Corsica Grand Tour

Today our walking tour of Corsica begins! We start of by walking out of the city towards the imposing monument of Napoleon to discover the cave he used to play in as a child. From here our walks takes us along the crest of the hills surrounding Ajaccio, from where we will get incredible views back over the city and along the whole coastline. A picnic lunch will be waiting for us half way!

In the afternoon you will have some free time to wander around the streets of Ajaccio at your own pace

We leave Ajaccio and head for a splendid drive along the west coast of Ajaccio toward the Gulf of Porto. The drives around Corsica will be one of the most memorable parts of the journey for the jaw dropping beauty of the landscapes we will encounter.

After a coffe stop in Piana, we head to Capo Rosso for a walk out to the end of this peninsula and up to the Genovese tower 300m above sea level, from where we will enjoy a 360 degree view of the Calanches de Piana and it’s unique pink granite rock formations.

Today we will picnic with a view!

In the afternoon we head back to the town of Piana, where we can relax, stroll around this small village and enjoy one of the best sunsets in Corsica!

We head out in the morning to the village of Porto, from where we hop on a bot and set off to explore the Scandola Natural Reserve.

The reserve of Scandola is one of the most carefully protected areas in Corsica due to its rich flora and fauna home to a broad range of birds, fish, algae and many other species. The most spectacular site however is the peninsulas unique volcanic geology which presents the jagged red cliffs which are such a marvel to look at. Our boat will take us all along the cost line and right up into some of the coves for the best possible views.

The captain will drop us off in the small fishing village of Girolata, located right in the center of the reserve and which is only accessible by boat or on foot.

We will have lunch overlooking the bay, while enjoying a delicious fish feast!

After lunch we will head back along the postman’s path for more views of this unique coastline.

Today we leave Piana and head inland to Corte.

Our day begins with a walk through the Spelunca Gorge, one of the most dramatic on the whole island. We will be mostly under the shade of an oak and chestnut forest. The highlight of the walk will be the 89 switchbacks we must climb to get to our picnic. But don’t let this put you off, we have wine waiting for you at lunch!

In the afternoon we will drive to Corte, the heart and soul of Corsica. Tonights hotel is located just outside of down on the banks of the Restonica river.

In the morning we walk out from the hotel and climb up over the mountains behind Corte, our efforts will be rewarded by incredible views of the city below us.

As we come over the mountain range we descend into three charming villages emblematic of Corsican identity where lunch will be awaiting us.

In the afternoon we take some time to explore Corte, the city where the Independent Republic of Corsica was established in 1769. Here we discover all about Pasquale Paoli and the fight for Corsican Independence.

Tonight you will be free to dine on your own in the city center. Of course we can give you a few tips on where to go!

Today we leave Corte and head north to explore the area south of Bastia. Here hidden amongst countless valleys and spurs of of La Balagne’s and Nebbio’s interior we will discover small hamlets dating back to the Pisan era, Romanesque chapels, olive groves and lush vineyards. The area between St-Florent and Patrimonio is one of Corsica’s top wine producing regions.

After spending the morning exploring this region, tasting artisan made products and local wines we shall head to the Desert des Agriates to walk of our lunch along one of Corsica’s most spectacular and longest stretches of beach.

Today we head to the Northern most part of Corsica, the Cap Corse. This enchanting peninsula stretched north of Bastia and is dotted with small fishing villages like Erbalunga, Centuri and Nonza.

Our walk takes us right around the tip of the peninsula, along the coastal sentier de douaniers, and brings us to the tiny village of Barcaggio. On our return we head down the western coastline of the Cap Corse, stopping for a gelato or a coffe in one of the small fishing villages.

In the evening we take some time to wonder the streets of Bastia before heading for dinner. Bastia is the second largest city of Corsica, it has retained its medieval charm, small streets, an incredible citadel and a charming marina, all heritage left behind by its Genoese settlers.

We leave Bastia and head down the eastern coastline of Corsica to Aleria, to explore the archeological site of the oldest city in Corsica first founded by the Phoenicians and later resettled by the Romans.

We then continue down the coastline to Porto Vecchio where we enbarck on a small boat and set of on a trip down the southern coastline of Corsica. As we approach Bonifacio we will enjoy splendid views of the white cliffs and a majestic approach into the Marina of Bonifacio which the citadel above us.

Tonights dinner will be down in the Marina.

We start our day by exploring the ancient citadel of Bonifacio fortified by the Genovese in the 13th century. We walk down its small alleys, visit the 12th century cathedral of Ste-Marie-Majeure and look down the impressive Aragonese stairway. From the citadel we head out and along the white cliffs of Bonifacio, with imposing views all along. We arrive at a lighthouse with a hidden beach down bellow, where we can enjoy our lunch and a swim in the crystal clear waters!

In the afternoon you will have some free time to explore Bonifacio, shop or have an aperitif on the chic marina.

Tonight you will be free to enjoy dinner on your own.

We leave Bonifacio and head to the forest of Cucuruzzu. He we will stroll among prehistoric menhirs, statues, caves and forts in their original setting, a perfectly preserved example of how these populations used to live. Walking through this forest is a magic experience, it is something which you can’t quite describe in words, but you go away with a special kind of feeling.

After lunch we head to Sartene, a town which proudly boasts the title of ”the most Corsican of Corsican towns”. It is a charming place to explore and gives us a glimpse into Corsican life.

In the afternoon we head back to Ajaccio where we will enjoy our final diner.

9:00 AM depart from the hotel to Ajaccio Airport where we say our farewells.