Sardinia & Corsica

Clear skies & golden sands

Two of the Mediterranean’s most captivating islands – one Italian, one French – both blessed with blue skies, warm waters and natural beauty. Join us on this wonderful two-centre holiday, which combines the first three nights and the last night of your holiday staying close to Sardinia’s stylish Costa Smeralda, one of Europe’s most celebrated destinations, with three nights on rugged Corsica, birthplace of Napoleon and blessed with one of the Mediterranean’s most fascinating and diverse landscapes. With some delightful excursions, and plenty of time to rest and relax, included this is a perfect way to discover two island paradises in one.

Highlights

Spend time in the Costa Smeralda - a glitzy playground for the wealthy since the 1960s
Enjoy ancient Alghero and the views across to the Capo Caccia
Explore the hill-top town of Bonifacio, including a train ride
Take in the amazing rock formations of the Calanques de Piana
Experience a guided tour of Napoleon Bonaparte's birthplace - Ajaccio
Embrace the splendours of idyllic sea-side Porto

Inclusions

Seven nights’ carefully chosen half board accommodation at the four-star Hotel Martini in Olbia and the three-star Castel Vecchio Hotel in Ajaccio. Note 2023 dates are on bed & breakfast
Excursion to the Costa Smeralda
A guided visit to Alghero
A guided tour of Ajaccio
A visit to Porto
An excursion to Scandola Nature Reserve
Return ferry crossings from Sardinia to Corsica and train ride in Bonifacio
Return flights to Olbia
Comfortable, air-conditioned coach travel throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager, with specialist local guides where applicable

Day 1

Fly to Olbia, in Sardinia's northeast corner, where our Tour Manager will be waiting to meet you. The hotel is just a short coach ride from the airport, and, depending on your time of arrival, you'll be free to spend the rest of the day relaxing or perhaps wandering into town.

Day 2

After a relaxed breakfast, board the coach for a leisurely introduction to the sun-kissed playground of the Costa Smeralda. Over the last 50 years, this 20-kilometre stretch of reclaimed and tastefully developed coastline has grown to become one of the world’s most celebrated holiday playgrounds and a haven to the Mediterranean’s sailing and private yacht community. Idyllic hidden coves; stunning beaches fringed by azure waters and backed by fragrant, herb-filled scrubland; tiny islets; and the ultra-chic capital of the region, Porto Cervo, whose church and shopping arcade were both designed by the same architect, all contribute to the allure of this unique location.

Day 3

Today’s excursion sees you travel to historic Alghero, the principal town of Sardinia’s north and a thriving, long-standing fishing port. Here, the Old Quarter, with its 16th-century cathedral and its narrow, cobbled streets, is surrounded by the stout battlements that link seven defensive towers. This being Italy, delicious ice cream can be sampled at any number of local gelatarie. The long, sweeping promenade stretches away past magnificent beaches, and looks out across the blue waters to distant Capo Caccia, a rocky promontory with a silhouette that looks for all the world like a sleeping giant. After a marvellous day, you’ll return to Olbia for a last evening at your hotel.

Day 4

Today you'll bid farewell to your Sardinian hosts, and head to the port at Santa Teresa di Gallura for your ferry crossing to Corsica. You'll disembark in the stunning natural harbour of Bonifacio, a fortified town set high upon wind- and wave-weathered cliffs, and one of the Mediterranean’s most spectacular locations. The tourist train will take you up to the haute ville to take in the stunning views. Perhaps enjoy a drink in one of the cafés that line the quayside, before boarding our coach to continue your journey north, through some stunning scenery, to your hotel in Ajaccio.

Day 5

Today's half-day guided excursion introduces island capital Ajaccio, the city where, in 1769, Napoléon Bonaparte was born. Set on a stunning, sweeping bay, Ajaccio would be a fascinating place even without its associations with the "Little Emperor". Wander its ancient old town, filled with restaurants and cafés, and see its towering citadelle, which surveys the colourful vista below. After your tour, you'll have time free for further explorations, or to return to the hotel for a relaxing afternoon by the pool.

Day 6

Your final included excursion takes you up Corsica's west coast to Scandola Nature Reserve, overlooking the blue Gulf of Porto, home to the twisting inlets and outcrops of the Calanques de Piana. Here, the elements and millennia have shaped and shifted the pink granite landscape into fantastical forms that seem almost alive. Spend some time enjoying the surroundings or join the optional 90-minute return boat cruise to Calanques, a beautiful journey that will afford you the best views of the towering Calanches from the water. Then re-board the coach for the return journey to Ajaccio.

Day 7

Relax in Ajaccio before returning to Bonifacio and taking the ferry back to Sardinia. Today, you can enjoy your last day in Corsica before travelling mid afternoon to Bonifacio to catch the ferry to Sardinia where you will spend the last night of your holiday enjoying the Hotel Martini in Olbia.

Day 8

This morning, you'll be transferred to the airport to catch your flight home, at the end of a wonderful two-island holiday.

Further Information

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 15 minutes.

Combining hotel transfers

We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Entrance fees

Since some attractions visited offer free admission to visitors at certain times of year, we do not include entrance fees. These will be payable locally where applicable. This applies to excursions that are included in the price of your holiday and to excursions booked as optional extras.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Changes to your hotels

Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in alternative hotels, of a similar standard, nearby. Full details of your hotels will be sent with your Final Travel Documents.

Italian hotel room tax

Some regions of Italy have introduced a room tax of between 1 £ and 3 £ per person per night, payable directly by the guest to the hotel on check-out. You will be advised by your tour manager in resort if a particular hotel is implementing this charge.

Foreign Office Travel Advice

Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.

Board basis

This tour is on a half board basis for 2022 departure dates. 2023 dates are on bed and breakfast.

Travelling to Europe

Rules may have changed since you last travelled to European Union countries and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The following are useful guidelines which will help you prepare for your next adventure. Note that these new rules do NOT apply when travelling within the United Kingdom or to the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland. You do require government issued ID when travelling by air though. Names - It is very important that all passenger names are exactly as per your passport although we do not require middle names. Passport - Your passport must meet two requirements to travel to an EU country and to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. It must be: Less than 10 years old on the day you return home (please check the "date of issue") and valid for at least 3 months after the day you return home (please check the "expiry date"). These rules do not apply to travel to Ireland where you can continue to use your passport as long as it’s valid for the length of your stay. Visa - If you’re a tourist, you do not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period. Different rules will apply to Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania; if you visit these countries, visits to other EU countries will not count towards the 90-day total. Travel to Ireland will not change and stays there will not count towards the 90-day total. European Travel Information & Authorisation System (ETIAS) - Commencing in 2023, all citizens of the United Kingdom will require a ETIAS electronic form completed prior to their arrival into the EU and Schengen member countries. The cost for this travel authorisation will be €7.00 per person with exceptions for under 18’s and over 70’s. The latest information and further details can be found at www.etias.com. Border Control - At border control, you may need to show proof of your return journey - your travel documentation issued by us will be sufficient for this. You will also need to use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens if manual checks are required. Healthcare Cover - You should always get appropriate travel insurance with healthcare cover before you go abroad which covers pre-existing conditions. You should understand the terms and conditions of your travel insurance and be happy with its cover for healthcare and travel disruption. Newmarket sell a comprehensive travel insurance policy. Ask our travel consultants for more information. You should also apply for a UK Global Heath Insurance Card (GHIC) which lets you get urgent state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Note GHIC is only valid in EU countries and not in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.