Corsica via the Italian Riviera
- 13 Days
- From £1,299
- France
- Catch a train to Nice and spend a night on the Côte d’Azur
- Continue along the lovely Italian Riviera, with stops in Sestri Levante and Livorno
- Take a ferry to Bastia, Corsica’s bustling port city
- Spend time on the north-west coast in Calvi and explore Ajaccio, the birthplace of Napoleon
- Return via overnight ferry with a stop in Marseille on the way back to the UK
- Decide when you would like to travel
- Adapt the route to suit your plans
- Upgrade hotels and rail journeys
- Add extra nights, destinations and/or tours
- Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations
- 11 nights’ handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
- Day ferry from Livorno to Bastia and a twin cabin on the overnight ferry from Ajaccio to Marseille
- Comprehensive directions to your hotels
- Clearly-presented wallets for your rail tickets and hotel vouchers
- All credit card surcharges and delivery of your travel documents
Suggested Itinerary
This morning, take a Eurostar service to Paris, then make an easy change onto a French TGV train from the Gare de Lyon. There is a buffet car on the TGV service, but you’ll also have time to collect supplies in Paris for lunch, or perhaps enjoy a meal at one of the restaurants in and around the station.
On arrival in Nice this evening, check in for an overnight stay at the Excelsior Hotel (or similar), located right outside the station. Please note, ferries to Corsica also travel from Toulon and Marseille and none of the services run every day, so your first night stop may be subject to change.
Enjoy a leisurely start today. Perhaps take a stroll along the famous Promenade des Anglais or enjoy a visit to the Cours Saleya where there is a weekly flower and food market. Just before lunch, it’s time to return to the station for your onward journey around the coast and into Italy, via the border town of Ventimiglia and the city of Genoa.
The train line snakes its way right along the coast, burrowing through the cliffs as it does so. Look out for glimpses of the sea before your arrival in Sestri Levante, where you have a 2-night stay at the Hotel Miramare & Spa (or similar).
Enjoy a free day today to explore the Italian Riviera. You can either take the train further down the coast to the five villages that make up the famous Cinque Terre, all of which have a station. There are also boat services along the coast during high season so you could also visit the famous town of Portofino, or you can just relax in the lovely town of Sestri Levante.
This popular resort occupies a promontory with bays on either side, the Baia del Silenzio (Bay of Silence) and Baia delle Favole (Bay of the Fables). The Baia del Silenzio has a lovely beach to spend a lazy afternoon, perhaps with a gelato.
After breakfast this morning, it’s time to leave Sestri Levante and continue your journey down the coast to the port town of Livorno. The journey takes just under two hours by rail. On arrival, check in for an overnight stay at the Hotel Europa (or similar).
Spend the rest of the day exploring this historic port, built by the powerful Medici family, with its colourful old town threaded with canals and lovely seafront promenade, the Terrazza Mascagni. This evening, why not enjoy some of the best seafood this stretch of coastline has to offer?
Enjoy another free morning in Livorno, perhaps visiting one of the town’s historic churches or the Museo Civico Giovanni Fattori, an art museum housed in the 19th century Villa Mimbelli.
After an early lunch, make your way to the port and board a ferry bound for Corsica. This journey takes 5.5 hours, arriving in the evening. However, other services are overnight night or leave early in the morning. We will let you know the options for the dates you would like to travel. On arrival in Bastia, make your way to the Hotel Les Voyageurs (or similar) for a 2-night stay.
Bastia is France’s second busiest port after Calais and offers a lovely introduction to Corsica. There are two distinct areas in the historic heart of the city, Terra Nova, the walled citadel and Terra Vecchia, the pretty harbour area below. Contrary to what their names suggest, Terra Nova is the oldest part of town, founded in the 15th century. Here you will find the 15th century Palais des Gouveneurs, now housing the city museum.
Back down in the Vieux Port, there are plenty of options for coffee or a meal with a view over the yachts in the harbour.
It’s a 3-hour journey from Bastia to Calvi by local train (payable locally). On arrival, check in for 2 nights at the Hotel Mariana (or similar).
On the north-western coast of Corsica, Calvi boasts some stunning beaches and a medieval citadel with narrow cobbled streets which overlooks the marina. On a clear day, you can get spectacular panoramic views from the hilltop chapel of Notre-Dame de la Serra, or the city ramparts. Also worth a visit is the 13th century St-Jean-Baptiste Cathedral. Restaurants line the Quai Landry, where you can pick your favourite yacht whilst enjoying local cuisine and wines.
Corsica’s train lines are arranged in a ‘Y’ shape, with Calvi at the end of the western spur. So you’ll need to change trains today in Ponte Leccia at the meeting of the lines to continue your journey south to Ajaccio. On arrival, check in at the Hotel Fesch (or similar) where you have a 2-night stay.
Enjoy time at leisure to explore Ajaccio on Corsica’s rugged west coast, the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte. Bonaparte’s ancestral home is now a museum where you can learn more about the family’s history. Elsewhere, the 16th-century Notre-Dame Cathedral, where Napoléon was baptized, is well worth a visit and contains paintings by Delacroix and Tintoretto.
Spend another day exploring Ajaccio before collecting your bags from your hotel and making your way to the port for an overnight ferry service to Marseille. You’ll have a private en suite cabin and can enjoy dinner onboard.
Please note that ferry timings and destinations may vary, due to the irregular nature of the ferries to and from Corsica. Your route of travel will depend on the dates you would like to travel.
Leave Marseille after breakfast this morning and catch a direct high-speed TGV pack to Paris. Cross over to the Gare du Nord and board the Eurostar service for London.
If you would like to extend your stay in Marseille or break the journey home with a night in Lyon or Paris, please let us know and we can create a tailor made itinerary for you.
Typical hotels on this itinerary
Nice
Within easy reach of Nice station, the Excelsior Hotel is perfect for an overnight stay in the city. Bedrooms are decorated in a style evocative of the French Riviera, with complimentary Wi-Fi and air-conditioning. The hotel also boasts a 24-hour reception, an internal garden with summer bar and a reception area with a large selection of travel books to inspire future holidays.
Sestri Levante
Located directly on the Baia del Silenzio, the Miramare Hotel boasts its own private beach, as well as a Ligurian restaurant and bar with sea views. The air-conditioned bedrooms are elegantly furnished, and include free Wi-Fi access and a satellite TV.
Bastia
Les Voyageurs is a historic hotel, conveniently located within walking distance of the port and the train station. All bedrooms are air-conditioned and feature en suite bathrooms, a TV with cable channels and a minibar. There is a bar in the hotel but there are also plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from in the local area.
Calvi
Just a short walk from the centre of Calvi and the town’s inviting beaches, Hotel Le Mariana offers comfortable accommodation in a lovely setting. All bedrooms have their own balcony and en suite facilities. A daily buffet breakfast is served in the breakfast room or can be served to your room. There is also an outdoor pool with a terrace and views over the sea and mountains.
Ajaccio
The historic Hotel Fesch is located in the heart of Ajaccio, close to the central Place Marechal Foch, the ferry port and the beach. Bedrooms are air-conditioned with flat-screen satellite TV, mini-bars and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access. Guests can enjoy a generous buffet breakfast every morning, either in the dining room, on the outdoor terrace, or in the guest rooms.
Marseille
The Escale Oceania Marseille is a boutique hotel conveniently situated on the famous Canebière, with easy access to the main train station and old port area. The hotel offers air-conditioned bedrooms, all with with free Wi-Fi access, air-conditioning and soundproofing. Upgraded rooms also have a kettle. Other facilities include a breakfast room, vending machines for drinks and a dry-cleaning service.
