| Corsica Walk details |
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Departures 2008 :
June 7 | Duration: 7 Days/8 Nights
Departing from: Bastia on Day 1 (Saturday)
Tour Finishes: Ajaccio on Day 8 (Saturday) Price: €2,000. Single supplement €220.
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Calvi
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Mountain Lake
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Bastia
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Sunset
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Port of Ajaccio
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Corsica Walk |
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Corsica Walk Itinerary
Day 1 - Saturday - Independent arrival in Bastia and check-in at the hotel (Hotel Bonaparte or Hotel les Voyageurs) located in the historic center of town. Bastia can be reached from Paris by direct flight, travel time is about 2 hours. You can explore Bastia’s charming old town, surmounted by its imposing citadel. To get a true sense of Bastia, join the locals in their ritual coffee in Place Saint Nicolas and finish the day with an apéritif at one of the many cafés that line the old port. We will suggest a number of restaurants, from quaint local bistros to refined gourmet restaurants. Dinner on you own tonight. Hotel included.
Day 2 - Sunday - Your guide will meet you at 8:50 a.m. in the hotel lobby. We have already booked a private guide for a walking visit of historic Bastia. After the tour, you have time for a mid-morning coffee and croissant before exploring Bastia’s vibrant Sunday market to buy picnic supplies. Perhaps try some traditional bread made from chestnut flour to complement the hearty Corsican cheese that is brought down from the mountains. A short van transfer takes us to Saint Florent, a 15th century village built around a Genoese fort. From here we have an easy walk along extraordinary terrain, the “desert des Agriates,” eventually arriving at the pristine beach at Saleccia where we can enjoy a refreshing swim. We return to Saint Florent by boat and check into our hotel where we will stay for the two nights. Free time to explore Saint Florent before an apéritif and then dinner. Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included.
Day 3 - Monday - This morning we have a 20 kilometer van transfer through the Nebbio region to the beautifully perched village of Nonza, whose buildings cling to a black rock which plunges down to the sea. Our walk begins amongst the pastel-colored stone houses and leads us to a track that heads to the inland hamlet of Olcani. The path goes through majestic oak forests and then opens out into clearings that offer fabulous views over the sea – the perfect setting for a picnic. Once in Olcani, we have time to enjoy a cool drink in the café before heading for the village of Patrimonio where we will taste their renowned wines, including Muscat, Vermentino and the powerful red “Niellucciu.” Dinner in Saint Florent at “La Marinuccia,” a waterfront restaurant that prepares the day’s catch provided by the local fishermen. Overnight Saint Florent. Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included.
Day 4 - Tuesday - Today we transfer to l’Île-Rousse, another lovely seaside village offering golden beaches and easy access to the inland Balagne region, where some of Corsica’s most beautiful villages lie nestled amongst the hills. The morning walk weaves its way past the quaint villages of Belgodere, Speloncato, Olmi Capella, and Feliceto (the exact details of this walk will be established when we are there in April). All of these villages are of rich historical and cultural interest. Lunch will be in one of these villages or a picnic. Back to l’Île-Rousse in the afternoon via Pigna, a thriving hamlet perched on a slope alongside olive groves. It has retained its medieval character, with stepped paths, narrow alleys, and vaulted passageways. Pigna has become famous as a center for traditional Corsican Music and is an important stop on the “artisans’ road” as many craftsmen have established workshops here. Dinner and accommodation in or near l’Île-Rousse. Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included.
Day 5 - Wednesday - Today you guides will take you to the train station to catch an extraordinary narrow-gage train which follows a coastal line to the village of Calvi. From here our walk follows the coast, passing a 15th century Genoese fortress situated on a rocky promontory. Enjoy lunch in a local café or have a picnic. Return to l’Île-Rousse by boat. Tonight is a “Free Night” dinner, so you can choose between the many bistros and restaurants in the village. Accommodation in or near l’Île-Rousse. Hotel & breakfast included. Dinner not included.
Day 6 - Thursday - Today starts with another train ride, this time straight into the inland heart of the island. While you are in the train, your guides will drive the van along the tortuous road to Corte, where she will meet you. Here you will have time to explore Corte, in the beautiful center of Corsica. You will need to buy picnic supplies before setting out on the trail that leads into the impressive and wild Gorge du Tavignano where we will enjoy our picnic on the edge of the river. Of course, you can also enjoy a refreshing dip in one of river’s pools. Return to Corte for a visit of the Museum of Corsica which displays the cultural and historical legacy of the island. Alternatively, you can do a little shopping! In the late afternoon, a scenic train takes you to Ajaccio while your guides drive the van and luggage. They will meet you at the train station. Ajaccio is a very pretty seaside town which was established by the Genoese in the 15th century. Of course, it is also famous as the birthplace of a certain short French emperor. Dinner and accommodation in or near Ajaccio. Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included.
Day 7 - Friday - For our last day, we transfer by van to the neighboring village of Porto. From there we take a boat to Girolata where we will start our walk towards Galeria. The boat ride offers a unique perspective over the Scandola reserve (a Unesco World Heritage site) which boasts an unparalleled wealth of flora. We will either picnic on the way or lunch in Galeria depending on departure times. Drive back to Ajaccio along the picturesque coastal road. You then have free time in Ajaccio for last-minute shopping. Enjoy a final apéritif and dinner in one of Ajaccio’s fine restaurants. Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included.
Day 8 - Saturday - Transfer to the airport. There are several flights a day to Paris and other destinations in France and Italy. Breakfast included.
General Information
Qualifications: This trip is rated moderate with some challenging stretches. There are some steep ascents and descents. Some prior hiking experience is beneficial but anyone in good physical condition will have no problems with the walks. We regularly walk between 10-16 km a day (6-10 miles), which translates into about 3-4 hours of walking more or less equally divided between morning and afternoon. This may sound like a lot, but we make frequent stops to take pictures, have a cappuccino, or simply enjoy the view. However, a regular conditioning program consisting of walking/running and a daily stretching regimen is recommended, beginning at least 3 months prior to departure. This will get you in shape and ensure that you are able to enjoy fully all that this wonderful trip has to offer.
Van Support and luggage transfers: When required and indicated in the itinerary, we use van transfers to shuttle you from the beginning and end of the hikes. Your luggage is moved by van from hotel to hotel.
Trip Cost Includes: Seven nights accommodations (three-star hotels or “Chambre d’hôtes de charme”); 7 breakfasts and 5 dinners; bilingual guide or guides; all transfers by van, boat, and train and luggage transfers from pick-up on day 2 and finishing with a van transfer to the airport on Saturday morning for flights to Paris; guided visit of Bastia, entrance to Musée du Corse, and the Scandola national park.
Not Included: Round-trip airfare; airport to hotel transfers on arrival; lunches; one dinner; travel insurance; gratuities; alcoholic beverages; and items of a personal nature.
Reservations, payment and cancellation: In order to reserve your space on the trip, a non-refundable deposit of €300 Euro is required. We will send you a trip agreement that outlines the terms and conditions of payment and cancellation.
Weather: In May and June, the climate is generally sunny and warm with daytime temperatures in the 80s and evening temperatures dropping 10-20 degrees. Rain showers are a possibility but typically do not last longer than a few hours. Some rainfall is possible on any of the departures requiring participants to arrive equipped with appropriate raingear.
General Information: This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the CustomWalks Ltd. reservation information and trip agreement. Please read this information carefully and e-mail us (or use the "Contact Us" page) if you have any questions. We highly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance which you can do through CustomWalks Ltd or by clicking on the logo below (another window will open up on your screen).
We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited. Send us an email or fax to reserve your trip. Full trip details including detailed pre-departure information, train timetables, and a gear list are sent upon receipt of deposit.
Come join us!
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