Grand Tour of Corsica

Day 1 London - Bastia - Calvi Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home, for your journey to London Gatwick Airport and a direct, scheduled easyJet flight to Bastia. On arrival we transfer to Hotel Revellata (3T) or Hotel Balanea (3T), and have time to settle in before dinner this evening. Day 2 Cap Corse Today we explore beautiful Cap Corse, an enchanting peninsula with glorious golden beaches, beautiful old terraces, and charming little bays. Many small villages await discovery including Nonza, a group of stone-roofed houses residing impressively on a steep rock formation; and Pino, an unforgettable village located on a lush green hill where the houses appear as though they are a balcony over the sea. From here you can view Erbalunga, an idyllic fishing village adored by painters. We stop in the stunning old port of Bastia; oozing Mediterranean charm this beautiful Genoese city overlooks the breathtaking Tuscan coast. Reach the heart of the city by mini-train to explore the array of alleys decorated with pretty houses, coloured facades, the old port, market square and St Nicolas Square. Later, embark on a scenic journey stopping at Patrimonio for a delicious tasting of Corsican wines before our arrival into St Florent, a busy little fishing port with café terraces and a yachting marina. This afternoon we return to our hotel where we have time to relax before dinner this evening. Day 3 Calvi - Porto - Ajaccio Enjoy an effortlessly-scenic journey through the Marsulinu Pass, the Fango Valley and La Croix Pass. We arrive in the UNESCO-listed Gulf of Porto, with its red-granite cliffs overlooking an intense deep blue sea and travel by coach to see the Calanques de Piana, or you can choose an optional cruise from Porto to view these stunning orange and red granite formations from the water. This afternoon we continue our captivating journey to the mesmerising Gorges of Spelunca, before visiting the charming village of Evisa surrounded by the mystic Aitone Forest and chestnut woods. We then continue to Ajaccio, where we check in to Hotel Campo dell'Oro (3T+) where we stay and enjoy dinner for two nights. Day 4 Ajaccio Today we enjoy an insightful guided tour of Ajaccio, the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1769. Hidden in one of the world’s most beautiful bays and with stunning mountain scenery dominating the landscape, it occupies a unique location. Continue to the inland areas of Cauro, the Tolla Dam, Bastelica and Bastelicaccia where the fauna and flora of this Mediterranean climate give colour and life to the beautiful scenery. Day 5 Ajaccio - Propriano - Sartene - Porto-Vecchio Enjoy a splendid journey to Propriano passing the charming villages of Petreto and Olmeto along the way. Then continue to Sartene, scenically perched like an amphitheatre above the valley and described by 19th century French writer, Prosper Merimee, as “the most Corsican of the Corsican towns”. We traverse many stunning regions including Alta Rocca, and pass the villages of Aullène, Quenza and Zonza, in between green landscapes and charming shores, before crossing the Bavella Pass. Here we are treated to sights of the dramatic Rocca Mountains gracing the skyline with majestic rocky needles. This afternoon travel through the Larone Pass and Solenzara before checking in to our hotel in Porto-Vecchio, Hotel Le Roi Theodore (4T) or Shegara (3T) for the next two nights. Day 6 Bonifacio This morning we depart for wonderful Bonifacio, the medieval citadel on the southern tip of Corsica only a short distance from Sardinia. This beautiful, historic town is situated atop dominating limestone cliffs and we embark on a boat trip to explore majestic marine caves and to view the imposing cliffs from below. Once back ashore, a mini-train will take us on a tour of the city where we are treated to more breathtaking views before the scenic return journey to our hotel, where we once again enjoy dinner this evening. Day 7 Porto-Vecchio - Corte - Niolu - Bastia Travel along the ‘Mother of Pearl Coast’ on the Tyrrhenian Sea for some of the most breathtaking scenery of Corsica, where long beaches of fine sand and crystalline waters will occupy our view. Travel from Solenzara to Aléria, passing beautiful pine woods and on to Corte - a charming town situated at the confluence of a number of rivers - for a tour by mini-train. We continue our sightseeing adventure passing Niolu, a land of mountain people and shepherds, to Calacuccia to admire the gorges of the magnificent Scala di Santa Regina and views over the shimmering deep blue lake. Continue to Bastia to check in to the delightful Hotel des Gouverneurs (4T) or Hotel Residence Lido Marana (4T), and settle down to an evening meal, accompanied by guitar music and Corsican songs. Day 8 Bastia - London Today we travel to the airport for a direct, scheduled easyJet flight to London Gatwick Airport. On arrival you will be met and guided to your Titan vehicle, for the journey home.