We recommend watching the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here:

"How a Blind Tour Guide Shows Tourists the Best of Casablanca"

Khalil Nejjary is a blind tour guide in Casablanca, and when Azdean visited the city and the incredible Hassan II Mosque, he finally had the chance to invite him on the podcast, in person.

We previously published this episode in audio form, but we now have the complete video to go along with the story, with stunning images of the interior of the mosque, the architecture and the full panorama of the area, on a beautiful, sunny Moroccan summer's day.

https://youtu.be/f6gAECOc3c8

Khalil's ability to describe in detail, from memory, the features of the mosque and the exact sights of Casablanca is just remarkable.

We met Khalil at the entrance hall to the mosque complex, where visitors can get tickets for the guided tours and visit the small museum with photos of the mosque's construction. Khalil and other guides meet their guests here, then escort them across the massive courtyard, or esplanade, to the mosque's entrance.

Khalil talks about the mosque's architecture, the materials used and why they were chosen, and the long path from King Hassan II's initial dream of building a great mosque to its eventual completion.

Khalil also tells us about the history of Casablanca and its influence on the world, and outlines a typical tour of the city, which would take in many of the famous and important sights.

His joy and delight in welcoming visitors from around the world, or bumping into old friends, is deeply evident while watching him in his natural element. Khalil is a wonderful example of the genuine, authentic Moroccan hospitality that awaits your arrival when you come visit as well.

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.

Explore our Private Tours and Small Group Tours!

We recommend watching the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here:

"Discover a Unique Merzouga Desert Camp Experience"

Azdean sits down with Mr. Said, manager and co-owner of Sahara Sky Luxury Camp, located in the heart of the desert, yet just 23 miles from the town of Erfoud, the local service centre.

Said and Azdean sit down to talk about how he founded his camp, how they maintain their own animals and gardens in the desert, their emphasis on organic ingredients in their incredible food, and how the food itself is different from your standard Moroccan fare.

When you're ready to go beyond the tagines and couscous, Said and his kitchen have wonderful, original recipes for you to try.

All this in addition to a surprising number of activities, located on-site or a short drive away. The desert is about more than just camel rides and dune buggies, although you shouldn't miss out on doing them either!

But the Merzouga area has a number of important cultural sites, some dating back hundreds or thousands of years, that connect the area to Berber and North African history, and Said can easily arrange for you a tour.

Or you can take part in cooking classes and musical performances at the camp itself, before relaxing under the stars. This is Merzouga, and nothing compares to the show that is put on by the night sky.

We previously posted this recording as audio-only, but now have a beautiful video version to share with you. You'll see stunning drone views of the desert, camel rides, 4X4 treks, close-ups on luxury desert tents for meals and sleeping, and the Gnawa music troupe that performs on site.

You'll hear peacocks and cats in the background as we chat, and close your eyes to imagine yourself in this beautiful desert paradise. Because of course, you yourself can experience all this too!

Contact us at Destination Morocco and learn about our custom-built itineraries and tour packages. We love to profile our partners and attractions in our episodes, which you can then be sure to request as part of your own tour.

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.

Explore our Private Tours and Small Group Tours!

We recommend watching the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here:

Discover Gnawa: Morocco's Indigenous Music (YouTube)

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Gnaoua (also spelled Gnawa) music is known as Morocco's indigenous music, brought to the modern-day country over centuries from nomads across north Africa, and gradually adapted to various regional interpretations.

Today's episode was recorded live on location at a Merzouga desert camp and at a Marrakech restaurant, and originally aired on the podcast in early 2024. Now, we have the video version for you as well, which you'll see in the YouTube link above, or on our channel here: @destinationsmorocco.

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. We check the schedules and availability in the cities and riads that are part of your tour, to see what we can offer you for this amazing experience!

Khemliya, Merzouga

Ending Gnawa music recorded live at Safran Marrakech restaurant.

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.

Explore our Private Tours and Small Group Tours!

We recommend watching the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here:

A Food Tasting Tour in the Heart of Marrakech! (YouTube)

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Today's live episode takes you on a culinary food tour through the famous Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, in the heart of Marrakech, with Azdean and local guide Mr. Ahmed.

Together, they delve into the rich culinary traditions of the area, first with a visit to the olive section, where Ahmed explains the significance and variety of olives used in Moroccan cuisine. Next, they take us to a tasting of traditional Moroccan pastries, including Ghriba, Chebakia, and Fekkas, originally influenced by Jewish traditions.

The journey then takes us through the world of dried fruits, highlighting their cultural importance and common uses in special occasions such as weddings and Ramadan.

No visit to Morocco can take place without trying Harira soup, probably the staple of staples in every house and restaurant. Azdean and Ahmed visit another food stall to learn about the ingredients in Harira, when and how it's eaten, and why you can eat more of it when it's not during Ramadan!

The server then brings over a heaping plate of Msemen (Moroccan pancakes), which can be eaten either sweet or savoury, depending on your preference and the time of day. Often we see Msemen at breakfast, or accompanying a hearty bowl of Harira.

Lastly, the tour concludes at a popular food stall, Stall #31 & 50, where you'll learn about the Marrakech specialty dish of Tangia, a slow-roasted and steamed meat dish, baked in a special pot which gives it its name and distinctive flavour. You can request a visit to this stall on your food tour.

Throughout the episode, Ahmed shares cultural insights and historical contexts, making it a rich, immersive experience for anyone interested in Moroccan cuisine. This episode gives you a wonderful taste for a typical food tour, the type that Destination Morocco can easily organize and include for you as part of your custom-build itinerary.

And we talk about the contrast between a food tour and a cooking class, the pros and cons of each, and let you decide which you prefer to do, if not both!

Schedule a free discovery call today at www.destinationsmorocco.com to learn about all the options and possibilities available to you on our tours. We can't wait to show you Morocco.

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.

Explore our Private Tours and Small Group Tours!

We recommend watching the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here:

Where you can find genuine Argan oil, from an ethical source (YouTube)

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Discover the versatile and distinctly Moroccan product of Argan Oil in today's conversation, recorded live at the Zin Cooperative, just outside of Essaouira.

Argan oil can be pressed into both edible or cosmetic use, and our guest Chiadma explains the different methods of production, and how they know which is which.

Discarded shells of the nuts are given to the famous tree-climbing goats, whom you might otherwise see along the highway from Marrakech to Essaouira, climbing trees in search of their own supply!

Argan trees particularly thrive in the dry, Mediterranean-style climate of Essaouira, Agadir and Taroudant (which we described recently in Episode 86). Which means sourcing your product from that region is a good start, but you still can't assume that it's the real deal.

Chiadma shares a story of how, before she started working at the co-op, even she succumbed to a too-good-to-be-true sale. Suffice to say, the oil didn't last very long. Good, quality Argan products need a high percentage of oil, and Chiadma explains what to look for.

The Zin Cooperative, like the rug cooperative we featured in Episode 79, provides much needed employment and community for local women, in a positive and supportive environment. Discover not only quality products, but an enterprise that had a meaningful impact on this rural area.

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.

Explore our Private Tours and Small Group Tours!

We recommend watching the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here:

The Magic of Meknes! Morocco's Imperial Secret (YouTube)

Today we feature the imperial city of Meknes, which has a prominent place in Morocco's history and culture, particularly as it relates to the Alaouite Dynasty, who continue to reign as the ruling family of Morocco today.

This episode originally appeared as part of our initial split tour episode: Ep, 71, Oct 15, 2024 - "From Capitals to Afterthoughts and Back Again: The Stories of Meknes & Volubilis (live walking tour)."

BUT - this time we have an extended focus on Meknes, and you can watch the video version as well over on our YouTube channel.

In the mid-17th Century, sultan Moulay Isma'il chose Meknes as his capital. Over the next 50 years, he rebuilt the city on a monumental scale, fitting of a new, imperial city.

The end of Moulay Isma'il's reign however, in 1727, led to a competition for power, and eventually Meknes lost its status of imperial capital, which moved back to Fes. Later, the great Lisbon earthquake of 1755 also hit northern Morocco very hard, causing damage in Meknes that further undermined its status and prestige.

In our episode today, we have a fabulous local guide, Abdellatif, who spoke excellent English and had a deep knowledge of history and detail throughout the old city. Be sure to request him if you have Meknes in your Morocco tour itinerary, fingers crossed he will be available!

Abdellatif tells us about the interconnected nature of the medina, which contains more than 10,000 houses. He tells us the history of the Mellah, and how although the population has dwindled, these days Jewish ancestors come back to retrace ancient footsteps.

We explore the Bab el-Khamis, one of the monumental entrances to the medina, decorated with intricate calligraphy. Abdellatif translates it for us and explains why it's called the "happy gate."

We then visit the mausoleum of Moulay Isma'il, which includes a mosque, prayer space, madrassa and library. We learn about how families with Alaouite ancestry, even if they are not rich and powerful today, are still allowed to bury their dead in the royal cemetery, thanks to this lineage.

We see how mosaics were created through mathematical calculations, and then Abdellatif points out the supposedly haunted prison, the "prison with no windows or doors," where the Sultan would bargain for the lives (frequently Europeans) in the age of piracy. Fortunately those days are long over!

Abdellatif truly brings Meknes to life with his vibrant and descriptive tour. You'll gain a new appreciation for this fascinating and often bypassed city, which is in fact quite easy to add to a standard Chefchaouen-Fes itinerary.

Contact Destination Morocco for more details!

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.

Explore our Private Tours and Small Group Tours!

We recommend watching the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here:

"Create the Tour YOU Want in Morocco"

When you're the type of traveller, particularly to Morocco, who would like to get past the overwhelm and uncertainties of crafting your own trip around the country and take a guided tour instead, it's easy to then get bombarded by the various discount trips, package deals without a lot of detail, rushed itineraries and tightly controlled schedules.

There are better ways to see Morocco, in a safe, comfortable, relaxed and personalized way, without the crowds, or waiting around for all 47 passengers to board the bus.

Destination Morocco specializes in private and small group tours. We love being able to dart past the big groups waiting in line at the group entrance and instead head straight inside.

We always partner with small, family-run riads, the type that only have an 8 or 12-person capacity, and only default to a hotel when that's the sole option (a rare occasion).

We get you that table at a hidden gem restaurant, the one that only locals know about. Because it's your own local guide who's taking you there. Explore the medina at your own pace, add a museum to a rainy afternoon, or make that extra stop at the argan oil cooperative or an unexpected winery along the way.

Destination Morocco has a new promotions magazine coming out soon, with many beautiful images, background info on Morocco's diverse cities, options for immersive cultural experiences and sample itineraries. Azdean and podcast producer Ted are here today to flip through it, digitally speaking, to inspire you with ideas.

Morocco is getting busier than ever, it's an exciting time! All kinds of big events are coming up, this year and in the coming years, which means more people will be discovering the country, and some of those secret places will become a little less hidden.

Azdean and Ted talk about a couple of these for instance, such as the stunning mountainside town of Taroudant, on the southern slopes of the High Atlas mountains, between Marrakech and Agadir. You won't find it on any regular tour itineraries, but with Destination Morocco you can add it to yours! Now's your chance to get there before it becomes the next big thing.

Today's episode is full of ideas and inspiration. Follow along on our YouTube channel to catch all the images and visual references, you don't want to miss this one!

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.

Explore our Private Tours and Small Group Tours!

We recommend watching the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here:

"Why Chefchaouen is a Unique Gem Within Morocco"

Azdean sits down on-location with local guide Hamid to learn about the history of Chefchaouen, the famous blue city of northern Morocco.

This small town roughly 4 hours north of Fes, or 2 hours south of Tangier, has been attracting tourists for decades and, in the age of Instagram, gets more popular every year.

As Hamid and Azdean emphasize, Chefchaouen is not just about the stunning colours, but the beautiful architecture, historic Medina and kasbah, and its natural setting in the Rif mountains.

Gentle creeks of water wind their way through the town, artisans and craftsmakers line the paths and lane ways, and fresh orange juice vendors squeeze delicious nectar to help you on the climb up to the Spanish mosque, where you get stunning views of the mountains, valleys and the rolling hills of blue.

Hamid explains the historic founding of Chefchaouen as a refuge for both Muslim and Jewish refugees during the time of the Spanish Inquisition. The town is a perfect snapshot of Morocco's welcoming and tolerant nature.

And we finally get a definitive answer as to why the city is blue. Although you may expect that this is something dating back centuries, the reality may surprise you!

Chefchaouen is a calm and quiet jewel of Morocco, with many wonderful features to attract travellers looking for the exotic and colorful, as well as peaceful retreats, fresh mountain air, tremendous hiking and a laid-back spirit and hospitality.

We previously posted this recording as audio-only, but now have a beautiful video version to share with you.

We know that it won't take much to convince you to add it to your Morocco itinerary!

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.

Explore our Private Tours and Small Group Tours!