Star Flyer to Sail Andalucia and Morocco

Star Flyer

Star Clippers will operate a new series of sailings next year from Malaga in southern Spain, exploring the romantic Moorish heritage of Andalucia and Morocco.

The graceful 170-passenger square rigger Star Flyer has scheduled five seven-night cruises round-trip from Malaga with departure dates between September 15 and October 13, 2012.

Ports of call include Casablanca and Tangier in Morocco, for visits to the magnificent Hassan II Mosque, the market and the legendary Rick's Café in Casablanca (a replica of the café featured in the famous film), and the Kasbah and historic Berber town of Tetouan from Tangier.

Star Flyer then sails across the approach to the Straits of Gibraltar, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean and one of the best spots in the area for whale and dolphin-watching. From historic Cadiz, one of the oldest cities in Spain, there's a chance to visit Seville, Andalucia's vibrant capital, famous for its flamenco dancing and Moorish architecture.

The ship then calls at Gibraltar, an outpost of Britain with a long and fascinating military history, before sailing along the sun-drenched Costa del Sol to Motril, the closest port from which to visit Granada, setting of the magnificent Alhambra’s palace and Generalife Gardens, with the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains as a backdrop.

Prices start at $2339 including port charges. A discount of 25% applies for bookings before January 31, 2012. Children may qualify for a 50% discount.

Two further cruises include this historic region in 2012. A six-night voyage from Lisbon to Malaga, departing September 9, calls at Portimao, Cadiz, Tangier, Gibraltar and Motril. There’s another chance to explore part of Andalucia on the first leg of the ship’s transatlantic repositioning cruise, from Malaga to Las Palmas in the Canary Islands. Departing October 20, 2012, ports of call include Tangier and Cadiz, before spending two days at sea en route to Funchal, Madeira, and a further sea day before Las Palmas.

The new sailings from Malaga are in addition to Star Flyer’s new season of sailing in the Baltic sea from May 2012, that include an ex-UK departure from Southampton on May 5 2012.