Explore the Islands of Sardinia & Corsica
Explore the Islands of Sardinia & Corsica
Explore the Islands of Sardinia & Corsica
14 Days Starting and ending in Paris, France
Visiting: Paris, Southern France, Toulon, Corsica, Avignon, Corte, Ajaccio, Bonifacio, Sardinia, Propriano, Orgosolo, Nuoro, Alghero, Livorno, Centre-Val de Loire
Tour operator:
Tour code:
fcr
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
0-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
These two beautiful Mediterranean islands, only eight miles apart, each offer their own unique culture, tradition and stunning landscapes. In Corsica, we visit the ancient capital of Corte and the beautiful coastal town of Ajaccio. Before we set sail to the shores of Sardinia, we also spend time exploring the charming village of Propriano and the town of Bonifacio. In Sardinia, be sure to join our tour of the spectacular sights of the Barbagia area, considered the heart of Sardinia. This delightful holiday also offers a range of excursions, to some of the most scenic parts of the island, including Costa Smeralda, the La Maddalena islands and Alghero.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Travel To Paris
Location: Paris
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: City-style hotels
Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to the Paris area for an overnight stay.
Day 2 : Southern France
Location: Southern France
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: City-style hotels
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Continue to our hotel in southern France for an overnight stay.
Day 3 : Avignon
Location: Toulon, Corsica, Avignon
Accommodation: Overnight Cruise
Meals Included: Breakfast
We leave our hotel today and head towards Toulon. En route we pause at Avignon, one of the major cities of the Provence region. Located on the banks of the River Rhône, Avignon is a charming Roman town famous for the Pont d’ Avignon or broken bridge. Originally the bridge had 22 arches, but now only 4 remain. Another popular tourist spot is the Place du Palais, located next to Place de L’Horloge. After free time we continue to Toulon where we board the overnight ferry to Corsica.
Day 4 : Corte
Location: Corte, Corsica, Ajaccio
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Castel Vecchio
Meals Included: Dinner
Morning arrival in Corsica, then continue by coach to the ancient capital of Corte. The upper town is picturesquely situated atop a hill, dominated by the citadel and a maze of narrow streets lined with houses. Corte is Corsica's only university town, and was once the island's capital during the rule of Pasquale Paoli, who ended Genoese rule, and created a Corsican republic. See the 18th century Four Canons Fountain in Rue de la Fontaine, built to provide clean water for the local military garrison and its hospital, and atop a steep hill, the Santa Croix church with its pretty muralled ceilings, and rich blue and gold decoration.
We continue to Ajaccio/Porto for a two-night stay.
Day 5 : Ajaccio
Location: Ajaccio
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Castel Vecchio
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Included visit to the beautiful, coastal town of Ajaccio, birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte. The harbour area is a maze of tiny yellow ochre houses, church bells and domes, whilst the Old Town’s imposing citadel commands views of the leafy boulevards. Ajaccio is the Corsican capital, and with a relatively mild climate for most of the year, remains a popular choice for visitors. Located near Marechal Foch Square, Ajaccio's old town has many narrow lanes with tall town houses painted in a variety of eye-catching colours. Rue St. Charles is the location of Napoleon's birth house, which is now a museum dedicated to the Bonaparte family. The nearby Palais Fesch art museum set up by Napoleon's uncle, Cardinal Fesch contains a large collection of Italian Renaissance paintings.
Day 6 : Propriano & Bonifacio
Location: Bonifacio, Sardinia, Propriano
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Li Graniti
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we have an included visit to the charming village of Propriano on the Gulf of Valinco for free time. You can see the contrast of small fishing boats and expensive yachts, in this small coastal village. We then continue to the southern tip of Corsica and to the town of Bonifacio, once a hiding place for pirates and then later became a major trading centre. From here we board the ferry for a short crossing to Santa Teresa Gallura in Sardinia. Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean with only Sicily being larger. The island is renowned for its rugged landscape, pretty bays and pristine beaches. Continue to our Sardinia hotel for a five-night stay.
Day 7 : Nuoro, Orgosolo & Lunch With The Shepherds
Location: Orgosolo, Nuoro
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Li Graniti
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
A wonderful, optional full-day excursion to the Barbagia area, considered the heart of Sardinia, with ancient traditions which survive alongside modern life, evident in the landscape, the architecture and the cuisine. The museum in Nuoro, the capital of the province, has many reminders of the culture of this ancient population. We continue through the vineyards to Oliena, the ‘murales’ of Orgosolo and the famous bandit villages. Later, we enjoy lunch with the shepherds. You will sit down in a semi-circle on granite benches covered in oak leaves among the wonderful cork tree woods, accompanied by the pastori shepherds, whose sheep produce the island’s famous peccorini cheese. Lamb and porchetta are roasted on an open fire, followed by local Sardinian bread and home-made red wine. An unforgettable experience.
Day 8 : Free Time Or Costa Smeralda & La Maddalena
Location: Sardinia
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Li Graniti
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We offer an optional tour of the exclusive, and beautiful, Costa Smeralda, which owes its name to the green emerald-coloured waters. From the harbour town of Palau, we take a ferry to the Maddalena islands. We visit the town of La Maddalena, the only inhabited island of the archipelago. The town is perched on the hill of Guardia Vecchia (156m) in the southern part of the island. A must for any visitor is the promenade behind the port, which houses beautiful 19th century buildings. There will be free time to explore the charming maze of narrow streets and small squares before we return to Palau by ferry.
Day 9 : Free Time
Location: Sardinia
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Li Graniti
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy a leisurely day in resort.
Day 10 : Free Time Or Gallura
Location: Sardinia
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Li Graniti
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today’s optional excursion takes us through the charming landscape of the Gallura region to Tempio Pausania. Founded in 250BC, Tempio Pausania is a beautiful spa town and also the cultural capital of Gallura. The historical centre of Tempio Pausania is an important area for mining and the working of cork and granite. Spend time meandering around the historical centre before we make a short stop at the town of Calangianus, the centre of cork production.
Day 11 : Alghero
Location: Alghero
Accommodation: Overnight Sailings
Meals Included: Breakfast
Included excursion exploring northern Sardinia with its varied landscape. The attractive coastal town of Alghero is home to a delightful mix of architecture, especially within its charming Old Town. Here, you will find a wonderful selection of bars and restaurants serving fresh fish. The ancient walls still surround the old town centre with alleys and shops where the famous coral is worked and exhibited. We leave Sardinia this evening an overnight sailing to Livorno.
Day 12 : Head To Central France
Location: Livorno, Centre-Val de Loire
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: City-style hotels
Meals Included: Dinner
Arrive in Livorno and head to central France for an overnight stay.
Day 13 : Head To Paris
Location: Paris
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: City-style hotels
Meals Included: Breakfast
Head to the Paris area for an overnight stay.
Day 14 : Return Home
Location: Paris
Meals Included: Breakfast
Return home.
What's Included
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Accommodation
As detailed in the itinerary
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Airport Transfers at Destination
This trip includes coach travel from/to a local UK joining point
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Fully Guided
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International Travel
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Meals
As detailed in the itinerary
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Transport
Comfortable, air-conditioned motorcoach
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Additional Services
Travel from a wide range of convenient joining points across the UK is included within your coach holiday price; some carry a supplement. Please contact us for our full list of joining points.
What's Not Included
Accommodation
You will stay for two nights in the Ajaccio/Porto area in Corsica at a 3-star hotel such as the Hotel Castel Vecchio, then five nights on Sardinia at a 4-star hotel such as the Hotel Li Graniti on the Costa Smeralda, between Baia Sardinia and Porto Cervo. We may also use hotels in Olbia, Budoni or Santa Teresa di Gallura.
Overnight stays in France will be in city-style hotels.
On overnight sailings, accommodation will be in two-berth en suite inside cabins. Meals are not included on board ship.
Check out our Q&As
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
Some tours carry a supplement for solo travellers, please ask for details if the Single price is not shown
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What type of coach will be used?
You will travel on either our Luxuria Coach or our Silver Service Coach
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Fully escorted by our experienced drivers/crews. And in most towns and cities we either include or offer optional sightseeing tours with expert local guides to help you get the most from your visits.
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As detailed in the itinerary
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
Low
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
On Leger Coach Holidays, your allowance is one medium sized suitcase per person, which should weigh no more than 20kg when full.
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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How long has the tour company been trading?
40 years
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Sole use of your own room on all Single Traveller holidays: means you still get your privacy and time out from the group.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Battlefield Tours - Will it be possible to visit a particular cemetery whilst on the tour?
Please contact us and we will check to see whether you can visit a particular cemetery on any of our Battlefield Tours, if we are not able to fit it into our itinerary then you could take some time out of the tour and do this independently by taxi or public transport.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
Reviews of this operator
Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
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