Cruising
Passengers are welcome to board at 18:00pm. We will introduce our crew at a Welcome Cocktail. Tonight enjoy dinner and an evening of activities onboard. Our ship will cruise to Corsica overnight. Meals: Dinner
This morning, our ship will begin to cruise to Corsica. We will take in the beauty of the Gulf of Porto, which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, admire the red cliffs and maquis underbrush in the Scandola Nature Reserve and glide by the Gulf of Girolata and the dazzling Calanques de Piana. Feel free to attend the lecture about the natural beauty found on and around this Mediterranean Island, The Beauty of the Island Summed up in Five Ports of Call. Corsica is best experienced through its beauty, its culture and its people. As the ship enters its first Corsican Port, join us on the deck for a tasting of traditional Myrtle Liqueur and a Pastry. In the afternoon, there are a few optional excursions on offer: • Classic Excursion: Ajaccio and the Îles Sanguinaires. Ajaccio, the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, has a rich and historical past. We will visit the city’s main sights including the High Court building, the Cours Napoleon, the bronze Monument to Napoleon and His Brothers and the Place d’Austerlitz where legend has it Napoleon visited often as a child to see the statues of the glorious soldiers in battle. Our next stop will be the Pointe de la Parata and a stroll through this exceptional natural area. From here, you will get a glimpse of the Îles Sanguinaires, an Archipelago of four lava rock islands just off the coast. As a haven for many native species of plants and animals, the islands are an integral part of Corsica’s natural and cultural heritage. The ruins and sea sculpted landscapes on the Pointe de la Parata bear testimony to Corsica’s hardy history. • Discovery Excursion: The sights and scents of Corsica. We will cross the maquis, the Corsican underbrush exploding with a potpourri of flowers and plants, for a visit to Corsica PAM in Ocana. Paul and Jean-Pierre Caux built their essential oil business from scratch in the village they grew up in. The lovely surroundings and the panoramic view from the terrace are a great place to discover the secrets of their famous oils. Afterwards, visit the Honey Farm Jardin des Abeilles to learn more about Beekeeping. An informative walk in the forest and along the Prunelli River brings you to the centre of the maquis, where you will be able to breathe in the earthy scents emanating from the heather, arbutus, fig, box, holly and alder trees. At the end of our tour, enjoy tasting a selection of Honey from the farm. Tonight, enjoy an evening of Corsican music and song onboard. This evening is a great opportunity to get to know the island through its songs. Learn about some of the most famous Corsican musicians, past and present, including Tino Rossi, Jean Tavera, Charles Rocchi, Natale Rochiccioli, Antoine Ciosi, Michel Mallory, Regina and Bruno, Maryse Nicolai, the Vincenti brothers and Canta u Populu Corsu, just to name a few. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Today, there are a tours on offer. Why not join an optional full day excursion to the Calanques de Piana and the Village of Porto (pre-booking only). A coach will travel along the picturesque coastline dotted with rocky inlets until we reach Porto. Enjoy some time exploring the village before we jump on a local boat that will take us to Cap Rosso, where the sheer cliffs and rock sculptures of the Calanques de Piana seem to jet up from the water and radiate a red hue along the coastline. Afterwards, we will return to Ajaccio by coach. Alternatively, in the morning there is an optional visit to the Maison Bonaparte, a National Museum. Napoleon Bonaparte, the French Military Leader and Emperor, was born in this house on 15 August, 1769. The Museum retraces the history of the Bonaparte family in Corsica as well as the series of exiles they experienced. This is a great opportunity to learn about the former Emperor's life. The visit will begin on the third floor, where you will learn about Corsican life at the end of the 18th Century, Bonaparte’s parents, his childhood and his last visit to Corsica on his return from Egypt in 1799. The rooms on the second floor exhibit the décor under Napoleon III. Other exhibits address Bonaparte’s death, the legends built around him to glorify his actions and Napoleon III’s visits to Ajaccio during the Second French Empire. This afternoon, there is another optional tour offered at Mare E Sol or Capo Di Feno. Chill at one of the white beaches and take a dip in the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea! Small huts offer a variety of food and snacks during your pause. At the end of the day, we will begin to cruise to Bonifacio. Enjoy dinner and an evening of entertainment. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, there are two optional excursions on offer: • Classic Excursion: Guided Tour of Bonifacio and Tasting of Craft Liquors. Bonifacio is rich with a history told along its small streets and paths, the thousand year old Fortress and the sturdy stone homes perched high above the sea waves. The descent (and subsequent ascent) of the King of Aragon’s Stairway will provide some of the best views on your trip (187 steps). At the end of our tour, we will head over to L'Assaghju Wine Bar in the heart of the city, where you will taste several of their Liquors and Aperitif Wines. We highly recommend authentic and local flavours such as chestnut, melon, hazelnut, myrtle or lemon. • Discovery Excursion: The Lavezzi Islands Nature Reserve. Discover this Archipelago of islets and granite reefs, as well as the sea caves and cliffs of Bonifacio. We will return onboard in Porto-Vecchio. Enjoy some free time in the afternoon. Why not stroll tranquilly down the picturesque streets and admire the island's exceptional cultural heritage? In the evening, enjoy a dinner at a Traditional Inn in the heart of the Corsican inland. Whether we sit by the fireplace or under the immense cork oak trees, we will be welcomed by the owners who will explain their history and their love for this island. Corsican music and songs will accompany dinner as well as a delicious, in season composition made of local products. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, we offer two Optional Excursions: • Classic Excursion: Set out on an optional guided tour of Porto-Vecchio. The Old Town includes the ruins of a 16th Century Citadel and gorgeous views of the Marina. • Discovery Excursion: An optional trip to Palombaggia Beach with the possibility of a picnic lunch from the ship. Palombaggia Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. Crystal-clear waters, islands dotting the horizon, white sand and umbrella pines are waiting just for you. Water sports enthusiasts can rent jet skis or pedal boats. Restaurants and snack bars provide a good assortment of food and beverages. In the late afternoon, we will begin to cruise towards Bastia. Take advantage of a quiet moment to catch some rays poolside or to enjoy a treatment in our wellness salon. More active passengers can keep in shape in the fitness centre and History buffs can attend the lecture in the lounge, Pascal Paoli: Island Patriot. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, we offer an optional excursion to Cap Corse. Located to the north of Bastia and Saint-Florent, Cap Corse is a 25 mile long promontory with several attractive fishing villages, gorgeous coastline and a couple of good beaches. We will cross through the adorable Fishing Village of Erbalunga and the typical Village of Luri. We will also stop off in Patrimonio for a tasting of wine, cold cuts and cheese. Although Corsica has a mostly Mediterranean climate, it experiences great contrasts in weather because of its location and mountains. Its wine, though, truly benefits from the warm summers and exceptional sunshine. At the end of the day, we will continue to cruise towards l’Ile-Rousse. Join us for a lecture in the lounge, The Bonapartes: A Corsican Family. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, we offer two Optional Excursions: • Classic Excursion: An optional tour of Calvi and its Citadel. You will discover its large Marina and immense bay surrounded by unique landscapes and often snow-capped mountains. We will then head towards Notre Dame de la Serra to get a magnificent view of the gulf. Our tour will continue at the Citadel. The symbol of the Town of Calvi, it was built during the Genoese occupation. Alternatively, discover the old Villages in the Balagne Region. These are the fertile hills of the island, commonly referred to as the Corsican gardens, where more than thirty villages are perched on cliffs or hidden in narrow valleys. • Discovery Excursion: Kick back at Bodri or Ghjunchitu Beach. These sublime beaches are both Heaven on Earth nestled between the azure sea and the wild maquis. Enjoy a moment of real fun and relaxation, either by catching some rays or exploring the tide pools in the coves. We will spend the afternoon crossing the Mediterranean to Nice. Join us for a lecture in the lounge, How Corsica Became Part of France. As we bid goodbye to Corsica, join us on the Sun Deck for a cocktail and take in one last glimpse of the beauty of the island. Tonight, join our festive gala evening. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy breakfast onboard this morning before disembarking at 09:00am for your onward journey. Meals: Breakfast
Cruise Prices are per person twin share in Australian Dollars. Conditions apply and group tours are subject to change and availability. Prices are subject to currency fluctuations. (cro)
