Cruise & Hike Corsica

Passengers are welcome to board at 6:00 p.m. We’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. Tonight we’ll enjoy dinner and an evening of activities on board. Our ship will cruise to Corsica overnight.

Meals:  D

Our ship will begin to cruise to Corsica. We’ll take in the beauty of the Gulf of Porto, which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, admire the red cliffs and maquis underbrush in the Scandola Nature Reserve, and glide by the Gulf of Girolata and the dazzling Calanques de Piana. Feel free to attend the lecture about the natural beauty found on and around this Mediterranean island: The Beauty of the Island Summed up in Five Ports of Call. Corsica is best experienced through its beauty, its culture, and its people. As La belle des Oceans enters its first Corsican port, join us on the deck for a tasting of traditional myrtle liqueur and a pastry. In the afternoon, we offer two excursions: HIKERS: Hike to the Pointe de la Parata. This hike takes place in Ajaccio between the Îles Sanguinaires and Capo di Feno. You'll follow the trail to splendid beaches on Capo di Feno with the islands in the distance. Leave all your worries behind as you enjoy the beautiful turquoise water and wild scenery. Take advantage of this time to discover how different Corsica can be from one end to the other. Breathe in the scents, indulge in the colors, and give yourself a true break. (Approximately 3 hours, 10 km/6.2 mi., 150 to 200 m elevation gain (492 to 656 ft.)) NON-HIKERS: Ajaccio and the Îles Sanguinaires. Ajaccio, the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, has a rich and historical past. We’ll visit the city’s main sites, including the high court building, the Cours Napoleon, the bronze Monument to Napoleon and His Brothers, and the Place d’Austerlitz—where legend has it Napoleon visited often as a child to see the statues of the glorious soldiers in battle. Our next stop will be the Pointe de la Parata and a stroll through this exceptional natural area. From here, you’ll get a glimpse of the Îles Sanguinaires, an archipelago of four lava-rock islands just off the coast. As a haven for many native species of plants and animals, the islands are an integral part of Corsica’s natural and cultural heritage. The ruins and sea-sculpted landscapes on the Pointe de la Parata bear testimony to Corsica’s hardy history. An evening of Corsican music and song on board. This evening is a great opportunity to get to know the island through its songs. Learn about some of the most famous Corsican musicians, past and present, including Tino Rossi, Jean Tavera, Charles Rocchi, Natale Rochiccioli, Antoine Ciosi, Michel Mallory, Regina and Bruno, Maryse Nicolai, the Vincenti brothers, and Canta u Populu Corsu, to name just a few.

Meals:  B,L,D

HIKERS: Hike through the Calanques de Piana. No vacation in Corsica would be complete without a trip to the Calanques de Piana. During this hike, you'll discover this geological gem with shapes and forms to stimulate any imagination. The naturally dramatic landscape, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, includes red porphyry intensified by the blue water and green underbrush. We'll have lunch in a local restaurant before jumping on a boat to take us to Cap Rosso. We'll return to Ajaccio by coach. (Approximately 2.5 hours, 8 km/5 mi., 250 to 300m elevation gain (820 to 984 ft.)) NON-HIKERS: full-day excursion to the Calanques de Piana and the village of Porto (pre-booking only). Our coach will travel along the picturesque coastline dotted with rocky inlets until we reach Porto. Enjoy some time exploring the village before we jump on a local boat that will take us to Cap Rosso, where the sheer cliffs and rock sculptures of the Calanques de Piana seem to jet up from the water and radiate a red hue along the coastline. We’ll return to Ajaccio by coach. At the end of the day, we'll begin to cruise to Bonifacio. We'll enjoy dinner and an evening of entertainment.

Meals:  B,L,D

HIKERS: Hike to Cap de Pertusatu. Leaving from the harbor in Bonifacio, this hike takes you up the Montée Rostello to Saint-Roch Chapel. From there, you'll follow the seaside cliffs and explore the old mule-driver trails beaten by the winds and spray. The dramatic limestone cliffs dominate this walk through the nature reserve. Where the semaphore regulating sea traffic stands, you'll catch a glimpse of Sardinia before continuing on to the lighthouse marking the southernmost tip of the island. (Approximately 2.5 hours, 6 km/3.7 mi., 100 m/328 ft. elevation gain) NON-HIKERS: Guided Tour of Bonifacio and Tasting of Craft Liquors. Bonifacio is rich with a history told along its small streets and paths, the thousand-year-old fortress, and the sturdy stone homes perched high above the sea waves. The descent (and subsequent ascent) of the King of Aragon’s Stairway will provide some of the best views on your trip (187 steps). At the end of our tour, we'll head over to L'Assaghju wine bar in the heart of the city, where you'll taste several of their liquors and aperitif wines. We highly recommend authentic and local flavors such as chestnut, melon, hazelnut, myrtle, or lemon. We’ll return on board in Porto Vecchio. Enjoy some free time in the afternoon. Why not stroll tranquilly down the picturesque streets and admire the island's exceptional cultural heritage? In the evening, we’ll have dinner at a traditional inn in the heart of the Corsican inland. Whether we sit by the fireplace or under the immense cork oak trees, we’ll be welcomed by the owners who will explain their history and their love for this island. Corsican music and songs will accompany dinner—a delicious, in-season composition made of local products.

Meals:  B,L,D

HIKERS: Hike to the Col de Bavella. The incomparable beauty of the Col de Bavella makes it one of the most magical places in Corsica. Located 1,218 meters high (3,996 feet) in the heart of the Alta Rocca mountain range, it provides an absolutely exceptional panorama of the Aiguilles de Bavella. During this hike through the Ospedale Forest, we'll experience several breathtaking moments, including an authentic Corsican snack. (Approximately 3 hours, 8 km/5 mi., 500 m/1,640 ft. elevation gain) NON-HIKERS: Set out on an optional guided tour of Porto-Vecchio. The old town includes the ruins of a 16th-century citadel and gorgeous views of the marina. In the late afternoon, we'll begin to cruise towards Bastia. Take advantage of a quiet moment to catch some rays poolside or to enjoy a treatment in our wellness salon. More active passengers can keep in shape in the fitness center, and History buffs can attend the lecture in the lounge: Pascal Paoli - Island Patriot.

Meals:  B,L,D

HIKERS: Day hike towards Murato (lunch included). This bucolic loop trail passes through chestnut tree patches and the Corsican maquis. You'll have great views of the countryside and the Agriates. Take some time to visit the Romanesque San Cesariu Chapel. The last leg will be the descent offering great views of Saint-Florent and the surrounding villages. In the afternoon, set off on a tour of historic San Michele de Murato Church, an emblematic symbol of Corsica known beyond the Mediterranean. Enjoy a spuntinu snack (Corsican sausage and a glass of wine) as the shepherds once did. NON-HIKERS: Cap Corse. Located to the north of Bastia and Saint-Florent, Cap Corse is a 25-mile-long promontory with several attractive fishing villages, gorgeous coastline, and a couple of good beaches. We’ll cross through the adorable fishing village of Erbalunga and the typical village of Luri. We’ll stop off in Patrimonio for a tasting of wine, cold cuts, and cheese. Although Corsica has a mostly Mediterranean climate, it experiences great contrasts in weather because of its location and mountains. Its wine, though, truly benefits from the warm summers and exceptional sunshine. At the end of the day, we’ll continue to cruise towards l’Ile-Rousse. Join us for a lecture in the lounge: The Bonapartes: A Corsican Family.

Meals:  B,L,D

HIKERS: Hike to Bonifatu Forest. This hike takes you to the heart of Bonifatu Forest, where you'll learn about Corsican geography, history, and the various animals and plants you could come across. (Approximately 2 hours, 4 km/2.5 mi., 200 m/656 ft. elevation gain) NON-HIKERS: An optional tour of Calvi and its citadel. You’ll discover its large marina and immense bay surrounded by unique landscapes and often snow-capped mountains. We’ll then head towards Notre Dame de la Serra to get a magnificent view of the gulf. Our tour will continue at the citadel. The symbol of the town of Calvi, it was built during the Genoese occupation. OR Discover the old villages in the Balagne Region. These are the fertile hills of the island—commonly referred to as the Corsican gardens—where more than thirty villages are perched on cliffs or hidden in narrow valleys. We’ll then spend the afternoon crossing the Mediterranean to Nice. Join us for a lecture in the lounge: How Corsica Became Part of France. As we bid goodbye to Corsica, join us on the Sun Deck for a cocktail and take in one last glimpse of the beauty of the island. Tonight is our festive gala evening.

Meals:  B,L,D

Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 am in Nice.

Meals:  B