Welcome to TOUCH EARTH, a creative residency in Morocco by Rachel Saunders. Dedicated to the rest & regeneration of body and spirit through the transformative magic of sacred spaces & healing arts.
NOVEMBER 16th — 21st, 2025 Hosted at La Colline des Oliviers, a sun-washed sanctuary nestled among olive and argan trees off Northern Africa’s tranquil coastline, TOUCH EARTH Morocco is the second annual weeklong creative residency led by ceramicist Rachel Saunders.
“This retreat opened up a whole new world for me. The community built by all the beautiful souls was something from another world. Beautiful, safe place filled with magical experiences. Amazing connections and so much fun. Thank you a thousand times for organizing this amazing retreat.” —Vicky L.
Rooted in reverence for the rich traditions of Amazigh craft and ancestral ritual, this week harmonizes the healing power of the arts with the raw beauty of the land. Through hands-on clay workshops using natural pigments and local materials, guided ancestral bread baking and argan oil making, ancient bathing & beauty practices, rituals of nourishment, expansive creative expression and connection, grounded by the quiet wisdom of sacred space, you’re invited to reconnect with what truly fulfills and ignites.
Expect to forge lifelong connections, receive new inspirations and channelings, and return home with a full heart, grounded presence, and a spirit deeply regenerated.
Through immersive experiences in traditional pottery making, ceremonial bread baking, sacred beauty and bathing rituals, daily movement, and lots of time for deep integration & soul nourishment, you’ll be held in an environment designed for restoration, inspiration, and vibrancy.
A sanctuary for the senses, La Colline des Oliviers offers wide-open skies, sun-warmed stone, and stillness you can feel in your bones. Thoughtfully designed with natural textures, handmade details, and refined Moroccan decor, every space invites beauty and rest. The estate features a saltwater infinity pool, spacious suites decorated with authentic textiles and local art, shaded terraces, an outdoor yoga studio, sunken living room, a rooftop with 360° views, and quiet corners for solitude and connection.
The weather in November is balmy and mild, with highs around 70°F (21°C) and lows of 59°F (15°C), perfect for mid-day dips in the pool.
INCLUDED IN YOUR EXPERIENCE:
Each day is thoughtfully paced to offer generous space for rest, reflection, and creative expression. Between shared rituals and workshops, guests are encouraged to move at their own rhythm—whether that means writing on the terrace floating in the pool, conversing in the shared spaces, or walking amidst the olive groves.
In addition to daily time for restoration and exploration, your stay also includes:
Five luxurious nights in a spacious, thoughtfully designed suite—each one adorned with traditional Moroccan decor, natural textures, and curated details that invite rest, beauty, and quiet inspiration. Available as a private sanctuary or a shared space with another guest.
Private transportation to and from Essaouira Airport (ESU) at the start and end of the residency.
All meals prepared with care by our in-house chef using traditional Moroccan recipes passed down through generations. Expect vibrant tagines, fresh herbs, warm spices, handmade breads, and healing tonics—each dish crafted with local ingredients and seasonal abundance.
2 traditional Moroccan Amazigh pottery workshops using local clay and natural pigments, guided by a master artisan in his studio. All pieces will be fired and glazed for you to take home and treasure forever.
Hands-on argan oil making workshop where you will craft your own bottle of ‘liquid gold’ to take home for beauty and self-care rituals. Learn the full ancestral process from fruit to golden oil. A rare invitation into daily life, craft, and heritage—shared with warmth, reverence, and open hands.
Ancestral bread baking experience where we will knead, shape, and bake traditional bread in a clay oven. Share tea, gather firewood, and savor your warm loaf with local honey, Argan oil, and Amlou.
Rejuvenating hammam bathing ritual at a local spa—an ancient tradition of cleansing, exfoliation, and release.
An intimate Gnawa music offering steeped in sacred instrumentation, and ancestral song. Rooted in centuries-old spiritual tradition, this performance is shared by local musicians who carry forward the healing lineage of Gnawa, inviting connection, reverence, and embodied presence through sound.
Daily somatic movement and gentle yoga to return to the body and release stored tension.
Creative teachings and workshops with Rachel, weaving personal reflection with artistic exploration.
A bespoke selection of TOUCH EARTH gifts to make the experience as memorable and comfortable as possible.
This retreat is more than a getaway. It’s a reverent exchange. A chance to witness, to participate, and to be shaped by beauty, history, and genuine human connection. These moments are intimate, real, and rooted in the heart and hands.
TESTIMONIALS
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“It was so far beyond what any of us could have imagined when we committed to this precious time together. Giver, receiver, gift - thank you for holding us in your angelic orbit for these days. How we all wish we could stay forever and how precious this time was together with each other and with the land.”
—Morgan L.
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“This retreat opened up a whole new world for me. The community built by all the beautiful souls was something from another world. Beautiful safe place filled with magical experiences. Amazing connections and so much fun. Thank you a thousand times for organizing this amazing retreat.”
—Vicky L.
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“Miss you and the rest of the angels every morning. Thank you for giving us these memories. I will cherish this time with everyone always. Honestly what an honor, five days was never enough.”
—Melina S.
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"It is so hard to verbalize how special it was. I will hold it dear to me forever. Thank you for bringing us all together and creating such a magical experience."
—Sarah K.
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"Here come the tears again Thank you sweet angel Rachel for the most beautiful and dreamy week of my life!!! These memories with this group will forever and ever be in my heart."
— Alanna A.
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"I love you all so much. This was the most thoughtful, nourishing and special experience. Down to every little detail you created. Whoever goes to the next Touch Earth is so SO lucky."
—Nicole S.
About
A Peaceful Seaside Steeped In Culture & Craft
Tucked between the desert and the sea just 2.5 scenic hours from Marrakesh, Essaouira is a coastal jewel layered in salt air, sun-warmed stone, and centuries of magic & craft. The medina hums with handmade beauty: woven rugs, painted doors, the scent of cedar and spice. Time feels different here, softened by ocean winds and the slow rhythm of daily life. It’s a place where artists come to remember their voice, where beauty lingers in the details, and where the soul remembers where it came from.
Sink your hands into warm clay. Anoint them with fresh pressed golden argan oil. Tear bread from the fire and taste it with honey. Purify yourself in the steam of the hammam. Let every ritual become a return to the sacred.
Who Is TOUCH EARTH For?
This residency is for anyone seeking a deeper connection with themselves and the earth, a community of like-minded individuals, or simply an idyllic reprieve from everyday life. It offers a haven for those yearning to reconnect with nature and their creative spirit. Whether you're an artist, a nature lover, or someone in need of rejuvenation, our program provides the perfect setting to unwind, explore, and grow.
Return home with new skills, handmade creations, new inspirations, and a renewed sense of purpose—having experienced the transformative power and inner harmony brought about by wild nature, deep community, and the healing arts.
The Location: A Sacred Sanctuary
La Colline des Oliviers offers eight beautifully appointed rooms and a variety of intentional spaces amongst the property. Each area has been thoughtfully restored with traditional Moroccan craftsmanship and natural materials, creating an atmosphere of serene refinement and aesthetic inspiration.
Every room features a king bed and single beds, ensuite bathroom, and access to the outdoor terrace with sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. Soft linens, handcrafted details, and earth-toned textures invite deep rest and quiet dreaming.
Stone floors, sun-washed walls, carved archways, and curated decor bring together the best of traditional architecture and contemporary comfort offering you a sanctuary to immerse completely in beauty and artistry.
More About the Residency
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La Colline des Oliviers is located just 15 minutes from Essaouira (ESU) Airport. Round-trip group transportation between ESU and the retreat venue is included in your package. A designated minibus will pick up and drop off guests at specific times on arrival and departure days.
If you prefer to arrange your own transport, private taxis are readily available and can be hired independently.
For those flying into Marrakech (RAK)—approximately a scenic 2.5-hour drive away—you will need to coordinate your own transfer to Essaouira Airport (ESU) in time to join the group transport.
Please contact us with your travel plans so we can support and confirm logistics in advance.
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Not at all. The residency is open to anyone with a curiosity to deepen their connection to self, spirit, and the earth. While many guests come from creative backgrounds, you don’t need to identify as an artist to attend. This is a space for exploration, presence, and inspiration—whether you’re reigniting a long-lost creative spark or simply seeking rest and renewal in a beautiful setting. What matters most is your openness.
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3 locally sourced, traditionally prepared meals a day including snacks, tea and coffee.
Curated experiences led by local facilitators such as an authentic Moroccan cooking class, ceremonial argan oil & breadmaking workshops, two-day pottery-making and pigment class, and more.
Daily group activities like morning pages jornaling, group yoga, somatic movement practices, sound healing, and other activities that will deepen our connection to nature and to each other.
Full access to La Colline des Oliviers’ expansive property and amenities including a saltwater infinity pool, spacious suites, shaded terraces, an outdoor yoga studio, sunken living room, a rooftop with 360° views, and quiet corners for solitude and connection.
Room & board from November 15th-21st
Transportation from ESR airport at designated arrival and departure times.
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Airfare to and from Morocco
Accommodation outside of retreat dates
Traveler's insurance (highly recommended)
Visa / entry fees for Italy learn more
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November in Morocco offers beautiful weather: cooler evenings suitable for light layers and bright, sunny days with temps averaging between 53°F to 72°F (11-22°C), making it one of the more pleasant times of year to visit.
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Location: Essaouria, Morocco
Venue: La Colline Des Oliviers
Check-in: Saturday November 15th
Check-out: 11am on Friday November 21st.
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The retreat officially begins on Sunday November 16th. We highly recommend arriving to Morocco a few days early so you can get settled, account for jetlag, and be fully rejuvenated going into day one!
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All food is prepared in-house by a talented local chef and can be tailored to your needs and preferences.
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You are more than welcome to travel solo. In fact, we encourage it! If you are planning to travel with a friend you can request them as a roommate.