Destination Morocco Podcast

You can also watch the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel here: "April, 2026: Is Morocco Safe for Travel?"---With the conflict happening between Iran and the US/Israel, and travel routes and logistics facing all kind of upheaval, we recognized here at Destinations Morocco that it's important to address what's happening and how it could impact Morocco.Is it still safe to travel to Morocco? How close is the country to the conflict? Has anything changed on the ground? Should people travel during times of conflict?Bearing in mind that we recorded this episode at the beginning of April, 2026, reflecting on the state of affairs at that time. Things could change any day, week or month. If events transpire that do put Morocco more under threat, we will do further episodes to share with you what we know, and our best advice.But for now, the short answer is that Morocco is in North Africa and about 3,000 miles from the Middle East conflict, with no direct threat. Basically, “business as usual,” although travelers may notice more routine checkpoints and security presence. We look at Morocco’s long-standing alliance with the US, and its Sunni identity versus Iran’s Shia sect, but why spillover is unlikely. Practical guidance includes buying dedicated travel insurance (including “cancel for any reason” and evacuation coverage), registering with the US STEP program, sharing passport/itinerary copies, staying connected via WhatsApp, transport options like the Green Taxi (Taxi Vert) service and the latest Uber availability, and alternative exit routes to Europe by ferry if flights are disrupted.We can't know for sure what the coming weeks and months will bring, but what we can give you is as much information and peace of mind as possible, so that you can make an educated decision on whether to carry on with your trip, and feel comfortable and confident in doing so.And remember that on our tours, you will always have a dedicated team around you, from your driver and guide to the various riad hosts and local guides, and ultimately Azdean himself and his team, who keep 24h monitoring on all of their tours.If you have more questions about the state of travel to Morocco, the status of your tour, or what to expect in 2026, you can always reach out to Azdean at azdean@destinationsmorocco.com. Join me for an 8-Day Boutique Moroccan Experience!Step inside the hidden Morocco on this first-of-its-kind, 12-spot journey, hosted personally by Azdean.November 8-15, 2026, $1995 USD Per PersonBook Your Spot Today! Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.

Kyle Elizabeth Freeman, an interior designer and solo traveler, shares her first-time Morocco trip. She talks about exploring Marrakech as a home base, hiring a local guide for safety and companionship, navigating the buzz of the African Cup of Nations, and savoring food, music, and medina life through a slow-travel approach.

You can also watch the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel here: "An Honest Take on Travel in Morocco"---Jill Smith and her partner Gary traveled to Morocco just before Christmas, 2025, on a southern tour: Marrakech, Merzouga, Ouarzazate and the High Atlas Mountains, and Essaouira, too.It was mostly amazing, with parts a little frustrating, and she's here today to share with us how it went. We wanted an honest assessment of their time in Morocco, because we all know: travel isn't perfect. It's exciting, spontaneous, rough, full of pleasant surprises and unexpected twists. And in a place like Morocco, which is growing in tourism and tourism infrastructure, part of the appeal is being witness to that change and growth. But it can mean that things don't go quite according to plan.Jill talks about the excitement of interacting with local culture, the incredible variety of food, but also pushing back against suggestions and pressure to do activities. Often it's nice to just take a break and relax.Destination Morocco not just helps but encourages you to do this: it's your trip, you can choose what you want to see and do. Azdean worked with Jill and Gary before their trip to craft an itinerary based around their interests, and cut through the overwhelm.2026 is a great time to visit Morocco, before it's even busier, so reach out to us today! Join me for an 8-Day Boutique Moroccan Experience!Step inside the hidden Morocco on this first-of-its-kind, 12-spot journey, hosted personally by Azdean.November 8-15, 2026, $1995 USD Per PersonBook Your Spot Today! Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.

You can also watch the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel here: "This November, Join us on a Tour to Morocco!"---This November is the moment to get yourself to Morocco, with our new small group tour!For an intimate yet affordable travel experience, our tour this November 8-15, 2026 offers you a tremendous way to visit Morocco.This is no 50-person coach tour that is hustled along from stop to stop, with constant waiting and delays.Build friendships and memories that last a lifetime, have quality time in Morocco while seeing all the famous sights, and even help craft the schedule and activities. Azdean himself, along with a national guide, will be with you throughout the tour to share stories and context for what you're seeing.No other tour of this size will approach the level of value, comfort and personal attention, for such a low price. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to experience Morocco in a safe, relaxed and affordable way.In our episode today, Azdean and Ted go over the details of the tour: the stops included, logistics such as transport, accommodation and meals, what to expect, and most of all, who it's for.If you want the pace and flexibility of independent travel, with the safety and companionship of fellow travelers, this tour is your sweet spot.The maximum size is limited to 12 participants, and the cost is $1995 USD per person, at double occupancy. Be part of this select group: book a free discovery call with Azdean today, bring your questions, and join us in November for this fantastic tour!Visit:https://destinationsmorocco.com/https://trips.destinationsmorocco.com/Morocco-2026to learn more!---Join me for an 8-Day Boutique Moroccan Experience!Step inside the hidden Morocco on this first-of-its-kind, 12-spot journey, hosted personally by Azdean.November 8-15, 2026, $1995 USD Per PersonBook Your Spot Today! Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.

We recommend watching the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: "Add Some Adrenaline to your Morocco Trip"---On top of everything else in Morocco: the food, culture, scenery, history, art and design - did you know that it's also a rising destination for adventure travel?Morocco has wonderful variety in its landscape and environment, which means whether you want to go surfing, mountain climbing, overnight trekking, camel riding or dune buggy exploring in the Sahara Desert, the options are all there!And a tour company like Destination Morocco can help to facilitate your adventures, handling all the logistics and timing, while making sure that you don't miss out on the regular tourist sights too, like Fes and Marrakech. This episode is another one which is a bit easier to follow in video form, where we share the screen to show you maps, locations and fabulous images, so hop over to our YouTube channel if you can. But if you're busy driving or jogging, you can still listen along and get the backstories and descriptions!In today's conversation, Azdean and producer Ted chat about some of the options for adventure travel and activities, from the beaches of Fes and Agadir to the sand dunes of Merzouga, or climbing Mt. Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa. In this example, you'll have lodging, equipment, a guide and even your own chef for the trek, which is a legitimate hike but not quite Everest-scale, so probably more accessible than you might imagine.We cover safety, costs and equipment too, including advice on what to bring and when to book. There are some corners of Morocco that are becoming less and less of a secret these days, so get in before the crowds, and maybe have a beach to yourself! Join me for an 8-Day Boutique Moroccan Experience!Step inside the hidden Morocco on this first-of-its-kind, 12-spot journey, hosted personally by Azdean.November 8-15, 2026, $1995 USD Per PersonBook Your Spot Today! Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.

One of the reasons Morocco has become more and more popular lately is its recognition as a honeymoon destination. The combination of stunning landscape, distinct culture and an emphasis on design and aesthetics wherever you go: these are just the starting points.When we then consider the increasing ease of getting to Morocco, with more direct flights from North America and Europe, improved travel infrastructure, and that distinct combination of accessible yet exotic, Morocco jumps out as a unique and exciting place to escape to after your big event.Azdean appeared a few weeks ago on the Weddings 101 podcast, with host Kyleigh Grace, to chat about these highlights and more. Now, we're doing an episode swap here on the Destination Morocco podcast, since there was so much valuable information, and a fun conversation too!What's really interesting is getting an outside, newcomer's perspective on travel to Morocco in general, with the added focus of honeymoon tips and advice. We chat about how couples can blend adventure with relaxation, what a truly immersive honeymoon looks like, safety and dress code tips, realistic budget expectations, what to ask for in accommodation, and how customized itineraries help couples experience Morocco like a local. Azdean also breaks down unique romantic experiences, from private desert dinners to hammam spa rituals, cooking classes, hot air balloon rides, and more. A Moroccan honeymoon will leave you particularly indelible memories, so whether you're just starting to plan or looking for insider expertise to elevate your trip, this episode will help you design a Moroccan honeymoon that’s unforgettable, meaningful, and perfectly tailored to you.Our thanks to Kyleigh for this opportunity and for sharing her resources and insight!You can find Weddings 101 on their website:https://weddings101pod.com on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/weddings101podand listen on Spotify, Apple or wherever you listen to podcasts:https://open.spotify.com/show/3kCfEw7JoIn62I1bUgNwZB?si=252633af8b784a07https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weddings-101/id1799475222 Join me for an 8-Day Boutique Moroccan Experience!Step inside the hidden Morocco on this first-of-its-kind, 12-spot journey, hosted personally by Azdean.November 8-15, 2026, $1995 USD Per PersonBook Your Spot Today! Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.

Discover the vibrant tourism scene in Marrakech as Azdean shares firsthand experiences and insights. Learn about a unique group tour itinerary that includes stunning landscapes, cave dwellings, and Berber encounters. Get tips on dietary requests when traveling through remote areas and the importance of planning ahead for meals. With the African Cup bringing an influx of visitors, discover why now is the perfect time to visit before the crowds increase. New direct flights are making access easier, promising an exciting future for travelers.

You can also find the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel here: "Discover a Real Morocco Cooking Class Experience"After the inspiring ideas of our last episode, 'Food Travel in Morocco: What to Order When You Visit', this week we take you a step further, into an actual Moroccan kitchen!The hosts at Riad Ghita in Fès welcome us behind the scenes for a genuine Moroccan cooking class, where we put together the ingredients for a lamb tagine, Moroccan salads, camel skewers and more. Discover the authentic, natural ingredients that go into real Moroccan cooking, all freshly sourced from the medina in Fes. You'll see Azdean and the team shopping and gathering everything they need, and then meeting in the riad's modern kitchen to start preparing. Go beyond the recipe websites and witness an actual cooking class, recorded live on location in Fes, and learn how to put the recipes together, just like a local.You can book a class like this too, whether in Fez, Marrakech, Essaouira, or anywhere else in Morocco that puts its own distinct twist on national cuisine. Cooking classes can easily be integrated into your itinerary, and leave you with lasting skills that you can put into action when you're back home, not to mention the indelible memories.Do you dream of exploring the enchanting land of Morocco?Destination Morocco is your ultimate travel experience for those seeking luxury and adventure. We specialize in crafting bespoke itineraries tailored to your unique tastes and desires.If you're a discerning traveler who values an immersive, curated adventure, visit www.destinationsmorocco.com, and let us bring your dream Moroccan vacation to life.Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.Explore our Private Tours and Small Group Tours! Join me for an 8-Day Boutique Moroccan Experience!Step inside the hidden Morocco on this first-of-its-kind, 12-spot journey, hosted personally by Azdean.November 8-15, 2026, $1995 USD Per PersonBook Your Spot Today! Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.

A lively tour of Moroccan gastronomy and the dishes to try when you visit. Learn what makes tagine and couscous unique and which spices define local flavor. Hear about harira soup, street food culture in Marrakech, and how tours and vendors have adapted for safety and dietary needs.

We recommend also watching the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel, in addition to listening to the audio version. Both episodes are only about 10 minutes long, and give you different perspectives on the information and stories.You can find the video here:"Rabat: Morocco's Dynamic Modern Capital"Today we are in Rabat, looking out over the ocean from the Kasbah Oudaya, at the edge of the old Medina. A beautiful site with beaches down below, and the river Oued Bou Regreg dividing the cities of Rabat and Salé. Despite being the capital, Rabat is sometimes overlooked on itineraries of Morocco, or at best given a sparse couple of hours to see the basic sights, before travelers carry on to perhaps Chefchaouen or Marrakech.But although it's only been Morocco's capital since 1912, the history here is dynamic and long-reaching.Our episode this week is essentially a set of companion episodes. There is the audio version, and also the video version, which you can watch on YouTube. Some of the dialogue and conversation overlaps, but the video will help fill you in on what Azdean and his guide for the day, Mr. Ali, are describing.The audio version meanwhile adds a little more history and context that was not captured in video. The episodes are short: roughly ten minutes each, so try listening/watching them back to back, and see how they compare! Our goal is to get you inspired to add more time in Rabat to your schedule, for a wonderful mix of history, wild seascapes and modern comforts.Find this episode on YouTube:https://youtu.be/0sJxv4B8TxI Join me for an 8-Day Boutique Moroccan Experience!Step inside the hidden Morocco on this first-of-its-kind, 12-spot journey, hosted personally by Azdean.November 8-15, 2026, $1995 USD Per PersonBook Your Spot Today! Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.