Group tour to Corsica and Sardinia

Depart the UK

Travel to Dover and take the ferry across to Calais or Dunkerque.  Continue through France and make an overnight stop en-route.  Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.

Travel to Corsica (overnight ferry) via Toulon

Depart after breakfast and continue south through France and to the port of Toulon where you will board the relaxing overnight cruise ferry to Corsica in your private en-suite cabin.   Facilities on board include restaurants, bars, coffee shop and much more.

Arrive in Ajaccio

After early disembarkation, meet up with a local guide for a guided tour of Ajaccio, the island’s capital and largest city.  Explore the birthplace of Napoleon whose presence is everywhere, but not in an overpowering sense.  Wander the narrow streets, see the varied architecture, particularly the fabled cathedral. The city also has a beautiful harbour area with numerous boats and yachts, a wealth of cafés, restaurants and chic shops. The old town is especially charming with a cluster of ancient streets and the Place de Gaulle forms the town centre.  There are plenty of places to visit including Napoléon’s house (Maison Bonaparte), Musée Capitellu, the citadel and Musée Fesch. There is also a local produce market held every morning (Mon-Sat) at Place César-Campinchi providing an ideal scene to capture the essence of local life as you watch the world go by.

Enjoy some lunch before heading to the hotel to check-in and relax. Dinner at the hotel this evening.

At leisure in Ajaccio (drivers rest day)

After such a long outbound journey, today is a day of relaxation to enjoy the facilities of your hotel and maybe some further exploration of Ajaccio and the history of Napoleon,  or maybe a boat trip around the nearby Sanguinaires Islands and discover unique wildlife and stunning landscapes – there are several boat trip companies offering a selection of cruises at the harbour in Ajaccio.

Dinner is at the hotel this evening.

Corte – Corsican Villages and Mountains Scenic Drive

Accompanied by an experienced local guide visit the small town in the heart of Corsica, the University town of Corte which was once the old capital of the island and is a great location for exploring central Corsica and the surrounding natural park.

On the approach to the town you will see a dramatic citadel sitting on top of a rocky outcrop offering panoramic views. The old town is steeped in revolutionary history and there are plenty of places of interest to see and visit as your guide takes you around, including the 15th century Church of the Annunciation with an attractive pulpit and bell tower.  After the tour, enjoy some free time and lunch before returning to the hotel  via the pretty village of Bocognano which sits in the foothills of the Monte d’Oro range.

Dinner is at the hotel this evening.

Travel to Sardinia

Leaving Ajaccio behind, make the scenic  drive to Bonifacio located at the southern tip of Corsica.  Before embarking the ferry for the short 12km crossing over to Santa Teresa on the island of Sardinia, enjoy some free time and lunch in Bonifacio.  The marina, the citadel and old town, and the views across the harbour and surrounding cliffs are superb – so be sure to allow time to simply sit on a cafe terrace and relax!  Take a stroll around the natural harbour, admiring the yachts and fishing boats that are stationed here.  Bonifacio is set high on sheer white cliffs which continue around the coast. You may be able to see the famous ‘grain of sand’ rock in the sea just off the coast from here as the ferry makes it way across to Sardinia.

Upon disembarkation at Santa Teresa in Sardinia, make your way to the hotel on the beautiful Costa Smeralda for the next 3 nights.  Dinner at the hotel this evening.

La Maddalena and Caprera Islands

With an experienced guide, enjoy an unforgettable excursion to the island archipelago of La Maddalena which is made up of 62 islands (most of them truly tiny), and officially titled the National Park of the Archipelago of La Maddalena. This protected paradise is home to some stunning slices of nature.  The town of La Maddalena is a small seaside resort where you’ll find many gift shops, coffee shops, restaurants and ice cream shops. There isn’t any specific monument to see, but it’s very nice to walk along the port and in the narrow streets. It is the only inhabited island in the archipelago.

After some free time in the town make a scenic 20km drive around the island, which is the best way to see all the most beautiful spots, before driving over to the Island of Caprera, via a bridge, to visit the Garibaldi Museum, where the man, pivotal in the unification of an Italian nation, lived for many years.

Return to the hotel for dinner.

(Note:  Garibaldi Museum is currently closed on Wednesdays)

Alghero

Travel to the western side of Sardinia to visit the old town of Alghero with its Catalan architecture and dialect. Meet up with a local guide for a walking tour exploring the narrow cobble-stoned streets of pastel facades and iron-wrought balconies of the historic old town. The Cathedral of Santa Maria ad Alghero has a beautiful octagonal bell tower, which is clearly visible from different points of the city. The church, and it’s campanile, is located in the historic centre and can be visited (optional – entrance cost applicable).  There will be free time to explore further including many other churches and important buildings together with the ramparts, city walls and towers or maybe just relax in one of the many cafes with a drink or some lunch.

On the return to the hotel, drive via the medieval town of Castelsardo which, clinging to a hill, dominates the Gulf of Asinara.  This town is well known for basket weaving and you can still see old women sitting in front of their houses making baskets.

Dinner is at the hotel this evening.

Depart Sardinia (overnight ferry)

Drive to the nearby port of Porto Torres (Sardinia) and embark on the overnight crossing to Genoa (Italy).  After checking into your en-suite cabin, relax and enjoy the facilities on board including bars, cafes, restaurants and lounge areas.

Arrival Genoa and Overnight France

After disembarkation in Genoa, continue the homeward journey through Italy and into France where you can make a final overnight stop.  Dinner is included at the hotel.

Return to the UK

Depart after breakfast and continue to the port of Calais or Dunkerque and take the ferry across to the UK, and home.

Alghero – Neptune’s Cave Boat Trip (approx 2.5-3 hours round trip incl caves)

A round trip by boat from Alghero.  Sail along the coastline and the imposing cliffs of Capo Caccia where the entrance to the caves is located at only 1 meter above sea level.  Once inside the cave, the on-board guide will point out the impressive columns, the salt lake and the incredible rock formations.  The cave is approximately 4kms long, but there are only a few hundred metres that are accessible to visitors.

Olbia

Olbia, on the north east coast of Sardinia, is home to one of the most important harbours in Italy.  There are many historical ruins to see and among the best-preserved ones, the Giants’ Tomb of Su Monte ‘e s’Abe and the Sa Testa Sacred Well are two structures that are worth visiting.  You can also still admire a part of the defensive walls, the Pedres castle, and several churches.  Olbia city centre is a nice place to explore. Stroll through the famous Corso Umberto (the main street) for shopping  and beautiful architecture.  San Paolo church is famous for its majolica dome and was the main church in Olbia until San Simplicio cathedral was rebuilt and consecrated again.  In fact, during some excavation, a huge necropolis with about 450 martyrs’ bodies was found and is now open to visits and guided tours (bookable in advance).