Spain, Balearics & Malta on Star Clipper

This morning we drive to the beautiful village of Mijas, nestled into the mountainside along Costa del Sol. Endless white houses climb up the slopes of Sierra de Mijas surrounded by deep green pines. A popular way to traverse the hill is by donkey taxi (the real protagonist of this small town).

We'll enjoy a guided walk through the narrow, cobbled streets passing whitewashed houses decorated with fragrant flowers in pots on doorsteps, balconies and window frames. And stop for a taste of local Mijas wine and tapas in one of the bars that line the squares.

From Mijas, we'll travel back to Malaga for a guided tour through the old town and free time for lunch. We'll then head to the Alcazaba of Malaga a fortified palace. Standing as a testament to the city's cultural heritage, Alcazaba was built at a time when Arabs ruled over Spain and Portugal. From the old Moorish palace, there are beautiful views out over the city and sea - but the views aren't the only thing to see here. The inside is exquisite with beautiful courtyards, gardens and ponds. And it's connected to Gibralfaro Castle by a walled passage known as La Coracha. 

Following a fascinating exploration of Malaga, we'll transfer to Star Clipper to settle in, relax with your fellow adventurers and enjoy our first dinner on board.

After a relaxing morning on board, by lunchtime we call at the city of Almeria, Andalucia's most eastern capital. The city sits at the foot of the Sierra de Los Filabres mountain range and its coastline ranges from sandy beaches to secluded coves and vertigo-inducing sheer cliffs. With arid desert surrounding the city, the dusty haze is inescapable - and year-round heat. The people are laid-back, the waters are clean, and the landscape is quite rugged with rolling hills, mountain landscapes and off-the-beaten-track beaches surrounding the metropolitan centre. The city itself is a hodge-podge of beautiful Moorish and Gothic architecture half hidden by white boxy buildings. Sporadic parks and gardens spring up seemingly out of nowhere throughout the city. 

As we wind our way up the slope of Almeria on a guided tour, we'll reach the golden-hued Alcazaba. This UNESCO-protected, Arab fortress was built by the Caliph of Cordoba, dominating the skyline of the modern city. As you approach, you'll be struck by its splendour - a reminder of its importance during this period (as the saying goes, "When Almeria was Almeria, Granada was but its farm").

Our tour takes us through the fortress's three compounds. We'll follow the trickling sounds of water through an Arab water garden punctuated with fountains and pools. In the second walled enclosure, we'll visit the king's residence with the ruins of public baths, homes and a mosque that was later converted into a chapel under the catholic rule of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand. With two homes to explore, it's easy to imagine how people might have lived here. The third area is the most complete part of the fortress. It was restored and rebuilt after the Reconquista. These parts are 500 years old, not 1000 - but still impressive, with three semicircular towers. There are spectacular views of the city here and - if you look in the opposite direction - you'll see the Castillo de San Cristobal, another ancient building that is unfortunately not as well maintained as the Alcazaba. 

If walking up the 101 steps to Alcazaba does not sound like fun to you today, you can choose to enjoy a scenic drive through the Alpujarras Mountain range instead. From the comfort of your seat, you can gaze out at the views as we climb through the misty mountain range along winding Spanish roads and stop at typical Andalusian villages. (Don't forget to pack boiled sweets - at these altitudes your ears are bound to pop!) Clusters of blindingly white buildings cling to the mountainside separated by narrow streets and decorated with vibrant hanging baskets swaying in the breeze. We'll stop here for a photo so you can capture the magic of the laid-back lifestyle.

Not to be confused with its Colombian namesake, Cartagena (Spain) is a dynamic, multifaceted city on Murcia's Costa Cálida. With its deep-water harbour and walled town, it's long been a port city and naval base.

On our guided tour of the city, we'll visit the old town. Here you'll see the city's love of Art Nouveau - a throwback to the mining boom of the late 1800s - its embellished and eclectic architecture gives the city a sense of grandeur. In fact, every twist and turn here tells a story. Thanks to its strategic position, the city is a melting pot of cultural heritages - and nowhere is this clearer than in the old town.

But there's no question at all that the main attraction in the centre of Cartagena is the Teatro Romano - the city's Roman amphitheatre. Hidden for centuries, the ruins were rediscovered in the late 1980s. Above it is the (somewhat multipurpose) Conception Castle. Over its 3000-year history, it's served as the enclave to a Roman temple dedicated to Asclepius (Grecio-Roman God of Medicine), a Muslim fortress, a medieval castle or the place where the siren was installed that warned the population of the bombing during the Spanish Civil War.

Alternatively, you can make the most of your time ashore by booking our optional Cartagena and Murcia Tour. We'll hop on a coach and drive through the rocky mountain pass to the Old Quarter of Murcia. With hints of Islamic influence throughout the architecture, the skyline is peppered with domed towers and arches. Connecting the paved streets are wide open plazas framed with trees - benches and tables full of locals enjoying the sunshine. Like any city, there's a hum of voices drifting on the gentle breeze, intermingled with the steady splash of fountains that mark the plaza's centre. 

As many of its streets are pedestrianised, it's the perfect place to leisurely explore. The well-known sites here could not be more opposite. Santa Maria Cathedral is considered a masterpiece of the Spanish Baroque period - statues and carvings adorn the facade. The town hall, by comparison, is a sleek modern build that piques the viewer's interest through its use of lines and windows. It seemingly ignores the heritage of the surrounding buildings, yet – somehow - it fits perfectly.

To ensure you miss absolutely nothing today, after time exploring Murcia's Old Town, we head back to Cartagena for a walking tour of the city's highlights, including the Roman theatre.

We'll enjoy a leisurely start to the morning with breakfast as we sail to the island of Ibiza. Take your cuppa on deck and soak up the vistas on our way to the first of the Balearic Islands.

While its reputation of hedonism is almost legendary, you don't have to hit the stylish beach clubs and nightclubs to enjoy your time here (and why would you want to when there’s so many other things to see?) For those in the know, the White Isle still oozes a laid-back charm with pretty villages, sandy coves and a rural interior of fragrant pines and ancient olive groves that carpet the hills.

After lunch on board, we'll travel away from the tourist traps by the sea and head to the medieval town of Dalt Vila. Bypassing the boxy white buildings on the seafront, our guided walk focuses on the old town - a walled fortress crowning the hilltop above a more modern centre. From the stone gateway - the Portal de Ses Taules - we'll cross the drawbridge and moat and follow the cobblestone pathway to Plaza de Vila - a charming, elongated square. Around you will be restaurants - full of locals and tourists enjoying the sunshine during a late lunch - shops and galleries. As we continue around the periphery wall from bastion to bastion, we'll slowly wind in to see the white stone cathedral, wide views of the port the convent of Santo Domingo. 

Thrill seekers - and adventurers who love to go off the beaten track - may opt for a 4x4 tour of the areas of the island that are untouched by the growing tourist industry. Travelling along roads, small streets and through easy and difficult terrain, we'll stop in nature, where tufts of thick hardy woods cover the deep-red soil. From steep rocky hills, we’ll marvel at the views and discover the hard-to-reach beaches the tourists don't get to see. You can even take a dip (weather permitting).

Our stop this morning is cultural, coastal and walkable (the trifecta). Located in the south of the island, Palma looks out over the shimmering waters of the Mediterranean. As we sail into port, it's hard to miss the pointed spires of the city's mighty cathedral - it's dominated the skyline since its construction in the 13th and 14th centuries. As you get closer to the Gothic cathedral on a tour of the highlights of Palma, you'll have the opportunity to see the intricate carvings and statues that adorn the structure - all carved by hand. The surrounding area is Palma's old town, full of historic monuments and ancient passages waiting to be explored.

We'll pay a visit to the King and Queen of Spain (or, at least their official residence in Mallorca). The Royal Palace of Almudaina is an Islamic monument that was converted into a Gothic palace in the 14th century. The architecture still included Moorish arches, similar to those by the seafront.

After exploring the palace, we'll hop on board a coach for a scenic drive along the Maritime Promenade past the yacht-filled harbour and locals stretching their legs with a walk. Skipping a steep uphill walk, we'll travel up the hilltop to the Gothic Bellver Castle. The honey-coloured sandstone thick outer walls, three defensive turrets, a tall free-standing keep and an impressive inner circular courtyard - it's Spain's only round castle. Built in the 14th century, it's a Catalan Gothic masterpiece and during its long history, it served briefly as a royal summer residence and a prison. Among those who spent time here is the family of King Jaume III - and let's just say they weren't there to enjoy the views that bewitch its many visitors.

After our tour, you can continue to explore the city with time at leisure before returning to the ship.

Out on deck - or from your windows or porthole - you'll spot the white houses clinging onto the rocky coastline as the old town begins to rise above the harbour as we approach the island of Menorca this morning.

As the laid-back little sister of Mallorca and Ibiza, time seems to stand still here. Rugged landscapes and beaches - as yet unspoiled by a hoard of holidaymakers - await. And its towns are a cultural tapestry with French, British and Catalan influences. 

Here we'll visit the historic town of Ciutadella. Living up to its nickname - "Vella i Bella", or the old and beautiful - it is a maze of narrow streets lined with honey stone buildings. The sheltered inlet of the old harbour is full of busy cafés and restaurants - a great place to relax and watch the row of boats gently bob on the water. 

As we take a guided walk around the fortified heart of the town, we'll pass the Placa des Born - lined with golden stone architecture glowing in the afternoon sunshine. From there, you'll be able to enjoy a view of the port from above and the narrow streets that radiate through the oldest parts of Ciutadella.

You have some time to take a stroll through the town of Mahon, before our journey continues this afternoon.

There's nothing to do this morning but relax (and what a place to relax in). As the wind rustles through the canvas of our four-mast vessel, you have plenty of time to replenish your energy with a dip in one of the saltwater pools or get to know your fellow explorers in the bar - the social hub of the ship. 

Lunch in the restaurant is the perfect excuse to swap travel stories with our brilliant, like-minded guests. Between the hypnotic sway of the boat, the splash of the waves and the warmth of the sun, you’ll want nothing more than to pour yourself into a sun lounger for an afternoon nap in the sunshine. Forgot to pack a book? Our library is well-stocked and waiting for you. 

By dinner, you'll be fully unwound - that's the magic of a day at sea.

Our stop today, Sardinia, is often called a micro-continent with varied wildlife, untouched forest and giant rocky peaks stretching out of the cerulean waters and coastlines that seem to be tumbling into the sea.

Described by D .H. Lawernce as "... strange, rather wonderful, not a bit like Italy," it's hard not to fall under this stony city's spell. High on the hilltop is the Castello and medieval walled quarter looking down over the city.

It's rare to find characterful winding alleys lined with grand architecture and idyllic sandy beaches in one place but, somehow, Cagliari has both. For those looking to peel back the layers of history in the 25 centuries old town, a climb to the imposing fort should be top of your to-do list - you can choose the coach to get there! Here, we’ll join a local guide for a tour of the historical city centre on a guided tour.

Or you could choose an optional tour to uncover the fascinating archaeological site of Nora, an ancient city clinging to the coastline. Discovered after a storm surge brought out an ancient cemetery, the ruins of the city are right next to the water and partly submerged. Here, you'll see the stunning mosaics, temples, villas, baths and a theatre. 

Back on the ship, enjoy lunch and a relaxing afternoon on board.

As the captain follows the compass east across the Tyrrhenian Sea your job is simple - do absolutely nothing. We mean it. Do nothing but relax. Top up your tan on the sun deck, let the water seep into your bones in the saltwater pools or discuss the highlights of the holiday in the bar.

Want to know more about our beautiful vessel? You can always say hello to the crew on the bridge or climb the crow's nest with a harness (safety first) and enjoy spectacular views of the sea. The captain may even unfurl the 16 sails for a memorable moment on deck.

Our adventure across the high seas ends today - but there's still plenty left to see. 

Mooring in Valletta, we'll disembark Star Clipper for a guided tour. Tucked behind towering bastion walls on a rocky peninsula flanked by the bath-warm waters of the Mediterranean is one of Europe's smallest cities. Built by knights, it's said to be "built by gentlemen, for gentleman" - and it shows. As you wander the golden-hued limestone streets, passing beneath wooden balconies, it's easy to forget that Valletta is one of the world's strongest forts. In its heyday, it was an impregnable state-of-the-art citadel built to protect the island from any invaders. 

Then, a foray to the old capital, Mdina - unspoilt by time. Nicknamed the "silent city" - after being all but abandoned - there's an eerie stillness to it. There are no cars (except for a few residents with a special license), only horses and carriages are used within the walls. All of which adds to the historic charm of the city. Here we'll take a short walking tour before time at leisure, transferring to the hotel in the afternoon. The rest of the day is up to you. While there are no lakes or rivers in Malta, the sea is never more than a quarter of an hour away, if you fancy an afternoon at the beach. Nowhere is very far so you have an entire island to explore.