We recommend watching the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: Where you can find genuine Argan oil, from an ethical source (YouTube) ---- Discover the versatile and distinctly Moroccan product of Argan Oil in today's conversation, recorded live at the Zin Cooperative, just outside of Essaouira. Argan oil can be pressed into both edible or cosmetic use, and our guest Chiadma explains the different methods of production, and how they know which is which. Dis...
Jul 01, 2025•18 min•Ep. 88
We recommend watching the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: The Magic of Meknes! Morocco's Imperial Secret (YouTube) Today we feature the imperial city of Meknes, which has a prominent place in Morocco's history and culture, particularly as it relates to the Alaouite Dynasty, who continue to reign as the ruling family of Morocco today. This episode originally appeared as part of our initial split tour episode: Ep, 71, Oct 15, 2024 - "From Capitals to Aft...
Jun 15, 2025•31 min•Ep. 87
We recommend watching the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: " Create the Tour YOU Want in Morocco " When you're the type of traveller, particularly to Morocco, who would like to get past the overwhelm and uncertainties of crafting your own trip around the country and take a guided tour instead, it's easy to then get bombarded by the various discount trips, package deals without a lot of detail, rushed itineraries and tightly controlled schedules. There a...
Jun 01, 2025•41 min•Ep. 86
We recommend watching the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: "Why Chefchaouen is a Unique Gem Within Morocco" Azdean sits down on-location with local guide Hamid to learn about the history of Chefchaouen, the famous blue city of northern Morocco. This small town roughly 4 hours north of Fes, or 2 hours south of Tangier, has been attracting tourists for decades and, in the age of Instagram, gets more popular every year. As Hamid and Azdean emphasize, Chefc...
May 15, 2025•38 min•Ep. 85
You can also watch this episode on video, where you'll see some of John's fabulous photos! You can find it on our YouTube channel here: A Morocco Travel Itinerary That's Made for Photographers! ---- Photographer and dedicated world traveller John Hernandez joins Azdean today to share his inspiring travel experience to Morocco, with an emphasis on photography. John recently travelled from Tangier, down through Chefchaouen, Fes (visiting Volubilis on the way), then Marrakech, the High Atlas Mounta...
May 01, 2025•59 min•Ep. 84
We recommend watching this episode on video, on our YouTube channel. You can find it here: Shopping in the Souks of Marrakech: An Insider's Tour! ---- If you want to see what it's like visiting the souk, going into a real artisan shop: the sales pitch, the bartering, the valuable information and explanations, the language barriers and yet finding common ground and understanding - this will be an eye-opening episode. Azdean tours the souk of Marrakech, and visits two artisan craft workshops. Our ...
Apr 15, 2025•28 min•Ep. 83
This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: "From Texas to Marrakech: American Impressions of Morocco" ---- One evening in Marrakech, at the conclusion of their tour, Azdean sat down with three of Destination Morocco's tour guests from Texas: Eric, Allison and her brother Matt, to chat about their tour experience, and their impressions and reflections upon visiting Morocco. If you're wondering what it's really like to experience Morocco for the firs...
Apr 01, 2025•18 min•Ep. 82
This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: " What Travel in Morocco Was Like in 1989 " ---- World traveller Cathy Nesbitt joins Azdean on today's episode with a special story of visiting Morocco way back in 1989. Cathy and her future husband arrived off the boat in Ceuta, thinking they were already in Morocco, but a crash course in geopolitics and navigation quickly got them to the actual border within a few minutes. From there, they found themselv...
Mar 15, 2025•32 min•Ep. 81
This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: How do Moroccans Celebrate Ramadan? ---- Ramadan in 2025 starts on the evening of Friday, February 28th and goes until Saturday, March 29th, followed by the feast of Eid al-Fitr, or the ‘Feast of Fast-Breaking.' Despite its perhaps solemn reputation, Ramadan is a joyful time for Muslims around the world, Morocco being no exception. As Azdean, Hiba and Sam explain in today's episode, the food is unique and ...
Mar 01, 2025•30 min•Ep. 80
We recommend watching the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: "Buy a Moroccan Rug and Support the Work of Local Women" Today's episode features the Akhnif Lglaoui Carpet Co-Operative, located just south of Aït Benhaddou and Ouarzazate, about 150 miles south of Marrakech. Akhnif Lglaoui Carpet Co-Op Learn about rugmaking in an informative, curious, no-pressure environment that supports the work of the local women who work so hard to make these amazing yet f...
Feb 15, 2025•29 min•Ep. 79
We recommend watching the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: "Exploring Hiking & Berber Culture in Telouet, the High Atlas mountains of Morocco" Combine outstanding hiking and trekking with authentic Amazigh (Berber) cultural experiences by visiting the town of Telouet, in the heart of the stunning High Atlas Mountains. Our episode today features a conversation between Azdean and local guide & historian Ali el-Haddadi, who leads trekking tours and...
Feb 01, 2025•34 min•Ep. 78
This episode also has a video version on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: " Travel to Morocco in 2025: Travel Highlights to Help Your Planning " Or stay here for the audio version - your choice! --- Morocco had a banner year in 2024, with tourist numbers reaching over 17 million, a number predicted for 2026 and yet reached two years ahead of time. With new air routes getting underway, both international and domestic, and new hotels and luxury brands setting up in the country, Morocco i...
Jan 15, 2025•38 min•Ep. 77
Palm trees and snow? T-shirts in the afternoon, winter coats in the evening? This is Morocco in winter, and it's a fun time to explore! As we head into 2025, if you are thinking of putting together a quick winter trip to Morocco, especially for those of our listeners in Europe, this replay episode gives you some useful info on what to expect and how to prepare. January, February and March are excellent times to visit Morocco: the crowds are less, the temperature is comfortable and not scorching,...
Jan 01, 2025•23 min•Ep. 76
Come with us and discover some of Morocco's amazing local food, direct from the source in this dynamic live-recorded walking tour of the food stalls in Marrakech. Azdean is joined by local food guide Ahmed, who takes us through the sweet and the savory, from dishes that are common across the country to those only found, or perfected, in Marrakech specifically. We start with the olives. Olives have a long and deep history in Morocco, not just as a delicacy, but with strong cultural and religious ...
Dec 15, 2024•36 min•Ep. 75
We continue our series on the history of the Amazigh (Berber) people, with part four of the conversation between Azdean, co-host Sam and our researcher, Hiba. In this episode, we delve into the Amazigh language, its importance to cultural identity, and the role of the Amazigh flag. Azdean, Hiba and Sam discuss the Tifinagh script, its ancient origins, and the preservation of the Amazigh language despite historical invasions. Amazigh is an oral language, which helped it survive centuries of discr...
Dec 01, 2024•25 min•Ep. 74
Riads are a wonderful way to experience Morocco, and we highly recommend you include them in your itinerary as much as possible. This episode is a replay of a popular episode devoted to riads, and talks about what exactly are riads, their history and development, how they have evolved as options for travellers, what to expect in terms of service and amenities, and so much more. Shortcut your research and get your notebook ready: this episode will have you dreaming of exotic Moroccan nights! --- ...
Nov 15, 2024•27 min•Ep. 73
This episode also has a video version on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: " Travel Agents' Special! How to talk about Morocco to your clients " Or stay here for the audio version - your choice! --- We take a behind-the-scenes look in today's episode of Destination Morocco podcast, with a different theme and focus than our usual series. Azdean and producer Ted explore the psychology and mindset of how to talk about and sell Morocco, how to answer questions and generate enthusiasm. This ...
Nov 01, 2024•35 min•Ep. 72
Today we visit the imperial city of Meknes, which has a prominent place in Morocco's history and culture, particularly as it relates to the Alaouite Dynasty, who continue to reign as the ruling family of Morocco today. In the mid-17th Century, sultan Moulay Isma'il chose Meknes as his capital. Over the next 50 years, he rebuilt the city on a monumental scale, fitting of a new, imperial city. The end of Moulay Isma'il's reign however, in 1727, led to a competition for power, and eventually Meknes...
Oct 15, 2024•43 min•Ep. 71
We return to our series on the history of the Amazigh (Berber) people, with part three of the conversation between Azdean, co-host Sam and our researcher, Hiba. Our first two episodes covered an overview of Amazigh culture and history (" The Amazigh Chronicles" - The Berber History of Morocco, Part 1 ), followed by an in-depth look at the various tribes, which stretch across not just Morocco but all of northern Africa ( " The Amazigh Chronicles" - The Rich Tapestry of Amazigh Tribes: History, La...
Oct 01, 2024•42 min•Ep. 70
This episode also has a video version on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: " What Are Some of Morocco's Unique Cultural Experiences? " Or stay here for the audio version - your choice! --- Morocco offers many unique cultural experiences and attractions, including many you might be aware of, but with their own distinct Moroccan twist. This podcast episode explains particular Moroccan cultural activities, to help you understand what they are, how they work, where you can find them and how...
Sep 15, 2024•45 min•Ep. 69
This is a replay of the Live Q&A recording of Friday, September 6, "Discover Morocco's Amazing Selection of Luxury Accommodation." Watch the full episode on our YouTube channel for even more details and tourist ideas, and particularly for the visuals that accompany our conversation. Maps, photos and more await you there! " Discover Morocco's Amazing Selection of Luxury Accommodation " (YouTube) -- Morocco is a country that can hold its own when it comes to luxury accommodation. Stunning five...
Sep 08, 2024•59 min
Today we have a two-part episode with some excerpts of audio recordings on location from Azdean and Sam's tour around Morocco in 2023. It continues the theme from our previous episode (#67) , where we were in Chefchaouen on the same trip. Today, we are still in northern Morocco. We start off 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. You'...
Sep 01, 2024•31 min•Ep. 68
Azdean sits down on location with local guide Hamid to learn about the history of Chefchaouen, the famous blue city of northern Morocco. This small town roughly 4 hours north of Fes, or 2 hours south of Tangier, has been attracting tourists for decades and, in the age of Instagram, gets more popular every year. As Hamid and Azdean emphasize, Chefchaouen is not just about the stunning colours, but the beautiful architecture, historic Medina and kasbah, and its natural setting in the Rif mountains...
Aug 15, 2024•38 min•Ep. 67
This episode also has a video version on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: Just how easy is it to travel to, and around, Morocco? or stay here for the audio version - your choice! -- In today's episode of Destination Morocco podcast, Azdean and Sam respond to a common question they receive: Just how easy is it to travel to Morocco? This is then a starting point for a detailed discussion on some useful, practical logistics when it comes to travel to, and around, their beautiful country. ...
Aug 01, 2024•27 min•Ep. 66
This episode also has a video version on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: How Discount Tours in Morocco End Up Costing You 3X More (Or Worse) , or stay here for the audio version - your choice! -- Our good friend Siham (Ep. 24) returns to continue the discussion with Azdean and Sam from Ep. 62 (May 15, 2024) about dangerous scams and unseemly tourism practices in Morocco. This time, the topic is discount "tour operators," the type you see in the Jemma el-Fnaa square in Marrakech (or se...
Jul 15, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 65
This is a replay of the Live Q&A recording of Friday, July 5, "Movies Filmed in Morocco (And How to Visit the Locations)." Watch the full episode on our YouTube channel for even more details and tourist ideas, and particularly for the visuals that accompany our conversation. Maps, photos and more await you there! Movies Filmed in Morocco (And How to Visit the Locations) (YouTube) -- Morocco is one of the most popular locations in the world for filming movies, and Hollywood is a regular visit...
Jul 06, 2024•1 hr 18 min
In today's episode of Destination Morocco podcast, Azdean and Sam discuss common misconceptions about traveling to Morocco. They debunk myths related to the dress code, safety, LGBTQ+ community, and whether there's more to see in Morocco than just Marrakech (!). They also address the availability of Western amenities, the use of credit cards, and the fact that Morocco offers far more than just deserts. If you're a surfing fan, discover some amazing beaches you probably haven't heard of yet! Our ...
Jul 01, 2024•36 min•Ep. 64
This is an excerpt of the Live Q&A recording of Friday, June 7, "Shopping in Morocco: What to Buy and How to Buy It." Watch the full episode on our YouTube channel for even more details and tourist ideas, and particularly for the visuals that accompany our conversation. Maps, photos and more await you there! Shopping in Morocco: What to Buy and How to Buy It (YouTube) -- This replay collects many of your questions over the past few weeks, asking about how to shop in Morocco, which is a much ...
Jun 12, 2024•51 min
Dan & Cierra McPherson travelled to Morocco with Destination Morocco and discovered far more than a generic tour experience. From secret stops to amazing cubbyhole restaurants, they received an authentic, unique exposure to Morocco’s people and culture. Cierra & Dan 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...
Jun 01, 2024•53 min•Ep. 63
We've talked about scams in Morocco a few times on the podcast, from one of our early episodes ( Scams! How to Understand and Avoid Them ) to one of our recent Live Q&A sessions, ( Latest Scams: Staying Safe While Traveling in Morocco ). It's a topic we often circle back to, because we want to make sure that all tourists, whether they travel with Destination Morocco or on their own, are staying safe and confident while visiting Morocco. Some scams though are far more involved and intricate t...
May 15, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 62
