Corsica on foot and by train

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Bastia

Participants meet at the hotel in the centre of Bastia. They will be free to visit the city; attractions include the citadel, Saint-Nicolas square or the old port with its many restaurants.

Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel in Bastia.

Day 2: Bastia - Calvi

Participants leave Bastia for the west coast via the Corsican mountain region of Balagne. Journey along beautiful beaches and through the marinas at Ile Rousse and Calvi. The final stop is Calvi, a coastal town with beautiful fine sandy beaches and a harbour at the foot of the citadel. Overnight stay in a small 2-star hotel in the centre of Calvi.

Duration of leg: 3hrs

Day 3: Lighthouse of "La Revellata" in Calvi

The day starts with a hike to the citadel of Calvi and the monument of Christopher Columbus. Continue south along the coast to a peninsula with numerous beaches by the turquoise sea. Visit of the lighthouse of "La Revellata" and hike back to the hotel. Overnight stay in Calvi.

Duration of leg: 3hrs 30min

Day 4: Calvi - Corte

Participants move from the west coast to the heart of the island, Corte. The former capital of Corsica is situated in the middle of the mountains, where the vast expanse of nature is protected. Participants may visit the museum of La Corse or stroll through the streets of the old town - within it is oldest grocery store in Europe. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel in the centre of Corte.

Duration of leg: 2hrs

Day 5: The Tavignano Gorge

After breakfast, participants embark on a magnificent mountain hike overlooking the valley. At the footbridge of the u Russulinu which crosses the Tavignano stream, you can cool off in natural basins and return to Corte by the same path.
Overnight stay in Corte.

Duration of leg: ca. 4hrs.

Day 6: Corte - Ajaccio

Participants take the train to the imperial city (2hr journey). This route offers an extraordinary range of landscapes and views and crosses the famous Vecchio bridge built by Gustave Eiffel and passes the summit of Monte d'Oro. Participants are free time to visit the Fesch Museum, the Bonaparte House Museum or stroll along the port and the busy streets of the city centre.
Overnight stay in Ajaccio's city centre in a 3-star hotel.

Day 7: The Sanguinaires Islands

The group will choose between two hiking routes:

The first option extends above Ajaccio, with a beautiful view over the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean and numerous plant species that cover part of the island.

The second option leads to the Genoese Tower of Paratas, which dominates the coastal landscape near the Sanguinaires Islands.

Option 1: Duration of leg: 4hrs - Ascent: 420m - Descent: 420m

Option 2: Duration of leg: 2hrs - Ascent: 113m - Descent: 108m

Overnight stay in Ajaccio

Day 8: End of trip

The tour ends after breakfast. Participants can take the train back to Bastia followed by a ferry to Italy or mainland France (see info tab below for specific travel options)

Travel dates

Indicated pricing per person in double room with double occupancy except in July & August

Costing supplement in July & August: €119 / pers.

The tour starts at the hotel in Bastia and ends at the hotel in Ajaccio.
Participants are kindly asked to make their own travel arrangement to and from Corsica and may extend their stay if they wish.

Services

Price includes:

7 nights in 2 and 3-star hotels with 7 breakfasts, train pass for the week, a digital travel book, visitor's tax.

Optional:

Supplement transfer of bags between each leg: €200

On request: higher class hotels

Guaranteed departure

Starting from 2 persons
Travel not suited for persons with reduced mobility.
Last possibility of cancellation by the tour operator: 21 days before departure.

Luggage

Participants on this tour will take their luggage with them on the train (we recommend carry ons with wheels). For more comfort we offer you an option where we take care of the transfer of your luggage to the hotels.
Accommodation

Overnight stay in 2 and 3-star hotels.

Level of difficulty: medium

Participants should be in good physical condition. Average length of hikes: 2 to 5 hours per day. Individual hikes without a mountain guide. You will receive the hiking map material including a topographical hiking guide (with detailed descriptions of the legs). During your hike, we are always available to answer your questions by telephone on the "emergency hotline".

Weather forecasts and climate

Corsica has a dry and high mountain climate. The island has about 2 700 hours of sunshine per year with average temperatures of over 25°C (77°F) from June to September and about 20°C (68°F) from March onwards.

The winters are mild and rainy. Snow can be sighted in the mountains. Spring and autumn are very pleasant times of year. Due to its geographical position in the heart of the Gulf of Genoa and its distinctive relief, the climate is both maritime and alpine. The great differences in altitude between the coast and the peaks lead to strong contrasts, which are reflected both in the temperature and in the precipitation. In the mountains the weather can change very quickly.

Arrival by ferry

The most environmentally friendly way to travel to Corsica is by train and ferry from France via Nice, Marseille or Toulon or from Italy via Milan-Livorno, Savona or Genoa.

The island also has 7 commercial ports served by 8 sea transport companies, with regular crossings from France and Italy.

The shipping companies SNCM, Corsica Ferries, Corsica Marittima and Moby Lines offer seasonal or year-round fast ferry services from France and Italy. The crossing takes between 1 hour 45 minutes and 5 hours 30 minutes, depending on the distance.

Possible connections:

From Elba to Piombino by ferry - from Piombino to Livorno by train

From Livorno to Bastia by ferry - from Bastia to Ajaccio either by train or bus

Further information on ferry connections can be found at www.lameridionale.fr and www.mobylines.de.

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