The Islands of Corsica & Sardinia

The Islands of Corsica & Sardinia

These two idyllic islands Mediterranean islands, only eight miles, each offer their own unique culture, tradition and stunning landscapes.

14 days from £1299

Excursions & Visits
• Avignon - see the famous broken bridge
• Corte and Ajaccio - ancient capital and beautiful coastal town
• Bonifacio - forever associated with pirates
• Alghero - fascinating Old Town

For a little bit extra why not try..
• Costa Smeralda & La Maddalena - region of natural beauty
• Nuoro, Orgosolo and lunch with the Shepherds - ancient traditions
• Gallura - charming Sardinian landscape 

Your holiday itinerary
Day 1 Local departure by coach, then travel to the Paris area for an overnight stay.
Day 2 Continue to our overnight hotel near Millau, France. (B,D)
Day 3 Avignon - Included visit to Avignon, where you will have time for sightseeing in this old Roman town, fabulous for its broken bridge. Continue to Toulon, where we board the overnight ferry to Corsica. Accommodaion in 3-berth en-suite cabins is included. (B)
Day 4 Corte and Ajaccio - We arrive in Bastia in Corsica this morning then continue by coach to the ancient capital of Corte. The upper town is picturesquely situated on a hill dominated by the Citadel and a maze of narrow streets lined with houses. We continue to the beautiful coastal town of Ajaccio, birthplace of Napoleon. The harbour area is a maze of tiny yellow ochre houses, church bells and domes, whilst the Old Town's imposing citadel commands views of the leafy boulevards. Overnight stay in Ajaccio/Porto area. (D)
Day 5 Bonifacio - Included visit to the charming village of Propiano on the Gulf of Valinco, full of unusual 'menhirs' and 'dolmens' - standing stones and tombs. We then continue to Bonifacio, once a hiding-place for pirates, and later board the ferry for the one-hour crossing to Santa Teresa Gallura in Sardinia. Continue to our Sardinia hotel for a six night stay. (B,D)
Day 6 Costa Smeralda and La Maddalena - We offer an optional guided tour of the exclusive and beautiful Costa Smeralda, which owes its name to the green emerald-coloured waters. From the harbour town of Palau we take a ferry to the Maddalena islands. The old town perched on a hill is a charming maze of narrow streets and small squares. (B,D)
Day 7 Alghero -  Included excursion exploring northern Sardinia with its varied landscape. The attractive coastal town of Alghero is home to a delightful mix of architecture, especially within its charming Old Town. Here, you will find a wonderful selection of bars and restaurants serving fresh fish. The ancient walls still surround the old town centre with alleys and shops where the famous coral is worked and exhibited. If the sea is calm, you will have the opportunity to go on an optional boat trip towards the wonderful Neptune's Cave. (B,D)
Day 8 Nuoro, Orgosolo and lunch with the Shepherds - A wonderful full-day excursion to the Barbagia area, considered the heart of Sardinia with ancient traditions which survive alongside modern life, evident in the landscape, the architecture and the cuisine. The museum in Nuoro, the capital of the province, has many reminders of the culture of this ancient population. We continue through the vineyards to Oliena, the 'murales' of Orgoslo and the famous bandit villages. Later we enjoy lunch with the Shepherds! You will sit down in a semi circle on granite benches, covered in oak leaves among the wonderful cork tree woods, accompanied by the pastori shepherds, whose sheep produce the island's famous peccorini cheese. Lamb and porchetta are roasted on an open fire, followed by local Sardinian bread and home-made red wine. An unforgettable experience. (B,D)
Day 9 Free time - Enjoy a leisurely day in our resort. (B,D)
Day 10 Gallura - Todays optional excursion takes us through the charming landscape of the north-western coast where picturesque granite formations appear out of deep cork oak woods and pastures. The town of Calangianus is the centre of cork production. We continue to the spa town of Tempio Pausania. (B,D)
Day 11 Free time - A final day in our resort with time for last-minute shopping. We leave Sardinia this evening, on the overnight sailing from Sardinia to Livorno. Accommodation is in en-suite cabins. (B)
Day 12 Arrive Livorno and head to central France for an overnight stay. (D)
Day 13 Head to the Paris area for an overnight stay. (B)
Day 14 Travel to Calais, then return home. (B)
Included Meals: B=Breakfast, D=Dinner

Your hotels
You’ll stay for one night on Corsica at a 3-star hotel such as the Hotel Sun Beach in the Ajaccia/Porto area, then six nights on Sardinia at a 4-star hotel such as the Hotel Li Grianti on the Costa Smeralda, between Baia Sardinia and Porto Cervo. The hotel has a restaurant and bar and all bedrooms have T.V. and telephone. We may also use hotels in Olbia, Budoni or Santa Teresa di Gallura. On overnights sailings, 3-berth accommodation will be in en-suite cabins (meals are not included on board ship). Overnight stays in France will be in city-style hotels.

What’s included? 
• 13 nights' accommodation with 11 continental breakfast & 9 evening meals
• Excursions and visits as detailed above
Travel by Silver Service coach for
• Extra legroom for your added comfort
• Rear lounge to relax and chat
• Free personal headphones with a choice of music & DVD's
• Porterage at your hotels