Enticed by its allure as a veritable paradise on earth, discover the wonders of Corsica's coastline and mountains. Discover the sea's kaleidoscope of blue and the high peaks' fresh alpine air during an eight-day voyage. Take a trip to the island's most popular spots, such as Bonifacio, Porto-Vecchio, Bastia, and l'Isle Rousse. Enjoy a traditional dinner in a classic inn with traditional Corsican music and songs. The island is a piece of art, a mosaic of emotions, and a tableau of magnificence and mystery.
Highlights
Discover Corsica from north to south.
Cruise along the coast of the Gulf of Porto, a world heritage site.
Visit the natural wonders of the Calanques de Piana.
Explore the picturesque perched villages in the Balagne Region.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Passengers are welcome to board at 6:00 p.m. You will be introduced to the crew at a welcome cocktail. Tonight enjoy dinner and an evening of activities on board. Our ship will cruise to Corsica overnight.
Ship will begin to cruise to Corsica. We’ll 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 LA BELLE DES OCEANS enters its first Corsican port, join us on the deck for a tasting of traditional myrtle liqueur and a pastry.
In the afternoon, we offer two excursions:
CLASSIC package: Ajaccio and the Îles Sanguinaires. Ajaccio, the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, has a rich and historical past. We’ll also stop at the Pointe de la Parata, get a good glimpse of the Îles Sanguinaires, and stroll through this exceptional natural area.
DISCOVERY package: The sights and scents of Corsica We’ll cross the maquis—the Corsican underbrush exploding with a potpourri of flowers and plants—for a visit to Corsica PAM in Ocana.
Tonight’s meal and entertainment will have genuine Corsican flair!
Today, join full-day excursion to the Calanques de Piana and the village of Porto (pre-booking only). Our 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. We’ll return to Ajaccio by coach.
Or, join the DISCOVERY package: A visit to the Maison Bonaparte, a national museum. Napoleon Bonaparte, the French military leader and emperor, was born in this house on August 15, 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’ll 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 decor 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.
In the afternoon, we offer this excursion:
DISCOVERY package: An afternoon 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'll begin to cruise to Bonifacio. We'll enjoy dinner and an evening of entertainment.
This morning, we’ll set out on a guided tour of Bonifacio. 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.
In the afternoon, join us for an excursion to the nature reserve on the Archipelago of Lavezzi. The islands are scattered with sculpted granite boulders and impressive cliffs.
In the evening,we’ll have a delicious, in-season dinner at a traditional inn accompanied by Corsican music and songs.
CLASSIC package: Set out on a guided tour of Porto-Vecchio. The old town includes the ruins of a 16th-century citadel and gorgeous views of the marina.
DISCOVERY package: A trip to Palombaggia Beach (with the possibility of a picnic lunch from the ship).
In the late afternoon, we'll begin to cruise towards Bastia.
Today, we offer an excursion for both packages: Cap Corse. Located to the north of Bastia and Saint-Florent, Cap Corse is a 25-mile-long promontory with several attractive fishing villages, a gorgeous coastline, and a couple of good beaches. We’ll cross through some of the most charming villages on the island, including the adorable fishing village of Erbalunga, lovely Santa Severa, the typical village of Luri, and beautiful grove-lined Pino. We’ll stop off in Patrimonio for a tasting of wine, cold cuts, and cheese at the Montemagni estate. 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’ll continue to cruise towards l’Ile-Rousse. Join us for a lecture in the lounge: The Bonapartes: A Corsican Family.
CLASSIC package: A tour of Calvi and its citadel.
You’ll discover its large marina and immense bay surrounded by unique landscapes and often snow-capped mountains.
OR
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 package: Kick back at Bodri or Ghjunchitu beach.
We’ll then spend the afternoon crossing the Mediterranean to Nice. Tonight is our festive gala evening.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$4,745
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
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Horizon Suite - Deck 3
47 cabins (17 m²) featuring a marbled bathroom with walk-in shower, fitted wardrobe with personal safe, desk, flat-screen TV and a refrigerator. Located on Deck 3
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Panorama Suites
4 cabins (25 m²) featuring a marbled bathroom with walk-in shower, fitted wardrobe with personal safe, desk, flat-screen TV and a refrigerator. Located on Deck 6
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Riviera Suites
8 cabins (26 m²) featuring a marbled bathroom with walk-in shower, fitted wardrobe with personal safe, desk, flat-screen TV and a refrigerator. Located on Deck 6
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Ocean Suite
1 cabin (38 m²) featuring a marbled bathroom with walk-in shower, fitted wardrobe with personal safe, desk, flat-screen TV and a refrigerator. Located on Deck 6
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Horizon Suite - Deck 4
Cabin size for information : 17 m²
Spacious and comfortable cabin equipped with two single beds or one double bed, storage spaces, marbled bathroom with walk-in shower, dressing room with personal safe, desk, flat screen TV, fridge, hairdryer and telephone. Capture passing ocean scenes through your panoramic window while relaxing in the armchairs of the seating area.
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Horizon Suite - Deck 5
Cabin size for information : 17 m²
Spacious and comfortable cabin equipped with two single beds or one double bed, storage spaces, marbled bathroom with walk-in shower, dressing room with personal safe, desk, flat screen TV, fridge, hairdryer and telephone. Capture passing ocean scenes through your panoramic window while relaxing in the armchairs of the seating area.
Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Bank transfer or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
8 hours ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
