Day 1 in Ajaccio
Welcome to the Ajaccio, the birthplace
of Napoleon! Upon arrival, make your transfer to your destination, arrive at
your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to
see and do.
Begin your afternoon with a visit to
the Place Foch Market (fish market), where beautiful aromas and temptations mix, take in the
pulse of the city while enjoying some lunch at a local restaurant or café
watching people go by. Survey the little streets and alleyways of the old
town while enjoying some of the highlights which include Maison Bonaparte (Napoleon`s
birthplace), the cathedral, Rue Cardinal Fesch (The
long shopping street crosses the old `Borgo`), and continues up and around place Foch near the seafront.
Visit the house where Napoleon was born in
1769, now a museum in his memory, and discover Botticelli`s works
at the Palais Fesch Museum of Fine Arts and
its fantastic library. The museum has a highly regarded collection of Italian
Renaissance paintings, originally collected by Napoleon`s uncle.
Next, try one of the unique ice cream
flavors you`ll find around town (brocciu cheese, honey, fig…) then explore
the ports, check out the beautiful yachts and watch the fishermen at
work. Enjoy a stroll along the promenade at sunset, lined with palm trees and
a good choice of cafes. Further along you get to the port where the Corsica
ferries come in to port.
From here make your way to one of the
delicious restaurants to indulge in some local cuisine of the area. There are a large number of cafes, bars and
restaurants around Ajaccio, and it is in these that you will find the true town
- the laid-back casual approach to life that Ajaccio seems to adopt so well.
Day 2 in Ajaccio
Start your day early with a boat tour of the Sanginaires Islands. The
islands are situated about 7 miles (by boat) near the northern limit of the Bay
of Ajaccio. This is where you`ll find the Parata headland, which in itself is classified as one
of the `grand sites of France`, a rocky black granite promontory
with a Genoese lookout tower. Spend some time exploring Mezzomare,
the biggest of the islands, a guided walk around the island is worth it. The
islands are a
designated reserve for sea birds and other wildlife and have a fascinating and
diverse habitat with many plant species not found on the Corsican mainland.
Alternatively,
another way to admire the Sanguinaires Islands is to do the 4 hour walk to the bois
des anglais or the 2.5 hour walk to the Petit Capo Beach.
These trails offer excellent views along the way. If you choose to walk from
Petit Capo Beach, the walk climbs slightly uphill on an easy path. The trail
cuts across to the other side of the promontory where you have views over some
lovely coastal scenery and as you walk along you`ll get some excellent views of
the islands.
There
is also a lookout tower on top of one of the Sanguinaires Islands that dates
from 1608 and the Genoese occupation of Corsica, this is situated towards the
southern end of the archipelago.
Ajaccio has many beautiful
hiking trails, some other hikes you may enjoy: The crest
trail, an easier hike that offers incredible views of the city and
the Bloody Island; The Douaniers Trail, this trail connects
the site of Parata to the beaches of Capo di Feno overlooking the turquoise
waters below; Mount Gozzi is a trail that starts at the
village of Appietto and takes about an hour to climb to the top of the famous
rock formation overlooking the Gulf of Ajaccio.
After an active day of exploration, enjoy the remaining
part of your day relaxing on one of Ajaccio`s beautiful beaches.
There are more than 20 of them in or near Ajaccio. If you follow the seafront
promenade you will find beaches, but there are usually quieter beaches further outside
this area. Along the
Sanguinaires road you`ll come across some
absolutely beautiful beaches: Barbicaghja, Neptune, Scudo, Mooréa, the
Sacred Earth, to name a few.
Day 3 in Ajaccio
On your last day in Ajaccio, we
recommend a trip inland to Lac
de Tolla, an artificial lake created in the 1950`s by an EDF dam.
There are over 3 miles of cool waters that sit in the mountains filled with
chestnut, walnut, holm oak and pine trees on their slopes. In the summer, the
lake has a marina that rents canoes, paddle boards and paddle boats. Tolla
also can be the start of a trail for a hike into the Prenelli Gorge,
where there are sheer cliffs and shimmery rock pools at the foot of cascades.
Another great day trip in the area is
to enjoy a wine tour through the exceptional and preserved
landscape of the area. From July to September, Ajaccio tourism office offers a
multitude of vineyard tours. After each visit to the wine caves, learn to
discover the AOC wines of Ajaccio with a local wine expert!
Additional Days in Ajaccio
Should you be able to spend additional
days in Ajaccio we recommend a visit the lovely botanical gardens
and olive groves covering more than 25 acres around the Bonapartes
country house at Les Milelli, 3 miles NW of Ajaccio.
Another option is to take a day trip
to the villages of Porticcio, Bastelica, or Zicavo.
Another beautiful village of the area is Eccica-Suarellaa,
located inland, it is an escape from the tourists and offers some attractive
scenery.
Your Last Day in Ajaccio
Depart your hotel for the train station, ferry or airport where you will head home or make your way to more Corsican adventures. Savor the memories of a very special time in the city of Ajaccio.