Experience the scenic wonders of the Balagne region in northwest Corsica with a tour and tasting in the vineyard of Domaine d'Alzipratu. You may discern the scent of olive and citrus in the air as you drive through the Balagne and its enchanting villages to reach the estate. The winery was created in the 1960s by Baron Henry Louis de La Grange and is composed of several south-facing parcels planted primarily with traditional Corsican varietals.
Discover the majesty of Corsica on a narrated hike that showcases the island’s snowcapped peaks, deep gorges, sweeping beaches, pine forests and dramatic coastline. Walking up the steps of Montée Rastello, you will reach the chapel of Saint Roch, where you will have magnificent views of the striated limestone cliffs along the coast and the isolated rock pillar called the Grain de Sable. Following your certified hiking instructor, you will head east toward the sea cliffs, where you will trace footpaths and mule tracks that have been trodden for centuries.
Ideal for first-time divers, this remarkable diving excursion allows you to explore an underwater world filled with colorful coral and a parade of vibrant marine life with an experienced dive instructor by your side at all times. After a step-by-step safety and equipment briefing, as well as basic and practical demonstrations, you will slowly descend into the water with an instructor. No certification course is necessary to enjoy this dive that allows you to gradually become accustomed to breathing with a regulator and being submerged.
Take an unforgettable boat ride along Bonifacio’s extraordinary coastline to see dramatic views of the citadel perched on the magnificent limestone cliffs. Cruise across cerulean seas to the Lavezzi Archipelago, a collection of small granite islands that sit in the strait between Corsica and Sardinia. Here you will disembark on the archipelago’s only inhabited island, Cavallo, for a luxurious day at Hôtel des Pêcheurs.
On a picturesque drive through the Corsican countryside, you will pass idyllic beaches, dense evergreen shrubland, huge granite boulders and charming villages. Amidst this spectacular scenery, learn about and sample the wines of Corsica, where winemakers have been cultivating the fine art of winemaking for thousands of years. Turning off onto a dirt road, you will wind your way to Domaine de Torraccia, a family-owned, organic winery that produces award-winning wines.
Board Bonifacio’s little train to travel comfortably from the pier up the steep cliffs to the medieval citadel. Pass through the historic Bosco Quarter, including an eerie marine cemetery filled with mausoleums in a jumble of architectural styles, as well as a rare example of Corsican Gothic architecture at Église Saint-Dominique de Bonifacio. As you arrive at the clifftop citadel, you will have marvelous views of the Strait of Bonifacio and as far as Sardinia on a clear day.
Experience three distinct ambiances of the fabulous French Riviera. You will begin by browsing the Provençal Market of Antibes. After soaking up the sights, colors and scents of local produce, flowers, spices and more, perhaps you will purchase a local olive oil or other luscious ingredient of traditional Provençal cuisine. Then take a stunning drive along the coast to Cannes, the breathtaking jewel of the Côte d'Azur. From here, head north to the hills of charming Le Cannet, a hidden gem and historical extension of Cannes.
You’ll quickly understand why some of the world’s great artists spent time in Saint-Paul-de-Vence as you stroll the narrow cobblestone walkways between stone buildings adorned with vines and colorful flowers. In one of France’s oldest medieval towns, you will visit the renowned modern art museum featuring works by celebrated artists like Chagall, Giacometti, Léger and Miró. Further inland, wander in and out of galleries and workshops in Tourrettes sur Loup, a charming hilltop village nicknamed the “Violet Village” because of the violets that grow in abundance here.
The history and glamour of the French Riviera unfold as you are chauffeured along the highways and byways of the Côte d'Azur in a vintage car. Departing the Old Town of Antibes and making your way down the coast, you will journey by some of the most luxurious villas and hotels in the area, stopping along the way to gaze out on the shimmering azure waters of the Mediterranean. Discover the modern side of Antibes in Juan les Pins, a lively port with a Saint-Tropez feel that hosts several renowned summer festivals.
Walk in the footsteps of some of history’s greatest artists as you wander through a maze of medieval cobblestone streets lined with historic homes dripping with foliage in the Old Town of Antibes. The friendly cafés spilling onto leafy sidewalks and the bustling markets brimming with local produce will inspire you as they did Pablo Picasso – the perfect preparation for a watercolor painting workshop in Antibes’ Safranier district. Afterward you will take a short trip to Vallauris to see the work produced by Picasso when he lived here from 1948 to 1955.
