Land and Terroirs of Corse
Through the vineyards of Patrimonio, chestnut forests and hilltop villages of Balagne, an authentic Corse guided by its craftspeople.
Duration
7 days
From
€880/pers.
Ideal seasons
Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Style
Guided tour
Comfort
Charm & Character
Travelers
Couple, Solo, senior, With friends
The spirit of travel
Gentle and gourmet hiking in Balagne, Castagniccia and Nebbiu, 3 regions, 3 terroirs in the north of the island in the company of Paul, a wonderful guide, lecturer, mountain guide and ornithologist who will share his love for his island.
Paul takes you to his friends, producers and craftsmen and you are received like royalty.
You will meet Francesca, expert in medicinal plants from the maquis who will show you how to distill Corsican immortelle in her still. You will taste the famous organic wines (90% of production) from Patrimonio during lunch in the vineyards with a winemaker. You will discover the ancestral know-how of several Balagne craftsmen, this land of olive trees and light. You will go to Castagniccia which is arguably the most secret region of Corsica and Jean-Claude, writer and storyteller, will tell you during an evening at his home stories of witchcraft and magical trees.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Wild plant discovery in Corse with Francesca
Bastia → Querciolo
Transfer to the village of Querciolo from Bastia.
Francesca takes you into the maquis to learn to identify a few plants and explains their different virtues and culinary qualities. After a picnic in nature, return to Francesca's house for an immortelle distillation where everyone leaves with their own bottle.
Preparation and tasting of the traditional "supa corsa", a great moment of exchange.
Night in a guesthouse on an olive oil estate that produces the controlled designation of origin oil "olio di Corsica".
Hiking in the villages and visiting the craftspeople of Balagne
Querciolo → Pigna
According to Corsicans, "in Balagne, the weather is always beautiful". This land of light and wind with its terraced olive groves boasts some of the most beautiful villages in Corse.
Today you will take a lovely hike to discover the wonderful villages of Corbara, San Antonino and Pigna.
Walking time: approximately 3 hours
At Pigna, famous for its Corsican polyphonic music festival in July, you will meet a few craftspeople.
Night in a charming hotel in Pigna.
The mountain villages of Calvi bay
The day begins with a short hike to the abandoned village of Occi where you discover an extraordinary panorama of the entire Calvi bay. Concerts are held there every Tuesday morning during the summer season.
After the picnic you visit the lovely Romanesque chapel of San Rinieru then visit the oil mill of Lunghignano.
The day ends with a visit to a beautiful workshop that preserves the basketry tradition in the village of Calenzana.
(Possibility to organize a basketry workshop for children)
Night in Pigna or in a farm inn in Santa Reparata.
Walk through the Patrimonio vineyards
Pigna → Murato
Head to the Gulf of Saint-Florent and the village of Patrimonio for a lovely hike through the vineyards dotted across the rolling hills of the limestone region of Nebbiu, whose terroir produces one of the best wines in Corse.
You will taste wines from several organic producers and discover local grape varieties such as Vermentinu of Italian origin as well as lesser-known Corsican varieties like Rappu and Impassitu.
This discovery will end with a picnic lunch in the middle of the vineyards with tasting of local products.
Stroll through Saint-Florent in the afternoon and overnight stay in guest rooms in the village of Murato which features a beautiful Pisan Romanesque-style church.
Hiking in the desert and wild beaches of the Agriates
Murato → Plages Du Lotu Et De Saleccia
The Désert des Agriates is the largest natural site protected by the Conservatoire du littoral with 35 km of coastline sculpted by the sea.
You set off for a magnificent hike along the sea to the beaches of Lotu and Saleccia with Caribbean waters and white sand, a true paradise…
Walking time: approximately 4 hoursPlages Du Lotu Et De Saleccia → Murato
This land also has much to tell about the history of Corsican shepherds through its numerous sheepfolds and the famous Mortella Genoese tower, one of the most important in Corse.
Night in Murato.
Hiking in the Castagniccia forests
Murato → Carcheto
The Castagniccia is a land of small mountains covered with chestnut forests, an area of approximately 30,000 hectares dotted with very beautiful villages. The chestnut tree provided food for the population and there are still 35 chestnut mills in operation. Here beats the heart of the island as it is also the land of Pascal Paoli, father of Corsican independence.
A hiking trail will take you to the Orezza valley, in an enchanting place where monks built the Chapel of Saint Barthélemy. You will picnic with Georges, the shepherd, the host of these lands.
You will visit some beautiful churches and an old convent that give charm to this magnificent Orezza region.
Night in the village of Carcheto at Jean-Claude's place, who has restored a 13th-century tower for an evening of listening to stories and legends of the so secret and mysterious Castagniccia.
Price per person
Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- Membership and registration fees - (35€)
- Annual Cancellation Insurance
- The boat in the Agriates (€16pp)
- Everything that is not mentioned in the inclusions
Included
- 6 nights in bed & breakfast accommodations with breakfasts included on a double room basis
- Minibus transport from Bastia to Bastia
- An accompanying guide throughout the stay
- Activities
- Midday picnics from day 1 to day 6 inclusive
- Day 1 dinner with Francesca
- An accident and repatriation insurance
- Solidarity Fund for Development
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
- Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
- Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
The information below concerns travelers who are nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland and Canada traveling to Corsica for a tourist stay. Entry rules may change, so we recommend that you verify the information with the official authorities before your departure.
Passport and ID card
Corsica is a French territorial collectivity, therefore a destination located in the territory of the European Union. No special formalities are required for nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.
These travelers can enter Corsica with:
their valid national identity card,
or their valid passport.
It is nonetheless advisable to travel with an official form of identification in good condition for any potential checks.
Canadian nationals
Canadian nationals, as nationals of a third country to the European Union, must be in possession of a valid passport to enter French territory. No visa is required for a tourist stay not exceeding 90 days in the Schengen area.
The passport must be in good condition (no deteriorated, torn or altered pages) and, preferably, valid beyond the planned duration of stay.
Tourist stay without visa
As Corsica is an integral part of French territory and the Schengen area, no visa is necessary for nationals of the EEA, Switzerland and Canada for a tourist stay. No maximum length of stay applies to nationals of the EEA and Switzerland on French territory. Canadian nationals may stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period in the Schengen area.
Travel with children
Minors who are nationals of the EEA and Switzerland can travel with their valid national identity card or passport. Canadian minors must be in possession of a valid passport.
In certain countries, when a minor travels without one of their parents, an authorization to leave the territory may be required depending on the regulations of the country of residence. It is recommended to inquire with the competent authorities of your country before departure.
Other nationalities
Entry conditions to French territory may vary depending on nationality. Travelers concerned should inquire with the French embassy or consulate in their country of residence.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly recommended to be insured for repatriation assistance and medical expenses during your travels.
Your local agency encourages you to review the specific policy developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To purchase insurance, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The complete insurance solution designed for a worry-free trip!
Choose the plan that suits you best:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to one.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the policy detailing all coverage and claim declaration procedures is available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of it, but only the participant is responsible for complying with claim declaration procedures. The participant must therefore keep this policy with them throughout their trip.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
You can travel to Corsica with a valid identity document. Entry conditions to Corsica are identical to those of mainland France. Flights or ferries from the mainland are considered domestic travel. Before traveling, check with French consular authorities for entry conditions specific to your nationality.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a quality tailored trip, budget between €160 and €280 per day per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transport and activities. Flights or ferries from mainland France (€150-400 return depending on season) are additional. Summer is significantly more expensive.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We adapt each itinerary to travelers' profiles. For families, we prioritize relaxed paces, family-friendly accommodations, fun and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our English-speaking local guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate anecdotes.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. Together you refine every detail until it's perfect. You confirm and travel with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) guarantee which covers 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on the ground throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — Upper Corsica and Cape Corsica
Keeper of the Corsican soul, based in Cap Corse
For me, loving a region is first and foremost loving its people. In Corsica, the villages, the voices, the gestures and the paths tell as much as the landscapes.
— Véronique
