Corsican Cruise - Leaving from Nice (port-to-port package)

NICE

Passengers are welcome to board at 5:00 p.m. Once we arrive, join us for an optional tour of the city. Throughout the centuries, Nice has attracted people from all over the world because of its lovely climate and unrivaled beauty. The city has a thousand surprises in store: monuments, churches, gardens and footpaths, museums, artists, local crafts, and internationally renowned cuisine with the unmistakable flavors of garlic, olive oil, and basil. The best way to get to know Nice is by strolling through it and experiencing sites such as the great flower market in the Cours Saleya or the elegant old quarter lined with boutiques and restaurants. We'll return on board. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. Tonight, we’ll enjoy dinner and an evening of activities on board. Our ship will cruise to Corsica overnight.

AJACCIO - The Calanques de Piana

We’ll spend the morning cruising. Take time to relax and admire the red cliffs and maquis underbrush in the Scandola Nature Reserve and the Gulf of Girolata. You can also participate in a lecture about the natural beauty found on and around this Mediterranean island. As La Belle des Océans enters its first Corsican port, join us on the deck for a tasting of traditional myrtle liqueur and a pastry. The afternoon will be dedicated to an optional excursion to the Calanques de Piana. These sheer cliffs and rock sculptures seem to jet up from the water and radiate a red hue along the coastline. Tonight’s meal and entertainment will have genuine Corsican flair!

AJACCIO

Join us for an optional excursion this morning through the Corsican maquis, the rugged backcountry in the outlying area of Ajaccio. We’ll enjoy a tasting of local cheese and cold cuts. Corsican charcuterie is known for its fine textures and incomparable tastes. This afternoon, we’ll set out on an optional excursion to Ajaccio and the Îles Sanguinaires. Ajaccio, the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, has a rich and historical past. We’ll visit the city’s main sites, including the high court building, the bronze monument to Napoleon and his brothers, and the Place d’Austerlitz, where legend tells of Napoleon often visiting as a child to see the statues of the glorious soldiers in battle. Our next stop will be to experience the captivating beauty found on the outlying Îles Sanguinaires. Our ship will cruise to Bonifacio. Join us for dinner and an evening of entertainment.

BONIFACIO

Bonifacio is rich with a history that unfolds in front of you along its small streets and paths, thousand-year-old fortress, and sturdy stone homes perched high above the sea waves. The descent (and subsequent ascent) of King of Aragon’s Stairway will provide some of the best views on the trip (187 steps). In the afternoon, join us for an optional excursion to the nature reserve on the Archipelago of Lavezzi. The islands are scattered with sculpted granite boulders and impressive cliffs. OR spend some free time on your own and head to one of the beautiful island beaches. There will be a lecture in the lounge. In the evening, we’ll have dinner at a traditional inn in the heart of the Corsican inland. We’ll be welcomed by the fireplace or under the immense cork oat trees by the owners, who will explain the history of the island to us. Dinner—a delicious, in-season composition made of local products—will be accompanied by Corsican music and songs.  After we return on board, our ship will cruise towards Porto Vecchio.

PORTO VECCHIO

In the morning, we’ll set out on an optional guided tour of Porto Vecchio. The old town includes the ruins of a 16th-century citadel and gorgeous views of the marina. OR spend some free time on your own and head to one of the beautiful island beaches.

The afternoon will be spent cruising to Bastia. There will be a lecture in the lounge.

BASTIA

Join us for an optional excursion to Cap Corse (including lunch).  Located to the north of Bastia and Saint-Florent, Cap Corse is a 25-mile long promontory with several attractive fishing villages, a gorgeous coastline, and a couple of good beaches. We’ll enjoy a tasting* of local wine, cold-cuts, and cheese before returning on board to cruise towards L'Ile Rousse.

L'ILE ROUSSE

This morning, join us for an optional tour of Calvi and its citadel.

OR

Discover the old villages in the Balagne Region during an optional excursion.

OR spend some free time on your own and head to one of the beautiful island beaches.

We’ll then spend the afternoon crossing the Mediterranean to Nice. As we bid goodbye to Corsica, join us on the Sun Deck for a cocktail and take in one last glimpse of the beauty of the island. Tonight is our festive gala evening.

NICE

Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. End of our services.