Art Holiday with
Dr Helen Jones - The Art Doctor UK
17 - 27 November 2027
From about £820* per person in twin/double room
““The whole ambience at La Maison Anglaise is magical – from the beautifully decorated rooms, the lovely surrounding gardens, the delicious meals prepared with such care and the delightful efficient team all made for a memorable and happy seven days… and the added options of the cultural tours meant we all learnt a little more about the extraordinary and fascinating country that is Morocco.” Jane Stanley 2024
Why booking early is a good idea
- If you’d like single occupancy we only allocate a limited number of rooms for singles
- Our holidays are very popular so often fill quickly – a maximum of 20 places plus a limited number of non-participating roommates (please enquire)
- Flights can be booked once we have the minimum viable number for the holiday – we will contact you at that point. This ensures you can buy them as cheaply as possible.
- The designated group flight (to which transport to and from Agadir airport is included) for this holiday is Manchester – Agadir with EasyJet
- To secure your place on this holiday a deposit of £100 is paid. Followed by 2 equal balance payments 4 months & 2 months before the the start date of the holiday. Booking opens about a year before the holiday begins.
This brochure provides you with lots of information about the venue, the bedrooms, the activities, how we design your holiday to meet your needs, your tutor, the likely itinerary and what is included in the cost. Please read on to the end!
The Venue Well known for magical meaningful holidays, excellent food and exceptional staff, this award-winning set up relocated in 2020 to a stunning sustainably-run eco-lodge with a chlorine-free pool and permaculture gardens. Located on the south side of the ancient town walls of Taroudant, which enjoys the best winter climate in Morocco. Enjoy an exceptional menu of local healthy food.
“It’s just brilliant. I love it – the whole vibe in the well-designed garden, the buildings, and the sustainable aspect of it all. The staff are incredible, all caring, kind, diligent and willing to do whatever it takes to make your stay perfect. The food is truly delicious, fantastic for vegetarians and meat-eaters too, as well as offering tea/coffee at any time by helping yourself. Relaxed, with the smell of the beautifully planted garden at night, and a well-stocked library so I can read all day long by the pool. Heaven!” Jane Duncan Rogers January 2024
Bedrooms The comfortable, beautifully appointed rooms are cleverly designed to be cool in summer and warm in winter. All have en–suite bathrooms, their own terrace and garden and can sleep two or more. A limited number are allocated for single occupancy. More details of rooms here
Heartful Holistic Holidays which offer a wide choice of authentic activities run by amazingly knowledgeable English-speaking guides. Explore the fascinating culture and landscapes, use our library, our small spa, swim or simply laze in the sun.
Optional activities include cookery, walks, visits to local families and charitable projects, wildlife, massage, shopping and several other choices. Little visited by tourists, the local souks offer an exotic traditional atmosphere.
Located within 30 minutes’ drive of the contrasting mountain landscapes of the majestic High Atlas and the extraordinary Anti-Atlas (beyond which lies the Sahara). We are also only an hour’s drive from the Atlantic coast.
Feel safe and cared for thanks to the care of loving, experienced English-speaking staff, good medical facilities, excellent WiFi, safe drinking water and being on the edge of a small, relaxed and friendly town with few tourists.
“La Maison Anglaise is really beautiful, impeccably kept and nurtured by you and your delightful Moroccan team there. All of the staff, without exception were wonderful – helpful, courteous and so very happy all the time. They looked after our every need, and nothing was too much trouble for them. The gardens are a real delight, the pool is gorgeous, and the meals were all delicious. The trips out and other activities that the staff took us on were a treat, and we all felt very safe with your careful drivers and guides”. L Turner, May 2023
Why choose a holiday with us?
We have been organising group holidays since 1998. Our venue has a variety of lovely spaces including the tiled circle in the gardens, the spacious 64 sq metre activity room and a very large tiled roof terrace, lovely at sunset and sunrise.
“I have organised, attended and facilitated many group events in a myriad of locations around the world over the last forty years…I found the ideal setting. It is small enough to maintain intimacy whilst having the spaciousness to accommodate privacy. The bespoke planning and vision which created this venue, inspired by Jane’s deep knowledge of the needs and requirements of small group holidays and workshops is evident in the care paid to every detail.” Tutor Katy van Haeften
Your Tutor
Photo of your tutor Helen Jones
Read more about your tutor here.
To Book or Express an Interest: Limited places available. Request a place at www.cecu.co.uk/book We will then send you the payment schedule (split into instalments with a small initial deposit to secure your place).
Book early to get good flight prices, but please do NOT book flights until we give the go-ahead!
More Information For FAQs go to www.cecu.co.uk/faqs
Contact us: www.cecu.co.uk/contact or visit www.holidays-with-heart.co.uk
We will also send detailed pre-visit information after you book.
About the course:
Helen’s Moroccan art holiday is designed to help participants see the world like an artist, layering memory, texture, and emotion into each page. Her mixed media sessions are relaxed yet rich in technique, using an approachable blend of:
- Ink and wash for fluid sketching
- Collage using local papers, maps, or fabrics
- Textural mark-making with printmaking and collage
- Layering with pastel, watercolour, and wax resist
- Travel journalling and storytelling through sketches
Every session invites play, experimentation, and joy — perfect for beginners seeking confidence or experienced artists looking to loosen up and reignite their creativity.
Helen’s infectious enthusiasm, practical demonstrations, and nurturing teaching style make this Moroccan art holiday both a creative retreat and a personal journey through colour, culture, and imagination.
Some evenings will also include relaxed, social art sessions after dinner.
Essential Sketching & Painting Materials
- A4 or A5 hardback sketchbook (mixed media or watercolour paper; spiral-bound preferred for flexibility)
- Small travel watercolour set (e.g. Winsor & Newton Cotman or similar)
- Water brushes or refillable brush pens (ideal for painting outdoors without water pots)
- Selection of waterproof fineliners or pens (0.3–0.8mm nibs — black and sepia are ideal)
- Sketching pencils (2B–6B) and a sharpener or mechanical pencil
- Small travel water pot or folding water cup
- Lightweight board or clipboard to support your sketchbook when standing or travelling
Mixed Media & Experimental Materials
- Small scissors (travel safe, round-ended preferred)
- Selection of papers for collage; tissue, handmade, or patterned papers (you’ll also collect local materials in Morocco!)
- Coloured pencils or watercolour pencils
- Oil pastels or soft pastels (limited palette)
Outdoor Painting & Travel Essentials
- Lightweight foldable stool or cushion (optional)
- Sunhat (though there will be some available at the ecoldge) and sunglasses
- Refillable water bottle
- Apron or old shirt
- Zip-lock bags for transporting wet or used materials
- Light rucksack or tote to carry materials during excursions
Optional Painting & Travel Essentials
- Camera or smartphone for photographic references
- Mini sketchbook for quick daily impressions
- Travel journal for notes, reflections, and quotes
Top Tips from Helen
- Keep your kit simple and portable; you’ll be surprised how much you can create with a few well-chosen tools.
- Morocco is rich in inspiration; textures, tiles, fabrics, and patterns. Leave room in your luggage for found collage materials!
- Bring a small sketchbook for quick daily impressions; the best travel memories often start as loose, five-minute sketches.
Provided:
Oil pastels and soft pastel spares provided as well as PVA, washi tape for borders and white gel pens.
PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME which will vary with travel arrangements, weather etc
There will be daily tutored sessions and possibly spontaneously at inspiring places.
Each day you may choose one of the optional activities on offer below. Anything listed as “optional” means it is payable locally and not included in the price. Please see our price list for costs.
Day 1 Arrival Day – Our drivers meet you at Agadir airport. Lunch or dinner, settle in, introductory talk and tour of the site. Optional massages. Optional tour around town walls by horse-drawn taxi.
Day 2 Optional excursion: walking at one of 2 oases and possibly in the Anti Atlas Mountains with Said.
Day 3 Optional cultural experience: cookery lesson; massages; experience our on-site solar powered hammam.
Day 4 Optional excursion: Anti Atlas “Berber Castle”
Day 5 Exploring Taroudant. Optional cultural experiences: shopping in the souk; massages; experience our on-site solar powered hammam.
Day 6 Optional excursion: walking and wildlife in the High Atlas Mountains with Said.
Day 7 Optional cultural experiences: henna tattoos. Finish shopping. Optional lunch out at a restaurant of your choice (at your expense).
Day 8 Farewell. Vacate rooms after breakfast. Transfer to Agadir 3 hours before flight departs.
Summary
*Guideline price – final cost will be published about one year before start date.
Cost: From about £820* per person in shared twin/double room
Includes:
- Transfers from/to Agadir Airport at one designated time
- Accommodation in en suite twin or double bedroom; single occupancy on request
- Chlorine-free pool
- Substantial breakfasts and vegetarian evening meals (meat or fish at extra cost)
- Lunches on the first 6 days
- Tutored workshops – about 20 hours in total
Excludes:
- Flights (often under £100 return if booked early)
- Single occupancy supplement £25 per night
- Travel insurance (required)
Payable in Morocco:
Best Holistic Holiday Provider 2024
Best Wellbeing Retreat 2024
Best Holistic Ecolodge in Morocco 2023
Rural Accommodation of the Year 2023-2025
Tripadvisor: Number 1 in the Taroudant Region
Voted Top 10 in the World: Lonely Planet Eco Stays 2014 & VegeNews Vegetarian Holidays 2005
Responsible Tourism Trophy: Community Project Work 2009