Corsica Without Flying
- 13
- £1,399
- 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
- All rail journeys, in standard class (except on Corsica)
- Seat reservations where required
- 11 nights’ handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
- Overnight ferry from Toulon to Bastia and an en suite twin cabin on the overnight ferry from Ajaccio to Marseille
- Easy-to-follow travel documentation
- Despatch of tickets by email
- Proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions
Suggested Itinerary
Travel from your local station to St Pancras International in London and catch the Eurostar bound for Paris. Arriving at the Gare du Nord, make your way to the Marceau Bastille Hotel (or similar) where you have an overnight stay.
Settle into your hotel and then head out to enjoy an evening out in the French capital.
You have a free morning today to do some sightseeing in Paris. Enjoy a stroll along the Champs Elysées or the banks of the Seine or perhaps take a quick look around one of the city’s famous galleries like the Musée d’Orsay. You might even like to have lunch in Le Train Bleu, the historic restaurant in the Gare de Lyon.
After lunch, you’ll board a high-speed TGV bound for Toulon on the French Riviera. On arrival early this evening, check in for a 2-night stay at the OKKO Hotels Toulon Centre (or similar).
Spend today exploring Toulon, one of the French Riviera’s most authentic and underrated coastal cities. Overlooking a beautiful natural harbour, Toulon combines a rich maritime heritage with a relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere. Wander through the colourful streets of the old town or visit the daily Provençal market on the Cours Lafayette.
For the best views, take the cable car to the summit of Mont Faron, rising high above the city. From here, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular panoramas across the harbour, the Mediterranean coastline and the rolling hills of Provence beyond. Alternatively, enjoy a stroll along the palm-lined waterfront or take a boat trip around the harbour, home to one of France’s most important naval ports.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and then leave your bags at your hotel and spend another day in Toulon. Perhaps begin the morning with a coffee in one of the cafés lining Place Puget before exploring some of Toulon’s excellent museums, including the National Maritime Museum, which traces the city’s long naval history. Alternatively, if the weather’s fine you might like to venture beyond the city centre to enjoy the beautiful beaches and coves that dot the coastline east of the harbour. The golden sands of Mourillon are particularly popular, offering a relaxed setting to enjoy the Provençal sunshine and views across the Mediterranean.
Late this afternoon, make your way to Toulon’s ferry terminal to board your overnight sailing to Bastia. As your ship departs, enjoy wonderful views back towards the city, the surrounding hills and the French coastline as you begin the next stage of your journey to Corsica.
Enjoy breakfast onboard this morning before your arrival in Bastia, where you make your way to the Hotel Port Toga (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
Paris
Perfectly situated for travel to and from Gare de Lyon in the fashionable Bastille area, this recently refurbished hotel offers a chic, modern take on French hospitality. Rooms come equipped with modern creature comforts such as air conditioning, Wi-Fi and a minibar, and the courtyard, fitness room and treatment area provide the finishing touches for your stay.
Bastia
The Port Toga Hotel is situated between the centre of Bastia and Port de Toga marina. Both are a short walk away. Bedrooms and suites are all non-smoking and feature flat-screen TVs, tea & coffee making facilities and en suite bathrooms. Complimentary Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the hotel, which also offers a bar and 24-hour reception.
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.
