Destination Morocco Podcast

Families are frequent guests on Destination Morocco tours, and we have been keen to shine a light on that experience here on the podcast, and the particular advantages and challenges therein. And what better opportunity to do so than the one we had in February of this year! If you remember back to our episode of January 1st, 2023, Azdean and Ted , the producer of Destination Morocco podcast , ment...

One of the highlights of a visit to Morocco is getting a henna art design, something as authentically Moroccan as tagines and desert camping. More than just a decorative activity, henna has deep cultural roots in Morocco, particularly for women. Our guest today is an expert henna artist, offering design experiences to travellers from around the world out of her home studio in Marrakech. Many liste...

Today's episode marks the beginning of our shift towards the south of Morocco here on Destination Morocco podcast. If you are looking for a Moroccan experience a little more rugged and raw, a little less touristy, and very authentic, you will find the southern half of Morocco fascinating. Starting from Marrakech as a base, a typical tour will cover deserts, high mountains, deep gorges, genuin...

Chantal Rosenthal, her husband and three young adult children travelled to Morocco over the Christmas holidays of 2022, with Destination Morocco . As Jewish tourists, they were in search of Jewish heritage and influence, in a place that had long been a desired destination for them. In today's episode, Chantal and Azdean talk about trip planning for 5 people, each with their own priorities for...

This episode is a replay of one of our most popular conversations, with podcast listener, professional photographer and seasoned traveller Maxx Walske, who fulfilled a dream by visiting Morocco in 2022. Maxx is in fact returning to Morocco in 2023, and we look forward to catching up with her again. She is a planner who loves to research and learn about her upcoming destinations. Typically she trav...

We welcome in the new year with lots of exciting upcoming plans and topics to share, and tremendous appreciation for our listeners since the start of the Destination Morocco podcast journey. Azdean was recently at a conference in Chicago, complete with a display about the podcast, QR codes so people could find it, merchandise and images. The big Moroccan flag was an instant attraction, and lots of...

It's been a whirlwind since our last Destination Morocco episode, just two weeks ago. The World Cup was still in its group stage, with 32 teams still alive. Since then, the Moroccan Cinderella story has resolutely swept the country, and the world, streaking all the way to the semi-finals of the tournament. As so many of our listeners are tuning in from outside Morocco, including Azdean himsel...

Imagine: One day, someone gives you the idea of going to Morocco, and you think, "Yeah, maybe..." And then, a month later, spur of the moment, you buy a return ticket!  But you're not a big fan of planning, and the prospect of filling out the details of your impending trip are a little daunting, to say the least.  What do you do next?  This is Morocco on a Whim, Rachel Metcalf'...

Cierra & Dan McPherson had a tall order for Destination Morocco when they got in touch with Azdean, looking to travel to Morocco just a short time later. They wanted to see as much of the country as possible, but over just 11 days. Could it be done? Our episode today recounts their journey. Thanks to Azdean and his team, these world travellers had an experience that ranked with the best of the...

Moroccans are known for their generous, welcoming hospitality, and their instinct for making visitors feel at home. Traveler and podcast listener Pablo Juarez is here today to confirm this, having just returned from Morocco scarcely a week before the recording, in mid-October of 2022. It was the first trip there for Pablo and his partner Harmony, and it was full of pleasant surprises. From the foo...

Travel to Morocco these days is increasingly a year round activity. Although temperatures in winter can be cool, you can still find plentiful accommodation and activities that are open, at a better price, and with fewer crowds. Indeed, many people prefer to travel in the low season for the slower pace and quieter experience. Azdean and Destination Morocco producer Ted Cragg sit down today to talk...

It’s time to talk about food!  Azdean invites Fès restauranteur Aziz Zgani to explain native Moroccan dishes (and their ingredients!) such as pastilla, special filo pastry, tagine and a beef jerky that is unique to Fès and its dry climate.  Vegetarian options abound, as menus become more diverse and chefs more well-versed. And Aziz talks about the cultural history of dishes, particularly couscous,...

Joanie Conwell fulfilled a dream in May of 2022, visiting Morocco for two weeks, inspired by the works of Paul Bowles, and with help from the Destination Morocco podcast, especially the Scams episode! Joanie joins Azdean today to trace her adventure through northern Morocco, starting in Casablanca then staying in Rabat, Tangier, Tetouan, Chefchaouen and Fès. Joanie recounts special moments with st...

If you're looking for an affordable place to travel, but don't want to sacrifice quality, Morocco is a great option. One of the challenges, however, is to figure out just how much things cost, and what you can expect for the prices you pay. In today's episode, Azdean walks us through many of the essential expenses you will encounter on your trip, from accommodation to transport and,...

It's been a fun and exciting 7 months since we launched our Destination Morocco podcast, and in that time we've enjoyed interacting with listeners, getting your questions and hearing your feedback about the show, and about Morocco in general. To keep all this useful information in one place, we've assembled an episode that answers some of the most frequently asked questions about tr...

In today's episode, podcast listener, professional photographer and seasoned traveller Maxx Walske fulfills a dream by visiting Morocco. Maxx is a planner who loves to research and learn about her upcoming destinations. Typically she travels independently, but this time, having listened to the podcast, she went for the peace of mind and comfort of a private, guided tour, organized by Destinat...

Podcast listener Angel Nair and her husband travelled to Morocco in May of 2022, their first time in the country. She joins Azdean today to talk about her trip and what she learned. Angel shares her perceptions of Morocco, drawn from movies, film locations and cultural expectations, and how those perceptions changed after just two weeks in the country. Although yes, they did explore classic movie...

In today's episode, Azdean is joined by Destination Morocco Podcast producer Ted Cragg for an important conversation that tackles some of the first questions any traveller has about going to Morocco: What should I bring, and what should I wear? Morocco bridges the divide between Europe and Africa, is a gateway to the Muslim world, and features everything from ocean beaches to deserts and high...

There are few activities more evocative and memorable than a hot air balloon ride, no matter where in the world. Drifting up from the earth in the calm of early morning, the sound of birds and breeze interspersed with puffs from the burner. Escaping the hustle and bustle of Marrakech to float over the medina towards the High Atlas mountains is an undoubted highlight of anyone's trip to Morocc...

Welcome to the stunning oceanside city of Essaouira, located southwest of Casablanca, due west of Marrakesh, and midway down the Atlantic coast of Morocco. In this episode, Azdean welcomes Xavier Panadés, owner of the riad "Riad Zahra," which sits but one block from Essaouira's stunning beach and oceanfront promenade. Xavier has Moroccan roots, but grew up in Barcelona, before retur...

Come with us on a history and cultural journey, and learn the story and meaning of Ramadan, which in 2022 begins on April 3. If you find yourself travelling in Morocco during Ramadan, what might you expect to see and experience? As Azdean explains, different Muslim countries often have their own variances on certain dates and traditions, and Morocco is no exception. Many travellers may have the pe...

It may be your first time to Morocco, or you simply may want to cover as much as you can on your trip, in an organized, hassle-free way. Many travellers to Morocco choose a guided tour as the best way to see the country and come away with a real, vivid understanding for what they've experienced. There are of course all kinds of options available, from focusing on specific areas of Morocco, to...

Travellers love Morocco for its exotic appeal, culture, stunning landscapes, distinct cuisine, and for its charms. Yes, these charms can include scams, a regular feature of life as a tourist in Morocco, as elsewhere. And as Azdean will tell you, natives like him are far from exempt! Most of what you'll hear in this episode has happened to him at some point. With touches of humor, detail and v...

As we begin our exploration of Morocco, Azdean invites his producer, Ted Cragg, onto the podcast, to chat about what listeners can expect from the show over the coming episodes. Imagine us sitting in a nice café, or maybe drinking some fresh Moroccan mint tea, as Azdean gives us an overview of Morocco for those just beginning to learn about the country. We talk about some of the fundamentals: popu...

Destination Morocco launches its podcast, with an introduction to the show and a greeting from our host, Azdean. Azdean and his family hail from the small village of Telouet, Morocco, about 40 miles (in a straight line; much longer by road!) southeast of Marrakesh. After finishing school in Marrakesh, he moved to the United States in 1995, settling in Houston. Azdean and his wife Khadija Elomari t...