Destination Morocco Podcast

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.

Chantal talks about visiting Jewish heritage sights in Fès, such as the Quarter and the synagogues. How the Jews have balconies, while the Muslims have inner courtyards. She gives vivid descriptions of wandering the medina and souks, and how Fès, although oriented towards tourism, feels real and authentic.

We learn about shopping in Fès, taking guidance from Ilyas to find good, quality places, with trusted local artisans. Chantal describes looking for Moroccan couscous bowls, fired in burning olive pits, and visiting the tanneries: the dye pits, the hides hanging from everywhere, and yes the smell that may still be embedded weeks later.

Then there's hearing the call to prayer in Fès, and how the energy changes in the city each time. Staying in Fès for 3 days, they were fortunate to hear it frequently, each time with its own distinct character.

The family takes in a night at a desert camp, where one realizes how insignificant you feel under a carpet of brilliant desert stars. They discover djellabas, the full-length robe with sleeves that is perfect for the changing conditions.

Meanwhile, in Marrakech, they walk along the streets and narrow lanes, squeezing against the wall to avoid the motorbikes. 

And to add a touch of seriousness, what happens during a medical emergency in Morocco? Chantal's daughter had an urgent need to find a dentist. The thought of finding one safe and reliable was daunting.

It was a trip that for the family may mark the end of an era, and Destination Morocco was happy to make it as memorable as possible. 

You're about to learn:

• How Fès is the best place to get leathers in Morocco.
• Getting meals outside the riad versus staying in to eat there.
• You get so much food at the restaurants, and you can't possibly eat it all, but what happens to the rest afterwards?
• What to wear in winter.
• The differences between riads, each with their own personal style.

Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Episode: Cierra & Dan McPherson

Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.

This episode is a replay of one of our most popular conversations, with podcast listener, professional photographer and seasoned traveller Maxx Walske, who fulfilled a dream by visiting Morocco in 2022.

Maxx is in fact returning to Morocco in 2023, and we look forward to catching up with her again. She 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, Maxx chats with Azdean about her trip, about culture shock, the reality of being in Morocco as a tourist, the accommodation, the food, the shopping and more. 

Maxx had all the typical questions and concerns going into the trip, but discovered a country blessed with stunning scenery and modern amenities: an open society of warm, friendly people.

And, "A photographer's dream!"

Punctuated by fun anecdotes and stories, it's a pleasant conversation that reminds you it's not all about Instagramable scenes and selfies, you have to enjoy the moment and be present.

Morocco is unique and magical, "You have to see it to believe it!" (Maxx).

You're about to learn:

• How busy it was, in general, and if there were people everywhere.
• How the square changes from day to nighttime. "It's a beast!" (Azdean).
• How June is a very good time to go, weather-wise.
• How planning helps you prepare, but throw away your expectations once you get started on your trip.
• How to prepare for shopping in Morocco, and how having local guides you can trust makes the entire experience worthwhile. You'll come home with quality items that you feel good about.
• Azdean talks about planning an itinerary, based on a person's interests and schedule, and how it becomes a very personal experience.
• About the wonderful hospitality, people going out of their way to help, even inviting you into their home.

Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Maxx's travel photos

Volubilis, Meknes (Roman ruins)

Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.

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 enthusiasm after the World Cup and now keen to learn more about the country. It was another demonstration of the growing interest in Morocco.

One of the challenges with the show from the start has been getting quality audio and reliable connections with podcast guests in Morocco. Azdean has figured out a solution: the company will be opening a dedicated podcast studio in Marrakech in the coming weeks, where guests can simply come in, sit down for an interview with proper tools and technology, and have a strong fibre optic connection.

This will enable us to ramp up creative opportunities with episodes direct from Morocco, making it feel that much closer for guests and listeners alike.

Upcoming topics will include in-depth profiles of Casablanca, Volubilis, Rabat, Tangier and more: places that have been touched on in previous episodes, but that will now have their own dedicated focus.

Meanwhile, Azdean's wife Khadija is a noted cook, with her own Moroccan catering company in Houston. We're looking forward to new episodes with her, explaining the story behind distinct Moroccan dishes and the recipes to go with them.

These will be complemented by more and more videos, so stay tuned to the Destination Morocco YouTube channel, Instagram and TikTok, as we put images and movement to the stories and fascinating information.

Thank you to all of our listeners in our first year of 2022! We are excited for what’s to come, uncovering more Moroccan secrets and discoveries. 

Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.

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 wondering is, "What is it like in Morocco right now?!"

Fortunately, we can get a report from a first-hand source. Regular listeners will have heard the name "Sam" many times: Destination Morocco's Operations Manager in Morocco, but today we finally get to hear his voice. 

Sam, aka Hussein, makes his debut on the podcast to fill us in on the energy in the country, street celebrations and the shock and surprise of it all. 

Meanwhile, in part two of today's episode we put a new twist on the podcast, and share with you info about Morocco, and Azdean himself, from a different perspective.

Azdean recently appeared on The Travel Agents Podcast with hosts Brian Chima and Will Lee, and we found it was such a good overview of Morocco that we've picked out some of the highlights of the conversation to share with you here. 

If you're new to the podcast and haven't gone through our earlier episodes yet, this one is a good introduction. And if you are already a regular listener, you'll find that today's conversation fills in some gaps and helps complete the picture of this amazing land.

Highlights include:

• Learning about relative distances and driving times between some major sights.
• The best way to get from Spain to Morocco.
• An overview of riads and why they emerged in Morocco.
• What exactly is a tagine and how is it used for cooking.
• The Jewish influence on Morocco, from food to architecture and even language.
• Understanding the difference between Moroccan Arabic and the more common dialects in places like Egypt.
• The construct of Berber families and villages, who preserve their unique culture and laws to this day.

Thanks to Will and Brian for letting us share their episode with our listeners too. Check out the links below to hear more of their great topics!

Resources Mentioned in this episode:

The Travel Agents Podcast

https://www.instagram.com/the_travelagents/

Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.

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, travelling solo and turning to Destination Morocco to create and guide what became a very special and memorable trip.

Rachel starts off in Casablanca, and like many of our other guests meets Khalil, the blind tour guide of Hassan II Mosque. She tours around the north of Morocco, and falls in love with the picturesque, crossroads city of Tangier. Hear her wax poetic on its old world charm and beautiful setting between ocean and mountains. She is captivated by the blue city of Chefchaouen, leaving her Instagram page bursting with colour. 

Fès then takes center stage, with Rachel being guided through the labyrinth of streets, visiting the mosaic & tile factory and then dropping in on the famous tanneries, a crucial mint coming in very handy.

Her riad in Fès, so completely unassuming from the outside, turns out to be a veritable palace once you walk through the door. Rachel takes us on a tour and describes it in detail. 

A highlight was the hammam, or "sand bath," in the desert at Agafay, just an hour outside of Marrakech. A relaxing and revitalizing experience, complete with herbs and spices for distinct aromas. 

Rachel had her own private tour, allowing her free reign to change plans, sleep in, go somewhere different or be spontaneous. And as a small, family tour company, changes could be made on the spot, without calling around, waiting for approval from someone in an overseas office, many time zones away. 

Thanks to being on a guided tour, with an individual itinerary made for her, Rachel was able to relax and enjoy each day of the experience, without wondering or figuring out the next steps, and all the logistics therein. 

Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Tangier

Agafay desert

Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.

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, these world travellers had an experience that ranked with the best of their many destinations.

Destination Morocco took them to innumerable places off the beaten track, from hole-in-the-wall restaurants to secret spots known only to locals. Hear their stories about enjoying Tangia stew, Moroccan bread and yes, a dish that consists of cooking (then eating) an entire sheep, head, eyes and all, that has been slow-cooked in a hole in the ground (Shoua).

Meanwhile, it wasn't planned as a romantic trip, but in such a romantic country they were swept up in the spirit. Dan & Cierra were treated to their own Moroccan wedding, with henna designs and Berber attire, and enjoyed memorable meal after memorable meal: breakfasts, lunch and dinner. They had arrived looking forward to the cuisine, and whether street food or established restaurants, it was amazing.

Listen in as they share delightful, heartfelt stories: slowing down to feel the wind, watch the stars, and be present in the moment, in such a beautiful place.

Through it all, it is another unique and personalized adventure. After this episode, you'll want more than ever to go on one of his tours too. 

You're about to discover:

• Khalil, the blind tour guide of Hassan II Mosque.
• How the connections of their tour guides allowed them early access to the Hassan II Mosque, before the regular crowds arrived.
• Amazing Chefchaouen peanuts, boiled in honey.
• Volubilis and the camel hump town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun.
• Having tried a camel burger, which would you now choose, camel or beef? 
• How remarkably small the riads can be, meaning no large groups, just a few guests at a time. A great opportunity to mingle and chat with the hosts and other travellers.
• What happened when they accidentally tipped a guide far less than the intended to.

Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.

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 riads, the landscape and most of all, the people, Morocco was at once modern and wonderfully traditional.

Even experienced travellers turn to tour companies from time to time, to help them get the best out of their vacation, and have access to places and experiences they otherwise would have never known about. The great thing is you can combine a guided tour with some of your own independent sightseeing, it doesn't have to be all one or the other. 

Pablo and Harmony were hosted by Destination Morocco for 4 days of their 18 day trip, taking the desert tour through Fès, Merzouga, Marrakech, Ifrane, Dades Valley,  the Atlas Mountains, Ouarzazate and Aït Benhaddou.

Having some prior knowledge of Morocco, thanks to the podcast, helped complement the guided tour once they were actually there. The show provided a solid foundation for what to expect and how to prepare.

Pablo describes their riads in great detail: hot tubs, pools, rooftop patios, and lounges where you can meet the other guests, who rarely number more than 7 or 8 in total. "It feels like you're visiting with a family member or friend. We ate so much amazing food in Morocco," he says.

Thank you to Pablo for sharing his journey with us, and encouraging more people to discover this amazing land.

Experiences you're about to share:

• Visiting the Hassan II Mosque: what it's like inside, the way the light comes into the spaces.
• A touching story from Aït Benhaddou, and an experience that you don't find in other large group tours.
• The fascinating experience of learning about hand-woven rugs at the Ouaouzguite Rugs Cooperative, getting to try it himself and how long the entire process can take.
• What might be an "Omelette with drippy meat" ?!
• Devouring stone-baked bread, off the beaten path.
• Discovering hidden underwater aquifers, in caves that have existed for centuries.

Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Pablo Juarez on Instagram

Ep. 7 Xavier, Essaouira

Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.

Travel to Morocco these days is increasingly a year round activity. Although temperatures in winter can be cool, you can still find plentiful accommodation and activities that are open, at a better price, and with fewer crowds. Indeed, many people prefer to travel in the low season for the slower pace and quieter experience.

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 during the high season? 

We talk about options for short trips, and whether it's worthwhile to hop over for a weekend if you're already in a place like Spain or France, with quick flights or even the ferry at your disposal. 

There's also a little bit of behind the scenes of the making of the podcast. We're breaking barriers in Morocco! Introducing the concept and giving folks opportunities to experience podcasting for the first time.

The crowds start to pick up again as we get into late March and April, so if you're looking for the Moroccan experience without quite so much bustle, when the stars shine their brightest, this episode will help get you started on your planning.

You're about to learn:

• What the weather is like in January & February.
• What to pack and expect for clothing in a country with different zones and weather systems.
• How the experience of the desert changes between seasons.
• How Azdean and his team will help you find a place that's well-located and convenient to the sights and your activities.
• What a short weekend break could look like, hopping over from Europe.
• Info touching on family travel, slow travel and long-term stays (digital nomad-style).

Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Algeciras, SP - Tangier, MR ferry service

Fès International Airport

Riad Zahra, Essaouira

Ted Cragg Podcasting

Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.

It’s time to talk about food! 

Azdean invites Fès restauranteur Aziz Zgani 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 for people to gather around.

Coming from Fès, everything is "refined:" traditions, culture, people: this is reflected in the cuisine and its international roots. Aziz shares some background history on Fès as a multi-ethnic sanctuary hundreds of years ago, providing a welcome home to Jews, Spanish, Berbers and Arabs, all of whom contributed to the city's distinct identity.

This may be the biggest surprise: pigeon pastilla?! Yes, it's true, and it's a delicacy! Although most restaurants these days default to chicken, pigeon can still be found and Azdean talks about growing up with it as a familiar, and delicious, meal.

This episode provides a great introduction to Moroccan food, and will help you become familiar with exotic menus and dishes when you arrive. It's the first of an ongoing series of episodes that will profile Morocco's unique cuisine, with the help of Azdean's wife Khadija, who runs a catering business in Houston, serving Moroccan food, to inspire your taste buds and cooking skills!


Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Chicken pastilla

Beef tagine with pears

Moroccan bread

Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.

Joanie Conwell fulfilled a dream in May of 2022, visiting Morocco for two weeks, inspired by the works of Paul Bowles, and with help from the Destination Morocco podcast, especially the Scams episode!

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

Joanie recounts special moments with strangers, and gives her views on whether it's a good idea to travel alone to Morocco, and what to expect.

A lot of information on the internet seems designed to frighten travellers curious about Morocco. Walking along the shoreline near Hassan II Mosque, observing regular families strolling at the sunset: the reality is much more nuanced than what you read online.

You're about to learn:

• Understanding transportation as a solo traveller. Azdean explains the differences between the petit and big taxis.
• The price of a 2nd class ticket on the high speed train (Al Boraq) from Rabat to Tangier.
• How the price for virtually everything that isn't prepaid is negotiable. Finding a taxi ride that was one-tenth of the original price quoted.
• How to avoid the touts hassling you to sell bus tickets, and just book online. Or, how to prepare for the touts and get a successful outcome.
• Joanie's great advice for anyone with dietary restrictions, allergies or other sensitivities to negotiate their way through Morocco (or any Arabic country).

Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Episode: Scams!

Paul Bowles, writer and composer

American Legation Museum Tangier

Cap Spartel (Where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic)

Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.