Corsica Walking Tour
Duration: 8 Days/7 Nights
Departures 2012: June 9 and Sept 15 & private departures
Departing from: Bastia on Day 1 (Saturday)
Tour Finishes: Bastia on Day 8 (Saturday)
Price 2012: €2,150 per person based on double occupancy and minimum 6 people. Single supplement €260.
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Corsica’s sandy beaches, rocky coves, dramatic rock formations, and crystal-clear mountain pools are all accessible on foot thanks to a wonderful network of trails. Our walking tour explores the northwest part of this dramatically beautiful island, introducing you to both country, city, and coastline as well as Corsica’s award-winning wines, regional cuisine, and charming small inns. Corsica is not France, Corsica is a place unto itself. (Luggage transferred by van. 1 night Bastia, 2 nights Calvi, 2 nights Piana, and 2 nights near Corte. Tour ends in Bastia.)
Day 1 – Saturday: Independent arrival in Bastia and check-in at the hotel (Hotel Central) located in the historic center of town. Bastia can be reached from Paris and London by direct flight, or via Italy by ferry. Take some time this afternoon to explore Bastia’s charming old town, surmounted by an imposing citadel. To get a true sense of the city, join the locals in their ritual coffee in Place Saint Nicolas, then meet your group and guide(s) at 7 p.m. for an apéritif followed by dinner. Hotel and dinner included.
Day 2 – Sunday – Meet your group after breakfast for a two-hour shuttle along the coast to the lovely port town of Calvi. We check into the Hotel Saint Erasme and then depart for an afternoon walk along the coast to a lighthouse perched on a rocky promontory. Before dinner, take a stroll through the town’s colorful streets and then meet for dinner. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 3 – Monday – We have a short van transfer this morning to Aregno, one of the hilltop villages along the Haute Balagne coast. Our walk starts from its Romanesque (12th c) church and follows the crest to Sant’Antonino, one of the most beautiful villages in Corsica. We continue on towards the Convent of Corbara before reaching our lunch spot, Pigna, which has retained its medieval character with cobblestone paths, narrow alleys, and vaulted passageways. It is also famous as a center for traditional Corsican music and artisans. Our afternoon walk takes us through Corbara: a quintessential Balagne town of small square houses clinging to a steep hillside. From there our trail abandons the crest to take us down to l’île-Rousse, where we can have a swim at the sandy beach or return straight-away to Calvi. Enjoy another fantastic dinner tonight accompanied by some of Corsica’s fine local wines. Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included.
Day 4 – Tuesday -After breakfast, we leave Calvi by boat, which offers a unique perspective over the Scandola Reserve (a UNESCO World Heritage site) which boasts an unparalleled wealth of flora. Set against an extraordinary backdrop of red cliffs and dense “maquis,” Girolata is the only fishing village on the island still inaccessible by road. We have lunch at a small restaurant there before following the “postman’s trail” which used to connect the village to the rest of the island. The path offers wonderful views over the Scandola and the gulf all the way to the Col de la Croix. From there, we transfer by van to Piana. Check in at the hotel “Les Roches Rouges,” Corsica’s most elegant “period hotel.” Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 5 – Wednesday- We have a morning walk today that winds through “Les Calanches,” another UNESCO protected site. It is a vast expanse of red porphyry, eroded into dogs’ heads, witches and devils — one of the most memorable hikes of the week! We return to Piana for lunch, and then offer a trip to a wide expanse of sandy beach to cool off after our exertions. Enjoy an aperitif on the terrace of our hotel to enjoy the sublime sea views at sunset, then head off on your own for a “free night” dinner. Hotel and breakfast included. Dinner not included.
Day 6 – Thursday -We leave the coast this morning and drive 2.5 hours into the rugged interior of the island to the town of Corte. Our hotel is located along the Restonica river, which carves out the magnificent gorge of the same name and is one of the highlights of the island. Explore this historical city, with its 15th century citadel, before heading off for a dramatic walk and a picnic by one of the crystal-clear pools (and have a swim!). Afterwards, relax by the pool at our hotel before heading into town for dinner. Hotel, and breakfast and dinner included.
Day 7 – Friday – We have a spectacular last day of hiking as we climb up to two mountain lakes. It’s a four-hour round-trip but you will be rewarded by amazing views and a feeling of conquest as you stand at the center of this amazing island (we can also offer an easier walk should we find ourselves in a more relaxed mood!). Celebrate your hike with a final dinner by the Restonica river. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 8 – Saturday – One-hour transfer to the Bastia airport. There are several flights a day to Paris and other destinations in Europe, as well as ferries to both France and Italy. Breakfast included.
The walks in Corsica, though not long in terms of distance, can be quite challenging as we ascend and descend mountain paths which are often rocky and sometimes quite steep. We have designed the trip so that there is always some free time in the late afternoon so you can relax, read, or have a swim. Breakfast is included every day, and dinners reflect the excellent traditional food of the region. Daily distance between 6 and 12 kms.
General Information
Qualifications: This trip is rated moderate to challenging.The walks are not long on mileage but there are quite a few steep sections and most of it is on rocky trail.. We normally walk 3-4 hours per day, spread out over the morning and afternoon. This trip is a little easier than our Cinque Terre walk.Trip Cost Includes:Seven nights accommodations (three-star hotels or “Chambre d’hôtes de charme”); 7 breakfasts and 6 dinners; bilingual guide or guides; all transfers by van, boat, and train as well as luggage transfers from pick-up on day 2 and finishing with a van transfer to Bastia on Saturday morning; boat trip through the Scandola National Park.Getting there: this will redirect you to our “Getting to the Trip” page. Booking: e-mail us to receive a booking contract (or use the “Reservation” page).Insurance: We highly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance. We recommend “Travel Guard” to our American clients, just click on the logo below, while Canadian residents can click here. Australian, New Zealander, and British travelers, please consult your insurance brokers.
 We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! |
