Send us a message, what did you think of this episode?

This episode also has a video version on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: Just how easy is it to travel to, and around, Morocco?
or stay here for the audio version - your choice!

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In today's episode of Destination Morocco podcast, Azdean and Sam respond to a common question they receive: Just how easy is it to travel to Morocco?

This is then a starting point for a detailed discussion on some useful, practical logistics when it comes to travel to, and around, their beautiful country.

Starting with visa requirements, particularly for U.S. and Canadian travelers, they then talk about passport validity and various direct flight options, more of which are starting all the time.

They go over the diverse range of accommodations in Morocco, highlighting both luxury international and local brands. Many, if not most, of the familiar hotel brands are well-established in Morocco, from Holiday Inn to Four Seasons. Plus some particular Moroccan-owned specialty hotels, some of whom have had a role in history.

But if you're a regular listener, you'll know that Sam and Azdean will always tout the virtues of Morocco's wonderful riads. If you're looking for an authentic accommodation experience, with comfort, quality and genuine hospitality, prioritize staying in riads wherever you go in Morocco. Sam highlights a few today, and don't forget we have other dedicated episodes too on riads, with even more detail. (Episode 29: The Allure of Moroccan Riads)

We then talk about transportation options within Morocco, including flights, trains, and buses. Modern Morocco has high-speed trains, luxury AC buses, and increasingly frequent and widespread domestic flights.

Whether you're a solo traveler or planning a group trip, this episode will guide you through those basic fundamentals, and get you started on a wonderful Moroccan adventure.

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!
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Support the podcast with our new Supporter program!
Destination Morocco +
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Join us for our monthly Q&A's! Live on Destination Morocco's YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn pages, the 1st Friday of each month at 1pm Pacific/4pm Eastern/10pm Central European time.

Send us a message, what did you think of this episode?

This episode also has a video version on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: How Discount Tours in Morocco End Up Costing You 3X More (Or Worse),
or stay here for the audio version - your choice!

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Support the podcast with our new Subscriber link!
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Our good friend Siham (Ep. 24) returns to continue the discussion with Azdean and Sam from Ep. 62 (May 15, 2024) about dangerous scams and unseemly tourism practices in Morocco.

This time, the topic is discount "tour operators," the type you see in the Jemma el-Fnaa square in Marrakech (or seemingly on every street corner and cubbyhole), offering "$80 tours to Merzouga Desert" or "$20 to visit Aït Benhaddou." Impossibly cheap prices, yet tantalizing as a result.

As has been said, "We hear a story too go to be true - it ain't."

You might be wondering therefore what exactly comes with one of these tours, do they even go to the destination at all? How could they possibly advertise transport, breakfast and accommodation for that price? What actually happens when you sign up?

Well, Siham did us a solid and went on one of these tours to Merzouga, posing as a regular "tourist," to find out.

She tells us about:

• Having to pay extra for AC in a hot van,
• Being pressured to buy "mandatory Sahara scarves" for the desert,
• Hearing "Guide included," but it's not the guide who ends up meeting you, for whom you then have to pay,
• Sharing a room with other travellers, because the tour wasn't advertised as "private rooms,"
• Visiting a Berber "house" that turns out to be a rug shop,

and much more.

Imagine, you're stuck in the middle of the desert, without any other options: no grocery store, no alternate accommodation, no other transport out. They've got you trapped, and that $80 price is suddenly a faint memory.

Even for more substantial, multi-day tours, Azdean has a story of what starts as an $800 fee then turns into $2800 in expenses once all is said and done.

Tune in to this episode

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!
--
Support the podcast with our new Supporter program!
Destination Morocco +
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Join us for our monthly Q&A's! Live on Destination Morocco's YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn pages, the 1st Friday of each month at 1pm Pacific/4pm Eastern/10pm Central European time.

Send us a message, what did you think of this episode?

This is a replay of the Live Q&A recording of Friday, July 5, "Movies Filmed in Morocco (And How to Visit the Locations)."

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!

Movies Filmed in Morocco (And How to Visit the Locations) (YouTube)

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Morocco is one of the most popular locations in the world for filming movies, and Hollywood is a regular visitor. Many of your favorite movies and TV series have been filmed there:

Game of Thrones, Mission: Impossible, James Bond, John Wick, The Witcher and Indiana Jones are just some of the big names at least partly filmed in Morocco.

Why is Morocco such a popular location? Filming movies in Morocco goes back many decades, but it was a couple of hits around 1999/2000 that really brought it more attention: The Mummy and Gladiator. The setting and environment was as much a star as the actors and story, and triggered a new era of big-budget, blockbuster productions.

The country can easily double for anywhere from Egypt to Greece to ancient Rome, fantasy lands to anywhere that needs a desert. The architecture of the cities and medinas have filled in for India, Italy and medieval Europe.

And, as the industry has grown in Morocco, so has the Atlas Studios, where massive sets can be built and desert and mountains are right on the doorstep. The success of Atlas has made it even easier for major productions to choose the country, especially for weeks-long shoots.

So, would you like to visit these locations yourself?!

We've done the research and will show you the locations of famous scenes in film and TV, how they appear in real-life, and then, how you can visit them too!

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!
--
Support the podcast with our new Supporter program!
Destination Morocco +
--
Join us for our monthly Q&A's! Live on Destination Morocco's YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn pages, the 1st Friday of each month at 1pm Pacific/4pm Eastern/10pm Central European time.