Join TD active Holidays on this exciting guided holiday to Morocco. Offering an array of photographic opportunities, from the impressive mosques and markets of Marrakech to the busy fishing port of Essaouira and the rocky, barren Agafay Desert, Morocco is the perfect destination to learn and develop your documentary, street and landscape photography skills. On this holiday, we’ll not only get to experience Moroccan culture through a camera's lens, but also through traditional Moroccan food and live music, as well as an exhilarating camel ride across the dunes. We’ll be accompanied on our journey by Stewart Kenny, an award-winning fine art landscape photographer, plus an additional tutor from the Dublin Photography School. Throughout the holiday, they’ll provide tutorials, demonstrations and tips to our small group, so you get the most out of the images you capture.
Flexibility to make your own way there
3* Half Board Accommodation
Fully guided
Day 1: Begin your photography adventure to Morocco by departing Dublin on a direct flight to Marrakech Menara Airport. Marrakech is home to impressive mosques, palaces and gardens. The medina is a densely packed, walled medieval city dating back to the Berber Empire, with maze-like alleys and thriving marketplaces. At each location, and throughout the entire Moroccan adventure, there will be lots of opportunities to capture amazing shots under the expert eye of your Dublin Photography School tutors. The tutors will discuss how to get the most out of your images with the equipment that you have. On arrival, you will be met by our local guide and transferred to your accommodation in Marrakech. In the evening, you will enjoy a welcome meal which will allow you to get to know your small group of fellow travellers, as well as the Dublin Photography School tutors. There will be free time to explore Djemaa el Fna Square, where storytellers, acrobats, medicine men, musicians and even snake charmers vie for attention.
Day 2: Transfer from Marrakech to Imlil, a small village in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco which sits at 1,800 metres above sea level. There will be photo opportunities included en route as you cross the rocky desert of Agafay, passing through and exploring different villages before reaching the big plain of Haouz. Witness the landscape as it changes from desert to rural farmland, passing through the Kik Plateau, and reaching Imlil. The Agafay desert provides excellent opportunities to practise your landscape photography skills. On arrival in Imlil, you will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant for an authentic dining experience. Later, you will enjoy dinner and traditional music, followed by an evening taking photographs under the night stars. Here the photography tutors will offer tips, tricks and demonstrations so that you can get the most out of your camera’s settings. Tuition for abstract, macro, water and nature photography is also provided each day along with so much more.
Day 3: Following breakfast at your riad, depart Imlil for Essaouira, with a stop at a local market at Tieta-Henchane included en route. Here you will immerse yourself in local life, as this is a traditional market town where people from the nearby villages come to purchase their weekly shopping. The souk and its people will give you a perfect opportunity to improve your documentary and street style photography. In the early evening embark on a sunset camel ride on the sand dunes at the Southern end of Essaouira’s beach, followed by a short introduction to the town. As always, the Dublin Photography School tutors are on hand to help you capture the best shots. This photography holiday has a massive emphasis on shooting from the hip, capturing National Geographic style images. Enjoy a meal with your group at your riad before having the remainder of the evening at leisure to spend as you wish.
Day 4: Essaouira's medina (old town) is protected by 18th-century seafront ramparts called the Skala de la Kasbah, which were designed by European engineers. Old brass cannons line the fortress walls that still enclose part of the city. Essaouira is a great sport for reportage, documentary & street photography. Enjoy a sunrise photography session at the Essaouira fishing port. Here you will receive tuition and hands-on demonstrations from the Dublin Photography School tutors, to enhance your photography and start seeing the world around you in a different light. There will be plenty of opportunities to capture amazing shots under the expert eye of the Dublin Photography School tutors before your onward transfer to Marrakech. In the afternoon enjoy a short introduction to the bustling souks in Marrakech. You will then have free time to continue to explore and photograph independently in the medina area. This is the perfect time to capture some last minute travel snaps or to pick up some souvenirs. Afterwards you will transfer to Marrakech Airport for your return flight to Dublin.
Essaouira Wind Palace
The Essaouira Wind Palace Hotel is situated in the heart of Essaouira. The hotel is close to key attractions in the area, it is a short walk from the beach, the Mohammed ben Abdellah Museum and the traditional souks. The hotel has free Wi-Fi throughout, a terrace with views of the city and beach and a restaurant serving traditional Moroccan cuisine.
Riad Imlil
You will be staying in a riad in the Imlil area. A riad is a traditional large house in Morocco, built around a central courtyard or garden and often converted into a hotel. Depending on the number of people travelling, the group will be split into different riads. A riad stay will give you an authentic local experience together with simple home comforts.
Riad Marrakech
You will be staying in a riad in the Marrakech area. A riad is a traditional large house in Morocco, built around a central courtyard or garden and often converted into a hotel. Depending on the number of people travelling, the group will be split into different riads. A riad stay will give you an authentic local experience together with simple home comforts.