A Walking Holiday in Corsica, France. Though Corsica has been governed by France for over 200 years, the island maintains a distinctly ‘Corsican’ identity. Corscians take pride in their native customs, language (Corsu) and traditions, not to mention their entirely unique landscape.

In many ways, Corsica resembles a miniature continent; with 1000km of sea-swept coast line, mountain ranges that stay snow-capped until July, a world-renowned marine reservation, an inhabited desert (Agriates) and a continental divide running down the centre of the island!

Much of the island is covered by maquis, a typical Corsican shrub-like vegetation used for fragrances and cooking. Just a single day’s walk can carry you through a kaleidoscopic landscape of secret coves, booming waterfalls, plunging canyons, sweeping bays, megalithic menhirs and dense chestnut and pine forests. Away from the holiday resorts you will discover quiet fishing villages, remote mountain towns and deserted beaches.

This walking holiday is inspired by one of the great classics of Corsica, the Mare e Monti. We have selected on this walking holiday the most beautiful maritme stages ranging from Calvi to Porto. With forests and Corsican maquis, opportunities for swimming in the crystal clear natural river pools, unspoilt cricks, everything is combined here to make this holiday an unforgettable memory!

On a Self-Guided tour, we provide you with focused maps and very detailed walking notes describing the route step-by-step. Navigation is made easy. The walking notes also enclose information about the culture, the flora & fauna, places of interest along the way and good restaurants for lunch!

Luggage is transported by us from hotel to hotel. During the walk, you only carry your day pack!

DAY 1 – Calvi to Bonifatu (4h45, +590m -287m).

Transfer from Calvi to Calenzana, the land of olive trees, where we start the hike. Today’s landmarks are the numerous rivers we will cross over as well as the stunning scenic views over typical Corsican villages.

Town: all facilities.
Accomodation: Private room.
Meal: Dinner.

DAY 2 – Bonifatu a Tuarelli (6h, +664m -1100m).

Leaving Bonifatu, we enter the beautiful oak and pine forests and we then climb up to a pass at 1200m above see level. Shortly after we get to Bocca di Bonassa with a natural spring close by. The trail then heads down through more woodlands, crossing over a few streams, and heading towards Tuarelli. After this walking day, Tuarelli is the ideal spot to chill out and relax in its natural fresh water springs.

Town: all facilities
Accomodation: Refuge.
Meal: Breakfast & dinner.

DAY 3 – Tuarelli to Galeria (4h45, +220m -271m).

This beautiful walking day brings us closer to the see and the Gulf of Galeria. We will walk through low wall lined crop fields and we then enter the famous Corsican maquis. Surrounded by juniper and arbutus, we then walk along the river before reaching old sheepfolds and Galeria. Galeria is on the mediteranean seaside so you could go for a swim to relax after your walking day!

Town: all facilities.
Accomodation: Private rooms.
Meals: Breakfast & dinner.

When a private room is not available, bedrooms comprise of 4 or 6 beds (unless stated othwerwise). Bed linen and towels may not be provided at each accommodation so it is better to take them with you in case. Also, a sleeping bag can be useful and save you taking bed linen.

• To Corsica: Air France fly from Paris to Calvi. Air France, BA, Easyjet fly to Ajaccio from Ireland & UK, Easyjet fly from London, Manchester, Bristol to Bastia. Ryanair fly to Figari.

BRAND NEW CHARTER FLIGHT TO CORSICA FOR 2011

SIMPSON TRAVEL IN CONJUNCTION WITH BRITISH MIDLAND AIRWAYS HAVE LAUNCHED A NEW SERVICE FOR SUMMER 2011 FROM LONDON HEATHROW TO FIGARI. FULL FLIGHT DETAILS AS FOLLOWS :

SUNDAYS 29 MAY – 25 SEPTEMBER 2011

FLIGHT DEPARTS LONDON HEATHROW TERMINAL 1 : 0940

ARRIVES FIGARI : 1250

DEPARTS FIGARI : 1335

FLIGHT ARRIVES LONDON HEATHROW TERMINAL 1 : 1445

FLIGHT PRICES FROM £209 PER PERSON AND INCLUDES :

ALL PAX TAXES BOTH IN THE UK AND OVERSEAS

AN INCREASED BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE OF 23KGS PP

IN-FLIGHT MEALS

PRE-SEATING TOGETHER ON THE AIRCRAFT

call Corsica department on 0208 392 5858 or email corsicaflights@simpsontravel.com

• To the Beginning of the Adventure: Calvi

Option 1: From Calvi

Taxi from airport to city centre

Option 2: From Ajaccio

By bus: Ajaccio to Calvi with connection in Porto.Departure at 7.30am. For more information, see http://www.corsicabus.org/Bus_services.html

By train: Ajaccio to Calvi with connection in Corte or Ponte-Leccia. 2 departures/day. For more information, see http://www.corsicabus.org/Train_services/Train5AjaCly.html

By car: it is possible to rent a car from Ajaccio airport for a day and drop it in Calvi. Car hire providers can be easily found on the internet.

Option 3: From Bastia

By bus: Bastia to Calvi. 1 departure/day. For more information, see http://www.corsicabus.org/busCalvi/CLY_Bastia.html

By train: Bastia to Calvi with connection in Ponte-Leccia. 3 departures/day. For more information, see http://www.corsicabus.org/Train_services/Train3BiaCly.html

By car: it is possible to rent a car from Bastia airport for a day and drop it in Calvi. Car hire providers can be easily found on the internet.

• Back home from Porto

Option 1: To Calvi

By bus: Departure at 10.00am. For more information, see http://www.corsicabus.org/busCalvi/CLY_Porto.html

Option 2: To Ajaccio

By bus: 2 departures/day. For more information, see http://www.corsicabus.org/busAjaccio/AJA_Cargese_Po.html

Option 3: To Bastia

By bus: Porto to Bastia with connection in Ajaccio or Calvi. For more information, see http://www.corsicabus.org/busBastia/index.html