better photographs
- The course is mainly focused on digital SLR photography and we strongly recommend you bring your own DSLR camera with you
- If you do not have a DSLR, there is a digital SLR with a 18-250mm lens available at the school for hire which costs £60 for the week (to be paid locally) - please contact us in advance of booking to check availability to reserve hire of the school’s camera
- If you would like advice on which DSLR camera to buy before your holiday, your tutor will be happy to advise once the holiday has been confirmed
Cooking
- Cooking lessons are suitable for all levels from complete beginners to competent cooks looking to gain an insight into local country style cooking
- Your hosts are British and Moroccan and all classes are taught in English
Travelling Solo?
- This photography and cookery holiday makes a great singles holiday as there are no single supplements
- Courses have a maximum of 4 people in each group, singles are very welcome as you'll meet others with a passion for photography and cooking and the course is very sociable
- Essaouira is very relaxed and welcoming town with a great Bohemian feel because of its music and art scene
- The majority of people who take these courses are solo travellers and everyone loves the location and the social aspect of this course which includes plenty of group meals and activities
-Please note: A minimum of 2 people are required for this course to run, if you are travelling solo please email your enquiry to
Photography And Cookery Holiday Start Days
- Photography and cooking courses start on Saturdays throughout the year
Photography And Cooking Holiday Itinerary
Please note - this itinerary is for guidance only and is subject to change depending on the group’s needs and wishes, but all activities will take place during the week still. The itinerary is typically as follows:
Day 1 - Arrival and pick up
- You’ll be collected from Marrakech airport and transferred to your accommodation in Essaouira (around 2 hour 15 mins drive)
- Please note that you should plan to arrive between 6-8:00pm as transfers for arrivals outside of these times are charged as an extra
- You will have time to settle into your luxurious Moroccan Riad and soak up the atmosphere, in the evening you will enjoy a traditional Moroccan meal and mint tea
Day 2 – Sourcing ingredients at a country market and cooking workshops
- Your day starts at 9.30am after breakfast with an introduction to Moroccan spices in Essaouira's traditional medina
- Afterwards you'll depart for a countryside trip to the region's most colourful and busiest market to source ingredients with your hosts
- The market is very traditional and offers a taste of the real Morocco
- In your first day you’ll have your first 2 cooking workshops: lunch followed by dinner which will take place at the hosts kitchen in the countryside
Day 3 – Photography camera fundamentals and tutor feedback
- Your photography course starts at 10am after breakfast with a wander around the beautiful town of Essaouira, the home of your photography tutor and famous the world over
- Essaouira has stunning architecture, fishing ports and labyrinths of Souks and bustling markets
- In your first day you’ll have 2 workshops on camera fundamentals workshop (camera controls, exposure - ISO, shutter speed, aperture and histograms)
- Before the evening meal you will have the chance to review and get feedback on your initial images as a group
Day 4 – Photography abstract workshop and private one on one session
- The focus of today’s tuition will be on 2 abstract workshops in the medina and port, focussing mostly on using depth of field
- You will also benefit from a one-to-one feedback during the day to assess your progress, providing feedback on your images and taking your understanding a step further
- Prior to the evening group meal you will have a chance to review the images of the day with your tutor and the rest of the group
Day 5 – Photographing Berbers, argan oil production and take your 3 cooking workshop
- Today will be given to exploring reportage photography and the art of photographing people at a local Berber market 20 minutes from Essaouira
- A different market to day 2 and more ideally suited to photography
- you can also explore the Argan forest nearby.
- Afterwards you'll also have a portrait workshop photographing ladies producing Argan oil
- Your third cooking class takes place shortly after lunch followed by your transfer back to medina in the early evening
Day 6 – Free day
- This is your free day in the medina and the chance to explore shopping opportunities and indulge in a Hammam or enjoy a mini adventure quad biking, camel trekking or horse riding
Day 7 – Departure and transfer
- After breakfast you will check out of the Riad in time to be taken to Marrakech airport for your return flight
About Your Photography Tutor
- Passionate about photography, your British photography tutor Darren has been a photographer and filmmaker for over 25 years
- With over 25 years’ experience working as a professional photographer, Darren has taught photography at all levels from City and Guilds to degree level with a masters in photography and filmmaking himself
- He completed his own film on Essaouira based on Gnawa music and the international music festival and has been visiting Essaouira since the early 90s
- Your tutor now lives in Morocco and is best placed to fulfil your expectations for getting the most out of the area
About Your Cook
- Your cooking classes will be led by Naima, who is passionate about passing on her knowledge of Moroccan cuisine and family recipies including how to make tagines
- Naima is Moroccan with good English, and she is Darren's wife
- Naima is extremely friendly and kind, and will go out of her way to ensure you have a great time exploring the local markets with her and cooking up a storm in the kitchen
Where Will The Cookery Classes Take Place?
- Your cooking classes will take place in their countryside home 15 mins from Essaouira
- There will also be the opportunity to use their swimming pool, and terraces to relax between cooking workshops.
What Will I Learn?
Photography
- As you are learning in a small group of no more than 4 people, you’ll have expert guidance and tuition will be adapted to your own individual needs whether it be getting to grips with your DSLR camera or taking your existing skills to the next level
- The aim of this holiday for beginners is to learn more about their cameras and how to take better photographs
- You will get to know the basics such as composition
- You will develop your understanding depth of field, lens choice, exposure- ISO, shutter speed and aperture
- The one on one and workshops will help to develop your awareness of different photography styles as well as developing your feel and instinct for light and situation
- As you progress through the week you will find you’re thinking more thematically & conceptually
- You will also have a chance to explore Seascapes, People, Abstract, Documentary and Architectural Photography
Cooking
- In each cookery lesson you will learn to cook an entrée and main course
- How to cook a traditional Moroccan tagine
- Blending of traditional Moroccan spices in your cooking
- Your market tour takes place at a relaxed pace as you are guided by your cooks around the spice market, you'll learn about the different spices used in Moroccan cooking
Typical Cookery Menu
Menus may change on the day but will typically include a combination of the following:
- Crevette briwat or Briouates (small pastillas made with prawns)
- Moroccan couscous
- Harira - traditional Moroccan soup
- Zaalouk - aubergine and tomato salad
- Lamb tagine with almonds and dates
- Beef tagine with prunes and walnuts
- Chicken and olive tagine
- Kefta tagine with vegetables
- Chicken pastilla
- Traditional Moroccan flatbread
- Moroccan lentil salad - Moroccan patisseries
- Moroccan salad
What To Bring
- Bring your own digital camera (with manual), charger, memory cards, tripod, filters and flash if you have them
- Point and shoot if you have one
- You may be able to hire the digital SLR at the school but please enquire about availability before you book
- Please bring suitable footwear for walking as you will be spending a lot of time exploring the different areas
Accommodation And Meals
- Situated just 300 metres from the sea right in the heart of the medina, you will find your beautiful 18th Century Riad lovingly restored into a boutique residential hotel
- Positioned in the heart of the pedestrianised Old City the 18th century Riad is now luxuriously renovated in Moorish style offering 8 rooms on a mezzanine floor
- The Riad boasts 4 twin/double suites and 4 quadruple suites
- The rooms all open onto a light-filled interior patio with traditional Moroccan tiling
- All rooms are en-suite with lounge area and furnished in traditional Moroccan style
- Single travellers will have a private room with NO additional single supplements
- The Riad has a sunny roof terrace
- Friendly and hospitable staff add to the charm and the character of the Riad
- All breakfasts and 4 evening meals are included in the price of your course
- Lunches are included as part of your 2 cooking workshop days
- Lunches on non-cookery days are not included for the remaining days but are typically inexpensive in Morocco and your group usually eats lunch together
- Your hosts will be able to advise you on the best places to eat out
- PLEASE NOTE: If this Riad is fully booked we have a second Riad also set in the heart of the Medina and only 20 metres from the original Riad
- It features two beautiful roof terraces and a cafe/restaurant
- Friendly and personal in style with just 7 rooms in total
- Wi-fi is available in the downstairs lounge
Transfers And Transport
- A pick up from Marrakech airport with a transfer to your hotel is included in the price (a supplement applies for arrivals and departures outside of 6pm - 8pm)
Weather Conditions And Itinerary
- Your photography tutor will alter the photography itinerary accordingly if the weather doesn’t offer the best conditions for photographing the area.
Be inspired by the sights, sounds and smells of this exotic paradise on this unique photography and cookery course for a holiday with a difference.