This episode also has a video version on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: "Travel to Morocco in 2025: Travel Highlights to Help Your Planning"

Or stay here for the audio version - your choice!

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Morocco had a banner year in 2024, with tourist numbers reaching over 17 million, a number predicted for 2026 and yet reached two years ahead of time.

With new air routes getting underway, both international and domestic, and new hotels and luxury brands setting up in the country, Morocco is very much on the up and up. For the first time, it outdrew Egypt as the top destination for travellers in Africa. Tourist numbers are predicted to reach 26 million per year by 2030, the year Morocco co-hosts the World Cup, alongside Spain and Portugal.

All of which means, now is the time to go! Azdean and Destination Morocco podcast producer Ted Cragg discuss, in today's episode, what to prepare for in 2025, particularly events and prices that could affect your travels.

They highlight some of the numerous large festivals that take place throughout the year, including the Gnawa Music Festival in Essaouira in June, and the Marrakech International Film Festival in December. These are annual events that always draw large crowds, but equally are exciting and prestigious events to witness.

Adding to the excitement though in 2025, and in a preview of what's to come 5 years from now, are some major international football/soccer tournaments that will take place in Morocco.

The U-17 Africa Cup of Nations will be held from March 30 to April 19, followed by the Women's Africa Cup of Nations from July 5 to 26.

Then, FIFA's U-17 Women's World Cup will take place from October 17 to November 8, expanded to 24 teams for the first time.

And in the largest of them all, Morocco will host for the second time ever the Africa Cup of Nations, starting towards the end of the year, December 21, 2025 and running to January 18, 2026. This major tournament will be spread amongst six cities across the country: Tangier, Agadir, Rabat, Marrakech, Fez, and Casablanca.

Therefore, if you are planning a visit during one of these festivals or tournaments, make sure you do your research! Prices will likely be inflated, and accommodation will be less available and flexible as the dates draw near.

Alternatively, knowing when these events are taking place may help you decide exactly when to go, if you would rather avoid the crowds and the hype and go at a quieter pace.

Either way, we have lots to look forward to in Morocco in 2025, an exciting year in and of itself, but also a prelude of what to expect for the rest of the decade.

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!

Palm trees and snow?

T-shirts in the afternoon, winter coats in the evening?

This is Morocco in winter, and it's a fun time to explore!

As we head into 2025, if you are thinking of putting together a quick winter trip to Morocco, especially for those of our listeners in Europe, this replay episode gives you some useful info on what to expect and how to prepare.

January, February and March are excellent times to visit Morocco: the crowds are less, the temperature is comfortable and not scorching, there is better chance of last-minute availability for accommodation and activities, and you'll enjoy the hot tea, toasty food, comfortable riads and warm hospitality.

In our conversation today, between Azdean and podcast producer Ted Cragg, we learn about:

• What the weather is like in January, February and March,
• 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,
• Whether you have to fly into Casablanca or if you can enter the country in different locations, including by boat.

Destination Morocco is here to help you enjoy the best of Morocco, at your pace and style. Set up a free discovery call and let us know what you would like to see!

https://destinationsmorocco.com/plan-a-trip

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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!

Come with us and discover some of Morocco's amazing local food, direct from the source in this dynamic live-recorded walking tour of the food stalls in Marrakech.

Azdean is joined by local food guide Ahmed, who takes us through the sweet and the savory, from dishes that are common across the country to those only found, or perfected, in Marrakech specifically.

We start with the olives. Olives have a long and deep history in Morocco, not just as a delicacy, but with strong cultural and religious meaning too. Ahmed tells us why olives come in different colors, how they are harvested and the spices used to prepare them.

From there it's over to the pastry stalls, a hallmark of Moroccan hospitality. Many pastries in fact owe their existence to the Jewish influence in Morocco, and have since been embraced as delicacies by Muslims, Jews and Christians alike. A true example of Morocco's open and tolerant society.

Ahmed explains not just what the pastries are and how they're made, but their role in hosting and welcoming guests when they visit your home.

A key ingredient in many dishes that can easily go unnoticed are dry fruits. Something so innocuous yet very influential in cooking, seasoning, and even celebrations. They are used in pastries and cookies, soups, tagines, salads and even as gifts at weddings. Ahmed elaborates on how all this came to be.

If you have been to Morocco, or when you go, perhaps the first Moroccan dish you will sample is Harira soup. It is the cover image of this episode, and it is ubiquitous. Harira is often closely associated with Ramadan, but is in fact common place throughout the year, and as Azdean points out, when there are no fasting restrictions you get to eat even more of it!

Few things say Morocco more than this hearty, simple, typically vegetarian soup. Harira is often served with Msemen, the Moroccan pancake, and Ahmed elaborates on this common dish as well.

The final stop is to sample some Tangia, and witness it being cooked. Tangia is a clay pot, double-lined to allow steam to escape, in which meat and spices are mixed. The pot is then lowered into the ground, into a hot pit of fire and coals, to slow cook for hours.

When you visit a Tangia stall, you will see all this in action right in front of you, usually in a small, hole-in-the-wall type of place. There is a real pit of fire right there in the middle, so watch your step!

This episode brings you front and centre with distinct Moroccan dishes, and the stories behind them. Whether on a food tour, in a cooking class, or both, make sure to add a genuine food experience to your itinerary when you come visit.

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!