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Ship:  Callisto

Itinerary:  West Africa Discovery: Desert Cities, Imperial Capitals and Natural Treasures

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  Marrakech, Morocco

 cabins & deck plans  |  additional itineraries |  cancellation policy

“Certain areas of the Earth's surface contained more magic than others" wrote Paul Bowles upon first seeing the shore of Morocco. Since the Arabs first arrived in the7th century, this dreamlike part of the world has attracted artists, adventurers and travelers. You can be one of them on this voyage from Dakar to Casablanca, along the west coast of Africa, which promises to beguile you with its exotic aura of mystery and nourishment of the senses. In tropical Senegal, the poster country of new urban Africa, the vibrant drumbeats of music float through the air and the bright, intricate textiles at the Marche Soumbedioune delight the eye. Experience the imposing silence of Mauritania’s unending desert and moonscape mountain plateaus. And Morocco beckons with Marrakech’s Djemaa el-Fna Square, where there is a cacophony of oral storytellers, jugglers, snake charmers and magicians. This winter, forget the ordinary cruises to the usual places. Instead leave behind the cold and grey for a truly extraordinary voyage to sunlit West Africa.

Day 1 : DAKAR, SENEGAL | EMBARK

Arrive in Dakar and transfer to the pier toboard Callisto. Overnight aboard the ship docked in port.

Day 2 : DAKAR | GOREE ISLAND | DAKAR

In the morning visit Goree Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to Dakar to visit the Institut Fondamental d’Afrique Noir, one of West Africa’s finest museums, then stop at the Marche Soumbedioune, a craft market with the best variety of artisan workmanship.

Day 3 : NOUAKCHOTT, MAURITANIA

Today arrive in Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania, built between the sea and the desert. On arrival in the afternoon, visit the National Museum, with its fine collection of artifacts, and the Artisanal Center, a market where exquisite silver jewelry, embroidery,
batiks and other items are sold. End the tour of Nouakchott with a stop at the atmospheric Fishermen’s Beach.

Day 4 : NOUADHIBOU

Built on the Cap Blanc peninsula, Mauritania’s Nouadhibou is a mix of African, Mediterranean and Oriental elements. Visit the sprawling Grand Market, with its silversmiths, cloth sellers and other artisans, and then drive to the desert, where a special lunch will be served in a tent, accompanied by traditional music. Explorethe desert, and then return to the ship.

Day 5 : AT SEA | DAKHLA, WESTERN SAHARA

Cruise along the coast of Western Sahara, an area that was held by Spain until 1975. Arrive in Dakhla early in the evening.

Day 6 : DAKHLA

The southernmost town of Western Sahara, Dakhla is located on a long peninsula jutting into the Atlantic. Capital of the old Spanish colony Rio de Oro, and known until 1975 as Villa Cisneros, Dakhla is now mostly populated by Moroccans and tribesmen who previously lived in the desert. Whitewashed houses and low-rise buildings characterize this easygoing and friendly town, just north of the Tropic of Cancer.

Day 7 : LAAYOUNE

Laayoune is the main city in Western Sahara. Explore the Souk ez Zaj, Laayoune’s old district, with its Spanish- Saharan architecture, and the Artisans Center, with its workshops of jewelry, metal, wood and other crafts.

Day 8 : PUERTO DEL ROSARIO, FUERTEVENTURA, CANARY ISLANDS

A mere 100 kilometers separate Fuerteventura-—the second largest, but least populous island of the Canary Islands-—from the coast of Africa. Explore the stark beauty of the desert-like landscape with miles of golden sand dunes at the Parque Natural de Corralejo. Spend the afternoon exploring the old town of Benancuria. Founded by Jean de Bethencourt in 1405, it remained the capital of the island until 1834.

Day 9 : ARRECIFE, LANZAROTE, CANARY ISLANDS

Call at Arrecife, the capital of Lanzarote, designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and one of the seven islands of the Canary Archipelago. From Arrecife, visit the National Park of Timanfaya, a lunar landscape shaped by volcanic activity and renowned for its distinctive plant species. En route to the Park, pass small villages of red-tiled houses that are in bright contrast to the ash-covered mountains.

Day 10 : AT SEA | AGADIR, MOROCCO

Cruise from the Canaries to Morocco, arriving in Agadir late in the afternoon. Overnight aboard ship docked in port.

Day 11 : AGADIR | TAROUDANT | AGADIR

Built around a sweeping bay, Agadir was first colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century, and was captured by the Saadiens in the 1600s. Drive to Taroudant, an elegant, walled city that was once the capital of Morocco. Spend the afternoon exploring this characteristic city.

Day 12 : SAFI | MARRAKECH | SAFI

From Safi, drive to fabled Marrakech, one of Morocco’s four Imperial Capitals, founded in the 11th century and set among gardens and palm groves. Our exploration includes the 12th-century Koutoubia Minaret; the Bahia Palace; the Ben Youssef Medressa; the Jewish Quarter; and Djemma el-Fna, the city’s central square at the heart of the Medina. There will also be the opportunity to walk through Marrakech’s colorful souks.

Day 13 : CASABLANCA | RABAT | CASABLANCA

From Casablanca, drive to Rabat, Morocco’s elegant capital. Tour Rabat’s main sites, including its Medina, situated between the sea and the river. Within are colorful souks; the Kasbah des Oudaias, the evocative quarter of the old Almohad, Merenid and Andalusian towns; and the Chellah Citadel, a striking ruin with royal tombs and other monuments. Return to the ship in Casablanca.

Day 14 : CASABLANCA | DISEMBARK

Disembark and transfer to the airport for return flights

Ship Description: Callisto

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  Callisto

The finest, most memorable voyages take place aboard a luxurious private yacht. On a private yacht one is part of a small, select, sociable community. Cabins are more like guest rooms in a fine home -- beautifully furnished, comfortably arranged, and complete with the little extras one would expect from a thoughtful host. The yacht's public areas, whether indoors or out on deck, are warm, inviting places where friends meet for conversation, a drink, or to pass a pleasant hour with a good book. The cuisine is superb. And the service is considerate and congenial.

This is the kind of exceptional experience you'll enjoy aboard the Callisto, a beautiful oceangoing yacht that is the fulfillment of a traveler's dream.

Like a fine country house, Callisto is furnished with rich fabrics, handsome woodwork, gleaming brass, rare antiques, and fine works of art. The guest list is limited to no more than 34 individuals -- a group large enough to bring together an interesting mix of travelers, but small enough to foster a genuine spirit of camaraderie.

In addition to all of the other pleasures of the Callisto, the ship's guests enjoy an advantage that eludes travelers aboard big ships: because Callisto is a yacht, it can visit those unspoiled islets, pristine beaches, and intimate coves and harbors that have been familiar to fishermen and other sailors of small craft for thousands of years, but which are inaccessible to large commercial cruise liners.

Callisto was designed with the comfort of her guests in mind. All staterooms are exterior with large windows (portholes on Daphne Deck) that look out on the sea and the yacht's various ports of call; they are air conditioned and feature generous storage space, a telephone, two-channel radio, and a marble bath with shower. The yacht's public areas include a spacious lounge; a dining room in which all guests are accommodated at a single unassigned seating; two broad decks for sunbathing and dining alfresco; and a swimming platform at the yacht's stern. The Callisto flies the Greek flag and is served by a crew of 18.

Cat D Stern outside cabins on Daphne Deck with portholes	Cat C Outside cabins on Daphne Deck with portholes
Cat B Outside cabins on Leto Deck with picture window	Cat A Outside cabins on Leto Deck with two picture windows