3rd Annual Plein-air Retreat
Painting the “Blue Pearl” & more of Northern Morocco
with Jan-Willem & Nancy Boer of the Shenandoah Art Destination
10-day painting retreat
Sep 28 – Oct 7, 2025
Open to all mediums
10-day painting retreat
Sep 28 – Oct 7, 2025
Open to all mediums
Workshop Size: Minimum of 6 artists – maximum 12 (maximum 2 accompanying non-participating spouse/partner.
Total Cost | |
Price per artist (single or double room) | $3580 |
Non-artist accompanying | $3380 |
Price per artist (single or double room) | $3580 |
Non-artist accompanying | $3380 |
Prices per person in US dollars. Prices include meals, lodging, transportation, airport-pickup & delivery, and entry fees.
Not included: Tips to guides, artist supplies and airfare.
NOTE: Artists are responsible for bringing all their own supplies, easels, chair – whatever you require. Once your reservation is made, you will be sent a list of necessary supplies to bring with you. Keep in mind being plein-air sites, walking will be required and artist will be responsible for carrying their own materials/supplies.
Painting Opportunities:
Jan-Willem & Nancy, owners of the Shenandoah Art Destination, are teaming up with Moroccan Meraki to bring you the opportunity to travel to Morocco. After arriving in Casablanca and visiting the Hassan II Mosque, we will travel through northern Morocco visiting Rabat, Asilah, Chefchaouen (the Blue Pearl), Volubilis and Fes; staying in local riads & hotels. We will travel in an a/c van with a local tour guide as we experience these magical sights; introduce us to the wonderful local foods; all while having the opportunity to paint the extraordinary sites we will visit.
A fantastic painting/cultural trip “ALL IN ONE”.
How to get there:
You will need to fly into Casablanca CMN. We strongly recommend that you fly into Casablanca a day earlier – there is a hotel with free shuttle near the airport that we will give you the information for once you have made your reservation.
Additional travel information (regarding weather, money, dress and other pertinent issues) will be sent to you prior to your departure date.
About Moroccan Meraki:
We will be partnering with Moroccan Meraki to make this an authentic experience. Meraki is a greek word meaning “to do something with passion, creativity and soul.” Using their services will provide participants with meaningful, hands-on experiences that connect them to Morocco’s rich cultural heritage – a great cultural immersion experience. They will arrange accommodations, meals and experiences; allowing participants to fully immerse themselves in Morocco’s beauty, culture, and creativity.
And then, they give back – A portion of their profits go directly to supporting local artisans, helping sustain their businesses and preserving traditional Moroccan crafts.
Reservation: Click the link to make your reservation today.
A non-refundable deposit of $350 is required to hold your spot; balance is due June 15, 2025. Deposits are non-refundable, however, if minimum number of participants is not met, your deposits will be refunded to you. Once full payment is received, there will be no refund for cancellation.
Once your reservation is made, you will be sent a list of necessary supplies to bring with you.
Travel Insurance: We strongly advise you to take out your own travel and personal insurance.
*Any issues with payment, please contact us.
nancy@shenandoahartdestination.com
612-221-1140
“The Morocco tour was excellent, good pace and time enough to paint. We had outstanding plein air sites, food and accommodations. Jan checked on us when we were painting and provided time to view and discuss our work each evening. Nancy was there for us too, keeping us informed and helping if we needed anything. All in all an outstanding experience, one that I will never forget! Thank you Nancy and Jan. I continue to Savor the experience!”
“I found on this trip stunning views everywhere I looked, delicious authentic meals, excellent guide staff, a great teacher, and wonderful new friends! I felt very safe throughout our trip, and look forward to joining future painting trips!”
2023: “Nancy and Jan coordinated the perfect painting/travel experience, offering a balanced combination of exploration, art, eating and companionship. I came into the trip not knowing one of the participants or leaders so had no expectations but was so happy with the ambience and experiences that I got to be part of.”
2024: “I came back to see the rest of. Morocco with Nancy and Jan because the first trip was awesome and the second didn’t disappoint! Just the best kind of vacation for those of us who like to paint, learn, explore, eat and travel with like-minded people!”
“The highlights of my experience were the amazing people we travelled with, the interesting and delicious food and the beautiful and varied landscape we had the opportunity to paint. The trip absolutely lived up to my expectations. It was a great break from my usual routine. I was able to experience a beautiful country and its people while having time to relax and enjoy painting. The painting time was perfect for me but I am flexible.”
“A great vacation for anyone wanting to explore Northern Morocco, staying in lovely authentic riads and experiencing delicious local dishes, but with the added bonus of returning home with a wonderful sketchbook of painted memories. Drawing and painting in different locations, whether amongst pretty medieval buildings with their overhanging balconies and trellised windows, or the dusty archaeological ruins of an ancient Roman city, or in the green rolling countryside surrounded by expansive hills and lakes, or even just surrounded by curious, local children, this is a unique experience, well planned and stress free, so you can simply paint and draw and take in the atmosphere that Northern Morocco has to offer. Seriously one of my best vacations, ever. Thank you Nancy and Jan.”
“It was a wonderful trip that I could visit a beautiful country in my dream. I got to try Moroccan cuisines; they are delicious. I met beautiful and lovely people in the group as well as in Morocco. The experience, laughter and friendship will always stay with me. Thank you, Nancy & Jan, lovely to meet and know both of you.”