Destination Morocco Podcast

One of the highlights of a visit to Morocco is getting a henna art design, something as authentically Moroccan as tagines and desert camping. More than just a decorative activity, henna has deep cultural roots in Morocco, particularly for women.

Siham Essahiri is an expert henna artist, offering design experiences to travellers from around the world out of her home studio in Marrakech. Many listeners and guests on the podc...

Today's episode marks the beginning of our shift towards the south of Morocco here on Destination Morocco podcast.

If you are looking for a Moroccan experience a little more rugged and raw, a little less touristy, and very authentic, you will find the southern half of Morocco a fascinating draw. 

Starting from Marrakech as a base, a typical tour will cover deserts, high mountains, deep gorges, genuine Berber...

Chantal Rosenthal, her husband and three young adult children travelled to Morocco over the Christmas holidays of 2022, with Destination Morocco. As Jewish tourists, they were in search of Jewish heritage and influence, in a place that had long been a desired destination for them.

In today's episode, Chantal and Azdean talk about trip planning for 5 people, each with their own priorities for sightseeing.

Fortunately, they had Il...

Today's episode of Destination Morocco is absolutely chock-full of useful, practical information that will get your Morocco travel planning in 2023 off to a great start.

Azdean receives questions all the time from curious and engaged listeners, asking fundamental questions about travel around Morocco, things to do there, and most of all how to do it safely and reliably. No one wants to get ripped off and taken advanta...

We welcome in the new year with lots of exciting upcoming plans and topics to share, and tremendous appreciation for our listeners since the start of the Destination Morocco podcast journey.

Azdean was recently at a conference in Chicago, complete with a display about the podcast, QR codes so people could find it, merchandise and images. The big Moroccan flag was an instant attraction, and lots of folks came by, brimming with enthus...

It's been a whirlwind since our last Destination Morocco episode, just two weeks ago. The World Cup was still in its group stage, with 32 teams still alive. Since then, the Moroccan Cinderella story has resolutely swept the country, and the world, streaking all the way to the semi-finals of the tournament.

As so many of our listeners are tuning in from outside Morocco, including Azdean himself, the question we're all wonde...

Imagine: One day, someone gives you the idea of going to Morocco, and you think, "Yeah, maybe..." And then, a month later, spur of the moment, you buy a return ticket! 

But you're not a big fan of planning, and the prospect of filling out the details of your impending trip are a little daunting, to say the least. 

What do you do next? 

This is Morocco on a Whim, Rachel Metcalf's story of making the commitment, trav...

Cierra & Dan McPherson had a tall order for Destination Morocco when they got in touch with Azdean, looking to travel to Morocco just a short time later. They wanted to see as much of the country as possible, but over just 11 days. Could it be done?

Our episode today recounts their journey. Thanks to Azdean and his team, particularly intrepid tour director Ilyas (Ep. 12) and driver Abdul, these world travellers had an exper...

Moroccans are known for their generous, welcoming hospitality, and their instinct for making visitors feel at home. Traveler and podcast listener Pablo Juarez is here today to confirm this, having just returned from Morocco scarcely a week before the recording, in mid-October of 2022.

It was the first trip there for Pablo and his partner Harmony, and it was full of pleasant surprises. From the food, the generosity, the ria...

The winter season is soon approaching, but does that mean that travel to Morocco slows right down? What can be expected by visiting in January or February?

Azdean and Destination Morocco producer Ted Cragg sit down today to talk about what it's like to travel in Morocco in winter, particularly because Ted is hoping to head there with his family in February or March! Can they expect a much different experience than if they went ...

It’s time to talk about food! 

Azdean invites restauranteur Aziz Zgani, owner of Le Patio Bleu in Fès, to explain native Moroccan dishes (and their ingredients!) such as pastilla, special filo pastry, tagine and a beef jerky that is unique to Fès and its dry climate. 

Vegetarian options abound, as menus become more diverse and chefs more well-versed. And Aziz talks about the cultural history of dishes, particularly couscous, a dish f...

Joanie Conwell fulfilled a dream in May of 2022, visiting Morocco for two weeks, inspired by the works of Paul Bowles. And she did it as a solo traveller, unaccompanied and through her own planning and research. With a bit of help from Destination Morocco podcast, especially Episode 4!

Joanie joins Azdean today to trace her adventure through northern Morocco, starting in Casablanca then staying in Rabat, Tangier, Tetouan, Chefchaoue...

Podcast listeners! Destination Morocco is offering a special 8 day guided tour with Azdean, from October 17 to 24, at over $700 off the total price.

Click here: 8 Day Morocco Imperial Trip for podcast listeners.

Reserve now (link)!

If you're looking for an affordable place to travel, but don't want to sacrifice quality, Morocco is a great option. One of the challenges, however, is to figure out just how much things...

It's been a fun and exciting 7 months since we launched our Destination Morocco podcast, and in that time we've enjoyed interacting with listeners, getting your questions and hearing your feedback about the show, and about Morocco in general.

To keep all this useful information in one place, we've assembled an episode that answers some of the most frequently asked questions about travel to and around Morocco.

You may b...

On today's episode, Azdean chats with a colleague from the travel industry, Laura Ericson, who organizes small guided tours to exotic destinations like Colombia and Peru.

Laura was recently on her first trip to Morocco, scouting future tours there, and her enthusiasm and evocative storytelling inspired Azdean to invite her on the podcast to share what she learned.

A big part of the experience of Morocco is the journey itself aro...

In today's episode, podcast listener, professional photographer and seasoned traveller Maxx Walske fulfills a dream by visiting Morocco.

Maxx is a planner who loves to research and learn about her upcoming destinations. Typically she travels independently, but this time, having listened to the podcast, she went for the peace of mind and comfort of a private, guided tour, organized by Destination Morocco.

In our episode today, Ma...

Angel Nair and her husband travelled to Morocco in May of 2022, their first time in the country, and the Destination Morocco Podcast was a huge help in preparing them for the journey. She joins Azdean today to talk about her trip and what she learned.

Angel shares her perceptions of Morocco, drawn from movies, film locations and cultural expectations, and how those perceptions changed after just two weeks in the country. Although ye...

Many travellers to Morocco, especially for the first time, place their trip into the care of a certified Tour Director. Someone who will accompany them throughout, make sure things run as smoothly as possible, that they are prepared for what's next and, ultimately, will show them a good time.

Meet Ilyas Baayay, a certified Moroccan guide, tour director, storyteller and passionate host. Ilyas joins Azdean today to talk...

In today's episode, Azdean is joined by Destination Morocco Podcast producer Ted Cragg for an important conversation that tackles some of the first questions any traveller has about going to Morocco: What should I bring, and what should I wear?

Morocco bridges the divide between Europe and Africa, is a gateway to the Muslim world, and features everything from ocean beaches to deserts and high mountains. Whether culturally ...