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1655 S 3rd St. W, Ste 1
Missoula MT, 59801 USA

Ship:  Callisto

Itinerary:  The Golden Age of the Moors: Coexistence of Cultures and Faiths in Morocco and Spain

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  Reflections in Marrakech

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At a time when all of Europe was shrouded in the dark ages, a glorious civilization sprang up in the province of Andalusia in southern Spain and in the Maghreb in northern Africa. It is conventional to refer to this civilization as “Moorish,” but in fact it was a hybrid of three powerful cultural forces: Islam, Judaism and Christianity. The period when Moorish kings ruled Andalusia—or al-Andalus, as they called it—was a rare moment in history when members of the three great monotheistic faiths worked side by side to build a sophisticated society. Our journey begins with two nights in Marrakech, where the exquisite minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque towers over the skyline, before we embark on Callisto and set sail for the Moroccan towns of Essaouira, Casablanca and Rabat before our excursion to Fez, one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the world. Crossing the Strait of Gibraltar into Spain—where the Islamic culture was already well-established before the Moors invaded the country in the 8th century—we’ll conclude our discovery in two of the most splendid cities of Spain’s al-Andalus: Seville, site of the Alcazar, and Granada, home of the incomparable Alhambra Palace.

Day 1 : Malaga, Spain / Embark

Arrive in Malaga and transfer to Callisto. Enjoy a welcome reception this evening.

Day 2 : Malaga / Granada / Malaga

Travel to Granada, the fabled last stronghold of the Moors in Spain. With the Moorish invasion in the 8th century, Granada became a bastion of Islamic culture, which flourished here for hundreds of years. Visit the majestic Palace of the Alhambra and the adjacent Generalife Gardens, once the retreat of the caliphs. After lunch, tour Granada’s Gothic Cathedral and Royal Chapel, containing the tombs of Ferdinand and Isabella.

Day 3 : Cadiz / Seville / Cadiz

From Cadiz, a port city with wonderful Andalusian character, drive to Seville, an important center for the Romans, Moors and Christian kings of Spain. Our tour includes the Alcazar, the palace of the Spanish kings for nearly seven centuries, which retains many aspects of Andalusia’s magnificent Moorish heritage.

Days 4-5 : Kenitra / Fez / Kenitra, Morocco

Depart on an overnight excursion to Fez, with accommodations at the elegant Hotel Palais Jamai. Fez is the oldest of the Imperial Capitals and one of the best preserved medieval Islamic cities in the world. See the ruined Merenid Tombs set on a hilltop with wonderful views of the kasbah. The Qaraouyine Mosque, begun in 839, is filled with treasures set amid a forest of white columns. It was here that Western Arabic numerals and the zero were developed, centuries before Europe ceased using Roman numerals. Surrounding the Mosque is the medina, its labyrinth of medieval alleys lined with tiny shops and craftsmen’s stalls.

Day 6 : Kenitra / Rabat / Kenitra

Rabat is two cities—the medieval seat of the Almohad dynasty, a warlike tribe who built the city’s magnificent city walls and the El Hassan Mosque, and the elegant, cosmopolitan capital of Morocco. Our visit includes the Oudaia kasbah, the city’s oldest quarter, concealed behind formidable Almohad walls. On the grounds of the 12th-century El Hassan Mosque is the splendid Mausoleum of Mohammed V.

Day 7 : Casablanca, Morocco

Arrive in Casablanca, Morocco’s principal port city and commercial center, and seek out the impressive Hassan II Mosque. Built upon a rocky platform facing the Atlantic, it is the second largest mosque in the world.

Day 8 : Safi / Essaouira / Safi

Today, call at Safi for an excursion to Essaouira, an ancient port town whose whitewashed buildings and pinkish-red ramparts attest to its hybrid Moorish and European influences and make Essaouira one of the most attractive resorts on the Atlantic coast.

Day 9 : Agadir / Disembark / Taroudant / Marrakech

Drive to the medieval town of Taroudant, an important center of trade since the earliest days of the empire. Explore the well-preserved walls and ramparts and the kasbah. There will be time at leisure to meander among the excellent souks, which sell a diverse array of handicrafts from the region. Continue to Marrakech and to Hotel La Mamounia.

Day 10 : Marrakech

Marrakech was founded in the mid-11th century by the Almoravides, warlike Muslim monks from the south who established a stronghold here and occupied the whole country before crossing into Spain to defeat the Christians and bring Andalusia under Moroccan rule. With its vast labyrinthine souk, rich architectural treasures and beautiful setting framed against the towering High Atlas range, it is, perhaps, Morocco’s most fascinating city. A full-day tour includes a view of the 12th-century minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque, the city’s principal landmark; the Bahia Palace; and the intricately decorated Ben Youssef Medressa. Following a typical Moroccan lunch, continue with an exploration of the sights and smells of the great souk of Marrakech and a visit to Djemaa el-Fna, the celebrated central square at the heart of the medina.

Day 11 : Marrakech / Return Home

Transfer to the airport for return flights to the U.S.

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