DAY 1: TEMPIO DI PAUSANIA (KM 52)
DAY 2: CORSICA (KM 148)
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Breakfast at the hotel. Today departure for Corsica. Reach the port of Santa Teresa di Gallura, located at the northern tip of Sardinia. From there take the ferry to Bonifacio. It takes 1 hour to reach the opposite side. Between the two islands, Corsica and Sardinia, there are 13 km of sea. Like most port cities, Bonifacio also has a rich history. The ancient trading city, founded between 823 and 833 by the Marquis of Tuscany, consists of a "Marina" district, the lower town, and the "upper town," located on a promontory offering breathtaking views. On clear days you can see the Sardinian coast. The tourist train takes visitors to the upper part, where guests can take a guided walking tour of about an hour. By car to Ajaccio: take the direction of Sartène. On the way do not miss the famous Roccapina lion and its dream cove. Once in Sartène, start the visit of the city from Place de la Liberation, where the war memorial is located, dominated by the town hall and the imposing church of Sainte Marie. Continue through the Santa Anna district. Passing under the town hall vault you enter this district which has retained a medieval charm. Observe its maze of small paved alleys, connected by stairs, small passages, and arches, flanked by gray granite houses. Afterwards, you can visit the Corsica Prehistory Museum on rue Croce. Leave Sartène heading towards Propriano. Visit this charming town and its small marina. The northern coast of the Gulf of Valinco is not lacking in noteworthy sites. Between Olmeto and Propriano, on national road 196, at the Marinca junction, take departmental road 157 towards Olmeto-Plage and follow the coast to the bridge crossing the Taravo. Take the D 757 which will lead you to the prehistoric station of Filitosa. Neolithic, megalithic, Torrean period, and then Roman, this site is a true synthesis of the origins of history in Corsica. Continue on this road which passes through Calvèse and Sollacaro, before joining RN 196 towards the Ajaccio area. Overnight stay.
DAY 3: CALANCHE OF PIANA AND PORTO (KM 170)
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Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Sagone, where, perched on a promontory, is the village of Cargèse, called "the Greek," located on the site of a 17th-century Greek colony. The original feature of this village is the presence of two churches facing each other: one Greek Orthodox and the other Catholic. In the narrow streets of the village you can taste Bastelle, vegetable tartines, or Ambruciate, tartines made with Brocciu cheese. From Cargèse continue towards Piana, listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France, overlooking the Gulf of Porto and facing the peninsulas of Senino and Scandola. Resume the winding road leading to Porto and let yourself be seduced by the rocky inlets, or Calanques, of Piana, with its jagged pink granite rock coast contrasting with the blue sea and the intense green of the Mediterranean scrub. Stop at one of the parking areas along the Calanques to admire the superb rock formations. In Porto, you can board passenger boats that, until October, visit the Scandola reserve, which boasts grand landscapes resulting from the eruption of an ancient volcano, and the Girolata cove with its Genoese fort. This sanctuary hosts an incredible richness of animals and plants: osprey, bearded vulture, dolphins... Those who prefer the mountains should head towards Evisa, a picturesque village where the trails (Mare e Monti or Mare e Mare Nord) meet in one of Corsica's most beautiful laricio pine forests. Return to Ajaccio passing through Vico, a true Corsican village, warm and lively, built around charming squares and immersed in a mountainous setting, including La Sposata, famous for its legend... The Saint-François convent, on the road to Arbori, is worth a visit for its 17th-century church, which houses the oldest wooden statue of Christ in Corsica (14th century). Return to the hotel and overnight stay in Ajaccio.
DAY 4: CORTE & THE CENTER OF CORSICA (KM 161)
- Breakfast at the hotel. Visit the heart of Corsica equidistant from Bastia and Ajaccio. This territory, a melting pot of Corsican tradition, rich in history and culture, with breathtaking landscapes offering numerous outdoor activities, will soon captivate you. Corte is located at a crossroads; it is the historic capital of Corsica founded in 1755 by Pasquale Paoli, Father of the Corsican Nation, man of the Enlightenment and founder of the University of Corte. The city, which still bears the mark of its glorious past, is dominated by the Citadel (the only building of its kind inland) whose viewpoint, the Eagle's Nest, offers breathtaking views of the Restonica and Tavignanu valleys. Extending from the majestic Vizzanova forest to the sublime Verghellu valley, the Venachese (or Venice country) is made up of nine villages nestled in the heart of laricio pine and beech woods protected by an imposing mountain amphitheater between Monte d'Oru and Cardu. Cradle of ancestral traditions and land of shepherding and transhumance, this territory is a true initiatory journey for those who want to discover the richness of culinary and artisanal know-how. The natural scenery that constitutes the microregion presents a thousand faces. Steep peaks, plateaus, sumptuous valleys, and numerous watercourses ("natural pools" and waterfalls) host unique flora and fauna, inviting self-transcendence and contemplative meditation. However, the unique beauty and diversity of these landscapes is not only accessible to expert athletes! Many trails are also accessible to less experienced hikers and families, allowing everyone to admire the wild charm of unspoiled nature. In summer, hiking, cycling, or horseback riding excursions are available. Bathing in the rivers of the Restonica, Tavignanu, or Verghellu valleys will offer you a well-deserved refreshment after the journey. On their banks, you will also find a pleasant picnic and relaxation area; note that many of these water points are quite easy to reach. Athletes and amateurs can hope to experience strong emotions with canyoning or giant zip lines. With little ones, you can also try via ferrata or tree climbing. Regarding culture and history, you can visit the Corsica Anthropology Museum. Located in the Serrurier barracks, it consists of two permanent exhibitions (the Doazan gallery and the evolving museum) and a temporary exhibition space. It also allows access to the terraces of the Corte Citadel, its viewpoint, and its Castle. Under the Padova barracks, the FRAC (Regional Fund for Contemporary Art of Corsica) changes its layout according to its program. The Fab Lab, located in the Palazzu Naziunale, the seat of the University at the time of Pasquale Paoli, will allow you to create with your own hands a souvenir of your stay with local materials. For a walk in Corte, the Heritage Trail retraces the history of the city, guiding you through its emblematic places. Another Heritage Trail awaits you in the Venacais: I trè paesi connects the villages of Casanova, Riventosa, and Poghju di Venaco and transports you to another time with its small wonders of agro-pastoral architecture. Near Vivario, the Vechju Bridge, a work of art designed by Gustave Eiffel and built at the end of the 19th century, also deserves a detour. Finally, the Route des Sens will take you through the region to meet small producers and artisans whose ancestral and authentic know-how will delight your taste buds and your eyes. Return to Ajaccio. Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 5: AJACCIO (KM 130)
- Breakfast at the hotel, visit of Ajaccio, the port city is the most fashionable city in Corsica. Elegant avenues such as Cours Napoleon wind around the houses of the historic center, which shine in delicate pastel tones. The city's most famous son is Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, whose stone effigy is found on every corner of the city. Discover the birthplace of the Emperor of the French: the Maison Bonaparte. Do not miss the Fesch Museum, which houses European paintings from the 14th to the 19th century - the second collection of Italian primitive paintings of the Musée du Louvre - located right next to the Imperial Chapel, where the Bonaparte family is buried. In the afternoon, continue to Bonifacio, embark for Santa Teresa in Sardinia. Reach your hotel. Overnight stay in a hotel in Ajaccio.
DAY 6: ALGHERO, CAPO CACCIA & PORTO CONTE BAY (KM 250)
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Breakfast at the hotel. Today you are free to relax and explore the surroundings or take a swim on the beach or visit Alghero, Capo Caccia, and Porto Conte Bay.
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Suggested itinerary: Reach Alghero by car. Visit the historic center with its walls and Spanish towers, the Church of San Francesco, the Cathedral, the Bousquet promenade. Possibility to take a boat excursion to Neptune's Grotto, departing from the port of Alghero. Climb up to the promontory of Capo Caccia and Porto Conte Bay for a panoramic hike. On the way back, we recommend stopping at the Palmavera nuraghe for a visit. Return to the hotel. Overnight stay in a hotel in the Tempio di Pausania area.
DAY 7: EMERALD COAST, PORTO CERVO & PORTO ROTONDO (KM 110)
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Breakfast at the hotel. Today you are free to relax and explore the surroundings, take a swim, or visit the Emerald Coast.
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Suggested itinerary: Today's visit begins with "The Nurago la Prisgiona" in the Municipality of Arzachena, one of the 7000 circular towers dating back to the Bronze Age. This megalithic culture is unique throughout the Mediterranean area and is one of the most important archaeological monuments in Sardinia. Then, you will take the road leading to the magical mountain village of San Pantaleo, with its fascinating granite formations, up to the Emerald Coast. In San Pantaleo you can make a short photographic stop. Continue to Baia Sardinia, one of the most sought-after destinations of the Emerald Coast, thanks to its wonderful beaches. Along the panoramic road of the Emerald Coast, you can discover the many emerald-colored sandy bays that inspired the founder, Karim Aga Khan, to extend this coastal strip to the most famous and exclusive tourist paradise of the jet-set. Visit the fashionable capital Porto Cervo and discover the fashion boutiques, exclusive restaurants, and the large marina. Overnight stay in a hotel in the Tempio di Pausania area.
DAY 8: THE TOUR ENDS AFTER BREAKFAST
- 1 overnight stay with breakfast in a 3* hotel in the Tempio di Pausania area
- 3 overnight stays with breakfast in a 3* hotel in Ajaccio
- 3 overnight stays with breakfast in a 3* hotel in the Tempio di Pausania area
- Sardinia-Corsica-Sardinia ferry with car boarding
- Insurance surcharge for driving outside Italy
- Car rental Category C and “PLATINUM” Insurance included*
*Full coverage for damage and theft (no deductible)
*Personal accident insurance protection
*Roadside assistance Plus (taxi reimbursement up to €120)
- Tempio di Pausania area: Hotel Pausania Inn, Hotel Petit, Hotel Valicciola, Golden Gate, Le Mimose or similar (*)
- Ajaccio: Castel Vecchio or similar (*)
(*) In case of problems, the indicated hotels may be replaced with others of the same category located in the same cities or within a maximum distance of 30 km, where the program can be carried out. In case of full hotels, we reserve the right to reverse the tour and/or confirm the reservation in a medium-category hotel with a reduction of 5 euros per person per day. The name of the hotel will be sent to you 14 days before arrival.
- In case of adverse weather conditions and if the boats to/from Corsica cannot depart, we will work on alternative solutions to the program.
- Norma Vacanze only acts as an intermediary between the customer and the rental company. In case of disputes with the renter or accidents, the rules established in the contract signed at the airport between the customer and the renter will apply, without any involvement of Norma Vacanze.
- Each customer can independently choose whether to follow the suggested itinerary or create one based on their own needs. It is, however, essential to follow the program related to the cities where overnight stays are planned.
- Cars are subject to availability and your category may not be available at all times. If category C is not available at the time of booking, a higher category will be offered with an additional charge that will be communicated before confirming each booking.
- Parking at the hotel is not guaranteed, but it will be possible to find parking nearby.
- The rate includes the rental of a category C car for the duration of the stay with the "PLATINUM" insurance package.
- Drivers must have a credit card for check-in.
- Norma Vacanze reserves the right to modify the excursion itinerary if deemed appropriate or due to force majeure.
- Norma Vacanze is not responsible for accidents, delays, damage or loss of luggage or personal effects, nor for damages caused by third parties or others such as floods, storms, landslides, earthquakes, political unrest, epidemics, terrorist attacks, strikes, etc.
The rate does not include:
- Tourist tax to be paid locally
- Lunches and dinners unless mentioned
- Tips and personal extras
- Porter service
- Fuel
- Highway tolls
- Parking fees
- Tickets for planes, ships, trains, or buses to reach the airport
- Entrance fees to monuments and archaeological parks
- Anything not expressly indicated under "the rate includes".
- The car must be returned to the same airport, otherwise an additional cost will be charged as agreed with the rental company.
- Each rental day is a 24-hour period, the vehicle must be returned on time or within 59 minutes after.
- Car pick-up and return at the airport will take place during Noleggiare company's opening hours (every day from 08:00 to 22:30); outside these hours the rental company will apply an additional charge. Please check before booking your flight.
THE RATE INCLUDES:
- Category C car, unlimited mileage;
- 22% VAT;
- Airport, railway, and car fees;
- Car liability insurance - car civil liability;
- Platinum Insurance - eliminates all deductibles for theft and damage. Also covers glass and tire damage and theft attempts. Personal accident insurance. Plus roadside assistance.
- Additional driver
THE RATES DO NOT INCLUDE:
- Fuel,
- Fines,
- Notification fees,
- Rental for drop-off at another airport,
- Child seat,
- GPS navigator,
- Fuel recovery service, a €30.00 surcharge will be applied if the car is returned with more than 5 liters of fuel missing.
- There is a 59-minute grace period, after which a full day will be charged.
- At the time of booking, the car category is guaranteed, not the model.
Platinum insurance includes:
- With Platinum insurance, the deductible amount is not charged. The "Platinum" package eliminates the deductibles for all damages, partial, attempted, and total theft, including glass, tires, roof damage, and damage to the underside of the vehicle. Interior damages and those caused by vandalism, riots, etc. are excluded.
