Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
France – Corsica – Calvi – Porto Vecchio
100% customisable for you
Hear that? It’s the sound of the Corsican coast calling your name. Head to the airport, whizz through security and settle into the lounge for some downtime before your departure. Flights to Calvi connect through Paris, so the whole journey takes around six hours.
When you arrive, collect your hire car, dial up the road trip tunes (we’d recommend our destination-specific playlist if you’d like to switch things up) and set off towards your central hotel, where you’ll settle down for the next three nights.
After a spot of unpacking, venture out this evening to dine on some local specialities. Wine aficionados, this is your time to shine: Corsican varieties boast a beautiful blend of French winemaking techniques and Italian grape varieties, so you can practically bet on a quality pour wherever you end up.
Today is all about discovering Calvi, Corsica’s second-oldest town. Rich in legend and history, it’s full of Medieval mystery and fascinating fables – ever heard the one about Napoleon seeking refuge here when he was forced to flee the island’s capital?
Set off with purpose by starting your day with a private walking tour of the citadel, led by a friendly local guide. Explore emblematic landmarks, including the former Episcopal Palace, the Calvi Cathedral and the Governor’s Palace, as well as the Madonna di a Serra, a historic hilltop chapel and statue tucked just outside the main town.
This afternoon, continue your exploration in the lower town, home to a buzzy marina, a railway station and the Church of Sainte-Marie-Majeure. To fuel your wanderings, stop for some quintessentially Corsican canistrelli (crumbly biscuits).
Spend your final day on Corsica’s northern coast exploring the surrounding villages of the Balagne region. Nicknamed ‘the garden of Corsica,’ this hilly haven stretches from the sun-kissed shore to the mountains, boasting an economy that mainly revolves around olive trees and (naturally) olive oil.
For white-sand beaches and a bustling marketplace, head to the seaside town of L'Ile-Rousse. To glimpse the glorious Agriates Desert, set your sights on Saint-Florent. For some R&R further afield, catch a boat to the untouched shores of Saleccia Beach, or you could break with the Corsican coast entirely by heading out to Spano Island.
Those who prefer to stay closer to Calvi can lay their towel at the Sant'Ambrogio marina or Algajola for a day of sunbathing and swimming in the sea. Elsewhere, enjoy an elevated affair in the hilltop towns of Corbara, Pigna or Sant'Antonino, where charming crafts, Baroque architecture and swoonworthy views await.
Bid Calvi a fond farewell this morning as you hop in the car and set your sights on the south coast. The drive to Porto-Vecchio takes a little over three hours, giving you plenty of time to slap on a cracking playlist or enjoy a topical podcast – perhaps a deep dive into the island’s Greek heritage.
When you arrive, having rolled through a series of rugged landscapes and stopped for a leisurely lunch (this is France, after all), settle in for three nights at your next hotel in the heart of Porto-Vecchio.
For dinner tonight, literally sink your teeth into the region’s exceptional offerings with a course of wild boar, followed by some smooth Corsican cheeses and (of course) more local wines.
The next two days are yours to enjoy the riches of southern Corsica. In Porto-Vecchio, spend a day strolling from the upper town to the port before taking a break in the Place de la Republique. Or, to cultivate a seriously enviable tan, sidestep the shade and bask on the beaches of Palombaggia and Santa Giulia.
A little further out, the hinterland of Porto-Vecchio is great for those keen on hiking – the needles of Baella and the village of Zonza are particularly worthwhile. There’s also the clifftop citadel of Bonifacio, perfect if you fancy journeying back in time through historic alleyways, ancient marinas and pristinely preserved terraces.
For your last evening in Corsica, we’ve arranged a luxurious sunset cruise. Don your seafaring caps and glide towards a secluded cove that’s only accessible by boat, ooh la la-ing at the views and taking a dip in the turquoise waters below. To sweeten the scene, there’ll also be a serving of classic Corsican aperitifs and a soft musical accompaniment – talk about a grand finale…
A bittersweet day has arrived: it’s your last morning in Corsica. Chase the holiday blues away with a leisurely breakfast of strong coffee, sheep’s milk yoghurt and golden bread before driving to the airport in Figari.
Once you’ve returned your hire car, hop aboard your direct flight home. This time, the entire journey takes just two hours and 30 minutes, putting you back on UK soil just in time for dinner – best paired with a souvenir bottle of Corsican wine, of course.
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
