65 episodes

Destination Morocco Travel Agency offers customized tours to Morocco, including private tours and small group tours, complete with private guides and drivers. The goal is to help you enjoy Morocco like a native, while providing personal service and customized itineraries at an affordable price.On our podcast, join Destination Morocco's Azdean Elmoustaquim as he takes you on an exploration of his country's distinct culture, vibrant history and stunning attractions. Azdean prepares you for the real Morocco, with suggestions of places to see, exciting activities and attractions, what to expect and how to make the most of your time. We meet locals and guides, fellow travellers, learn about costs and prices, safety, especially for female travellers, the kinds of scams to look out for in the bazaars, useful phrases in local languages, and so much more. Our podcast unpacks the mystery, opening up discovery of an amazing land.  We invite you along for the journey.

Destination Morocco Podcast Azdean Elmoustaquim

    • Society & Culture
    • 5.0 • 18 Ratings

Destination Morocco Travel Agency offers customized tours to Morocco, including private tours and small group tours, complete with private guides and drivers. The goal is to help you enjoy Morocco like a native, while providing personal service and customized itineraries at an affordable price.On our podcast, join Destination Morocco's Azdean Elmoustaquim as he takes you on an exploration of his country's distinct culture, vibrant history and stunning attractions. Azdean prepares you for the real Morocco, with suggestions of places to see, exciting activities and attractions, what to expect and how to make the most of your time. We meet locals and guides, fellow travellers, learn about costs and prices, safety, especially for female travellers, the kinds of scams to look out for in the bazaars, useful phrases in local languages, and so much more. Our podcast unpacks the mystery, opening up discovery of an amazing land.  We invite you along for the journey.

    Fes Walking Tour Part 1: The Royal Palace, Jewish Quarter and the Tannery

    Fes Walking Tour Part 1: The Royal Palace, Jewish Quarter and the Tannery

    Experience the sounds and ambience of Fes in this live walking tour of the medina, during Azdean's tour in 2023. Accompanied by expert guide Moulay Hafid Alami, we start in Fes el Jdid, the 14th century quarter, learning about the Royal Palace of Fes and its seven golden doors (only created in the 1960's), and the importance of the neighboring Jewish Quarter, or Mellah, the first in Morocco. We pause to take in the quiet tranquility of the Jewish Cemetery, as Hafid tells us about the special bond between Muslims and Jews in Morocco, in Fes in particular.

    From there, we head over to the Burj Sud, or "southern fortress," an army installation on top of a hill that looks out over the old city. A quick drive to the top of the hill allows us to wander around the perimeter, where Hafid explains the layout of the city and the differences between its three sections: Fes el Bali, Fes el Jdid and the Ville Nouvelle.

    How many streets are in the old medina? How do people find their way around, and what happens when someone gets lost, especially a child? Hafid will tell you first hand from his own experience!

    Part One of our tour concludes with the famous Chouara Tannery, where visitors can look down on the many colored vats containing various dyes and natural chemicals. We meet another guide from the tannery and shop, Mr. Mushor, who tells us how the tanning process works. Yes, there is a special ingredient and yes, it is not particularly pleasant but Mushor explains why it makes such a difference to the finished product, and why the process remains in its original form, dating back hundreds of years. Everything is done by hand, and from this tannery leatherworks are shipped out around the world.

    You've heard us talk about the magic and charm of Fes in our episodes this past month, now you can close your eyes and be whisked away yourself. And all of our episodes have transcripts, which can help to make sense of some of the accents and place names. Apple users with the latest update should see the transcript on their phones. Or, you can visit the episode page below to follow along with the .pdf file.

    Fes Walking Tour Part 1: The Royal Palace, Jewish Quarter and the Tannery

    The tour continues in our next episode, as we visit the craftsmen of Fes, making pottery and ceramics, rugs, woodwork and more.

    We hope you enjoy this immersive audio experience!

    Music credits:
    Mike Franklyn / Scorpion Dance / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

    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.

    Download the stunning Destination Morocco magazine!

    Follow the podcast and help us grow.

    Join us for our monthly Q&A's! Live on Destination Morocco's YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn pages, the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 9am Pacific/12noon Eastern/6pm Central European time.

    • 37 min
    Exploring the Magical City of Fez. Live Q&A

    Exploring the Magical City of Fez. Live Q&A

    This is an excerpt of the Live Q&A recording of Wednesday, March 13, exploring the vibrant city of Fez.

    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!

    Exploring the Magical City of Fez, video replay
    Azdean, Sam and Ted expand on our recent episode on Fez (which goes over a sample four-day itinerary) and reminisce on their own experiences and memories there, while answering your questions about what to see and do in the city, a bit of history and context, and practical logistics like accommodation and transport.

    Fez is a remarkable place to visit, wandering the maze of the Medina, popping into shops, admiring the mosques and madrasas, learning about the tanning process while overlooking the dye vats: and all of this within the old city alone!

    Branching further out, there are beautiful lookout stops, pottery and ceramic studios, or the modern contrast of the New City, which instantly brings you forward to the present-day.

    Fez has prominent Jewish heritage, and it is easy to visit the historic Mellah, synagogue and Jewish cemetary, located alongside the royal palace, with its brilliant gold doors.

    We talk about all this and much more in our live Q&A session, and it will get you more excited than ever to see this fabulous city for yourself.

    The best way to follow this episode is by watching it on our YouTube channel, where you can follow along with the maps and images.

    But if you're listening in your car, on the bus, cooking, going for a walk etc.,  this audio excerpt of our live recording is a great place to begin.

    You can always send us questions and ideas for episode and live Q&A topics, and join us and interact live on our monthly sessions, the 2nd Wednesday of each month.

    ---
    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.

    Download the stunning Destination Morocco magazine!

    Follow the podcast and help us grow.

    Join us for our monthly Q&A's! Live on Destination Morocco's YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn pages, the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 9am Pacific/12noon Eastern/6pm Central European time.

    • 33 min
    Top Things to Do and See in Fez!

    Top Things to Do and See in Fez!

    We have dabbled in Fès since the start of the Destination Morocco podcast, as it has made an appearance in episodes such as our tour overview of Morocco, our discovery of famous Moroccan food, or in particular from our guests' stories, such as with Chantal and her family, who spent some memorable days in and around the city:
    Episode 4: A Guided Tour Around MoroccoEpisode 14: Dig Into Genuine Moroccan Dishes in FèsEpisode 22: Comfortable and Safe Family Travel in MoroccoNow, we enter into our first dedicated series of episodes on this fabulous city, starting with a general overview of the main sights to see, and a sample itinerary for a typical four-day visit.
    Crucial to planning your trip to Fès is knowing how much time you should spend there, as it is not like any other destination in Morocco. The medina's maze of labyrinthine streets and alleys alone could keep you occupied for a week or more, simply by checking out different corners, craft studios, shops, tanneries, cafés and restaurants. 

    And that's without seeing some of the city's other highlights including the great observation points that look out over the valley, the pottery and ceramics studios that are further to the edge, the Fes Jdid (or "New Fez," which expands beyond the old medina and in fact dates from 1276), or of course the New City (la Nouvelle Cité), which offers a modern, dynamic contrast to the ancient streets.

    Hiba serves as our guest host for today's episode, with Azdean and Sam as the guests, primarily because they reflect on their own trip to Fès in 2023 as tourists themselves. Although they have visited often, Fez far enough from their home base in Marrakech to be a special trip and experience, even for them. They can thus draw from the itinerary they followed last year where, like many of Destination Morocco's guests, four days was the allotted time.

    In four days, one can start with a visit to the iconic Bab Bujlud gate and a guided tour of the Medina. Other highlights include the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque, Madrasa Bu 'an Aniyah, and the famous, colorful Chouara tannery. That still leaves time for activities, including taking a cooking class, trying a distinct Fes hammam, visiting the Dar Batha Museum, or relaxing in Jnan Sbil Gardens. 


    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.

    Download the stunning Destination Morocco magazine!

    Follow the podcast and help us grow.

    Join us for our monthly Q&A's! Live on Destination Morocco's YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn pages, the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 9am Pacific/12noon Eastern/6pm Central European time.

    • 27 min
    Understanding Ramadan in Moroccan Culture

    Understanding Ramadan in Moroccan Culture

    You can also watch this video episode on our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/FhPkzzzYjns

    Ramadan in 2024 starts on the evening of Sunday, March 10th and goes until Tuesday, April 9th, 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 better, families and community frequently come together, and it is a time for celebration and collective spirit, where sacrifice and diligence go hand in hand with helping others and giving back.

    The question though is often raised by non-Muslim travellers, "Can I travel to Morocco during Ramadan? Is it worth it, is it a good idea?"

    Our episode today is to counter that view and establish that, although routines and schedules are undeniably different during Ramadan, it is still very much possible to travel to and around Morocco during the holy month, and in fact it is quite a special experience. 

    Hiba, Sam and Azdean discuss the spiritual meaning and practices of Ramadan for Moroccan Muslims, which includes fasting, Zakat (charitable giving), communal traditions such as Iftar (breaking of the fast), and increased recitation of the Quran. Because if you are in Morocco during Ramadan, you'll want to understand what the traditions are, why they're important, and what to look for, to give you a better appreciation for what's happening around you. 

    Then there is some practical travel advice for tourists, including suggested itineraries, cultural etiquette, and meal planning, which is key. Fundamentally, everything remains open in Morocco during Ramadan, from restaurants to shops to riads. The defining difference is the availability of food. 

    It is easier to find western-catering restaurants in the big cities, but since travel around Morocco involves a lot of driving through the rural countryside, restaurants are fewer anyway and during Ramadan they may be closed during the day. You can plan ahead with snacks and packed lunches, and your tour guide, driver and riad hosts will all help you stay prepared.

    Traveling to Morocco during Ramadan is a unique and immersive cultural experience. As Azdean points out, you only have the chance one month out of the entire year, so if you have the opportunity, make the most of it and enjoy this special time!

    Music credits: 
    Min Wahi El-Lami / Ali Sabah / courtesy of www.epidemicsound


    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.

    Download the stunning Destination Morocco magazine!

    Follow the podcast and help us grow.

    Join us for our monthly Q&A's! Live on Destination Morocco's YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn pages, the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 9am Pacific/12noon Eastern/6pm Central European time.

    • 27 min
    Live Gnaoua Music: Discover Morocco's Powerful Musical Heritage

    Live Gnaoua Music: Discover Morocco's Powerful Musical Heritage

    We conclude our cultural tour of Morocco with a performance of Gnaoua (also spelled Gnawa) music, recorded live on location at a Merzouga desert camp and at a Marrakech restaurant.

    In between performances, Azdean sits down with Mohamed, a musician and member of the Gnaoua performers in Qser el Khamliya, a small village just south of Merzouga. Mohamed started playing when he was eight years old, and gives us some background on the roots of Gnawa music, created by slaves and nomads from Sub-Saharan countries. The music was meant to express the suffering of slaves and their longing for freedom, and evolved into a deep religious expression of the Muslim faith.

    The contemporary Gnawa festivals in Essaouira and Merzouga stem from the agricultural rhythm of generations of harvests, the point where abundance and peace could be celebrated. Modern-day events typically coincide with Eid al-Adha celebrations that are timed with cycles of the moon, and take place roughly 11 days earlier in each subsequent year.

    However, Gnaoua music and live performances are easy to find year-round in Morocco, particularly in the south. Our samples in this episode of both desert camps and urban restaurants are good examples of this. Your guide or riad owner will help you find the best locations to witness Gnaoua in person, don't hesitate to ask!

    Khemliya, Merzouga

    Ending Gnawa music recorded live at Safran Marrakech restaurant.


    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.

    Download the stunning Destination Morocco magazine!

    Follow the podcast and help us grow.

    Join us for our monthly Q&A's! Live on Destination Morocco's YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn pages, the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 9am Pacific/12noon Eastern/6pm Central European time.

    • 26 min
    Language Phrases for Travellers in Morocco. Live Q&A

    Language Phrases for Travellers in Morocco. Live Q&A

    This episode is the audio replay of part our Destination Morocco live Q&A session, on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024.

    You can find the full video version here on our YouTube channel.

    Our live Q&A session this month focused on identifying useful phrases in Moroccan languages that travellers can use while in the country. As a very multilingual country, this means doing so in more than one language, which as we explore today essentially means Darija (Moroccan Arabic), Berber (or Tamazight, the original indigenous language), and French, which is still in very common use and may be at least a bit more familiar to many travellers.

    The best way to follow this episode is by watching it on our YouTube channel, where you will see the visuals as we spell each word or phrase in Darija, French and Berber.

    However, interspersed with our language lesson, and particularly in the first 20 minutes, is some background and contextual information on languages in Morocco, where you'll hear each one, and in what situation.

    We have a fun conversation on language identity, and talk about examples when Azdean, Sam and Hiba had to figure out themselves which language to use, and how their accents were interpreted. It turns out that the dialects alone amongst Berber speakers can be quite distinct!

    It's not just travellers but locals as well who navigate this linguistic landscape. But in a place where exposure to multiple languages on a daily basis is a common occurrence, there is far less awkwardness or embarrassment as a result.

    So if you're listening in your car, on the bus, cooking, going for a walk etc., check out this audio excerpt of our live recording for the fascinating background info on languages.

    Then, you can jump over to the YouTube channel and at the 20 minute mark, you'll see our language lesson begin!


    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.

    Download the stunning Destination Morocco magazine!

    Follow the podcast and help us grow.

    Join us for our monthly Q&A's! Live on Destination Morocco's YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn pages, the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 9am Pacific/12noon Eastern/6pm Central European time.

    • 23 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
18 Ratings

18 Ratings

Madsss ,

Great for travelers and dreamers

This podcast is perfect for those with an upcoming trip to Morocco or just those who love to travel and are dreaming of a trip! I leave for Morocco in a few months and this podcast helped me make some decisions on what I wanted to do while there and help alleviate some of my concerns as a solo female traveler :) can’t wait to keep listening!

T Danzig ,

Great for trip planning!!!

Love this podcast!! I have been listening to this podcast all week and it’s SO Helpful while planning my trip! Thank you!!

Brian from Akron ,

Love this podcast!

So excited to learn about this podcast! Keep it up Azdean!

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