Porto-Vecchio, Corsica

After climbing on your water scooter, your adventure begins as you cruise through Porto Vecchio’s spectacular protected bay dotted with luxury yachts bobbing in the gentle waves. Gliding across the cerulean waters, you will have lovely views of the tree-covered mountains and hills that frame your route along the sea. You will have the opportunity to see the famous Punta di a Chiappa, where striking red rocks create a stunning contrast set against the azure waters of the Mediterranean.

As you drive along Corsica’s coast toward Solenzara, the cerulean waters of the Mediterranean sparkle in the summer sun. Turning inland, you’ll notice that the forests begin to get thicker and the magnificent jagged peaks of the Aiguilles de Bavella take shape on the horizon. At Col de Bavella, or Bavella Pass, take a deep breath of fresh mountain air as you behold stunning views of the island from an altitude of over 3,600 feet.

Framed by the Mediterranean Sea on three sides, the charming medieval town of Bonifacio appears to have been carved from the limestone cliffs on which it was built. As you wander the cobbled streets that are seemingly oblivious to the passage of time, admire the rare Corsican Gothic architecture in the 13th-century Église Saint-Dominique de Bonifacio. The historic stone buildings lining the narrow lanes include the house where Napoleon Bonaparte is said to have stayed.