Videos

03:40 "Secure your luggage at the airport to prevent theft." 07:59 Tourists targeted by scams in foreign countries. 15:33 Positive experience at airport customs with kids. 22:11 Taxi service improved in Morocco with kiosks. 26:48 Taxi scams in new town, avoid them. 29:47 Official government rates for taxi fares in Morocco. 37:03 Market feels like a battleground, still fun. 40:09 Scammers are smart and work together well. 50:05 Restaurant scams: beware of menu price changes. 52:29 Pay Moroccan price, negotiate, beware of scams. 57:10 Bartering culture and firmness in dealing with sellers. 01:01:12 Local guide essential, beware taxi scams. Call police. In this month's session, Azdean, Sam and podcast producer Ted, navigate the labyrinth of traveller scams in the bustling streets and markets of Morocco. With a focus that is as practical as it is necessary, they will equip you with the knowledge to sidestep common pitfalls that many an unwary traveller might stumble into. What are the l…

Walking through the medina of Marrakech, hearing the call to prayer. Souks and fresh bread. The essence of Morocco.

You've bought expensive rugs, blankets, pottery and more on your trip to Morocco. You need to get it shipped home, but can you trust the shipping agents, especially when it's an "all-inclusive" service, where the store where you purchased your goods will also take care of the shipping? Learn what to watch out for, and how to avoid it. Don't be caught out by this tricky yet technically legal scam. Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/xmT7KcjeYSc?si=xIYiGPbbxc0q8Je3

Azdean and the Destination Morocco team personally stay at riads around Morocco from time to time, to see for themselves the quality of service and offers. Naturally, the first question that comes to mind is, if the riad owners know that Destination Morocco is coming, surely they'll give them a different level of service and attention than they normally would? They're going to go to extra lengths to make a good impression, right? So how does Azdean avoid this and come across as just a regular, generic traveller?

A city like Marrakech or Fez has hundreds, if not thousands of riads (family homes that have been turned into guest houses). Riads typically feature stunning courtyards, beautiful architecture, open or glass-roofed ceilings, and comfortable, luxurious rooms. Meals are almost always provided as well, cooked by your hosts, with local ingredients. Riads are undoubtedly the best way to experience Morocco and find a home away from home. And since they typically accommodate no more than about a dozen guests at a time, they are a very intimate experience, where you can chat with your hosts and fellow travellers, while sitting on couches around an artisan fountain, sipping mint tea. How does a tour company like Destination Morocco choose which riads to recommend to their guests?

You’ve spent a lot of money to get to Morocco, especially to see it thoroughly and comprehensively. And even more importantly, your trip is the culmination of months or years of dreaming, planning, research and preparation. We all know that unexpected things can happen, from getting sick to breakdowns or even just surprisingly poor customer service. But to sort out these problems, you’ll want to be in the hands of experienced professionals who see you as more than a number or a confirmation code. Today’s episode is our first of 2024, and Azdean and Sam are joined by podcast producer Ted to reflect on the past year and their own travels around Morocco, and how to get out of sticky situations or adjust to sudden changes. Destination Morocco focuses intentionally on small group and private tours, so that each client gets personal care and attention, and the greatest value for their money. This means not just choosing the “best” riads, based on reviews or reputation, but Sam and the…

Is tap water safe to drink in Morocco? If not, is bottled water included when you go to a restaurant? The answer is sometimes yes, sometimes no. But you'll need to stay vigilant to both avoid drinking tap water, yet also not paying extra for bottled water that you didn't ask for!

There can be some discrepancies about whether you can order and drink alochol, beer wine and spirits, in restaurants in Morocco, and how common that is. Is it frowned upon? Is it something only tourists do? And what if you want to bring a bottle of wine or beer back to your hotel or riad, is that possible, and where can you buy it?

In Kingdom of Colors, Azdean Elmoustaquim, tour operator and host of Destination Morocco podcast, returns home to Morocco from the United States, after 4 long years away. Full of curiosity, yet uncertain of what he would find, Azdean undertakes a tour of the country, with his family, to reconnect with his homeland. How much has changed, how many traditions are still in place, how has a pandemic and ever-changing realities impacted his country of birth? Experience the beauty and mystery of Morocco in this vivid documentary that explores a journey home. A beautiful land full of wonder and mystery. Stunning architecture and mosaics. Vibrant colors and culture. Craftsmanship and creativity. Incredible, varied landscape. A modern, global nation with deep roots and traditions. In this interconnected world, how much lives in our memory, and how much do we rediscover when we visit in person? Kingdom of Colors, coming soon in 2024.

At every meal in Morocco: breakfast, lunch, dinner - a basket of fresh bread will be brought to your table, or even waiting for you when you sit down. The most common is a round bread called "kohbz" which can be hollowed out and stuffed, or eaten plain or with butter. But there are many different types of bread too. Azdean and Sam point out a couple in this clip.

What is the price of something like a tagine in Morocco, when you order at a restaurant? What is the difference in price between affordable and more expensive? How many people does one tagine feed? When you're in Morocco, this info will help you with your budget planning and food planning as well!

Pastilla is another well-known Moroccan delicacy, and one of the specialties of Fès (although you can find it throughout the country). But those in the know will say that Fès does it best! Traditionally it was served on special occasions and for large gatherings, although today you can often order it in smaller servings. Be warned though, pastilla is very hearty and very filling!

Do you know how to identify a real tagine from a fake one? Often people will sell you a tagine with the impression you can cook with it. But if it's for decoration only, it won't last long in your oven!

01:57 - Couscous varieties and cultural importance 05:43 - Understanding tagines and tangia 06:49 - What is pastilla? 12:02 - Does "tangia"/"tagine" refer equally to the meal and the pot? 18:20 - How to know what to order and how much 21:43 - Allergies and vegetarian options 29:16 - Is rice common in Morocco? 32:06 - Is khobz (bread) served at every meal in Morocco? 37:19 - Harira (Moroccan soup) 39:18 - Zaalouk (eggplant dish) 41:43 - The culinary experience in Fez 46:04 - What is the average cost of a tagine at a restaurant? 58:31 - Destination Morocco's small group tours 1:00:27 - Medfouna (Berber pizza), cooked in the ground at Merzouga Desert. 1:02:14 - Next Live Q&A session, Jan. 10: Latest Scams in Morocco! In this month's session, Azdean and Sam answer your questions about Morocco's fabulous food and cuisine. You've likely heard at least a bit about tagines, pastillas, mint tea and of course, couscous. But this episode will really fill in the blanks and help you place your or…

Today's episode of Destination Morocco ponders the question of "What makes Morocco appealing?" What attracts people to Morocco, and what are their perceptions of the country before going there? Naturally there are always stereotypes and assumptions that build up over time, and as Azdean points out in this episode, Europeans are inevitably more familiar with Morocco than North Americans due to their proximity, and the ease of getting there, perhaps even for a quick long weekend. But for many travellers, Morocco is a bucket list destination that they may only reach once in their lifetime. Their view of the country is likely formed by movies, media and events, from the positive: soccer success and hit movies, to the negative: a powerful earthquake and rumors of scams and rip-offs. Our podcast is here to tell you about the real Morocco and break down those stereotypes, and indeed many listeners have taken that information and made clear, confident requests for particular sights and ac…

You've heard his baritone podcast voice for the past year and a half, and picked up bits and pieces of his story. But as we approach our 50th episode of Destination Morocco podcast, have you wondered, "How did Azdean come to live in Houston, and how did Destination Morocco get its beginnings?” Azdean did in fact grow up in Marrakech, never imagining that he would wind up in the United States, raise a family, start businesses and build connections around the world. It's an inspiring story of perseverance, opportunity and getting much help and support along the way, a big reason why Azdean is happy to pay it forward now that he's in position to do so. Until he was in his early 20's, Azdean barely spoke more than basic English, and yet to immigrate to the US he needed to pass the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam. He had just a few months to go from beginner to functional level and get a passing grade, and the steps he took were astounding, from music to movies to cra…

We get a lot of questions about safety and security in Morocco, once you are there and making your way through the souks, squares and even the restaurants. Your Destination Morocco tour director is always there for guidance and advice, as well as your local guide, for when you're first exploring a new city. But we always want to encourage people to then explore on their own, follow your nose and see what else you can discover. If that's something you're interested in doing! Imagine, you're in Marrakech, Fès, wandering the souks and shops, the markets and squares, and have lots of people pulling you in many different directions. There will be people beckoning you into their shop, there will be "guides" offering to take you here or there (even if you've already been), with no guarantee that they are trustworthy. It's an exciting, adrenaline-filled environment, and it can be a little overwhelming. Especially if you are on your own, how do you keep your wits about you, and enjoy the …

We get a lot of questions about safety and security in Morocco, once you are there and making your way through the souks, squares and even the restaurants. Your Destination Morocco tour director is always there for guidance and advice, as well as your local guide, for when you're first exploring a new city. But we always want to encourage people to then explore on their own, follow your nose and see what else you can discover. If that's something you're interested in doing! However, there will be touts, there will be people beckoning you into their shop, there will be "guides" offering to take you here or there (even if you've already been), with no guarantee that they are trustworthy. These things are a part of travel, and common to any country in the world. Knowing what to expect though is crucial to having an enjoyable experience. To help you navigate Morocco and be prepared, we'll be answering your questions on safety, local customs and what to do in certain situati…

This episode is the audio replay of our Destination Morocco live Q&A session, on Wednesday, Oct. 11. In today's conversation with Azdean, Sam and podcast producer Ted, we'll focus on what's included in a typical Destination Morocco tour, how we go about building itineraries, and how we build from your preferences and priorities to shape a tour that works for you, and is specific to you. This is a big part of what makes Destination Morocco an ideal travel partner: we don't force you to follow the tourist path, or insist on "must-see" sights that don't interest you. We'll give you advice, certainly, when you want ideas and recommendations. But you can always bring your list of sights and attractions, and we then use our connections and experience to craft a smooth, sensible itinerary that goes at your pace. Ready to discover the hidden gems and must-see attractions of Morocco? We've got you covered. If you're curious about when to book a tour, how long they last, how much flexibilit…

Here at Destination Morocco, we receive questions all the time about how to prepare for a trip to Morocco and what to expect. We love being able to help out our fellow travellers and help you avoid the sense of shock, while preserving the sense of adventure, once you arrive in our homeland. This episode is the first of a series that will answer travel questions about Morocco, grouped together in various themes. Today, we are focusing on what to prepare before-hand, whether it's packing, medication, passports and documents, and so much more. As well as some of the initial steps to take once you arrive, particularly finding cash and bottled water. We talk about the best times to visit, what languages to expect, and the country's tipping etiquette. No more awkward moments wondering if you should tip your cab driver or your tour guide! Morocco is a tremendously photogenic country, and the temptation to bring your drone is very high. We break down Morocco's photography rules and drone r…

@destinationmorocco had a live Q&A event after the Morocco earthquake to talk about ongoing travel to Morocco, the state of affairs on the ground, and what you can do to help. Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/maqrQJk0nP0?si=Nvd82iNa8TS3p3q1