Corsica for Two: A 13-Day Tailor-Made Island Romance of Beaches, Mountains & Wine

Arrive in Paris and take the complimentary shuttle transfer to your airport hotel where on arrival you can drop off your luggage and get a taste of Paris on your first evening in France. Depending on arrival time, you can take a short walk into the city, taste the first of many cafes and restaurants or take a stroll along the Seine. Alternatively, you can keep things very leisurely and take some time to relax at your hotel, enjoying a quiet evening prior to departing the next day for the Mediterranean.

Morning departure by shuttle to airport for flight to French island of Corsica, where wild Mediterranean meets spectacular landscapes. Private transfer from Bastia airport to your resort in Porto-Vecchio. Journey time is approximately 3 hours during which you will see the various landscapes of this beautiful island. On arrival at your resort you can spend the day relaxing at the facilities of the resort, have a cocktail at the bar, take a swim in the pool or have dinner at the restaurant to relax from your long journey.

Porto-Vecchio is situated in the southeast of Corsica. The medieval town has the ambience of a seaside resort. It is elegant and refined and has a small-town atmosphere. The narrow streets are full of boutiques and there are remnants of the old Genoese citadel. Porto-Vecchio is the Corsican answer to Saint-Tropez and a wonderful starting point to explore the island and its beautiful beaches. The town itself is not directly on the beach but there are some beautiful sandy coves a short drive or bus journey away.

Your program for today consists of a beach day down in southern Corsica which is known to be one of the hot spots. You will visit the white sandy beach of Palombaggia with its huge umbrella pine trees and the turquoise water. Alternatively you could also visit the bright bay of Santa Giulia surrounded by forested hills. After a refreshing bath you can relax on the sandy beach and read a book or try out some of the water activities in the region. In the evening, enjoy some fresh local cuisine in one of the beach restaurants. You just have to take it easy and be pampered by the soft sandy beach, the Mediterranean climate and the island itself.

For travelers who want to add adventure to the romance, today can take you inland toward the Bavella mountains for a canyoning experience among waterfalls, rock pools, forested gorges and sculpted granite walls. The Bavella area is home to several celebrated canyon routes, including Pulischellu, Purcaraccia and Vacca, with options available for different comfort and activity levels. With local guides on hand, this is a memorable way to experience Corsica beyond the beach and feel the power of its rugged interior.

After breakfast, meet your private driver and begin the beautiful journey north toward Corte, crossing through the dramatic landscapes of the Bavella Needles. Known locally as Les Aiguilles de Bavella, these red granite formations rise sharply from the mountainside, surrounded by wind-shaped pines and sweeping views. The direct drive to Corte takes around four hours, though your driver can suggest scenic pauses along the way. On arrival, check in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure in Corsica's historic mountain heart.

Today, spend the day at Corte! It is a beautifully charming town set deep in the mountains of Corsica’s interior. The historic town is perched on the top of a hill and was once the capital of Pasquale Paoli’s short lived independent Corsican republic. The town has steep stairways and narrow cobbled streets but the views are wonderful. There are many museums, galleries and cafes to visit in the town making it a great place to spend the day.

Use your time in Corte to venture into the magnificent Restonica Valley, one of Corsica's most rewarding natural areas. Clear mountain pools, granite cliffs and cool river scenery make this valley a favorite for walking, swimming and photography. Ambitious hikers can begin early and follow the trail toward Lac de Melo, then continue to Lac de Capitello, Corsica's deepest mountain lake. The route becomes steeper as you climb, but the views, icy waters and dramatic rock walls make the effort worthwhile.

Continue north to the harbour town of Saint-Florent, a small stylish town surrounded by a bay. A short two hour private transfer through the heart of the mountainous interior of Corsica will bring you to the northern coast of Corsica where you will arrive at your hotel. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to lunch by the sea and explore the beautiful harbour and narrow streets of the old town. A charming relaxed base for the exploration of the island’s wild coastline and many wine estates.

Another wonderful day of your vacation in Corsica awaits! You will experience a full day of private 4×4 excursions across the Agriates Desert and the wine region of Patrimonio. You will explore the isolated Northern scrubby coastal area with its desert-like beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters of the Mediterranean. You can take a refreshing dip, relax on the beach and enjoy a delicious picnic in one of the most scenic spots of Corsica. In the late afternoon you will be taken to the region of Patrimonio, one of the best wine regions of Corsica. Two wine tastings will allow you to get to know the local grapes and recognize the characteristics of the island’s terroir. In the evening you will return to Saint-Florent where you can spend the rest of the day as you please.

Your private driver-guide will meet you this morning for a full-day exploration of Cap Corse, the long peninsula that reaches north from the island like a finger into the sea. This is one of Corsica's most scenic drives, where fishing villages, vineyard slopes, rocky coves and mountain roads unfold one after another. The eastern and western sides of the cape each have their own personality: one softer and more sheltered, the other more dramatic, with mountains falling almost directly into the sea. Along the way, pause in small villages, admire coastal views and experience a wilder, less hurried side of Corsica.

After breakfast, transfer back to Bastia, less than an hour away, for your final full day on the island. Once checked in, set out at your own pace to discover the city's authentic atmosphere, particularly around Terra Vecchia and the old port. Browse the market, taste local specialties or visit small food shops for Corsican gifts to take home, from charcuterie and cheese to honey, wine and chestnut-based treats. It is a gentle final day, full of everyday island life and one last opportunity to savor Corsica's flavors.

Your Corsican escape comes to an end and you will be collected from your hotel by your driver at the scheduled time to transfer you to Bastia Airport. From here you will take your flight back to mainland France where you will connect to your international flight and from then on you will be ‘home’. You are leaving behind this sun-kissed island of long sandy beaches, exciting mountain roads, numerous wines and so much more, but above all a beautiful island that you will remember for a while.