Pick-up at the door and transfer to Findel airport. Flight to Nice and transfer to the port. Embarkation on board the MS Belle des Océans. Introduction of the crew and welcome cocktail. Dinner and entertainment program on board. Night cruise to Corsica.

In the morning, the MS Belle des Océans navigates to Corsica. In the heart of the Scandola nature reserve, surrounded by very large red cliffs of more than 300 meters, such as that of Punta Rosa, and surrounded by maquis, you will see the Gulf of Girolata and the fabulous bays of Piana. Full of natural and architectural treasures, rich in a culture marked by Italian influences and with a strong character, Corsica will give you a warm welcome. When the MS Belle des Océans arrives in the first Corsican port, we invite you on deck to enjoy a traditional digestif, myrtle liqueur, accompanied by a pastry.

Optional excursions in the afternoon:

– AUTHENTIQUE: Ajaccio and the Sanguinaires Islands. “Imperial City” and formerly “Coral City”, Ajaccio is the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte. It will reveal to you its main monuments such as the courthouse, the Napoleon Court, the Diamond Square, where there is an equestrian monument representing Napoleon and his four brothers, and the Place d’Austerlitz. Fascinated by historical figures, he dreamed of conquest and glory. You will then reach the top of Parata to take a walk in this exceptional natural setting. You will see the Sanguinaires Islands, an archipelago of four pristine rocky islets. True havens of peace for many species endemic to Corsica as well as rare and protected plants, this archipelago is an essential part of Ajaccio’s natural and cultural heritage. Its rich and famous architecture offers a true spectacle with the Parata peninsula and its 16th century Genoese tower.

-EXPÉRIENCE: Excursion to the land of scents. You will cross the Corsican maquis, endowed with a multitude of shrubs, flowers, trees and plants of all kinds, it is a real reserve of plant species. You will join Ocana to visit the “Maison des Senteurs”. This welcoming house and its panoramic terrace are the ideal place to discover the secret of essential oils, of which Corsica is today one of the ambassadors in the world. Then visit the “Jardin des Abeilles” to discover the fascinating world of bees and beekeeping. An educational trail under the trees and near the Prunelli river invites you to walk in the heart of the maquis and enjoy its scents, its freshness and its soothing shade, surrounded by heather, strawberry tree, fig tree, boxwood, holly and alder. At the end of the visit, you will taste the selection of Corsican honey. Evening songs and Corsican music on board. Let yourself be carried away by the traditional songs of the island’s authentic heritage.

Optional excursion in the morning:

EXPÉRIENCE: Visit to the National Museum of Napoleon’s House. Napoleon was born here on August 15, 1769. The museum traces the history of the Bonaparte family to Corsica and recalls the stays he made there during his life before his exile. This is definitely the right place, the most unique and demonstrative of the island, to better understand the path of the famous emperor. The visit begins on the second floor, where the history of Corsica at the end of the 18th century, Napoleon’s parents, his youth and General Bonaparte’s last stay in Corsica after his return from Egypt in 1799 are mentioned a decor created under Napoleon III, the furniture bought by Letizia, Napoleon’s mother, in 1796. Other rooms are dedicated to Napoleon’s death, the Napoleonic legend and the imperial visits to Ajaccio during the Second Empire.

Optional excursion in the afternoon:

EXPÉRIENCE Transfer to the beach “Mare e Sol” or “Capo Di Feno”. You will discover a paradisiacal beach: white sandbanks, turquoise water… A change of scenery guaranteed! If you want something to eat, there are plenty of stalls to choose from.

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AUTHENTIQUE optional excursion: day trip to the “Bays of Piana and Porto” – lunch included.

You will reach Porto by bus along the coast and the bays. You will discover Porto, the undeniable jewel of Corsica, then board a local boat and sail towards Capo Rosso. From the sea, you will be enchanted by the Calanques de Piana, these cliffs over 300 meters high that plunge directly into the sea, and you will be fascinated by the strangely luminous light due to the nature of the rock. Return by coach to Ajaccio.

Optional excursions in the morning AUTHENTIQUE In the morning, guided tour of Bonifacio and tasting of artisanal liqueurs. The town on the cliffs is a veritable open-air museum, revealing its alleyways and battlements, its thousand-year-old fortress and its houses perched 60 m above the sea. For the bravest, the King’s Staircase (187 steps) leads to the foot of the cliffs! Afterwards, visit the wine bar L’Assaghju in the heart of Bonifacio, where you can taste some of its liqueurs, aperitif wines and creams. Opt for a chestnut or melon cream, a hazelnut liqueur from Cervione, myrtle wine or lemon liqueur – local flavors and authenticity are at the forefront here.

EXPERIENCE : The nature reserve of the Lavezzi Islands. Take a local boat to discover this archipelago of islets and granite reefs, as well as the sea caves and cliffs of Bonifacio.

Return on board in Porto Vecchio. Free afternoon. Take a leisurely stroll through the picturesque alleyways and admire the city’s extraordinary cultural heritage.

Evening included: dinner to the rhythm of Corsican songs and guitar sounds. You stop off at a traditional hostel in the heart of Corsica’s wild nature. In the room heated by the huge fireplace or outside under the cork oaks, the owners will tell you about their history and their passion. You will enjoy a dinner prepared according to the season and the farm’s harvest, accompanied by Corsican songs and the sound of the guitar.

Optional excursions in the morning:

AUTHENTQUE: Guided tour of Porto Vecchio. The old salt town reveals its alleyways, the remains of its citadel and Genoese fortifications as well as its marina.

EXPERIENCE : Transfer to Palombaggia beach (possibility of a packed lunch delivered on the boat). This pure wonder is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. It is characterized by its crystal-clear water and pristine white sand, lined with pine and juniper trees and dotted with rocks. It offers a magnificent view of the Cerbicale Islands. The beach bars, restaurants, sun lounger, pedalo and jet ski hire shops welcome you to one of the most beautiful settings in the world. Departure in the late afternoon for the cruise to Bastia. Take the opportunity to laze by the pool or pamper yourself in the wellness area. Sports enthusiasts will prefer the fitness center and the diligent can attend a conference in the lounge bar: “Pascal Paoli, the soul of Corsica”.

We recommend the excursion:

– AUTHENTIQUE/EXPERIENCE: Le Cap Corse (lunch included). It is the northernmost area of Corsica, a protected wild natural heritage that reveals its forests, its mountains, its small villages on the mountainside, but also its magnificent small coves. You will pass through charming villages: Erbalunga, a delightful fishing village, Santa Severa, a pretty little harbor, the typical village of Luri and Pino, a village among fig and orange trees. Stop at Patrimonio on the Montemagni estate to taste Corsican wines, meats and cheeses. Corsica enjoys a Mediterranean climate that is characterized by contrasts due to its geographical location, but also due to its mountainous terrain. Its wine draws its essence from the island’s mild summer and its exceptional sunshine.

Return on board and sail to Ile-Rousse. Conference in the lounge bar: “A Corsican family, the Bonapartes”.

Optional excursions in the morning:

– AUTHENTIQUE: Guided tour of Calvi and its citadel. Discover the marina with its huge bay, surrounded by a mountain range covered in snow until May, a unique landscape. Continue to Notre-Dame de la Serra, where the view of the Gulf of Calvi is absolutely sublime. Continue with a visit to the citadel of Calvi. Fortified at the end of the 15th century, the citadel surrounds the former governor’s palace, a building dating back to the 12th century.

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– AUTHENTIQUE: Discover the old villages of Balagne, nicknamed the “Garden of Corsica” thanks to its fertile hills. This region is dotted with around thirty villages, perched like viewpoints on rocky peaks or hidden in the heart of narrow valleys.

– EXPÉRIENCE: Transfer to the beach of Bodri or Ghjunchitu. Both are located in a paradisiacal setting, they are fine sandy beaches between the sea and the maquis. You will enjoy a unique moment in the heart of nature. At the edge of the beaches, you can discover fish and shellfish in pretty coves for the enjoyment of young and old.

In the afternoon, sail and cross the Mediterranean towards Nice. Conference in the lounge bar: “And Corsica became French…”. While the MS Belle des Océans watches the reliefs of the Isle of Beauty drift behind you, we invite you to the sun deck for an aperitif. For some it may be a farewell, others will leave Corsica for a better return. The cruise ends with a gala evening.

Breakfast buffet on board. After breakfast, disembarkation and transfer to Nice airport. Return flight to Luxembourg and shuttle service home.

We recommend booking excursions well in advance.