We've all wished when travelling in a country unfamiliar to us, to have the expertise of someone who knows the place inside out. But better still, someone who shares both the heritage and culture of the place, but also knows where we are coming from and can show us the points of interest that will capture our imaginations.

Best of all is a guide who understands exactly what are the strange foods on our plates, and is herself is a gifted cook and teacher. Born in Morocco of French-Jewish parents Nadine Abensur draws on this heritage, her many travels and her own imagination to create her fantastic recipes. She began her career by working in restaurants around the world, then set up her own vegetarian catering company Culinary Arts, which soon aquired a famous clientele ranging from Paul and Linda McCartney to Annie Lennox. For five years she was Food Director of the prominent UK vegetarian restaurant group, Cranks.

As a child Nadine Abensur spent time with her parents and grandparents in Casablanca. ?You are invited to join Nadine, who now divides her time between London and Australia, where she runs cookery courses and promotes Australian art, on this tour. Nadine writes for magazines in both countries, including BBC Good Food and Delicious. This trip will see her rediscover her native Casablanca and the houses she stayed in, the ice cream shop where she used to go and the beachside restaurant where she ate sardines and shoestring chips!

The tour which Nadine will lead from November 11-26, 2014, includes trips to Marrakech and the splendid Jardin Majorelle, Fez, the spiritual city of Morocco, the Atlas mountains (one of Nadine’s earliest memories is of a holiday trekking in the mountains with her mother and younger brother), the partly excavated Roman city of Volubilis, Casablanca (and yes, we will go to Rick’s cafe) and Essouira, her mother’s birthplace. Nadine’s intrepid, multi-lingual grandmother once took her camel riding. More than 50 years later, it might be time for another go. ?You will cook with some of Morocco’s top chefs, meet artists and leading designers and artisans and explore this richly layered country.

The group will then journey with her to the spiritual capital Fes to cook in a secret garden, Marrakech to get into the atmosphere of the souks and visit designer workshops, artists’ studios and galleries!!! ?Cook, fish and paint in Essaouira, and of course ride a camel!!!

In addition to this, Nadine intends to compile a travelogue of recipes, stories and art.

For a full itinerary as well as prices contact Morocco by Prior Arrangement.