A relaxing afternoon in the Forest of Bonifato, walking or swimming in La Figarella, ending with tasting of regional produce at Calenzana.

Depart Ile-Rousse at 13.15 – Algajola 13.30 – Calvi 13.45
We head for the Forest of Bonifato, a starting point for walks and a spot blessed by the pure waters of La Figurella. Free time to enjoy the countryside or test the temperature of the water.
After a swim, we continue to the Domaine De Rochebelle, in Calenzana, where you can taste regional produce and wines.

An afternoon exploring the “route of the craftsmen”, interspersed by the old hilltop villages typical of the Balagne. Magnificent views over the coast and a stopover in Ile-Rousse on the way back

Depart Ile-Rousse at 13.15 – Algajola 13.30 – Calvi 13.45
We depart for Calenzana, a large town in Balagne near Monte Grosso, nestling amidst olive and almond trees, the starting point of the famous GR20, 220km of mountain footpaths that cross Corsica from the North to the South. You can visit the church of Saint-Blaise and the brotherhood opposite. Then, following the little road known as the "route of the craftsmen" or the "wine route", we head for Zilia, then Lunghignano, to visit the oil mill. Passing via Montemaggiore, we reach the Col de Salvi (509m) for magnificent panoramic views over the Bay of Calvi and the coast.
On the other side of the mountain, we descend to arrive in Sant Antonino, the highest and oldest village in Balagne; at 500m in altitude, this eagle's nest village, a harmonious maze of cobbled streets and vaulted passageways, overlooks the sea and offers magnificent views. Before rejoining the coast, there is a short stop in Aregno to admire the church of La Trinité, a multi-coloured chapel with granite walls, statuettes and animal figures on its facades. We then descend to Ile—Rousse, via Corbara. We visit this prized seaside resort, once known as “Paolina” in honour of its founder, a little town with a pretty square shaded by plantain trees, and a small covered market with ancient columns and little shopping streets. Return.

After free time to explore Bastia, we return to the North of Cape Corsica then go back along the Western coast to Patrimonio, for a wine-tasting session. We return via Saint Florent and the Agriates Desert...

Depart Calvi at 7.30 – Algajola 7.45 – Ile-Rousse 8.00
Depart for the centre of Corsica along the coast. After Ponte Leccia, we head for Ponte Nuovo, made famous by the battle in which Pascal Paoli fought the French in May 1769, ending the independence of the island (from June onwards, you can visit a place devoted to the history of this battle). We continue on for lunch and a guided tour of Bastia (the old town, citadel etc.). In the afternoon, we take the seafront road towards the North to discover Cape Corsica, where the inhabitants have long remained the only traders and sailors in an island of mountain-dwellers. Passing via Erbalunga, we arrive at Marine de Luri and take the road that cuts the point of the Cape from East to West.
After stopping at the Col de Sainte-Lucie for superb panoramic views over the Sénèque tower (dating from the Middle Ages, apparently Sénèque was exiled here), the church of Sainte-Lucie and the Gulf of Aliso, we go back down towards the south of the Cape, passing via the old asbestos factory (in operation from 1926 to 1965) to reach Nonza, an old medieval fortress built on a rocky crag 100m above the sea, overlooked by its Genoese tower. Continuing South, a short stopover is made at Patrimonio to taste one of the best Corsican wines, before continuing towards Saint-Florent to visit the town. In the hollow of a magnificent gulf, the business capital of Nebbiu is primarily a seaside resort known for its watersports. We return via the Agriates Desert, once the Genoa grain-store, a place of dual migration for the Cape Corsica farmers and the Nebbiu shepherds, now a desert of rocky hills, and the end of the tour.

After penetrating the heart of Corsica, and discovering its wonderful landscapes, such as La Scala di Santa Regina or the Spelunca Gorges, you will reach Porto and the famous Calanche de Piana, before returning along the coast to admire the Gulf of Girolata and the Scandola Nature Reserve

Depart Calvi at 7.30 – Algajola 7.45 – Ile-Rousse 8.00
Depart for the centre of Corsica along the coast. After Ponte Lecchia, following the Golo, we reach La Scala di Santa Regina, one of the most famous and wild passes on the island. Its route, cut out of the rock, offers some impressive views. From there we reach Calacuccia lake and its dam, before continuing via the forest of Valdu Niellu to finally arrive at the Col de Vergio (1477m, a point on the famous GR20), often frequented by wild pigs. The Northern mountain chains can be seen from here, in particular the natural peak of Capu Tafunatu, and the rocky crest of Paglia Orba. Going back down via the Forest of Aïtone, we reach the little village of Evisa before continuing via the Spelunca Gorges, from where the views are spectacular.
Porto offers a panoramic view over the whole gulf, which owes its beauty to the coastline of red cliffs tumbling down to the sea, contrasting with the intense blue of the water, with the famous Calanche de Piana to the South (which we will visit after lunch in Porto), and the Gulf of Girolata to the North. Next, ascending towards Galeria, we stop at the Col de la Croix for magnificent views over the Gulfs of Porto and its Genoese tower, Girolata and the Scandola Nature Reserve. Continuing the route, we reach the Fango and finish the tour by crossing the Marsulinu, a region of shepherds originally from Niolo.

For booking, availability and information contact our partner
Corse Voyages by telephone on +33 (0)4 95 65 00 47 or by e-mail!
www.corsevoyages.com

Corse Voyages - Agence de Calvi
Immeuble les Remparts , Boulevard Wilson - 20260 Calvi