How to Avoid the Generic, Cookie-Cutter Tours of Morocco

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: [00:00:00] Welcome back to another amazing episode of Destination Morocco podcast. In this episode, we have the one and only Ted, welcome back to the show.

So it's always a pleasure to have you. 

TED CRAGG: We haven't done this in a little while.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Oh, I know. It's, it's almost six months. So last time we

talked, we talked about the trends and expectations for travel to Morocco.

So almost six months now.

Um, and the trend, this is, this has been the best year and busiest year, uh, so far ever, uh, for Morocco travel.

It's, it is super busy. Um, the numbers are incredible. And because of those events that we talked about, we talked about some mice events, corporate events,

international events, soccer events, especially soccer events.

This year,

TED CRAGG:  Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: um, the, the Moroccan women under 17, uh, indoor Day won the World Cup.

TED CRAGG: Oh yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: are hosting the World Cup. Under 17 again, and we're hosting the Arab Cup, the [00:01:00] African Cup.

TED CRAGG: Mm-hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: can just imagine how, how crazy busy it is. And it's, uh, we always recommend, you know, if you're booking your tour, do it ahead of time, you

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: months.

Sometimes it's not enough time, uh, because of the high demand. So, and also keep in mind if, if you're traveling in December, especially the last two weeks,

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: probably right now is, is about. You know, time to book because it's gonna be really, really busy with the holidays and the Christmas in a year.

TED CRAGG: Yep.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: um, in these episodes, uh, we talk a little bit about those, uh, updates then we'll talk about, you know, Destination Morocco Magazine, that it's gonna be coming out,

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: in few weeks. and then is Destinations Morocco tools for, or

TED CRAGG: Mm-hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Morocco for? 

TED CRAGG: I, I saw something in the news. It might have been CNN last week. Uh, have you heard about this massive football stadium, soccer stadium? They're building outside of Casablanca for the [00:02:00] world, like the men's World Cup, I guess. But they'll host other tournaments. But it's this, it's like a whole city they're building or something.

Have you heard much about it?

Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: you talk about the World Cup, which is gonna be a joint venture between Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, that's gonna be happening in 2023. 

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: it, another major soccer event, which is 2029 also. And then now, which is happening right now, 2025. So. Everything is really, really being built up to the World Cup in 2023. So there are new stadiums that are built everywhere, and Casablanca, as we all know, it's the biggest city in Morocco. Uh, it's the the economy hub of Morocco. So when they do something, they do it really, really big.

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: it's just, it's gonna be phenomenon, it's gonna be incredible. So.

TED CRAGG: Yeah, like they're pitching, they'll, they'll try to get like the final match there. I think I saw it's gonna be the biggest football stadium in the world.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Absolutely.

TED CRAGG: Like

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: is massive.

TED CRAGG: Yeah, and I saw something else the other day too on one of [00:03:00] the travel websites. Um, we always hear about the big cities in Casablanca, Marrakech and Fes and so on, but this is something different and I didn't know much about it.

It's a city, I guess. A city or even a town is called Taroudant.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Taroudant. Yes.

TED CRAGG: And do you know much about that? They call it the little Marrakesh.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: it is, it's very similar to Marrakesh. It's, it's so funny because when you look at the downtown and, and, and the souks, it's, it's like a copy paste of Marrakesh.

TED CRAGG: Oh yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: and the funny thing, you mentioned it because when we talk about Marrakech, Marrakech is known for certain things, like, like the Akia, but the Akia really originated from Taroudant versus Marrakech.

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: they just put their own twist. Uh, into it. So, but, you know, it's, it's a, it's, it's a beautiful, beautiful city.

TED CRAGG: Hmm. Yeah, it's not all sure here where people watching, they can see where it is. Um. Taroudant. Uh, there we go. Zooming in. So that is not on the coast, it's inland. It's kind of in the [00:04:00] mountains, I guess the foothills of the mountains. Marrakesh is up here and it's kind of southwest of Marrakesh, but over the mountains, and then it's due west from there to the coast at Agadir.

So do you think that's the kind of place that will be added more to the tourist itineraries or that's easy to add, especially for you guys?

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: that's a really good question. You know, I, I just wanna give a little bit of history, a little bit of

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: different way of looking at things, so I.

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: If, if we talk about itineraries and we talk about the US market, Canada market, they're almost similar.

TED CRAGG: Mm-hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: a lot of people, what they're familiar with is what we create, um,

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: this is one of our really biggest concern because all the itineraries that, all the tour operators in the US that create, it's, they represent 10% of really what you can see in Morocco. So what I'm saying is a lot of people, they're not familiar with the city. They're not gonna go and visit it. Perfect example is Iten du.

TED CRAGG: Oh yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: If, let's say, I've, I've [00:05:00] said this many times, there are really more important sites than Iten du in my opinion. Respectfully, they're, they're worth visiting so many of them, but because of Hollywood and because of the movies that they're made in, in bin had do everything else, you know, that. People don't have the time to go and visit. They're not interested in, so Taroudant is one of those cities? 

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: itineraries, but you can include ent, you can include, um, know, aga you can include, you know, the, the west side of Morocco is 

TED CRAGG: Mm-hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Is, is still untapped.

TED CRAGG: Yeah, it seems that way.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yeah, because you know, you, you ask somebody about Morocco, oh yeah, I've been, then you ask 'em, where have you been? They'll say, well, I've been to Marrakech . I loved it. Fes is amazing. But they're not gonna mention anything on the West coast, on the west side 

TED CRAGG: Hmm. 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: So those are really more known to us, the locals. Than, than the West, if you will. When I talk about the West, I [00:06:00] specifically talk about the US market and the Canadian market. Now, when we talk about Europe, Europeans are very different Europeans. They, they, they, and I'm not exaggerating, they probably know Morocco better than I do. They've traveled Morocco better than I do, and I'm

TED CRAGG: It is so easy. Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yeah. So, you know, and in the West, again, because what the media shows, because what the big tour operators show and sell,

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: for them. Because they're well-known cities versus, oh, I'm gonna go to something that is unknown, that I'm gonna have to spend some money, you know, advertising, making it know, making people familiar with it, get used to it and so forth.

So it's just almost not worth it for them. But those places are absolutely worth visit. And we do have itineraries that include those. That part of. Morocco, you're talking about terra dance, you're talking about, you know, aga and aga. It's, it's a coastal city. You can, you can do a, a tour that connects, you know, you from Essaouira to agadir and in the middle, uh, stay in, you know, it's a, it's a small coastal area, well known [00:07:00] for surfing and, and stuff like that.

So there's so many things. Unfortunately, you know, we sell, uh, what the customers want, what the clients

TED CRAGG: yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: that's what we do. But if, if somebody said, Hey. Just give something open to me, then we can create something really, really, really magical. So,

TED CRAGG: yeah. I say, I mean, big part of the, the beauty of you guys, you have that kind of flexibility. You're not locked into these rigid itineraries and suppliers and set, uh, time periods. You can add things someone wants to add. It would take, I mean, an extra two or three days I'm sure to, to really get out to tower down to Arga deer and that say back to Marrakesh, but.

They have the time. You can do it. You can easily add that on.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: You're absolutely right, Ted.

TED CRAGG: Yeah. This would be a fun drive then from like Essaouira,

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: It really, really is.

TED CRAGG: down the coast. Wow.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: then you go. Yes.

TED CRAGG: Look at that. Right around the coast.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: it's, it's that side of Morocco is, is beyond beautiful and

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: and it's, you know, in a way kind of sad because it's still unknown [00:08:00] to the

TED CRAGG: I suppose

I. But you know, you, this is one of those moments, I think, where it's like get, get there while, uh, before it takes off.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yes,

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: The Europeans, they're very familiar with it, you know, aggregate. It's, it's a hotspot, especially in the summertime. It's, it's, it's super, super popular amongst them, the,

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: locals as well. So when, you know, especially when I talk, I, I specifically speak about the American market. I'm, I'm not saying that none of them go, but

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: very few.

So, um,

TED CRAGG: the time. And if it's your first time, maybe your only time in Morocco, you know, you're gonna see it as Marrakesh and the big sites. And it really does take either prioritizing, doing something off the tourist path, something different, or having the time, having that extra few days to go to an extra spot.

Yeah.

yeah. But the point is that you guys can do it. Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: absolutely. Absolutely. Ted.

TED CRAGG: Do you get like in a, in any of these towns then Taroudant, good example. Do you still find the riads and the usual kind of places?

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: you can, you can still, it's, it's very touristic. It's[00:09:00]

TED CRAGG: Okay.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: of resources. Natural resources den is beautiful. It's, uh, you

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: it's gorgeous. All that side, you know, Taroudant is near agadir, all that side. It's, uh, it's uh, you know, beautiful, beautiful era of Morocco. Yes.

TED CRAGG: Well, let's take a look at your magazine. So I will say apologies to those who are listening. Um, as you've, I've talked about this many times that, uh, I'm a big fan of audio podcasts and podcasts. Yes, should be something you can listen to while you're in the car, et cetera. But every once in a while we have episodes where there's just beautiful pictures and, uh, we're recording this.

Of course, we publish on video on YouTube, so. If you do have the chance to watch this episode or these parts of it here where we're talking about the magazine, you'll get some beautiful pictures and uh, and you'll get pretty inspired to see some of these places. So tell us a bit about your magazine and who it's for and what the plan is with that, and then we'll take a look at some of it.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Thank you. Thank you, Ted. The magazine, we, uh, we are still working on it. Uh, [00:10:00] there's, there's me and, and the creative team.

TED CRAGG: Mm-hmm. Yeah. This is kind of a sneak preview. Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: This is, this is really, really good presentation of, of this is the tour that we took back the summer of 2023. Again, uh, we were in Morocco. Uh, I was there for 50 days. 40 days of those 50 hours on the road.

TED CRAGG: Mm-hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: you can just imagine the areas, the places, the ground that we have covered. It was an amazing, amazing experience and we wanted to share it with everyone. that's what the

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: is for. And also it's, you know, we'll have it on the website so people can download it and take a look at it. It'll help them, you know, with their research, know, traveling to Morocco need help with us, booking their tour.

They can do that as well. So in this magazine we talk about, you know. major series that we, you know, Marrakech first, Casablanca, Rabat, and places to see and visit.

TED CRAGG: Mm-hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: bit of description, then the experiences, you know, um, ber [00:11:00] experience, experience, uh, the same thing that we have tons of videos for.

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: also we, we, we, we. We show the recommendations, you know, luxury, riyas, hotels, uh, different places that you can stay. Just examples. We can't really cover everything, but just examples. And then at the end of the, the magazine, we have itineraries for people to, you know, just to take a look at, you know, just

TED CRAGG: Mm-hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: them, um, you know, so, um, can do it themselves, but it's gonna be very difficult.

Or, you know, they can, they can, you know, just set up an appointment and, and we take care of everything for them.

TED CRAGG: Yeah, that's great.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yeah. Thank you.

TED CRAGG: Good. So yeah, let's take a little bit of, look at some great places to see and and activities and um, what you guys have got here.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yes. So many memories.

TED CRAGG: Yeah, that's great.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: this is it. Do everybody knows me, it, we just talked about it. So it is definitely a must stop, um, on your way to the desert if you have it on your itinerary. So, [00:12:00] um, and this is one of the, the, the women's co-op that we, uh, we, we were a host,

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Sarah was just incredible. You know, we sat down, we did an a podcast episode, and

TED CRAGG: Mm-hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: is, it is super clean.

It's. Amazing, amazing, uh, the way that they do their business and, you know, they help other, you know, women come into the co-op and, wave their carpets and sell them. Or some women that live kind of far from the, the, the village, they just do that. Job at their houses basically, and bring it to the co-op and sell it.

And,

TED CRAGG: Hmm

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: gets a portion. So

TED CRAGG: mm-hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: co-op is happy, they making a sale and, and the ladies, uh, they didn't getting paid. Uh, a lot of them, they're, you know, single moms or they, they're, they, you know, they're widows or they have kids to, you know, to support and families to support. So it's just, it's, it's an amazing, amazing cause. 

TED CRAGG: Yeah, that was a great episode. We did, uh, the published the video version of that back in February, so we're checking out.

Yeah.

there, they're nice.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: is the [00:13:00] entrance. You can see, you know, those women. Um, you know, it's just the amazing work that they do day in and day out. It's

TED CRAGG: Mm-hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: incredible.

TED CRAGG: Yeah. Here's some of Casablanca.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Casablanca. Oh my goodness. Yes, I remember. Um, we, we, we met with Khalil and Khalil I remember he came from the, the, the, the pilgrimage, the haj pilgrimage,

TED CRAGG: Right.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: which is, uh, you know, it's, he was super busy and he made the time.

To come and see

TED CRAGG: Oh yeah, that's right.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: and we were very grateful. And again, if you look at this picture, that's, that's Max, you know, with, with, uh, with Jamie, their,

TED CRAGG: Okay.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: to, to Casablanca mosque, uh,

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: ago. And you can see, uh, it's, the mosque is, is a must see. I mean, the inside is just, it looks beyond beautiful, beyond incredible.

So normally the visit will take about. Depending, probably an average of 45 minutes. But also, keep in mind when you go to the mosque, the outside, there's, there's no fees. You can just do the outside, which is still incredible.

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: tons of pictures if you can do, you know, [00:14:00] sunset probably is gonna be incredible.

TED CRAGG: Mm-hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: they have the, the museum, which was built after the mosque was completed, back in 1993. So in the museum as well. It's a, it's a total different experience. You can see, you know, the mosque, the pictures throughout its completion, it just. 

TED CRAGG: Yeah, I remember that. Yeah. That was neat.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yes.

TED CRAGG: Yeah. Here we're Chefchaouen.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yeah. Me and my, the team.

TED CRAGG: Yeah. Cool.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: just scrolling down in downtown, this is, and again, this is sh Sheen. It's one of the, the most popular spots

TED CRAGG: Mm-hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: downtown. And in the back you can see, the Rif Mountains and Chefchaouen, they call it Shaun, or Chef Shaun, because it's, it's, it's, uh. The translation is two horns. And if you look in the back drop of that picture, that's one of

TED CRAGG: Oh, okay. Right

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: in the second picture actually the

TED CRAGG: down, down here. Yeah.

I see.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: And then it's, you know, basically it's two horns and that's what the show means. So on the one on

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: this is, this was taken with, uh, [00:15:00] Dr. Stuart, uh, and his family when they came to visit. This is when they just.

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Morocco was just opened af right after the pandemic, and this is a very early in the morning, just so quiet picture.

Beautiful, beautiful, 

TED CRAGG: Hmm 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: sun. And it just, it's amazing.

TED CRAGG: mm-hmm.

Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: So.

TED CRAGG: Oh, now we're down the south here, the Dades Valley.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yeah. This is the south, and again, 

TED CRAGG: Wow.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: is then the north is super, super different. And this is where you can see the, you know, we don't talk much about it, but you can see the, the, the, you

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: uh, architecture, the, the way that they build their, their houses,

TED CRAGG: Mm-hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: do things.

This is the monkey spot and the, the, the bottom picture. 

TED CRAGG: Mm-hmm. 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: you know, the, the Coast coast.

TED CRAGG: Yeah, of course.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: I, I remember, this is really, really nice. I, I remember when we were served this, we had really, really good time. So a lot of, you know, really good memories that come back to,

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

You know, couscous too as, uh, my son Hugo, of course, we all went two years ago and, uh, [00:16:00] he, he still remembers the couscous and he loves it. And he, a couple weeks ago, he is like, we're having couscous tonight. Yay.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Oh my goodness. Yeah. I remember here go when, when he went to shift shower and he was

TED CRAGG: Yeah,

that's right. Yeah. That was good timing. 'cause Well, I suppose we could have done it Marakesh. 'cause now he switched his favorite color to red,

so

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yeah. I, I am, I am with the red. I'm Marrakech too, so.

TED CRAGG: Yeah. Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Awesome.

TED CRAGG: Nice.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: is a, this is, you know, the topics are basically, this is where the, um, you guys remember, um, game of Throne. This is one of the, the spots that they have filmed it,

TED CRAGG: Mm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: and then some of it, it shows, um, you know, aka, which is this, uh, little bit down.

TED CRAGG: Mm-hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: From here, then, you know, the, the two books, that's the Koran and the Torah.

TED CRAGG: Hmm. Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: uh, you know, it's,

TED CRAGG: Okay. Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: bit Dera, which is, uh, it's, it's very, very important, uh, place and highly recommended if you're in Essaouira. 

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: the inside, probably may 10 minutes, 15 minutes, but it's definitely worth it.

TED CRAGG: Mm-hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: in the market [00:17:00] in Essaouira as well. You can see Essaouira, it's, it's very hip city. Um,

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: know, there's Gnawa music that's, that's the hub of Gnawa music,

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: You can see a little bit of, you know, mixed, know, cultures diversity. It's just, it's incredible.

TED CRAGG: Mm-hmm. Yeah, it was a really neat place.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: really. And now we jump into too Fes. And

TED CRAGG: Mm-hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: The largest tanneries in Africa, if

TED CRAGG: That's a great picture. Look at the detail.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: here, you know, um, goes, you know, it, it, it's, you know, sent globally everywhere. So, um, if you were in some leather, probably it's, it has come from here that

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Morocco. And I believe this picture, um, it was taken again with, um, Dr.

Stuart

TED CRAGG: Okay.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: family when they visited Fes. Yes.

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yeah.

TED CRAGG: Yeah. There's all kinds of handy work and crafts work in Fez that they make.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: just, it's amazing. It's amazing. So, and again, when you looking for architecture, we're looking for history. When you're looking for, you know, adventure, we, we have it all. [00:18:00] The magazine really covers literally everything that you can think of in Morocco and, and, and, and again, this is fast.

Uh,

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: and the funny thing is, I really never paid attention to this, but if you look at this is the, the, the. It's blue on this side, but if you go

TED CRAGG: Right.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: and you turn around, it's gonna look that it's green. So

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: the, the Islam color, uh, piece. And then the blue is actually the, the city's color.

So

TED CRAGG: Okay.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: just small things that no one really would pay attention to.

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: uh, that's, that was with, um, uh, Dr. Stewart and his family, and the top one here. Uh, we are also in s uh, and, you know. The, the Madarasa. Sometimes in the tour there's Fes in Meknes , then there's Molay, Molay, EF Mar, and they all kind of look the same.

So if we do one, 

TED CRAGG: Hmm

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Fes, we'll probably skip the other ones because they're similar. Then you'll get to get to do some other things and

TED CRAGG: mm-hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Then right before [00:19:00] the picture where you showed, you know, all the tanneries and everything, you see the middle picture, the leather stuff,

TED CRAGG: Oh, yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: the door to get to that, those tenners.

TED CRAGG: All right.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: that's the, do you get to, so when you go through that door, you'll see it's completely different site. It's just incredible. So, yeah. And then here it's the Medina in Fes, it looks a little bit, you know, quiet and, and slow. So, one thing about Fes um, Fes still holds one of the, the, the oldest. know, traditions in Morocco, normally all the shops used to close, in the afternoon, uh, on Friday, because Friday is, is considered a religious holiday in Morocco.

TED CRAGG: Mm-hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: because of the tourism, because of everything, it has changed so many cities. They, they open their, their shops and their, their stores Fes is still kind of holding the 

TED CRAGG: Yeah. 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: of the parts. So a lot of places may not open after, um. You know, uh, the, the midday prayers,

TED CRAGG: Do they close then? For the [00:20:00] rest of the day?

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: yes, they do close for the rest of the day, but

TED CRAGG: Okay.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: changing, so

TED CRAGG: yeah.

Oh, interesting. Okay. Oh, here we are. Marrakesh. Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: is, this is the Red City. It's me and Hugo

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: again, Marrakesh is just, it's beyond incredible. It's been on the top, uh, destination to, to visit

TED CRAGG: Mm-hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: say probably in, in the last five, 10 years.

TED CRAGG: Yep.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: are some of the places that we highly recommend. You have to see these places if, if you're in Marrakesh.

So, yeah.

TED CRAGG: Mm-hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: And, and again, if you look at the bottom picture to the left, that's, that's Madrassa ben Youssef. You can still see the similarities

TED CRAGG: That's true. Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: of Madrassa ben Yousse and so forth. 

TED CRAGG: Yeah. 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: this picture in the middle, which is the water fountain and behind it in the background, that's Koutoubia mosque. A lot of people don't get to. See this because it's kind of hidden.

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: the back of the mosque. So

TED CRAGG: Okay.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: you'll see the, the big square

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: street, you'll see the Jemaa el-Fna square. A lot of people take pictures on that side, but then [00:21:00] here, 

TED CRAGG: Right?

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: around, that's where the fountain and the garden is, and it's just. Really, really beautiful. And then on top of it, obviously, uh, most people will know it's, uh, Majorelle Gardens, which is

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: gardens as well. And then on the other, on the right hand side, it's because of the setup. Uh, yeah, you can see that it's, you know, uh,

TED CRAGG: Oh, this is Square? Yeah, Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: the orange juice, you know, stalls. Um, and then craftsmanship, uh, you

TED CRAGG: Mm-hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: is what a small leather shop that we went to and they were super nice to us. 

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: to take some pictures with them and just, uh. Just incredible. Incredible.

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yes. So this is Meknes

TED CRAGG: Mm-hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Um, we were super lucky. We had an amazing, amazing local guy in Meknesand he was just. Beyond incredible

TED CRAGG: Mm-hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: that he explained everything to us. I mean, so many hidden gems, so many must-see places. Uh, normally Meknes, um, you know, the visit takes probably about an hour and a half, but in this case, we, we are really, [00:22:00] he took his time to explain everything to us, so, and it was just amazing, amazing, amazing experience.

TED CRAGG: Yeah. It's, um, it's, I mean, it's one of the imperial cities, but it seems to be, well, it's less well known for sure than Fez and Marakesh, so people often will think about it. We like Meknes. It was, uh, it was a different pace, you know, it was kind of a big enough city for sure, but not quite as, uh, hectic or bustling as some of the other places.

And yeah, it was a different kind of feel.

And it's so close to Volubilis and Fes too, as well. It's easy to get to.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yeah. 

TED CRAGG: Mm-hmm. Alright. See a bit of the desert now in Merzouga.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yes. Um, this is what a lot of people go to Morocco to visit me, the desert. But I think Morocco, you know, there's so many reasons to go to visit, but this, this one, uh, it was a different experience because, you know, the, the, the gentleman on top left, uh, he was, you know, um, a driver slash local guide. [00:23:00] Slash you know, rally driver if you would,

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: because he drove us around those, uh, the Desert Dunes. We had an amazing experience. It was

TED CRAGG: Huh.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: fun. And what he's explaining to us on the top picture is, um. It has not rained in the, in, in, at that time for six years, but there's still water running.

TED CRAGG: Wow.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: and he explained to us there's, there's a well that people come to from, know, the, the nearest city is 50 kilometers, which is about maybe 70 miles away.

So

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: in, they get the water from that well, and they, they go and. Even people from Merzouga, they, you know, they, they, they do the same thing, uh, and it's fresh water. So, and he explained to us that, you know, long time ago, they set up some, you know, some irrigation system underground, it goes four miles and miles and miles and those, that,

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: wa fresh water comes from the dunes,

TED CRAGG: Really?

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: far away.

TED CRAGG: Wow.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: filtered. Uh, it's very clean, [00:24:00] uh, it's very healthy, it's very fresh. 

TED CRAGG: Are you in Merzougathen? Here? Like in some Oasis.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yeah, this is, this is, uh, an oasis in, in, yes. We were in Merzouga, and this is a day tour that we did. Basically,

TED CRAGG: see,

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: went to see the nomads. So this is, uh,

TED CRAGG: right?

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: call it the Nomad experience.

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: it's part of Merzouga.

Um, and I'll explain to you a little bit more, um, because, you know, uh. what he explained to us. And then we go to, there's a place where we go to, um, they have, you know, fossils obviously, uh, they have mines. If you remember the, the, uh, the episode we did about, you know, Mohammed, uh, from, uh, uh, ham Village,

TED CRAGG: Mm-hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: grandfather used to work.

You know, in those,

TED CRAGG: Oh yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: uh, they, they still exist. 

TED CRAGG: Hmm,

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: so that's where we went and, and, and they explain everything to us. It's close to the border, to Algeria. Um,

TED CRAGG: hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: it's, I mean, it's just, it's just. Amazing [00:25:00] experience. You can see that there was a city there that it's abandoned and you can see that it's, you know, fell apart.

Obviously it looks like bil in a way, but you know, with clay and not, you know, stones and, and, and Marvel and stuff. But

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: just, it's just fascinating looking back at that site that it was super active a hundred years ago. Now it's completely just

TED CRAGG: Wow. Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: So. Um, you know, uh, recently in me ga it has rained quite a bit and it has actually snowed, 

TED CRAGG: Really?

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: there, six years, they have not seen the rain, but the water is still there,

TED CRAGG: Huh. Wow.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: yeah.

TED CRAGG: Alright then Umat is the next one and I really likeat it's a beautiful city.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yeah. Thank you. Thank, yeah, it's

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Rabat is, it's, you can tell it's the capital. Um,

TED CRAGG: Mm-hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: very beautiful. I really, really like it. What I like about, know, the sites, they're next to each other. I.

TED CRAGG: Yeah, that's true.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: know, you have, uh, you know, except the Uday, which is on top, right? Uh, then you have in the bottom, uh, that's, uh, Hasan. Then on the left you [00:26:00] have Mohammed the fifth mausoleum right there.

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: they're walking distance. So, uh, it's just, it's, we've got a chance to go to inside the mausoleum, uh, which

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: not possible. So at that time, very nice. Uh, we took some pictures with the royal guards.

They, they look big,

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: and inside it was just, it's just, again, it's just, it's, it's really, really mind blowing in terms of the architecture, the way that it's. Everything is, it's so beautiful, beautiful,

TED CRAGG: Yeah. So clean. Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Very clean. Yes,

TED CRAGG: Mm-hmm. Yep.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: And Ali, I remember Ali was our local guide again, uh, during that tour we had some amazing, amazing local guides and we always recommend them. You can do local guide, you can do national guide, you can do tour leader, but local

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: the best way to go really.

TED CRAGG: That's true.

'cause they know their city. Yeah. They know all those secret things. And then in your tours, you know you have that extra time. You don't have to wait around for 50 people or something.

You know, you can take those extra few [00:27:00] minutes to go and check out another little corner.

It's great. Yeah.

Tangier here's a great place for that. 'cause uh,

lots to see there. And this is right looking out over the Atlantic Ocean.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: You know, that tower actually, uh, took some pictures from inside, but to go inside you have to pay actually. So,

TED CRAGG: Oh yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: it's, it's definitely worth every penny.

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: because you can see the, the history, it's just, it's beyond incredible. Then you can actually see Spain, uh, from there.

TED CRAGG: Right in the distance.

Yep.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: So this is me, Imran, you know,

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Hercules Cave. Uh, it was really, really cool experience. If you give, if you go, uh, right here. So if you go during the summertime, just give a little time to wait. So there's, there's a little bit of, uh, a wait time. And also just make sure you dress correctly because the sun can be really, really hard.

Yes. Yeah.

TED CRAGG: It must be cold in the cave at least, eh?

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: in the cave. It's, it's very cool. It's

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yeah. Yes. And the sound of the wave hitting the rocks, it just, it's,

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: amazing, amazing [00:28:00] experience. Yeah.

TED CRAGG: Is this pathway boardwalk here in the city.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: yeah. Yeah. You see the one that you, you showed earlier before that mine.

TED CRAGG: Oh, okay. Near the lighthouse. Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: right there next to it, actually walking

TED CRAGG: Okay. Huh. And that's Cape uh, Bartel.

Yeah. So that's just outside Tangier itself. Right? It's like

20, 30 minutes.

Yeah. 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: you know, the, the middle picture was taken. So, but it's, it's definitely worth it because this is the inside. Even on the outside, it's still funny. You can still take a lot of pictures. You can still, you know, just hang around. So it's, it's really, really nice experience.

TED CRAGG: Nice. Cool. Okay. And then this, I think this is our last stop here in the magazine. You have some great pictures of Volubilis.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Thank you. This is Volubilis again. This is, uh, from where Maxx and, and, and Jamie visited Morocco.

TED CRAGG: Oh yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: talk about safety, Morocco is super safe.

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: funny thing because I, I remember Nancy, you know, when we did her episode and she's been to Morocco several times. I think she, she has [00:29:00] accepted the job there.

She, she, uh,

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: You know, everywhere else but her experience. And she was like, yeah, I see gendarmes everywhere, which is a kind

TED CRAGG: The police.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: term or a French term for, you know, uh, police, I would say to the US probably state troopers.

TED CRAGG: Okay.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: to it. So, and they're

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: and they are, they're probably less than one mile from each other.

You'll see, you'll see, uh, know, like the, those Mercedes sprinters, that's what they use, uh, vehicles. So it's very safe throughout the country. Then from city to city, have checkpoints,

TED CRAGG: Mm-hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: and in. Again, it's, there's so many checkpoints that are police, you know, everything is, it's, it's, uh, it is super, super, safe.

And again, this is Volubilis, which is, uh, the Roman city. Uh, it was destroyed back in uh, it was

TED CRAGG: Mm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: earthquake that hit, uh, Portugal,

TED CRAGG: that's right. Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: ago. And the,

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: of it felt here. So in, in Morocco, there are actually six sites that are similar to Volubilis, [00:30:00] uh, bil is the one that. Stayed, you know, uh, the most intact if you would.

So,

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: there are four major sites to see in Volubilis, and the one on top, uh, right hand side is one of them.

TED CRAGG: Yeah,

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: yeah, that one. And then where, where Maxx and Jamie took a picture, that's another one. So it's a ma again, the, the, the history, when you go into Volubilis, uh. summertime, because when you leave, if you're coming from Meknes, most likely it's gonna be, you know, midday week coming from shift shower and

TED CRAGG: that's true.

Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: So you really have to dress up accordingly, you know, especially, you know, I don't have hair, 

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

There's not a lot of shade there.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yes. So it's, the sun can be really, really brutal. So,

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: but, um, we had a local guide. Hamid was just amazing, amazing, amazing, amazing. So, You know, so much to talk about. I, I think Volubilis does not really get enough credit because this was a, a, a city that people, you know, [00:31:00] lived there.

Over probably 50,000 people lived there. I mean, when you

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: you, when you look at that path and you know. Walking into the city, it just feels like, you know, I'm, I'm, I'm in a Gladiator movie. You know, that scene with, with his hand, you know, touching, you know, the, uh, the wheat if you would. It's just, it really feels that way.

TED CRAGG: Mm-hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: you can still see some, the, the tracks from the wheels back then. The history is just incredible. It's, it's, for me, I, I visited many times and I can't

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: to see it again, because every time I go, there's something new that I discover, something

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: I, that I learn. Yeah,

TED CRAGG: There's so much to explore. It's true. Yeah. I remember like, uh, seeing where they would make press the olives to make olive oil

and these stone kind of bowls, I guess. And I mean, these are the exact things that were there 2000 years ago. It was crazy.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: uh, some, we still use some of those in Morocco. And, and you mentioned olive oil. So,

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: to understand the importance, uh, of olive, olive oil to the [00:32:00] Romans. They used to eat it, they used to bathe with it. They used it for cosmetics. Uh, in here you can see where they used to bathe. And, and because the Romans, they love fish. They, they used to raise fish. You'll see the areas where they,

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: fish. Um, in Volubilis, you'd see, um, what they used to bathe with. You know, many, many things. You'll see it, it's still intact. Um, but if you go by yourself, they just look like, you know, stones, they look like

TED CRAGG: Yeah, that's true.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: it's without the local guides.

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: not gonna, it

TED CRAGG: Yeah, you need someone to, to tell you what you're looking at, so you understand it. Mm-hmm. Cool. So that's a good, uh, taste of some of your magazine here. You, you cover some experiences. Uh, you can do like the, the ash experience with the music and the, the ber culture

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Uh,

TED CRAGG: and the cooking class is a fun thing to do.

There's you guys. Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yes.

TED CRAGG: And uh, the miga experience with camels for sure.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yeah. Yeah.

TED CRAGG: And well, I mean, [00:33:00] sleeping in the desert is incredible and these beautiful fancy tents that you get and, you know, beautiful food and like the fire pits and the circle there. And then you got the guys come out playing some music in the evening and you're under the, you know, full moon if you're lucky.

It's, it's pretty neat experience to do that. Yeah. And, uh, yeah, so then, then these are some of your itineraries. So you know, whether it's seven days,

eight days gives you a bit more time.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: yes.

TED CRAGG: Uh, 12 days now. I mean, these are like your set it itineraries, but people can still craft what they want to do if they wanna change things up or they have a bit more time, whatever it is.

That's, uh, again, that's what's great with you guys, is you can really customize what it is that you do.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yeah. You know, it's in all the itineraries that we have built throughout the years, we have never built to itineraries that are the

TED CRAGG: Hmm. Mm-hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: is, is really tailor made to the client, to, you know, the way they wanna travel, where they, what they wanna see, where they wanna stay, so there's no, no [00:34:00] itineraries that are the same, you know, so it's,

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: you know.

Yeah. So just keep that in mind.

TED CRAGG: Yeah, that's it. So it really speaks to what, you know, we're here for. I mean, we love to share ideas about Morocco, of course, things to see and do, but we're really speaking to the people who are looking for a tour and they're trying to find the right person to go with. And if you're someone that's looking for that smaller experience, a small group tour, private tour, you know, if you have a family or maybe an extended family, let's say six or eight people or something, that's a perfect size to go on one of your tours.

And I mean. Of course it's gonna be a little bit more than if you're in a group with like 50 people, but you get so much more for your, your money,

you know, by doing it your way and having that personalized, uh, itinerary. It's great.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: I totally agree, Ted.

TED CRAGG: Yeah. Yeah, so that's just it. It's really for people, you know, shopping for a tour and who like to travel that way, especially when it comes to Morocco. If it's your first time there and it may be your only time there and you know, you wanna make the most of it and see [00:35:00] it well with people who know what they're doing.

And of course very safe experience and comfortable and, and all of that. So if you're shopping around for tours, then you guys are a great way to do it.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Absolutely. Absolutely.

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yeah.

TED CRAGG: Um, we've, people may notice that your, your logo's changed a little bit in terms of still destinations, Morocco, but there's a DMC, so if people are curious about what that stands for, we should tell them.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: we have changed it because, um, you know, we didn't want to create, um, a confusion, especially in the B2B space. Um, we are considered, you know, a tour operator, morra cultural agency because we handle travel. But in the US we are based in the us. Um. But when you say I'm a travel agent or travel agency, um, and I'm trying to reach out to B, you know, B2B or travel agents or travel agencies, they say, well, I'm a travel agent as well,

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: so, and I [00:36:00] can do Morocco and sell Morocco too. 

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: you know, it took me some time. Then we changed it to tour operator 

TED CRAGG: Right.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: tour operator. It's, it's good. But it was creating, again, a little bit of confusion. So which we, we, we, we did, you know, we looked into the B2C, I mean the B, the B2B, and what do we do? They consider it DMC, which is a destination management company.

So

TED CRAGG: okay.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: you say to, to an agency or travel agent, let's say we meet at a conference and show and stuff, I'm at DMC. They're not gonna ask you questions.

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: they know exactly what that is. But if you say I'm a travel agent, there's like, oh, nice to meet you. Who's your host agency, for example? Oh, no, no.

TED CRAGG: Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: tour opera, so it's kind of confusing. So that's in just to, to differentiate ourselves in the B2B, uh, market, if you would. So,

TED CRAGG: Okay.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: uh, when we meet people, you know, it's easier for them to understand what we [00:37:00] do. If we say Destinations Morocco, we are a DMC, then they know that you're managing. The travel for that destination, which is Morocco, uh, which is very simple.

Now the B2C

TED CRAGG: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: different. It doesn't really matter to them because just know that you can help them book their tour.

TED CRAGG: Right.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: So whether we say travel agent or agency or tour upper or DMC, it, it doesn't matter. They know we, we do Morocco and that's it.

TED CRAGG: Yeah, I see.

So everyone watching, listening, then, uh, you know, you're still a tour company. I mean, that's, that's what you do. But, um, it does help to position you, I guess, a little different within the industry. And you guys are a small company, of course. That's the whole point. It's a family company and, you know, that's part of what gives you that flexibility.

You can customize things. So yeah, just figuring out how you fit in, in that grand picture. And as I say, Morocco is, uh, getting busier and busier. So

now's the time to go.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: it's absolutely, absolutely.

TED CRAGG: Yeah. Good. Well, it's been nice to catch up and, um, see some beautiful [00:38:00] pictures. Brings back lots of great memories

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Oh, for sure. Yes.

TED CRAGG: uh, we'd love to see some more people go and create your own memories.

It's uh, it's a beautiful, beautiful country.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Thank you. Thank you, Ted.

TED CRAGG: Yeah. So I'll see you again next time. Cool.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Thank you so much.