Relax on this panoramic driving tour of Corsica’s spectacular interior, a land little-changed over centuries. Pass through Cuaro village and beautifully rugged, mountainous terrain, resplendent with lush forests. You’ll see the dense shrubbery known as “maquis” blanketing the countryside and inhale the extraordinarily fragrant evergreen, interspersed with aromatic lavender, myrtle and wild mint. Journey past modest vineyards and cultivated fields before you enter peaceful Pineta Forest, dominated by tall, striking laricio pines, expansive chestnuts and dramatic beech trees. Enter heart-stopping Prunelli Gorges with its jagged granite walls and descend through serpentine twists and curves. Arrive ultimately at serene, man-made Tolla Lake, source of Ajaccio’s hydro-electric power, and snap a postcard-worthy photo. Sharp pinnacles emerge from the forest just past Tolla, a ridge-top village nestled into the mountainside, then the amazing vista opens to an expanse of fertile valley below. Delight in numerous picturesque hamlets, including Ocana, known for austere granite homes, and imagine everyday life in this timeless land.

Explore the pristine mountainous terrain that blankets much of Corsica’s interior, absorbing the striking natural beauty with a scenic drive before enjoying a hearty sample of Corsican food. You’ll see the dense shrubbery known as “maquis” blanketing the countryside, and inhale the extraordinarily fragrant evergreen, interspersed with aromatic lavender, myrtle and wild mint. View Bocognano village, perched on a picturesque plateau, and surrounded by leafy chestnut and beech trees. Enter the pine-filled and scarcely populated Vizzavona Forest, sought by nature enthusiasts and backpackers for its wondrous vistas and inspirational hikes. You’ll learn that the forest was the long-standing refuge for bandit brothers who became folk heroes in the late 1880s. One surrendered at age 75 and the other remained at large for ten more years. Savor a hearty spread of smoked ham, sausages and goat cheeses, reflective of a local workman’s mid-day meal, accompanied by a glass of robust red wine. Immerse yourself in this splendid land’s everyday life with ample free time after your delicious repast.

Surround yourself with stunning Corsican natural highlights in the lush Calanche of Piana nature reserve and the dramatic Spelunca Gorges on this delightfully scenic coach tour. You’ll discover that tantalizing views of enchanting hamlets such as Evisa and Vico, the former capital, provide only a hint of this island’s charm. Explore 17th-century Cargese, founded by Greeks fleeing a Turkish invasion. With ample free time at your leisure, you might shop, admire the churches in the town’s center or take in the expansive sea views. Behold the impressive sights at the Calanche of Piana, a nature preserve so environmentally significant, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Examine brightly colored rock outcroppings, oddly shaped granite pinnacles and pillars emerging from the sea. Look for the rocks’ uncanny resemblances to animals or people, including the well-known Bride and Groom, at a brief photo stop. Dense and striking pine forests encompass the breathtaking Spelunca Gorges, where you’ll marvel at the jagged peaks and rugged terrain that drop nearly two-thirds of a mile to a roiling convergence of sparkling rivers and crystalline streams. Lunch at captivating Porto village then enjoy time to shop at your leisure or take an unhurried stroll past the colorful marina, the bobbing pleasure craft emphasizing the unique and varied nature of Corsica’s many glories.

Take in some of the most extraordinary sights on Corsica, including wonders such as the Piana nature reserve.

After departing from the pier, you will settle in for a scenic 75-minute drive north to Cargese, which the Greeks founded in 1676 after escaping a Turkish invasion. During free time here, you might shop, admire the churches in the center of town, or simply admire the glorious sea views.

Then, it’s on to the Calanche of Piana, a nature reserve so environmentally significant that it has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The sights are stunning in every direction. Expect to see brightly colored rock outcroppings, oddly shaped granite pinnacles and pillars rising out of the sea. Some of the rocks look like animals or people, including one known as the Bride and Groom.

Lunch in the seaside village of Porto follows, after which you will enjoy free time for shopping or to stroll about the delightful marina. The surrounding red cliffs plunging into the turquoise sea is quite a sight.

After your free time, you will rejoin your coach and begin the leisurely drive back to Ajaccio, passing through villages such as Evisa and Vico, the former capital of this region.

See how the influence of Napoleon Bonaparte still lingers in Ajaccio, which is known as Imperial Town in honor of the French emperor being born there. In several squares, statues depict Napoleon robed like a Roman consul and on horseback. It is almost impossible to escape his lasting impact, as you will see at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary cathedral, where he was christened, and at Rue Bonaparte, one of the first streets in Ajaccio. The entire Bonaparte family left its mark here. The Bonaparte’s home since 1682 was eventually given to the French government in the 1960s and turned into a museum, where you can behold Napoleon’s death mask. You will learn even more about the emperor while watching a film about his life and dining on a light Corsican lunch. To enhance the historical aspect, the wait staff will be outfitted in Napoleonic period costumes.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• See evidence of the lasting influence of Napoleon and the Bonaparte family in Ajaccio. • Visit Napoleon’s birthplace and the modest church where he was christened. • Enjoy a light Corsican lunch served by a wait staff dressed in Napoleonic period costumes. • Opt to remain in Ajaccio following the excursion and then walk back to the ship on your own.

Admire charming Ajaccio on this driving and walking tour that focuses on the life of pugnacious Napoleon Bonaparte. Pass historic churches, the former English quarter and notable monuments to the French emperor, born in Ajaccio or “Imperial Town” in 1769. Witness Napoleon in a celebrated pose at striking Austerlitz Square, donning his famous two-cornered hat and riding coat. Local lore holds he played here as a child, presciently pretending to be France’s emperor. Commence your walking tour in Ajaccio’s oldest district and discover another tribute to the emperor at the eye-catching neo-classical town hall. Amble leisurely down one of the region’s first streets, aptly named Rue Bonaparte, to Napoleon’s birthplace. Envision his boyhood in this unadorned home, now a museum beautifully furnished with period pieces. See the modest cathedral, site of his christening, and yet another impressive commemoration in the expansive Place de Gaulle. At the end of your enlightening tour, you may choose to remain in town to browse the engaging, shop-lined Rue Fesch, where Napoleon’s image is a central theme.