I’ve been holding onto this for a while, and I’m so excited to finally share it… In May 2027, I’ll be hosting a week-long textiles retreat in Fes, Morocco — and I’d love you to come with me.
Fes is a visual feast. It’s vibrant, layered, welcoming, and endlessly inspiring. Think winding alleyways, the hum of daily life, bursts of colour in the souks, and the quiet rhythm of making. It’s the kind of place that seeps into your creative practice without you even realising.
There will only be 10 places, so it will be a small, intimate group — plenty of space to explore, stitch, and soak it all in.
What the week will feel like
This isn’t a rushed itinerary or a “tick-list” trip. It’s a chance to slow down.
There will be time to:
- Sit and sew together.
- Wander the souks and discover textiles, buttons, leather, cloth and hand woven rugs.
- Pause for mint tea and simply watch the world go by.
- Meet artisans in their workshops and see centuries-old skills in action.
I’ll bring a textile project for us to work through together, but you’re very welcome to bring something of your own too.
We’ll also explore ways of capturing people and place through stitch, responding to what we see, hear, and experience around us.
Our home: Dar Drouj
For the week, we’ll stay in the beautiful Dar Drouj — a lovingly restored 14th-century riad tucked inside the medina.
It’s a place full of character:
- A peaceful central courtyard filled with light.
- Quiet corners for stitching, reading, and reflecting.
- A rooftop terrace overlooking the city — perfect for morning sessions or evening unwinding.
- Each en-suite room is beautifully styled with locally crafted Fassi embroidered and woven textiles.
Step outside, and you’re immediately immersed in real life in Fes — families, workshops, donkeys passing by, the rhythm of daily living. It’s authentic, grounding, and incredibly inspiring.
What’s included
This retreat is designed so you can fully switch off and focus on your creativity.
Included in the fee:
- 7 nights accommodation at Dar Drouj (exclusive use).
- All meals, plus welcome & farewell dinners with music.
- Airport transfers.
- Guided experiences, including:
- A Fez highlights tour including a visit to the world-famous tanneries.
- A mountain picnic at a beautiful location overlooking the city.
- A day trip to Volubilis, Moulay Idriss & Meknes.
- A visit to the Berber caves, offering a glimpse into traditional ways of life shaped by the landscape.
- A storyteller evening.
- Time built in to explore, shop, and meet artisans.
- Creative guidance and textile sessions throughout the week.
Your holiday really does begin the moment you arrive.
Why Fes?
Fes Medina is one of the most important centres of traditional craft in the world. Over a third of families are involved in artisan work — from weaving and embroidery to ceramics, leather, and carpet-making.
It’s a place where:
- Colour, pattern, and texture are everywhere.
- Craft traditions are still alive and evolving.
- Inspiration is constant — in both the big moments and the quiet details.
And because it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site, the entire medina feels like stepping into another time.
Want to join?
If this is already sparking something for you, I’d love to hear from you.
Details are still being finalised, but if you email me, you’ll get first refusal before the retreat officially launches.
Contact me@catherinehill.art
If you have any questions about the retreat, I’d love to hear from you.
I can’t wait to share this experience — a week of making, exploring, and being inspired together in one of the most extraordinary places I know.
