Corsica

Day 1: Calvi, Scandola and the Balagne villages

Ease into Corsica with a west‑coast day that blends sea cliffs, citadel views and fragrant maquis. Base yourself in Calvi; a small boat trip into the Scandola Reserve sets the wild, dramatic tone.

• Morning: Arrive in Calvi and stroll the citadel ramparts with a coffee on the marina; then board a small-boat cruise to Scandola and Girolata (book ahead in July–August; bring a windproof layer as the Libecciu wind can make seas choppy).
• Midday: Swim stop and lunch in the tiny, boat-only hamlet of Girolata (some spots are cash-only; follow reserve rules—no anchoring on Posidonia seagrass, no drone use). If the sea is rough, walk a shaded section of the Mare e Monti from Calenzana to Bonifatu instead (2–3 hours).
• Afternoon: Beach time back in Calvi or e‑bike the Balagne hill villages (Pigna, Sant’Antonino) for craft shops and olive groves; note many village doors close for siesta ~12:30–16:00.
• Evening: Sunset apéro on the citadel walls and dinner in the vieille ville (try charcuterie, brocciu and canistrelli). A simple “Bonjour/Bonsoir” or “Bonghjornu” to staff sets the right tone; reserve tables in peak season.

Day 2: Corte and the Restonica Valley

Head to the island’s mountain heart for alpine lakes, granite gorges and a dose of Corsican soul. Start early: summer heat and afternoon storms are common, and the Restonica road uses a shuttle in high season.

• Morning: Drive to Corte (about 1.5 hours from Calvi) and continue up the Restonica Valley; hike to Lac de Melo (rocky trail, ~2 hours return) or add Lac de Capitello (+1 hour with short chains/scramble). Carry 2 litres of water per person and grippy footwear; weather can turn quickly.
• Midday: Picnic by the river pools or lunch at a bergerie (support local produce—pulenta, veal stew, fiadone). Don’t wash in springs; fill bottles and step away to rinse.
• Afternoon: Cool off in emerald pools, or take the gentler Tavignano gorge walk (2–3 hours out-and-back). Back in Corte, visit the Corsica Museum inside the citadel for history and views.
• Evening: Listen out for a polyphonic singing concert in a church or cultural centre (often advertised locally), then dine in the old town. Overnight in Corte (shorter drive tomorrow) or return to Calvi; either way, greet shopkeepers as you enter.

Day 3: Agriates desert beaches and Cap Corse

Finish with wild coastline: white sands, turquoise shallows and a cliff-top village. Today works well if you end near Bastia for a ferry/flight, but it’s also doable as a loop from Corte or Calvi.

• Morning: Drive to Saint‑Florent and take a boat taxi to Plage du Loto; walk the coastal path to Saleccia (45–60 minutes, little shade—hat and water essential). In July–August prebook boats; on very windy days, switch to an easier stretch of the customs path from Macinaggio to Tamarone.
• Midday: Picnic under the pines behind Saleccia and snorkel the clear shallows; there are no services, so pack out all rubbish. Fire risk can close paths—check local advisories before setting out.
• Afternoon: Boat back to Saint‑Florent, then drive up to Nonza on Cap Corse for a tower view over the black‑pebble beach and lemon granita on the square. Allow time for slow, winding roads and photo stops.
• Evening: Farewell dinner on Bastia’s old port (or back in Calvi), tasting wines from Patrimonio. In high season, dine earlier or book; outside summer, expect a calmer, more local vibe with shorter opening hours.

By Air

• Main airports on the island:
  • Ajaccio (AJA) – 7 km/15 min to city centre.
  • Bastia Poretta (BIA) – 20 km/25–35 min to Bastia.
  • Calvi Sainte-Catherine (CLY) – 7 km/10 min to Calvi.
  • Figari South Corsica (FSC) – ~23 km/25–35 min to Porto-Vecchio; ~20 km/25–30 min to Bonifacio.
• Typical flight times: Paris 1h45–2h; Marseille ~55 min; Nice 40–50 min; Lyon ~1h10. Seasonal direct flights from many European cities (e.g., London, Geneva, Brussels).
• Key carriers: Air Corsica, Air France, easyJet, Volotea, Transavia.
• Ground transport: limited scheduled buses; taxis available; car hire recommended.

By Ferry

• From mainland France:
  • Marseille ↔ Bastia/Ajaccio/Île-Rousse/Porto-Vecchio/Propriano (Corsica Linea, La Méridionale): mostly overnight, ~10–12 hours.
  • Toulon ↔ Ajaccio/Bastia/Île-Rousse/Porto-Vecchio (Corsica Ferries): ~6–10 hours.
  • Nice ↔ Bastia/Île-Rousse/Ajaccio (Corsica Ferries): ~6–8 hours.
• From Italy:
  • Livorno ↔ Bastia (Corsica Ferries): ~4–5 hours.
  • Savona ↔ Bastia/Île-Rousse (Corsica Ferries): ~6–7 hours.
  • Genoa (seasonal) ↔ Bastia/Ajaccio: ~10–11 hours.
• From Sardinia:
  • Santa Teresa Gallura ↔ Bonifacio (Moby/Tirrenia, Ichnusa Lines): ~50 minutes, frequent in season.
• Notes: Vehicles and foot passengers accepted. Book early for July–August. Vehicle check-in typically 1–2 hours before departure (2–3 hours peak); foot passengers 30–60 minutes.

By Train

• No rail link to Corsica; use trains to reach ferry ports.
• France (SNCF):
  • Paris Gare de Lyon → Marseille St‑Charles (~3h15), Toulon (~3h50), Nice‑Ville (~5h40).
  • Station-to-port: Marseille St‑Charles → ferry terminals by metro/bus ~20–30 min; Toulon station → port ~10–15 min walk/bus; Nice‑Ville → Port Lympia by tram/bus ~20–30 min.
• Italy (Trenitalia):
  • Milano Centrale → Livorno Centrale (~3h40–4h via Pisa); Firenze SMN → Livorno (~1h20); Torino → Savona (~2h).
  • Station-to-port: Livorno Centrale → Porto di Livorno by bus ~20–25 min; Savona station → ferry terminal ~15–20 min walk/bus.
• On-island rail (useful after arrival): Corsican Railway (U Trinighellu) links Ajaccio–Corte–Bastia and Ponte‑Leccia–Calvi.

By Car

• Drive to French ports via A7/A8 (Marseille/Toulon/Nice); to Italian ports via A10 (Savona) and A12 (Livorno). Expect tolls and summer congestion.
• Vehicle ferry check-in: arrive 1–2 hours before sailing (2–3 hours peak). Carry V5C, insurance “green card” (if required), and mandatory equipment.
• From Sardinia: SS133 to Santa Teresa Gallura for the Bonifacio ferry.
• On Corsica: roads are narrow and winding; average speeds 40–50 km/h—allow extra time. Car hire widely available at airports and ports.