Destination Morocco Podcast

Continuing on a bit further south from our last episode in Telouet, we follow Azdean on his summer tour down to Aït Ben Haddou, southern gateway to the High Atlas mountains and their stunning scenery and hiking. Aït Ben Haddou is a small town but is known for its traveller services, restaurants and accommodation, and its welcoming hospitality.In this episode of Destination Morocco podcast, Azdean sits down with Mr. Mustapha, who works at the restaurant l'Oasis d'Or (Golden Oasis), a popular restaurant located on the main road through town. Mustapha speaks extensively about Berber culture and how they have embraced tourism as a way to present their culture and provide a unique experience to tourists from around the world. He speaks seven languages, which he attributes to interacting with diverse tourists, as well as a reflecting a common Moroccan trait of having a knack for language. Although, as Azdean points out, there are certainly pockets of Morocco where people are not only unilingual, they may speak only Moroccan Arabic (Darija) or the Berber (Amazigh) language, the original indigenous language, without really being able to communicate in the other. So it's not a given that all Moroccans are polylingual, but we have certainly met quite a few examples on the podcast who are! And it is an impressive thing to see. Mustapha even speaks Russian and Mandarin, thanks to the many Chinese tour groups that have been coming through Aït Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate over the last few years.Mustapha also discusses the establishment, menu, and services of l'Oasis d'Or, highlighting its welcoming approach to customers and how the staff operate as a big family. Azdean, with his eye for hospitality and service, praises the restaurant's generosity and the quality of its food, voicing optimism for l'Oasis d'Or's plans to open a new hotel in the near future.On the theme of languages, we welcome you to join us live on YouTube on Wednesday, February 14 at 12 pm EST for our next live Q&A session, where we'll be talking about languages in Morocco, particularly the difference between Berber and Darija. Azdean and Sam will teach us a few useful phrases for travellers. Always handy, especially if you're heading off the beaten path for some real cultural immersion, which is the theme of our recent series of episodes!l'Oasis d'Or, Aït Ben HaddouDestination Morocco YouTubeMusic credits: Sight of Wonders / Desert Footsteps / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.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.

We continue our exploration of Berber/Amazigh culture with a visit to Telouet, a small village deep in the High Atlas Mountains, known for its kasbah, trekking and beautiful scenery. Azdean met with local guide and historian Ali Ahdadi to delve into Berber influence in the area and activities for travellers passing through.Telouet is a bit off the beaten path, hence why it was largely a secret until recently. But in reality it's only a 2.5 hour drive from Marrakech, an hour south to Aït Benhaddou, and another half hour from there down to Ouarzazate. The roads are largely saled and well maintained, and to compensate for the twisty switchbacks there are stunning views of valleys and snow-capped mountains along the way.Ali guides us through his personal experiences growing up in Telouet, from his family's ancestral craft of blacksmithing to the evolution of Berber communities, highlighting the unique blend of Jewish and Berber cultures steeped in the region's history. Having left to go to university in Marrakech and working around Morocco, he appreciates even more being able to come back home and make a living in this quiet area with fresh air and a peaceful pace of life.At the same time, Azdean and Ali talk about some of the major events that are starting to put Telouet on the map, including the Atlas Mountain Cycling Race that passes through town, bringing around 200 riders on a traverse from Marrakech to Essaouira. Ali's anecdotes about mountain climbing and the importance of development and visibility of Telouet's history and culture paint a vivid image of a place poised on the cusp of tourism transformation. Moreover, you'll learn about Telouet's historical importance as a rich salt source, the health benefits of this mineral in both the culinary and medicinal spheres, the profound connection to esteemed painters like Jacques Majorelle, and the significance of the area as a link between Africa and Europe.It's an episode filled with warmth, a delightful conversation with a local guide well-known to the trekking community. Don't forget to pack your sense of wonder for this captivating instalment of Destination Morocco – your gateway to the traditions and innovations of the Amazigh heartland.TelouetGuide Ali AhdadiMusic credits: Edward Karl Hanson / Moroccan Marketplace / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.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.

Discover the fascinating world of the Amazigh tribes across North Africa! Learn about the Riffians and their warrior spirit, the cultural activism of the Kabyles in Algeria, and the nomadic lifestyle of the Tuareg. Delve into the vibrant traditions of the Shluh and Zayan peoples, and uncover the unique architecture of the Mzabites. Explore the salt trade history of the Siwi in Egypt while celebrating the rich music and cultural resilience that keeps Amazigh identity alive. It's a captivating journey through history, language, and heritage!

Practical tips for avoiding common traveller scams in airports, taxis, markets and restaurants. Clear advice on spotting unofficial guides, steer-you-to-shop tricks, and taxi fare tricks. Strategies for protecting luggage, using photos to deter overcharging, and when to involve authorities. Notes on improved taxi kiosks, airport options, and the benefits of guided tours for safer travel.

Discover the rich history of the Amazigh people, the indigenous population of North Africa. Their influence has shaped Morocco's culture for thousands of years, from battles against the pharaohs to the rise of powerful kingdoms like Numidia. Learn how they resisted Islamic expansion and how their identity evolved through colonization. Myths about their origins are debunked, revealing a deep connection between modern Moroccans and their ancient roots. Explore the revival of Amazigh culture and language in contemporary society.

Ted, the podcast producer who coordinates logistics and live Q&A, shares reflections from a recent trip to Morocco. They discuss avoiding scams and shipping rugs safely. They talk about handling illness, vehicle breakdowns, and when to use insurance. They explain how properties and restaurants are anonymously vetted to ensure real value for your money.

One of the great travel stories we’ve heard from a guest on the podcast was just over a year ago now. It was with Rachel Metcalfe, for whom Morocco went from being a remote, distant idea to, a month later, sitting on the airplane on her way to Casablanca.Destination Morocco took on the challenge of organizing her last-minute trip, and in this episode Rachel explains how that made all the difference in having an enjoyable, complete tour that covered the sights she wanted to see.This is our last episode of 2023, and many thanks to our listeners for a wonderful year of great episodes and great tours. In 2024, our new documentary, Kingdom of Colors, premiers, which follows Azdean's family’s trip around Morocco with some stunning visuals. You can see the trailer now on our website or the Destination Morocco YouTube channel.----Imagine: One day, someone gives you the idea of going to Morocco, and you think, "Yeah, maybe..." But 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 Metcalfe's story of making the commitment and turning to Destination Morocco to create what became a very special and memorable trip.Rachel starts off in Casablanca, and like many of our other guests meets Khalil, the blind tour guide of Hassan II Mosque. She tours around the north of Morocco, and falls in love with the picturesque, crossroads city of Tangier. Hear her wax poetic on its old world charm and beautiful setting between ocean and mountains. She is captivated by the blue city of Chefchaouen, leaving her Instagram page bursting with color. Fès then takes center stage, with Rachel being guided through the labyrinth of streets, visiting the mosaic & tile factory and then dropping in on the famous tanneries, a crucial mint coming in very handy.Her riad in Fès, so completely unassuming from the outside, turns out to be a veritable palace once you walk through the door. Rachel takes us on a tour and describes it in detail. A highlight was the hammam, or "sand bath," in the desert at Agafay, just an hour outside of Marrakech. A relaxing and revitalizing experience, complete with herbs and spices for distinct aromas. Rachel had her own private tour, allowing her free reign to change plans, sleep in, go somewhere different or be spontaneous. With an individual itinerary made for her, Rachel was able to relax and enjoy each day of the experience, without wondering or figuring out the next steps, and all the logistics therein. Resources Mentioned in this episode:TangierAgafay desert 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.

This episode is the audio replay of our Destination Morocco live Q&A session, on Wednesday, Dec. 13.You can find the video version here on our YouTube channel, with lots of visuals that go with the conversation.In this month's session, Azdean and Sam answered your questions about Morocco's fabulous food and cuisine. You've likely heard at least a bit about tagines, pastillas, mint tea and of course, couscous. But this episode will really fill in the blanks and help you place your order.How do you order tagine when you're at a restaurant? What kinds of varieties of tagine are there? What is pastilla made from? What's the difference between tagine and tangia? What are some regional variations to the same dish? What kind of cultural practices and norms should you be aware of, whether it's when certain dishes are eaten, or how they're eaten? Is rice used in Morocco? What is the name of the bread you see everywhere in Morocco?Then we get into ordering, including are menus in Morocco written in English, do you need to order in advance, is potable water included at Moroccan restaurants, and what are some of the prices of well-known Moroccan meals.You may be wondering if in Morocco people generally eat late, as we often see in Europe: Azdean and Sam talk about local customs, as well as whether you can order alcohol at a restaurant, and even where you can purchase alcohol in Morocco to bring back to your riad.And we certainly get a lot of questions about dietary considerations, gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan, allergies and food contamination concerns.There's lots to fill up your plate in this episode, particularly for when you go to Morocco, but if you're lucky and have a Moroccan restaurant in your home town, you'll now be able to order with the confidence of an experienced connoisseur!And don't forget to take a moment to listen to our most recent podcast episode, "How a Blind Tour Guide Shows Tourists the Best of Casablanca," a fascinating conversation with guide Khalil Nejjary, live from Hassan II Mosque this past summer. Khalil's knowledge of the mosque and Casablanca will give you a new appreciation for Morocco's biggest city:https://destinationsmorocco.com/podcast 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.

Over the course of many episodes of the podcast, we’ve often mentioned a certain guide based in Casablanca. He has had a lasting and indelible impact on those who have had the pleasure of meeting him. Our guests on the podcast, from Chantal to Pablo and even Ted have remarked on his knowledge, warmth and spirit.Khalil Nejjary is his name, and when Azdean visited Casablanca and the incredible Hassan II Mosque this past summer, he finally had the chance to invite him on the podcast, in person.If you remember his story, you'll know that not only is Khalil a fabulous guide with an encyclopedic memory, but he is also in fact blind. Today he'll tell us the story of how this happened and how he has been able to continue his career. Khalil's ability to describe in detail, from memory, the features of the mosque is just remarkable.We met Khalil at the entrance hall to the mosque complex, where visitors can get tickets for the guided tours and visit the small museum with photos of the mosque's construction. Khalil and other guides meet their guests here, then escort them across the massive courtyard, or esplanade, to the mosque's entrance. It was during this walk that we were able to record our conversation, and Khalil talks about the mosque's architecture, the materials used and why they were chosen, and the long path from King Hassan II's initial dream of building a great mosque to its eventual completion. Khalil also tells us about the history of Casablanca and its influence on the world, and outlines a typical tour of the city, which would take in many of the famous and important sights. We've touched on Casablanca a bit throughout the podcast, but if you remember back to the episode on April 15 that was an overview of Casablanca and Rabat, one of the themes was how Morocco's biggest city is often bypassed, aside from the mosque of course!, so that travellers have more time in other locations.  So in today's episode Khalil really gives Casablanca its due, and you'll come away with a better understanding  and appreciation for the city. It was truly a joy meeting up with Khalil in person, at last, and we're so happy to be able to share his insight with you. In fact, Khalil had just returned from the Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, so was quite busy at the time with family and people visiting. But he took the time to meet with us, for which we were very appreciative.  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.

Today's episode of Destination Morocco ponders the question of "What makes Morocco appealing?" What attracts people to Morocco, and what are their perceptions of the country before going there?Naturally there are always stereotypes and assumptions that build up over time, and as Azdean points out in this episode, Europeans are inevitably more familiar with Morocco than North Americans due to their proximity, and the ease of getting there, perhaps even for a quick long weekend.But for many travellers, Morocco is a bucket list destination that they may only reach once in their lifetime. Their view of the country is likely formed by movies, media and events, from the positive: soccer success and hit movies, to the negative: a powerful earthquake and rumors of scams and rip-offs. Our podcast is here to tell you about the real Morocco and break down those stereotypes, and indeed many listeners have taken that information and made clear, confident requests for particular sights and activities that they want added to their itinerary when they book a tour.We get in a bubble though sometimes, and this episode is a chance to take a step back and try to understand perceptions of Morocco, where does myth meet reality, and who are the travellers to Morocco. From newlywed couples to empty nesters, adventure seekers and cultural pilgrims, there's a good chance you'll see yourself identified in this episode. 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.