Destination Morocco Podcast

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 collective spirit, where sacrifice and diligence go hand in hand with helping others and giving back.

The question though is often raised by non-Muslim travellers, "Can I travel to Morocco during Ramadan? Is it worth it, is it a good idea?"

Our episode today is to counter that view and establish that, although routines and schedules are undeniably different during Ramadan, it is still very much possible to travel to and around Morocco during the holy month, and in fact it is quite a special experience. 

Hiba, Sam and Azdean discuss the spiritual meaning and practices of Ramadan for Moroccan Muslims, which includes fasting, Zakat (charitable giving), communal traditions such as Iftar (breaking of the fast), and increased recitation of the Quran. Because if you are in Morocco during Ramadan, you'll want to understand what the traditions are, why they're important, and what to look for, to give you a better appreciation for what's happening around you. 

Then there is some practical travel advice for tourists, including suggested itineraries, cultural etiquette, and meal planning, which is key. Fundamentally, everything remains open in Morocco during Ramadan, from restaurants to shops to riads. The defining difference is the availability of food. 

It is easier to find western-catering restaurants in the big cities, but since travel around Morocco involves a lot of driving through the rural countryside, restaurants are fewer anyway and during Ramadan they may be closed during the day. You can plan ahead with snacks and packed lunches, and your tour guide, driver and riad hosts will all help you stay prepared.

Traveling to Morocco during Ramadan is a unique and immersive cultural experience. As Azdean points out, you only have the chance one month out of the entire year, so if you have the opportunity, make the most of it and enjoy this special time!

Music credits: 
Min Wahi El-Lami / Ali Sabah / courtesy of www.epidemicsound

Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.

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 longing for freedom, and evolved into a deep religious expression of the Muslim faith.

The contemporary Gnawa festivals in Essaouira and Merzouga stem from the agricultural rhythm of generations of harvests, the point where abundance and peace could be celebrated. Modern-day events typically coincide with Eid al-Adha celebrations that are timed with cycles of the moon, and take place roughly 11 days earlier in each subsequent year.

However, Gnaoua music and live performances are easy to find year-round in Morocco, particularly in the south. Our samples in this episode of both desert camps and urban restaurants are good examples of this. Your guide or riad owner will help you find the best locations to witness Gnaoua in person, don't hesitate to ask!

Khemliya, Merzouga

Ending Gnawa music recorded live at Safran Marrakech restaurant.

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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 common use and may be at least a bit more familiar to many travellers.

The best way to follow this episode is by watching it on our YouTube channel, where you will see the visuals as we spell each word or phrase in Darija, French and Berber.

However, interspersed with our language lesson, and particularly in the first 20 minutes, is some background and contextual information on languages in Morocco, where you'll hear each one, and in what situation.

We have a fun conversation on language identity, and talk about examples when Azdean, Sam and Hiba had to figure out themselves which language to use, and how their accents were interpreted. It turns out that the dialects alone amongst Berber speakers can be quite distinct!

It's not just travellers but locals as well who navigate this linguistic landscape. But in a place where exposure to multiple languages on a daily basis is a common occurrence, there is far less awkwardness or embarrassment as a result.

So if you're listening in your car, on the bus, cooking, going for a walk etc., check out this audio excerpt of our live recording for the fascinating background info on languages.

Then, you can jump over to the YouTube channel and at the 20 minute mark, you'll see our language lesson begin!

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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 culture and how they have embraced tourism as a way to present their culture and provide a unique experience to tourists from around the world. He speaks seven languages, which he attributes to interacting with diverse tourists, as well as a reflecting a common Moroccan trait of having a knack for language. Although, as Azdean points out, there are certainly pockets of Morocco where people are not only unilingual, they may speak only Moroccan Arabic (Darija) or the Berber (Amazigh) language, the original indigenous language, without really being able to communicate in the other.

So it's not a given that all Moroccans are polylingual, but we have certainly met quite a few examples on the podcast who are! And it is an impressive thing to see. Mustapha even speaks Russian and Mandarin, thanks to the many Chinese tour groups that have been coming through Aït Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate over the last few years.

Mustapha also discusses the establishment, menu, and services of l'Oasis d'Or, highlighting its welcoming approach to customers and how the staff operate as a big family. Azdean, with his eye for hospitality and service, praises the restaurant's generosity and the quality of its food, voicing optimism for l'Oasis d'Or's plans to open a new hotel in the near future.

On the theme of languages, we welcome you to join us live on YouTube on Wednesday, February 14 at 12 pm EST for our next live Q&A session, where we'll be talking about languages in Morocco, particularly the difference between Berber and Darija. Azdean and Sam will teach us a few useful phrases for travellers. Always handy, especially if you're heading off the beaten path for some real cultural immersion, which is the theme of our recent series of episodes!

l'Oasis d'Or, Aït Ben Haddou
Destination Morocco YouTube

Music credits: 
Sight of Wonders / Desert Footsteps / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

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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 roads are largely saled and well maintained, and to compensate for the twisty switchbacks there are stunning views of valleys and snow-capped mountains along the way.

Ali guides us through his personal experiences growing up in Telouet, from his family's ancestral craft of blacksmithing to the evolution of Berber communities, highlighting the unique blend of Jewish and Berber cultures steeped in the region's history. Having left to go to university in Marrakech and working around Morocco, he appreciates even more being able to come back home and make a living in this quiet area with fresh air and a peaceful pace of life.

At the same time, Azdean and Ali talk about some of the major events that are starting to put Telouet on the map, including the Atlas Mountain Cycling Race that passes through town, bringing around 200 riders on a traverse from Marrakech to Essaouira. Ali's anecdotes about mountain climbing and the importance of development and visibility of Telouet's history and culture paint a vivid image of a place poised on the cusp of tourism transformation.

Moreover, you'll learn about Telouet's historical importance as a rich salt source, the health benefits of this mineral in both the culinary and medicinal spheres, the profound connection to esteemed painters like Jacques Majorelle, and the significance of the area as a link between Africa and Europe.

It's an episode filled with warmth, a delightful conversation with a local guide well-known to the trekking community. Don't forget to pack your sense of wonder for this captivating instalment of Destination Morocco – your gateway to the traditions and innovations of the Amazigh heartland.

Telouet
Guide Ali Ahdadi

Music credits: 
Edward Karl Hanson / Moroccan Marketplace / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.

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 Algeria, 
• the Tuareg: a more nomadic people but with predominantly in Mali, 
• the Chleuh of southern Morocco and the High Atlas Mountains (Agadir, Tafraout, Ouarazazate areas), 
• the Zayanist of a different area of southern Morocco (the Anti-Atlas Mountains), 
• the Mzabites of central Algeria, 
• and the Siwa of western Egypt, who have far more in common with their Amazigh cousins than with the Arabs of contemporary Egypt.

In Part 1 of our series, we gave an overview of the Amazigh culture and identity, and its history and influence dating back thousands of years. In Part 2, we explore the distinct identities, customs and dialects within the Amazigh world, since they are far from a homogeneous community, which makes sense covering such a large area. 

While listening to their story, it is important to erase for a moment those borders, lines, names and flags that are more familiar. Underneath are the Amazigh, and when you visit Morocco, or indeed continue further across North Africa, you will know who these groups are and how they all fit together.

Our series, "The Amazigh Chronicles," will continue after this as additional bonus episodes for those who enjoy diving in deeper to cultural history from a modern day perspective, brought to you by native Moroccans themselves. Keep an eye out for further episodes in our podcast feed. 

Our general theme in early 2024 is learning about cultural identities in Morocco and North Africa, and in turn opportunities for you as a traveller to understand and experience this in person. Our upcoming episodes in February, including our Live Q&A, will continue along these lines with lots of practical information and advice to help you really get to know Morocco and its people.

Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.

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 their sleeves, and how can you ensure a fair fare? What about those unofficial tour guides who seem so helpful at first glance? Learn the subtle tactics scammers use and get concrete tips on how to say no to unwanted tours and purchases. 

You might not thinking that dining out is something prone to scams, but Azdean sheds light on menu price changes and added fees, while Ted reveals his take on unexpected items showing up at your table. Is it complimentary, or will you find it on your bill?
How can a photograph safeguard against overcharging? And in the vast array of merchandise in the souks, how can you distinguish a genuine offer from a scam? 

It's not all negative though: fortunately some areas of travel in Morocco have seen substantial improvement. Sam talks about the improvements in taxi services, including the benefits of a scheduled green taxi pick-up and how to utilise the newly introduced kiosk system at the airports. Learn when and how you can call the police, or even threaten to do so, and how that can make all the difference.

We go over the importance of guarding your belongings against theft at the airport, how to effectively navigate interactions with customs officials, and why certain travellers are targeted.

Scams are an international reality, and knowledge is your best ally against them. Get ready to jot down valuable insights that will help you embrace the vibrant Moroccan experience with confidence and peace of mind.

This episode not only raises the questions but offers the answers that could save you time, money, and stress!

Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.

Who are the Moroccans?

To a large extent, the native population of Morocco are the Amazigh people, whose presence and influence date back thousands of years. Commonly known as “Berbers,” in fact their preferred term, “Amazigh,” is a more positive, inclusive name that means “the free people.” 

Speaking the Tamazight language, and pronounced similar to “A-ma-zirgh,” (with the “rgh” a soft guttural sound) Amazigh roots spread far beyond just the borders of Morocco, which as you’ll learn in today’s episode, are quite artificial. Tribes and bloodlines stretch from Egypt to modern day Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Mauritania and more. The Amazigh tussled with the pharaohs, faced the Carthaginians, mingled with the Romans, occupied Iberia (modern Spain and Portugal), and absorbed Islamic invaders to lay the foundations of their modern culture. 

In more recent times, the Amazigh and Morocco (and Africa in general) have gone through the sting of colonialism and adapting to the imposition of European culture and languages. Moroccan independence from France in 1956 marked a return to the path of freedom and self-determination that has marked the vast majority of the country’s history. 

Morocco today is a multiethnic, modern and cosmopolitan society. But it is the Amazigh people who have the deepest roots and impact. 

Meanwhile, at Destination Morocco, one of the most frequent questions from our tour guests is, “How can I learn more about the native people, and experience the Berber culture?” Many travellers have a desire to go beyond the touristy sights and attractions and have a true culturally immersive experience. 

To that end, one of the topics we’ve had on our podcast list has been to give an overview of Berber/Amazigh history, and context to their role in Moroccan society today. This episode is the first part of a new ongoing series, a mix of regular and bonus episodes that are a bit of a glimpse “behind the curtain” into the culture and identity of everyday Moroccans. 

Azdean and Sam are joined by friend of the podcast Hiba, live from her home in Marrakech, to talk about Amazigh history. In Part 1, they talk about the early development of Amazigh identity, its reaction to the various invaders and conquerors over the centuries, and how those milestones have influenced culture and identity today. 

Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.

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 team actually going to stay, anonymously, at properties around the country in order to make an accurate assessment. The same goes for restaurants, right up to 5 star hotels. Just because a hotel has 5 stars doesn’t necessarily mean it offers outstanding service or quality: often reputation obscures reality. Sam and the team in Morocco are there to verify these things themselves, and ideally avoid problems before they arise. 

Often, it’s not so much a case of not wanting to spend money but rather getting the quality and value you expect for your budget. Our episode today shares some first-hand insight from Azdean, Sam and Ted’s personal experiences to help you know what to expect when you travel to Morocco.

Some of the highlights featured in this episode include:

Widiane Resort & Spa 

Riad Ghita, Fès 

Episode 33: Live episode with Said from Sky Sahara Camp, Merzouga 

Episode 3: Scams! How to Understand and Avoid Them 

Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.

One of the great travel stories we’ve heard from a guest on the podcast was just over a year ago now. It was with Rachel Metcalfe, for whom Morocco went from being a remote, distant idea to, a month later, sitting on the airplane on her way to Casablanca.

Destination Morocco took on the challenge of organizing her last-minute trip, and in this episode Rachel explains how that made all the difference in having an enjoyable, complete tour that covered the sights she wanted to see.

This is our last episode of 2023, and many thanks to our listeners for a wonderful year of great episodes and great tours. In 2024, our new documentary, Kingdom of Colors, premiers, which follows Azdean's family’s trip around Morocco with some stunning visuals. You can see the trailer now on our website or the Destination Morocco YouTube channel.

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Imagine: One day, someone gives you the idea of going to Morocco, and you think, "Yeah, maybe..." But 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 Metcalfe's story of making the commitment and turning to Destination Morocco to create 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 color. 

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. 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.