Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
France – Corsica – Calvi – Corte – Piana – Ajaccio – Levie – Bonifacio
100% customisable for you
Calling all sun-seekers, your epic Corsican adventure starts today. Head to the airport, breeze through security and slip away to the lounge to enjoy a moment of peace and quiet before take-off. Flights to Calvi connect through Paris, so the whole journey takes around six hours – let the eager anticipation begin...
After you land (and following some necessary remarks about the heat), collect your hire car and head into the centre of Calvi, where you’ll spend the next two nights. Then, drop your bags and hit the streets in search of dinner, which is sure to be a delectable – and quintessentially French – affair.
Today, fuel up on a hearty breakfast before venturing out to explore your surroundings. Proudly perched on a pretty port, Calvi is one of the most beautiful sites in Corsica: its celebrated citadel juts out between the Gulf of Calvi and the Pointe de la Revellata, blessing it with a truly tranquil landscape.
If it’s seaside scenes you’re after, set your sights on L'Ile-Rousse, a delightful little coastal resort, or Saint-Florent, gateway to the incredible Agriates Desert. For a seriously secluded setting, the lost beach of Saleccia – only accessible by boat – is sure to deliver. Elsewhere, the marina of Sant'Ambrogio, the shores of Algajola and the island of Spano are also ideal for laidback leisure.
Prefer to spend the day hiking the hilltops? Visit Corbara, Pigna or Sant'Antonino for local crafts, Baroque architecture and extraordinary views. Time to fill your camera roll...
Kiss the coast goodbye this morning as you set off on the one-hour-and-20-minute drive to Corte, in the heart of the island. Tucked away in the Rotondu Massif mountain range, between the winding Restonica and Tavignano rivers and sparkling Melo and Capitello lakes, this captivating commune is completely immersed in nature.
When you arrive, check in for two nights at a distinctly charming hotel, where you can pause to unwind and freshen up before dinner this evening. If you haven’t already, tuck into a course of veau aux olives (slow-cooked veal and olives) – a Corsican classic.
Rise and shine: the streets of Corte await. Today, you’ll be joined by a local guide for a private tour of the city.
Kick off your exploration in the Museum of Corsica – a mainstay in the island’s rich cultural scene – then slip into the town’s alleys to admire the architecture and meet local craftsmen. To fuel your flaneur, there’ll be stops for some small (but hugely flavourful) tastings of local delicacies as you go.
This afternoon, unwind with a refreshing cocktail or a spot of reading – or both – before sinking into your pillow to rest up for tomorrow’s adventures.
Dial up the road trip tunes, because this morning, you’re embarking on the one-hour-and-30-minute drive to Piana, a coastal commune crowning a landscape of waterfalls and lakes.
When you pull up to your centrally located hotel, check in, head to your room and indulge in some post-car-journey stretching before heading out again this afternoon.
Piana is delightfully picturesque, thanks to its white houses, UNESCO-listed geological site and charming church. After a slow sunset stroll to discover the town’s most photogenic spots, contact your Concierge for some stellar restaurant recommendations.
After tucking into a tasty breakfast this morning, don your seafaring caps for a cruise through the Scandola Nature Reserve. This UNESCO-listed geological gem is the first site in France dedicated to the preservation of natural heritage, both on land and in the water. Formed after an ancient volcano collapsed into the sea, the peninsula overflows with distinctly dramatic landscapes, its trademark reddish rock reflecting in the turquoise waters below.
While you’re cruising around the site, discover its remarkable residents, including fish, eagles and peregrine falcons. You’ll also stop in the small village of Girolata for a swimming break. Accessible only on foot or by boat, this seriously secluded spot has no more than 15 inhabitants year-round. Its gulf is also part of the very exclusive ‘Most Beautiful Bays in the World’ club – high praise, indeed.
It’s time to hit the road again today as you head one hour and 25 minutes south to Corsica’s capital, Ajaccio. Along the way, stop at Cargese, a little fishing village with a gloriously Grecian look – evidence of its time as a Greek colony in the 17th century.
Back in the car, skirt the Gulf of Sagone until you arrive in Ajaccio, your base for the next two nights. Following some downtime this afternoon, dress up and head out to enjoy some marvellous Mediterranean food and Corsican wines (naturally) against the backdrop of another gorgeously golden evening.
A maze of narrow streets, Ajaccio is best experienced on foot, so hit the streets today and delve into the heart of the Corsican capital. Among the natural curiosities you’ll encounter on your wanderings, be sure to visit the Baroque cathedral, the ancient citadel and the small fishing port, whose bundles of boats add a colourful flourish to any photo.
Once you’ve oohed and aahed your way around town, slip down to the sandy shores to recline on the beach or, if you’re craving an adrenaline rush, take part in some of the activities on offer, such as scuba diving and sailing. Not a water baby? Don’t worry: back on dry land, thrill seekers can still break a sweat with canyoning, quad biking, hiking or mountain biking.
Buckle up for the one-hour-and-45-minute drive to Levie this morning, which takes you back into the rugged centre of the island. If your road trip tunes require a refresh along the way, why not dip into our destination-specific playlist?
This afternoon, settle in for two nights in your next home away from home. Then, turn your thoughts towards dinner – your trusty Concierge is on hand to point you in the right direction.
An attractive little fishing village surrounded by mountains, Levie is a certified hiker’s haven, tucked away in the hinterland of Porto-Vecchio.
Besides the charm of the town itself, the showstoppers here are the Bavella Needles, a series of curious rocky peaks, and the picturesque village of Zonza, full of unspoilt natural beauty. These are – in our humble opinion – some of the best places on the island to appreciate its incredible landscapes. So, eyes peeled and cameras poised...
Today, you’re rounding out your epic Corsican road trip with the one-hour drive to Bonifacio, where you’ll settle in for two nights in the last (but by no means least) of your hotels.
Skip the late-afternoon break in your room today and head out for a sumptuous sunset boat trip, complete with musical backing. Having soaked in – and photographed, of course – the scenery, stop for a swim in the beautiful bay of Saint-Cyprien before docking in a secluded cove to quench your thirst with a quintessentially Corsican aperitif. Cue musings of ‘this is the life.’
Sat atop on a rocky outcrop, Bonifacio is a marvellous Medieval citadel cosied up against a landscape of steep cliffs, crashing creeks and coastal caves. On the shores below, at the foot of the city, lies the port, full of clustered boats and angling fishermen. And on the other side of the strait? Italy’s answer to Corsica: Sardinia.
Make the most of your final day on the island by visiting one of the many beaches scattered nearby. If you fancy slipping away from the shore, head to the hinterland, where you can go hiking or canyoning in a landscape bursting with botany.
Whatever you choose to do, don’t forget to top it all off with a gourmet gala of cured meats, golden breads and melt-in-your-mouth cheeses (yes, please).
Like all great adventures, your epic Corsican road trip must come to an end today. Savour the last sunny scenes over a vast and varied breakfast this morning before heading to the airport and returning your hire car.
The return flight takes just under two-and-a-half hours, meaning you’ll arrive in the UK this afternoon, already wondering when the appropriate time to start planning your next sun-soaked sojourn is. If you ask us, we'd say it’s right about... now.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
