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Azdean sits down with Mr. Said, manager and co-owner of Sahara Sky Luxury Camp, located in the heart of the desert, yet just 23 miles from the town of Erfoud, the local service centre. Said and Azdean sit down to talk about how he founded his camp, how they maintain their own animals and gardens in the desert, their emphasis on organic ingredients in their incredible food, and how the food itself is different from your standard Moroccan fare. When you're ready to go beyond the tagines and couscous, Said and his kitchen have wonderful, original recipes for you to try. All this in addition to a surprising number of activities, located on-site or a short drive away. The desert is about more than just camel rides and dune buggies, although you shouldn't miss out on doing them either! But the Merzouga area has a number of important cultural sites, some dating back hundreds or thousands of years, that connect the area to Berber and North African history, and Said can easily arrange f…

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Gnaoua (also spelled Gnawa) music is known as Morocco's indigenous music, brought to the modern-day country over centuries from nomads across north Africa, and gradually adapted to various regional interpretations. Today's episode was recorded live on location at a Merzouga desert camp and at a Marrakech restaurant, and originally aired on the podcast in early 2024. Now, we have the video version for you as well! 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 …

Today's live episode takes you on a culinary food tour through the famous Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, in the heart of Marrakech, with Azdean and local guide Mr. Ahmed. Together, they delve into the rich culinary traditions of the area, first with a visit to the olive section, where Ahmed explains the significance and variety of olives used in Moroccan cuisine. Next, they take us to a tasting of traditional Moroccan pastries, including Ghriba, Chebakia, and Fekkas, originally influenced by Jewish traditions. The journey then takes us through the world of dried fruits, highlighting their cultural importance and common uses in special occasions such as weddings and Ramadan. No visit to Morocco can take place without trying Harira soup, probably the staple of staples in every house and restaurant. Azdean and Ahmed visit another food stall to learn about the ingredients in Harira, when and how it's eaten, and why you can eat more of it when it's not during Ramadan! The server then brings…

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. Discarded shells of the nuts are given to the famous tree-climbing goats, whom you might otherwise see along the highway from Marrakech to Essaouira, climbing trees in search of their own supply! Argan trees particularly thrive in the dry, Mediterranean-style climate of Essaouira, Agadir and Taroudant (which we described recently in episode 86, https://youtu.be/2JSuDCOIhWk) Which means sourcing your product from that region is a good start, but you still can't assume that it's the real deal. Chiadma shares a story of how, before she started working at the co-op, even she succumbed to a too-good-to-be-true sale. Suffice to say, the oil didn't last very long. Good,…

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 Afterthoughts and Back Again: The Stories of Meknes & Volubilis (live walking tour)." - https://destinationsmorocco.com/podcast/From-Capitals-to-Afterthoughts-and-Back-Again--The-Stories-of-Meknes-Volubilis-(live-walking-tour) BUT - this time we have an extended focus on Meknes, and you can watch the video version as well over on our YouTube channel. 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 lost its status of imp…

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 are better ways to see Morocco, in a safe, comfortable, relaxed and personalized way, without the crowds, or waiting around for all 47 passengers to board the bus. Destination Morocco specializes in private and small group tours. We love being able to dart past the big groups waiting in line at the group entrance and instead head straight inside. We always partner with small, family-run riads, the type that only have an 8 or 12-person capacity, and only default to a hotel when that's the sole option (a rare occasion). We get you that table at a hidden gem restaurant, the one that only locals know about. Because it's your own loca…

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. Gentle creeks of water wind their way through the town, artisans and craftsmakers line the paths and lane ways, and fresh orange juice vendors squeeze delicious nectar to help you on the climb up to the Spanish mosque, where you get stunning views of the mountains, valleys and the rolling hills of blue. Hamid explains the historic founding of Chefchaouen as a refuge for both Muslim and Jewish refugees during the time of the Spanish Inquisition. The town is a perfect snapshot of Morocco'…

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 Mountains, Essaouira and the Agafay Desert. This two week trip gave him enough time to get to know a few different places throughout the country, while not feeling rushed, something helped in turn by flying from Fes to Marrakech and thus saving the six hour drive. John delves into rich cultural interactions, including playing with musicians in the desert, captivating street scenes and amazing street food, staying in stunning riads (particularly in Fes), discovering pleasantly surprising local wine, incredible coffee, fresh olives and olive oil, leather goods and crafts, and picturesque landscapes that are a photographer's dream. A key concern for any photographer or videographer is of cours…

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 camera crew was there to document the entire experience. He starts with the artisan wool shop, in fact a cooperative that provides hand-dyed wool for the women's cooperatives that we've featured on the podcast (https://youtu.be/2yg5X2DsUnI). You'll see the different types of coloring, in powder form, and watch as the wool master adds a few little drops of water to make it transform into a vibrant indigo blue. We go from the initial stages of steaming and spin drying to seeing the finished product: pashmina shawls, scarves, pillow cases, carpets, hand bags and more. Azdean tries on a Saharan turban, designed for keeping out sand while you'r…

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 first time, this fascinating conversation gives you a window into their discoveries. The setting: the beautiful Safran rooftop restaurant, overlooking the Koutoubia Mosque, and around the corner from the Royal Mansour Hotel and the famous Marrakech medina. The conversation revolves around the deep cultural exposure that the group experienced during their tour, highlighted by the enduring nomadic traditions within the Berber culture. Even in this modern day world, that attachment to the land and lifestyle is never far removed. The group discuss the importance of personal connections, warm hospitality, and the unique, sensory-rich encounters that t…

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 themselves in Tetouan, with a local guide, being hussled to a carpet emporium. Sounds like your classic tourist scam, right? Cathy shares with us a twist though in the story, and her memories and feelings about the encounter, from over 35 years later. Fortunately for her, and for us, they continued on into Morocco to visit many familiar sites that were only just starting to show signs of tourism fame. It was a different time to travel, without technology and easy translation, credit cards and bank machines, or the kind of transport and comforts that we are used to now. And yet it was a trip that left many indellible memories, whic…

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 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?" 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 it is in fact quite a special experience. Hiba, Sam and Azdean discuss the spiritual meaning and practices of Ramadan for Moroc…

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 - https://maps.app.goo.gl/56pbNs4w6EVk6GWb9 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 functional pieces of art. We meet Sarah, host and guide of the facility, who gave Azdean and family a tour and shows them the incredible weaving and rugmaking that is done there, all by hand. This Women's Co-op is groundbreaking, and crucially important not just to the local economy, but to women's recognition and self-sufficiency. Instead of relying on others, typically men, to sell their detailed and complex creations, products of hours of hard work and labour (which are then often resold at even higher prices, for which the women don't see an extra dime) - at the co-op, each weaver has a say in the pr…

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 escorts groups through the region. Telouet is located about a three hour drive from Marrakech, on the south slope of the mountains heading down towards Aït Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate. Ali tells us about Berber history and influence in this part of Morocco, where even until very recent times (in the past 30 years) there was minimal electricity, people lived off the land and used techniques passed down for centuries to preserve food, build their homes and make their clothing. You can see this amazing and authentic culture still to this day, especially through a certified and trustworthy tour operator like Destination Morocco, who can match you with local families, find safe and ex…

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 is very much on the up and up. For the first time, it outdrew Egypt as the top destination for travellers in Africa. Tourist numbers are predicted to reach 26 million per year by 2030, the year Morocco co-hosts the World Cup, alongside Spain and Portugal. All of which means, now is the time to go! Azdean and Destination Morocco podcast producer Ted Cragg discuss, in today's episode, what in particular to prepare for in 2025, particularly events and prices that could affect your travels. They highlight some of the numerous large festivals that take place throughout the year, including the Gnawa Music Festival in Essaouira in June, and the Marrakech International Film Festival in December. These are…