Sardinia – Corsica 8-day trip

1st day: ATHENS – MILAN – GENOA – SAVONA (en route)

Gathering at El. Venizelos airport and flight to Milan, the economic capital of Italy. Arrival, boarding the coach and departure for Genoa. Follows a panoramic sightseeing tour of the historic center of Genoa, which has been declared by UNESCO a World Cultural Heritage Site, we will see the Cathedral of San Lorenzo with its magnificent marble facade, the impressive Piazza de Ferrari with the Opera House building, the Doge's Palace, the house where Columbus is said to have been born and many Renaissance palaces, large 19th-century avenues, and Baroque churches next to intricate medieval alleys. Free time and transfer to Savona where we will take the ship that will take us to the port of Bastia in the island of Corsica. Check-in to the cabins. Overnight stay en route.

2nd day: BASTIA (city sightseeing tour)

Arrival at the port of Bastia early in the morning. Boarding the coach and transfer to the city center to get to know the city that was founded in 1372, while it got its name from the word Bastilia (fortress/prison). It is a beautiful and picturesque city with its castle, while below it lies the Saint Nicholas square, the most central point of the city and the third largest square in Europe, which is about 300 meters long and 90 meters wide. In the center dominates the statue of Napoleon I, with a Roman emperor's attire, a work by the Italian sculptor Bartolini, which was erected in 1853 as a tribute to Napoleon. Free time. Transfer and check-in to the hotel. Overnight stay.

3rd day: BASTIA – CORSE FOREST – CORTE – AJACCIO

Breakfast and departure for Corte, in the interior of the island and former capital, which is located at an altitude of 1100 meters, crossing the magnificent landscapes of the Corse Forest. Upon arrival in Corte, we will see the Gaffori square, where the magnificent monument of General Jean Pierre Gaffori dominates, as well as the Church of the Annunciation. Our sightseeing tour will continue at the city's monument of Corte, the Citadel. Today it houses the Museum of Corsica. Departure for Napoleon's birthplace, Ajaccio, through an impressive Forest. Transfer to the hotel. Check-in to the rooms. Overnight stay.

4th day: AJACCIO (sightseeing tour) – CARGHESE

Breakfast at the hotel. Our sightseeing tour will start from the historic center of the city and from the Charles de Gaulle square where the Napoleon monument is located. Then we will cross the famous Premier Consul avenue and end up at the General Foch square where the City Hall, the Cathedral and the Fesch Palace are located, which houses the municipal Library and the National Museum. Early in the afternoon, departure for the village of Carghese, which was granted to the Greeks in 1774 and where we will have the opportunity to visit the Byzantine Orthodox church built in 1882 by the descendants of the Maniots (today about 2000 people live in Carghese), to worship the icons, such as the one of Panagia with Jesus in her arms that were transferred from Greece, and to admire the characteristic Orthodox templon. Then we will wander through the streets that smell of Greece as one walks along the Ellados street, the Mani street and the Oitylo street. Free time in the village square. Dinner. Overnight stay.

5th day: AJACCIO – BONIFACIO – SANTA TERESA GALLURA – ALGHERO

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Bonifacio. The strait that separates Corsica from Sardinia. The view from the citadel of Bonifacio reaches Sardinia. It is perhaps the most beautiful of the island's citadels. We start the sightseeing tour from the port and the Citadelle, the old fortified citadel, where we will have the opportunity to walk through picturesque neighborhoods and shops and enjoy the panoramic view from the Belvedere. Free time and boarding the boat that will take us to the island of Sardinia. Arrival in Santa Teresa di Gallura, a popular seaside village with pastel-colored houses, located in the northern tip of the island. Departure for Alghero, a lively medieval village with stone houses, towers and countless Nuragic dwellings (the first inhabitants of the island were the Nuraghi, from the Bronze Age. Throughout Sardinia there are 7,000 scattered constructions of these inhabitants, which in the past served as dwellings). Arrival at the hotel. Check-in. Overnight stay.

6th day: ALGHERO – (SASSARI – CASTELSARDO)

Breakfast at the hotel. Alghero was founded by the Genoese but was conquered by the Aragonese and filled with settlers from Valencia and Barcelona. So, here we will visit the historic medieval center of the city, which offers an irresistible combination of history, architecture, and culture. Our next stop is the second largest city in Sardinia, Sassari, which impresses with its historic center and authentic character. Large avenues, imposing squares, and grand palaces create a unique scenery. Piazza Italia with the palace and Fontana di Rosello, the interesting archaeological museum, as well as the church of Santissima Trinita di Saccargia are points of interest that we will visit. Immediately after, departure for the medieval village of Castelsardo, built on the top of the rock that dominates the bay. We will visit the castle that was built during the medieval period by the Doria family dynasty. Looking at the village, we think we are in Monemvasia. Free time to walk through the alleys with the small shops where we will have the opportunity to buy souvenirs. Return to Alghero. Overnight stay.

7th day: ALGHERO – COSTA EMERALDA – PORTO CERVO – PALAU – LA MADDALENA – OLBIA

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Costa Esmeralda (emerald coast) with its wonderful beaches and turquoise waters, granite rocks, luxurious residences and large hotels. Our first stop is Porto Cervo, a cosmopolitan seaside resort on the northern side of the island created by Prince Karim Aga Khan. Free time and then transfer to Palau to take the boat to the island of La Maddalena. With crystal-clear waters and golden beaches, the little-known island is located northeast of Sardinia and is the second largest island of the La Maddalena archipelago. Caprera with an area of 15.7 km² is uninhabited, is very close to the small island of Maddalena and is connected to it by a bridge. The island was a gift from King Victor Emmanuel to the Italian hero Giuseppe Garibaldi and there is also his tomb with his bust. It has been characterized as a natural refuge due to the variety of rare species it hosts. Caprera is known for its pink granite that gives beauty to its coasts. Departure for Olbia, which although its name is of Greek origin, due to the Greek presence in the 7th century BC, the city of Olbia was initially occupied by the Phoenicians, according to archaeological findings. In the Middle Ages, it was the capital of one of the four autonomous provinces of Sardinia and one of the most important commercial ports. Transfer and check-in at our hotel. Overnight stay.

8th day: OLBIA – ATHENS

Breakfast at the hotel. Free time to explore the city center until the time of our transfer to Olbia airport for our return flight to Athens.