The Splendour of Corsica

ITINERARY

Day 1 – London to Lyon

We take the lunchtime Eurostar from St Pancras to Lille and then continue by high speed train. Late evening arrival into Lyon for a 1-night stay.

Day 2 – Onwards to Nice

Departing Lyon late morning, we travel by train to Marseille and onwards along the renowned French Riviera coastal line to Nice for a 2-night stay.

Day 3 – At Leisure

Time to explore Nice, one of the world’s most popular tourist regions. Peruse the unique markets or take a trip inland to Digne-les-Bains on the Chemin de Fer de Provence.

Day 4 – Sail to Corsica

Free morning in Nice before transferring to the ferry terminal for an afternoon departure to Bastia, on the north-eastern tip of Corsica. Relax on board and enjoy the voyage. As we arrive into port it is clear why Corsica is aptly named “the mountain in the sea” – it boasts countless summits that reach more than 2,000m in elevation. We stay here for 3 nights.

Day 5 – Bastia at Leisure

The town of Bastia oozes culture and history. There will be no shortage of fabulous cuisine as you dine in some of the town’s many restaurants. Sightseeing options include taking the local bus service to St. Floren, known as the Corsican St. Tropez, or travelling by rail to the university town of Corté, complete with citadel, museum and scenic walks. Your 7-day travel card, for use throughout the holiday, allows unlimited rail travel on the island.

Day 6 – Cap Corse Excursion

Enjoy a full day excursion by road with an English speaking local guide around Cap Corse. Located on the northernmost tip of Corsica, this 40km long and 10km wide promontory dotted with several fishing villages, is regarded as one of the most beautiful parts of the island. A ridge of mountains runs down the centre of Cap Corse, including Mont Stello in the centre of the peninsula, the highest peak at 1307m. The two sides, east and west, are quite different in character – to the west of Cap Corse the mountains reach right to the sea in a much more dramatic fashion than on the gentler east side. We will stop off at a local restaurant for lunch (included).

Day 7 – Rail to Calvi

Morning departure by rail direct to Calvi via Ponte Leccia. From Ponte Leccia we travel via Ile Rousse where the train hugs the western coastline giving spectacular views. Lunchtime arrival in Calvi for a 3-night stay beginning with an afternoon at leisure.

Days 8 & 9 – At Leisure

The coastal town of Calvi, in the Balagne region of north-west Corsica, boats the intrigue of traditional Corsican culture. The streets are narrow, the restaurants beckoning and the boat excursions inviting. Visit the Citadel or take a boat trip to Scandola, Corsica’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. Optional excursions by train include the towns of Algajola or Ile Rousse.

Day 10 – Rail to Ajaccio

Morning departure by bus back to Bastia for a direct train to Ajaccio, travelling via Ponte Leccia and Corté. Sit back and relax as you pass through some of the most amazing scenery on the island. The line between Corté and Bocognano ranks as one of the most scenic railways in the world. The train follows the valley of Gravona, passing through several tunnels and beautiful gorges. Look out for the ‘bride’s veil’, a splendid waterfall that overhangs the railway. Eventually the scenery changes from the lush green pasture of central Corsica to the tropical atmosphere of the Gulf of Ajaccio. Mid-afternoon arrival in Ajaccio for a 2-night stay with the remainder of the afternoon free.

Day 11 – At Leisure

Free day to explore the bustling port town of Ajaccio, birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte. The most relaxing way to see Ajaccio is by ‘Le Petit Train Ajaccio’, a small tourist road train which travels through the narrow alleys of the old Genoese city which is steeped in history.

Day 12 – Farewell to Corsica

Morning ferry back to the mainland. Arrive in Toulon for a 1-night stay and your evening meal (included). Our hotel is located a short distance from the harbour and the old town.

Day 13 – Toulon to Lille

Morning transfer to the railway station for travel to Lille via Marseille. Arrive early evening for a 1-night stay; our hotel is close to the station.

Day 14 – Return Home

We depart Lille after a morning at leisure and return via Eurostar to London, arriving early afternoon.