from $2,925* per person | 7 Days | Year-round |
Boutique accommodations
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Exertion level: 1
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Operator: The International Kitchen |
12 people max
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About the location: The city of Fes was founded in 789 and for more than 400 years, it was the capital of Morocco. Today, it’s still Morocco’s intellectual and cultural capital. It’s also the oldest and largest medieval city in the world, with over 200,000 people currently living within the medina walls. It’s vibrant and alive — almost unchanged for hundreds of years. During your Moroccan cooking vacation, you’ll see the highlights of life in the medina: the historical and cultural sites that have made Fes a world heritage city, the donkeys and mules that are the predominant means of transportation through the narrow streets and the souks (markets) and craftsmen. You’ll learn about the traditional foods of Morocco through hands-on cooking classes and gastronomic visits—you will see olive oil pressed as it was hundreds of years ago, and you’ll see ouarka and couscous being made by hand — methods unchanged for hundreds of years.
Your home for the week is at Dar Seffarine, a magnificently restored 14th-century palace in the heart of the medina. During your stay in the six room maison d’hote your hosts Kate and Alaa will make you feel completely at home. Your guide for the week will either be Lindan, who has been leading trips in Morocco for many years, or her assistant Gail.
About the lessons: During your four hands-on cooking classes, Chef Lahcen will teach you how to make the traditional dishes that are central to Moroccan cuisine: tagines, couscous and b’stila, a myriad of salads, breads, and desserts; and you’ll learn about the spices and key ingredients necessary to make authentic Moroccan cuisine.
Fes is a fascinating city and during your walking tours, you will have a glimpse of it’s long and noble history. The riad is magnificent and comfortable, and although your cooking classes are intense, they are always fun and informal. It is a week of great food in a historically and culturally spectacular city, with plenty of time to relax with your fellow Moroccan food enthusiasts to share stories and a glass of wine.
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Locations visited/nearby
A Feast for the Senses in Morocco - NEW
, Cooking
, Cooking Class
, Cooking Vacations
, Morocco
1 testimonial about this trip
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Reviewer: Elizabeth D
located in
Canada
had the opportunity to experience cooking school in Morocco earlier this month ... This was not the first international cooking school that I have attended but it was the best school I have experienced. Lindan was amazing, working diligently to meet our every need. She ensured our experience was a perfect balance of cooking, touring, education, rest and relaxation. The riad chosen was spectacular, steeped in Moroccan culture and character while offering comfort, cleanliness, delicious cuisine and wonderful staff. Although organized, Lindan is flexible and very open to suggestions. It was obvious that the satisfaction of the participants was of the highest priority. I felt free to join the group or be independent which gave me a sense of peace throughout the holiday. I would recommend [it] to anyone who wants a cooking and cultural experience of a lifetime.
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Reviewer: Thomas & Christine L.
located in
NC
USA
I'd like to start by saying, this was the best vacation of our lives. The Relais Oasi Olimpia is a five star hotel with a four star rating. Every member of the staff was warm hearted and friendly, and totally dedicated to our needs and well being. The rooms were large and comfortable, especially compared to the so-called four star hotel we stayed at in Rome. Carmen Mazzola the general manager was extremely competent, resourceful, and accommodating. Whenever we made a request, or a scheduling change was necessary due to weather or some other reason, she handled all with speed and good nature, always exclaiming, "It's nothing!" when we thanked her. The cooking lessons with Marco the Chef were just what we had hoped them to be. Nothing too intense, (after all we were on vacation) but informative and easy to execute. I'm happy to say, Christine and I are quite competent now in producing a variety of delectable dishes we would be proud to serve anyone. Our boat tour to Positano was wonderful, our host Antonio piloted the boat to the picturesue little town, and later stopped at a cove where we swam in the Mediterranean and had an expertly prepared lunch. Our favorite tour was of the Mozzarella Factory, I won't say anymore as I don't want to spoil it for anyone. Suffice to say, don't miss it. Being Italian-American, this vacation awakened feelings in me long hidden. Personality traits that I have are prevalent in Southern Italy. I felt like I was among my own kind at last. I want to go back.
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Reviewer: Katie P
located in
UK
I just wanted to let you know that Chris and I had a wonderful time at Chateau de Berne last week. Mayung took very good care of us as ourhostess, and Jean-Louis is great! And of course the location is absolutely beautiful, as you know. We were made to feel very welcome the whole time we were there. I'm a few months pregnant, and Mayung did a great job of juggling our schedule so that I got some rest when I needed it but we also managed to fit in a lot of activities (including a visit to the market, a winery tour and wine tasting and a visit to a local abbey as well as some shopping on our own).And the cooking lessons were very well done. Chris and I were the only students (and in truth, Chris was the only one really cooking with Jean-Louis -- my job was to take notes and pictures!), so it felt like a one-on-one tutorial. Jean-Louis is a patient teacher and he did a good job of explaining everything he was doing. As the week progressed, Chris took a more and more active role in the food preparation, and the hands-on approach was very educational too. Everyone at Chateau de Berne was warm and friendly, and they really did make us feel very welcome there. This program was Chris's birthday present (his 40th) and I'm very pleased with how well it worked out!
Thank you!
Special information
- This is a custom departure, meaning this trip is offered on dates that you arrange privately with the provider. Additionally, you need to form your own private group for this trip. The itinerary and price here is just a sample. Contact the provider for detailed pricing, minimum group size, and scheduling information. For most providers, the larger the group you are traveling with, the lower the per-person cost will be.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive at the Fes airport or train station. Transfer to Dar Seffarine and check in.
Welcome drink followed by orientation and dinner.
Day 2
Following breakfast, chef Lahcen Beqqi will take you to the souk to shop for your first cooking class.
During your class you will see how ouarka (the dough used in b’steeya) is made and perhaps have time to buy a few spices to take home.
Lunch to follow based on your efforts.
Depart for a guided tour of Fes el Bali (Old Fes) to learn some of Fes’s history, tour the souks, see the mosques and medersas and visit the famous leather tanneries.
Return with some time at leisure before leaving for dinner at Palais de Fes.
Day 3
After breakfast, will be your second cooking class, followed by lunch.
This afternoon, take a guided historical tour of Fes el Djedid (New Fes) including the mellah (Jewish Quarter).
On your way to Fes el Djedid, visit a leather auction, unchanged for hundreds of years, and watch the intricate trading of sheep, cow and camel skins.
Continue through the Jardins del Boujeloud before reaching Fes del Djedid where you will see the Royal Palace, the synagogue and the Jewish cemetery in the Jewish quarter.
Tonight’s dinner is at Maison Bleue restaurant. Here you will enjoy fabulous food as well as a show of traditional Gnaoua music.
Day 4
After breakfast depart for a full day tour of Volubilis and Meknes. These places embody much of Morocco’s early history. Volubilis was the Roman Empire’s most remote base and here you’ll find the most impressive Roman sites in Morocco.
In Meknes see some of the extraordinary monuments created during the time of Moulay Ismail who reigned from 1672-1727 and visit many historic landmarks as well as the medina and the mellah.
Enjoy lunch in Meknes.
Before returning home, enjoy a visit of one of Morocco’s wineries for a tour and tasting.
Tonight, dinner will be at Dar Seffarine.
Day 5
Breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast, return to the kitchen for your third cooking class.
For lunch, enjoy the dishes you’ve made in the morning.
Afternoon and evening at leisure (this is an opportunity to return to the souk to shop or perhaps to visit the local hammam).
Day 6
After breakfast, take a guided tour of Borj Sud and a tile factory where you will see some of Morocco’s finest tiles and ceramics being produced — from their clay beginnings to the end product.
We’ll enjoy lunch today at Dar Saada in the heart of the medina before we return to Dar Seffarine.
Your final cooking session. On Fridays, Moroccans eat couscous — today you will participate in this national tradition!
Farewell dinner based on your efforts.
Day 7
Breakfast at the hotel followed by transfer to airport or rail station.
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