Destination Morocco Podcast

10 Episodes
Subscribe

By: Azdean Elmoustaquim

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 lo...

Fes Walking Tour Part 1: The Royal Palace, Jewish Quarter and the Tannery
#57
03/21/2024

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.

...


Exploring the Magical City of Fez. Live Q&A
03/14/2024

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...


Top Things to Do and See in Fez!
#56
03/11/2024

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 Morocco

Now, we enter into our first dedicated series of episodes on this fabulous city, starting with a ge...


Understanding Ramadan in Moroccan Culture
#55
03/01/2024

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 co...


Live Gnaoua Music: Discover Morocco's Powerful Musical Heritage
#54
02/21/2024

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...


Language Phrases for Travellers in Morocco. Live Q&A
02/15/2024

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...


Multilingual Insights: Conversations with Mr Mustapha in Aït Ben Haddou
#53
02/11/2024

Continuing on a bit further south from our last episode in Telouet, we follow Azdean on his summer tour down to Aït Ben Haddou, southern gateway to the High Atlas mountains and their stunning scenery and hiking. Aït Ben Haddou is a small town but is known for its traveller services, restaurants and accommodation, and its welcoming hospitality.

In this episode of Destination Morocco podcast, Azdean sits down with Mr. Mustapha, who works at the restaurant l'Oasis d'Or (Golden Oasis), a popular restaurant located on the main road through town. Mustapha speaks extensively about Berber cu...


Exploring Telouet's Berber Legacy with Local Historian Ali Ahdadi
#52
02/01/2024

We continue our exploration of Berber/Amazigh culture with a visit to Telouet, a small village deep in the High Atlas Mountains, known for its kasbah, trekking and beautiful scenery. Azdean met with local guide and historian Ali Ahdadi to delve into Berber influence in the area and activities for travellers passing through.

Telouet is a bit off the beaten path, hence why it was largely a secret until recently. But in reality it's only a 2.5 hour drive from Marrakech, an hour south to Aït Benhaddou, and another half hour from there down to Ouarzazate. The r...


"The Amazigh Chronicles" - The Rich Tapestry of Amazigh Tribes: History, Language, and Customs (Part 2)
#51
01/21/2024

In today's episode of Destination Morocco podcast, Azdean, Hiba and Sam expand on the historical canvas and cultural fabric formed by the Amazigh, or Berber, tribes across North Africa.

Our focus is an overview of some of the more prominent tribes and communities, who have had a long and lasting impact on the region. Long before modern political borders, invaders and settlers, and contemporary languages and culture, these Amazigh peoples were laying down cultural roots still seen today.

Our list includes:

the Riffians of Northern Morocco and the Rif Mountains, the Kabyles of Northern A...


Understanding Scams in Morocco: How to Travel with Confidence. Live Q&A
01/11/2024

This episode is the audio replay of our Destination Morocco live Q&A session, on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024.

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

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 latest tricks taxi drivers have up...