Hiking cruise - Corsica reveals its hidden treasures (port-to-port package)

Our visit will begin with a tourist-train tour of the city. Bonifacio is a veritable open-air museum—rich with a history told along its small streets and paths, its thousand-year-old fortress, and the sturdy stone homes perched high above the sea waves. We’ll take a tour on foot of the citadel, whose walls fully encircle the old town. There are some stunning views from the Montée Saint-Roch steps, including the impressive Grain de Sable limestone sea stack.We'll walk to Jean-Jacques and Stéphanie Lovichi's authentic, inviting cellar in the center of the city. Tucked among the colorful bottles with different forms, they will explain with passion and verve how they create their liqueurs and aperitif wines. Here, everything is done by hand—from harvesting the ingredients in the maquis to developing the various beverages to manual labeling of each bottle. You'll enjoy some of their creations: A traditional Corsican myrtle liqueur, chestnut and melon cordials, as well as hazelnut, peach, and—believe it or not—rosemary brandies.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

We'll head out in the morning for the old villages in the Balagne Region, where olive trees reign and bring prosperity to the area. Each village has a story to tell about its culture and traditions. We'll pass through sun-drenched Lumio—perched on a hill between the maquis and the Bay of Calvi below—continuing on to Lavatoggio and then the village of Cateri. Discover the charming village of Sant'Antonino, officially one of the most beautiful villages in France and sometimes referred to as the “Eagle’s Nest” because of its dramatic situation clinging to the top of a hill. Imagine the valleys overflowing with olive trees, grape vines, and almonds—as they once did—with the sea glimmering in the distance. Here, we are in the heart of the fertile hills formerly known as the Corsican Gardens! Take in the splendid view from above the Aregno plains and the surrounding hills, once covered with cultivated terraces.

We'll stop for a photo op in Aregno—the land of orange, lemon, and olive trees—to admire the multicolored, sculpted exterior of its small Trinity Church. Stroll along the lanes of Pigna, where numerous craftspeople have set up shop since the 1970s. Lastly, on our way back, we'll stop off at the superb active monastery in Corbara. We'll return to L'Île-Rousse.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

We'll leave for Notre Dame de la Serra to enjoy some of the best views on the island. We'll then head to the citadel. Crowning a lofty promontory, Calvi's massive fortified citadel offers superb wraparound views from its five watch towers. On foot, we'll discover historical sites such as the Oratory of Saint Antoine and the Caserne Sampiero, military barracks that once served as the Genovese seat of power but now serve as a base for the French Foreign Legion. We'll then tour the St. John the Baptist Cathedral, home to a number of beautiful works of art such as The Christ of Miracles. Before returning to the ship, don't miss a visit to the Salt Tower. Serving as storage for the salt that the ships brought in, this round tower was originally a watch tower.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate. 
• Good walking shoes are recommended.

Join us for an amazing full-day excursion to the red rocks and gorgeous waters at the Calanques de Piana. The sheer heights of the cliffs and beautiful, time-sculpted stone are just many of the wonderful sights within this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our tour includes the small, remote port town of Porto. We’ll jump on a local boat that will take us to Cap Rosso, where we’ll get a closer look at the seaside escarpments and caves lining the gulf coast. We’ll return to Ajaccio by coach.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Porto Vecchio is cut in half. Its quaint streets and castle ruins occupy the upper city, while the lower city sports more modern architecture. We'll take a coach to the historical heart of the city, and enjoy a tour on foot of its main attractions. Now a hub for vacationing celebrities, it has retained its charm of yesteryear. Porto Vecchio offers visitors a unique mix of both idyllic beaches along Corsica's southern coast and breathtaking mountain scenery.
We'll return on board our ship.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.