Day 1: Bonifacio for 3 nights

Pick up car in Figari and head to your hotel in Bonifacio

1 double deluxe room, sea view, breakfast & taxes included at Hotel U Capu Biancu****

This property is 5 minutes walk from the beach. U Capu Biancu is a 15 minute drive from Bonifacio in southern Corsica. This 4-star hotel has views of the bay and 2 private beaches. The hotel’s air conditioned rooms have satellite TV. Wi-Fi access is available throughout the hotel. Guests are invited to use U Capu Biancu’s swimming pool and wellness centre. The hotel also has several restaurants and a lounge bar. Canoes and snorkelling equipment are available for guests’ use. Private parking is free on site and there is a valet parking service.

Rest of the day to explore

Explore on own the fortified city of Bonifacio, with its narrow streets from which Sardinia can be seen on the horizon, is one of the most ancient on the island.  The heart of Bonifacio is the haute ville (upper town), which perches on the promontory high above the fjord-like inlet that forms Bonifacio’s harbour. Bordered by Avenue Charles-de-Gaulle and the massive ramparts, this is the oldest section of the city.

Dinner is on your own in one of the local taverns.

 

Day 2: Lavezzi Islands

Day at leisure to explore

Take a boat trip to the Lavezzi Islands. Depart Porto Vecchio at 9 am, cruise along the coast past Palombaggia, Santa Giulia, Sperone and Cavallo Island Stop in the port of Bonifacio before arriving in the Lavezzi Islands a natural reserve.

Visit the old cemetery, resting place of the sailors of the Fregate that sank in the straights of Bonficio in 18XX. .

Lunch on the boat. Free time to snorkel or swim on pristine hidden Island beaches chosen by your guide, return to Porto Vecchio by 6 pm.

 

Day 3: Col de Bavella

Day at leisure to explore

Drive to Col de Bavella, and then discover on foot the famous Aiguilles (Needles) of Bavella. Visit the villages of Santa Maria Figanellia with its 12th century church and the fortified houses of Fozzano. Swim in the cascades and pools that you will encounter along the paths.

OR

Relax at the beach. One of the nicest beaches of Corsica but also one of the nicest in the world ! This beach, classified by UNESCO among the nicest beaches of the world offers you a range of colours : red rocks, white sand, green pine trees,… Facing a crystal clear sea from which small, uninhabited islets emerge (the Cerbicale islands).

 

Day 4:  Ajaccio for 2 nights

Drive to the fairy-tale town of Sartene.  The old town has a maze of narrow streets lined with dark-colored houses as well as many aristocratic mansions. The alleyways are often surmounted by arches and vaults. Stop in the charming fishing town of Propiano. Enjoy lunch and an ice-cream. Then head to Ajaccio.

1 double sea view, breakfast & taxes included at Hotel Demeure les Mouettes****

Ideally located in the gulf of Ajaccio, with direct access to a small beach, Hôtel-Demeure Les Mouettes is a charming 19th-century house. Stay in one of the hotel’s large rooms, some with terraces providing superb views of the gulf. For your convenience, rooms are equipped with air-conditioning and mini fridges. Take a refreshing dip in the hotel’s private pool or in the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean sea before resting in the shade of palm trees. Local cold meats and cheeses are available throughout the day for those wishing to enjoy some of the best local flavours without leaving the hotel’s sunny terrace.

 

Day 5:

Day at leisure to explore

Ajaccio, famous because Napoleon Bonaparte was born here on August 15, 1769. You can visit the Maison Bonaparte. The city has kept its authenticity and you will admire the color-washed, terracotta-tiled houses and narrow backstreets. You can also visit the Venetian Renaissance-style Cathedral, where Napoleon and his siblings were baptized.

Afternoon Boat Ride to Les Iles Sanguinaires. One of the most beautiful places in Corsica and a natural haven for birds and dolphins.

 

Day 6: Corte for 2 nights

Explore Corte on own

The town’s fortunate geographic location meant that on several occasions potential conquerors, including the Romans, had to stop short of this region. From its Citadel, which is the home of the Musee de La Corse, one of the leading centers of Corsican culture, there are commanding views of the surrounding territory. Corte is the geographic heart of Corsica, as well as its cultural center. the city is skirted by a region of tall, rugged mountains forming the very backbone of the island. The area surrounding Corte is also known for its gastronomy, which includes game, wild boar and traditional cheese.

1 double room, breakfast & taxes included at Hotel Dominique Colonna***

Dominique Colonna is located in Corte. The property features a bar, and a terrace with river views where guests can enjoy a continental breakfast upon reservation. Free WiFi access is available throughout. The rooms are soundproofed and come with air conditioning, a private terrace, a flat-screen TV and a minibar. The bathrooms have a bath or shower and come with a hairdryer and free toiletries. Extras include a safety deposit box. At Dominique Colonna you will find a 24-hour front desk, a garden and a sundeck where you can relax. Other facilities offered at the property include a shared lounge and luggage storage.

 

Day 7:

Day at leisure to explore

Drive up through the Gorges de la Restonica. The river, rising in the grey-green mountains, has scoured little basins in the rock, offering sheltered pinewood settings for bathing and sunbathing. The scenery is breathtaking and the Corsican charcuterie ‘chez Theo’ is pretty good too! You could also  drive through the forest of Vizzavona and cross the village of Ghisoni.

 

Day 8:  Calvi for 2 nights

Day at leisure to explore

Drive through the Scala di Santa Regina. You will climb up through the forest of Aïtone to the highest col on the island and then through the stunning Gorge de Spelunca. You could also stop in Evisa, the chestnut capital of Corsica

Calvi is 15th-century citadel in a moon-shaped bay.   It was  Genoese stronghold and from high above the quay, from the watchtowers you have sweeping views inland to Monte Cinto (2706m). Calvi is chic resort lined with upmarket brasseries and cafes.

1 double sea view, breakfast & taxes included at Hotel La Villa*****

This 5-star hotel is set a 5-minute drive from the centre of Calvi, in the North West of Corsica. It offers 5 different swimming pools, a tennis court, a fitness centre and a variety of beauty treatments. Each spacious room has a simple, elegant décor and includes a seating area, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, an iPod docking station and a minibar. A bathrobe, slippers, a hairdryer and free toiletries are provided in each private bathroom. La Table by La Villa is the main hotel restaurant and offers gastronomic Corsican food. There is also the Pool Bar or the more intimate Jo’s Bar for snacks and drinks. Guests have access to Ricantu seafood restaurant on the beachfront which provides a private beach and sun beds reserved for guests of the hotel.

 

Day 9: Nature Reserve of Scandola

Day at leisure to explore

Porto is a great little village, where you can enjoy a swim in the sea, or even take a boat ride to visit the Nature Reserve of Scandola. You could also drive to the famous Calanches de Piana and visit them.

 

Day 10:  St Florent for 2 nights

Day at leisure to explore

The village of Belgodere for a refreshing drink on the main square before following the Route des Artisans through various villages perched on hilltops.

The Désert des Agriates, a protected area due to its natural beauty. Explore the tiny mountain roads, initially bordered by olive groves, cactii and prickly pears. Pass through typical villages of the Balagne region.

1 double room, breakfast & taxes included at Hotel Demeure Loredana****

This property is 12 minutes walk from the beach. Demeure Loredana is located in the Gulf of Saint-Florent. It offers en suite accommodation and free parking. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and it features outdoor and indoor swimming pools. Each air-conditioned Demeure Loredana room is individually decorated and equipped with a TV, and the private bathrooms are equipped with balneo baths. They also enjoy sea views. Guests can have breakfast in front of the sea. Room service is available from 7:30 to 21:00 and the hotel is happy to recommend one of the nearby restaurants for dinner. Demeure Loredana is located 1,149 feet from the village of Saint Florent and 14.3 miles from Bastia.

 

Day 11: Erbalunga and Maccinaggio

Day at leisure to explore

The little villages of Erbalunga and Maccinaggio.

Explore the Cape to discover Barcaggio, the northernmost village on Corsica.

Stop in the tiny fishing village of Centuri (famous for its lobster fishing), before continuing along the West coast of the Cape, where the cliffs plunge dramatically into sea. Stop in the remote villages of Canari or Albo before continuing onto the cliff-top-perched village of Nonza. Stop for wine tasting in the Patrimonio region.

 

Day 12: Departure

Drop off car in Bastia at the airport