Destination Morocco Podcast

Welcome to the stunning oceanside city of Essaouira, located southwest of Casablanca, due west of Marrakesh, and midway down the Atlantic coast of Morocco.

In this episode, Azdean welcomes Xavier Panadés, owner of the riad "Riad Zahra," which sits but one block from Essaouira's stunning beach and oceanfront promenade. Xavier has Moroccan roots, but grew up in Barcelona, before returning to Morocco, settling in Essaouira and opening his Riad about 16 years ago.

Essaouira has many claims to fame, perhaps none more important or poignant than as a melting pot of cultures and religions. Arabs, Jews and Christians have lived together harmoniously for hundreds of years, a source of pride for the locals, known as swiriyin and swiriyat. 

Xavier gives us some background on things to see and do in Essaouira, local dishes, spices and markets, and the story behind his beautiful riad, which combines Moroccan and Spanish cuisine and influences.

You're about to learn:

- About Essaouira's Game of Thrones connection. Orson Welles too.

- About Riad Zahra, just 2 minutes' walk from the beach.

- Check out the amazing Live Webcam!!

- The Gnaoua International Music Festival, one of the largest music festivals in the world.

- The Hiloula Jewish festival, commemorating Rabbi Haim Pinto.

The special tagines of Essaouira:
- eel tagine
- octopus tagine

- Useful, valuable tips for buying Argan oil, Olive oil and even Moroccan honey. Look for the new official government label to ensure quality control.

- How Essaouira is a haven for Thuya wood and Argan trees.

Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Essaouira map

The Essaouira live cam 

Argan oil 

Thuya tree 

Gnawa music 

Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.

Come with us on a history and cultural journey, and learn the story and meaning of Ramadan, which in 2022 begins on April 3.

If you find yourself travelling in Morocco during Ramadan, what might you expect to see and experience? As Azdean explains, different Muslim countries often have their own variances on certain dates and traditions, and Morocco is no exception.

Many travellers may have the perception that during Ramadan, destinations and attractions are closed down, or much quieter.

In fact, the opposite is true. Not only are businesses still open, including restaurants for tourists, but the food and celebrations are even more dynamic and intense. City squares come alive as the sun sets, and people gather together to share in their common bond. 

Understanding Ramadan gives you an important cultural appreciation, and a window into daily life in Morocco during this holy month. This episode will give you the information and context behind many terms and customs that you may be slightly familiar with, but will make much more sense after Azdean gives you his own, personal perspective on what Ramadan is and what it's like.

You're about to learn:

• Where the name "Ramadan" comes from.
• About the 5 prayers of Ramadan, and their meaning (listen at the 3:28 mark):
  • Fajr
  • Dhuhr
  • Asr
  • Maghrib
  • Isha
• The special meditation prayer taraweeh.
• The ten days of Ramadan: the three stages.
• Iftar, the nightly breaking of the fast.
• Zakat, the Islamic tax.
• Laylat al-Qadr: the "Night of Destiny," celebrated during the last ten days of Ramadan.
• Eid al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of Ramadan.

Ramadan is a joyous occasion, and should you have the chance to witness it, whether this year or in years to come, it will be a unique and fortunate opportunity. 

Listen in to this episode to get a taste of the experience.

Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Marrakech prayer times during Ramadan, 2022

Beautiful photos of fresh Moroccan food!

Dadès Valley

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It may be your first time to Morocco, or you simply may want to cover as much as you can on your trip, in an organized, hassle-free way. Many travellers to Morocco choose a guided tour as the best way to see the country and come away with a real, vivid understanding for what they've experienced.

There are of course all kinds of options available, from focusing on specific areas of Morocco, to pursuing certain themes like perhaps food or outdoor activities, and lengths of a few days to two weeks or longer.

Azdean recommends 10 days as the ideal length, to see much of the sights, capture the variety, have enough time yet not feel too rushed. But it's your trip, you determine your preferences, and a good tour company will work together with you to make it a reality.

You're about to learn:

• How to book a tour.
• Options for add-ons and personalization, lots of flexibility.
• The options for getting around the cities and between cities.
• What's included in a typical tour, and what you need to prepare for that may not be included.
• Medication and supplies you may find helpful.
• Attractions and activities to see along the way.
• About camping under the stars in Merzouga desert.
• How to ride a camel!
• The role that tour guides play throughout your trip.
• How to acclimatize to the food.
• Guidance about cancellations, documentation and travel insurance.

This episode gives a great overview of the details of visiting Morocco, and will take the trip that's in your mind a big step towards becoming reality.


Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Sample Tour Itinerary

Casablanca    

Chefchaouen, the "blue pearl"    

Fès    

Ifrane, "The Switzerland of Morocco"

Ziz river and Gorge Canyon

Merzouga desert    

Camping under the stars 

Essaouira

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Travellers love Morocco for its exotic appeal, culture, stunning landscapes, distinct cuisine, and for its charms.

Yes, these charms can include scams, a regular feature of life as a tourist in Morocco, as elsewhere. And as Azdean will tell you, natives like him are far from exempt! Most of what you'll hear in this episode has happened to him at some point.

With touches of humor, detail and vivid descriptions that carry you away to the streets, taxi cabs, markets and restaurants of Marrakesh, Azdean guides you through what to expect, right from arrival at the airport.

You're about to learn:

• How to prepare your cash and use an ATM in Morocco,
• Understanding the money and conversions,
• Arriving at the airport, things to look out for,
• Finding a good SIM card for your mobile phone,
• Taxis: a key experience to navigate. How to prepare yourself for a taxi scam. Be prepared!

Arriving in the square. What scams to look out for?

•  A guided tour, the price looks great and the itinerary is exciting. But where will you end up spending the night?
• A henna tattoo, what could go wrong?
• Surely orange juice is just orange juice, right?
• How do you choose where to eat, and not be gouged on the price? 

And, Azdean shares which is the scariest scam of them all.

Always, always: Remember your body language!

Join us for a fascinating, insider's look into how scams operate, how to avoid or get out of situations, and why they exist in the first place.


Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Jamaa el-Fnaa Square (aka "The Square")

Moroccan dirhams

Globe Convert app

Mobile SIM card Maroc Telecom Etisalat

Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.

As we begin our exploration of Morocco, Azdean invites his producer, Ted Cragg, onto the podcast, to chat about what listeners can expect from the show over the coming episodes.

Imagine us sitting in a nice café, or maybe drinking some fresh Moroccan mint tea, as Azdean gives us an overview of Morocco for those just beginning to learn about the country. We talk about some of the fundamentals: population, languages, climate, distances, costs, potable water, security and more.

Azdean gets us started on planning a trip to Morocco: where would you go if you had 1 week? What choices would you need to make? We get a sense of the scale and proximity of the various cities and sights, and some of the highlights to make sure to include.

As you'll hear in this episode, there are so many facets of Morocco to be explored, topics and curiosities that will appeal to both the casual traveller who enjoys learning about different places around the world, and to those with an upcoming trip in mind to Morocco. We set the stage here in Episode 2 for all of these discoveries. So much to look forward to!


Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Destination Morocco Instagram

A Moroccan riad (traditional house & garden)

Some of the movies filmed at Atlas Studios (IMDB)

Today's Weather in Morocco

Sidi Ali water

Ted Cragg Podcasting

Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.

Destination Morocco launches its podcast, with an introduction to the show and a greeting from our host, Azdean.

Azdean and his family hail from the small village of Telouet, Morocco, about 40 miles (in a straight line; much longer by road!) southeast of Marrakesh. After finishing school in Marrakesh, he moved to the United States in 1995, settling in Houston. Azdean and his wife Khadija Elomari then took their passion for sharing their homeland and created the Destination Morocco tour company, in 2016.

The Destination Morocco podcast is the next step in the journey, an opportunity to share with you the rich culture, history and stories of Morocco. Azdean and his guests open the door to travel in Morocco, helping you learn what to expect, how to plan, what to see and what to experience.

There will also be all the latest news and updates on health and safety, travel restrictions and regulations, costs and other logistics.

Morocco is a country that is at once familiar, and yet mysterious. Destination Morocco podcast is here as the first step on your journey to uncovering its secrets.

Come along for the adventure.


Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Destination Morocco Travel Agency

Destination Morocco Podcast Episodes 

Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.

Morocco: Beautiful, wild, colorful, romantic, exotic. It is an enticing destination: a place that impels you to visit, a place that triggers your curiosity. A mix of the modern and traditional, the Gateway to Africa.

Join host Azdean Elmoustaquim, native Moroccan and head of inspiration at Destination Morocco tour company, as he takes you on an exploration of his country's distinct culture, vibrant history and stunning attractions. We'll meet locals and guides, and experienced travellers too, as they share their stories of unlocking this fascinating territory.

Azdean prepares you for the real Morocco, showing how to travel there, how to get around, what to expect and how to make the most of your time. We learn about costs and prices, safety, especially for female travellers, the kinds of scams to look out for in the bazaars, what languages to expect, and so much more.

Destination Morocco unpacks the mystery, opening up discovery of an amazing land. We invite you along for the journey.

Destination Morocco is your ultimate travel experience for those seeking luxury and adventure. We specialize in crafting bespoke itineraries tailored to your unique tastes and desires. If you're a discerning traveler who values an immersive, curated adventure, visit www.destinationsmorocco.com, and let us bring your dream Moroccan vacation to life.

Do you dream of exploring the enchanting land of Morocco?

Destination Morocco is your ultimate travel experience for those seeking luxury and adventure. We specialize in crafting bespoke itineraries tailored to your unique tastes and desires.

If you're a discerning traveler who values an immersive, curated adventure, visit www.destinationsmorocco.com, and let us bring your dream Moroccan vacation to life.

Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.

Download the stunning Destination Morocco magazine!

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