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Corsica Bocognano
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A Walking in the mountains of central Corsica |
Ref: EX-DFB
8 days
from £599 (minimum 6 passengers)
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Destination:
France
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Walking in the mountains of central Corsica
Part of France but distinctly different, influenced by Italy but not Italian, the Corsicans have a language, culture, cuisine and way of life all their own. Rural villages such as our base in Bocognano still display traditional lifestyles from previous centuries; old women still collect wild chestnuts and herbs to use in home cooking. The centre of village life is the Bar des Amis, which serves as a watering hole for locals and visitors alike, and a social centre for card games and boule. The village boasts a post office, general store, bakeries and restaurants. Bocognano, once the haunt of bandits, is set amid magnificent scenery at an altitude of 650m. It is a good place to start a number of walks and is served by the delightful mountain railway connecting Ajaccio with Corte, which provides us with easy access to walks further afield. The mountains rise from the western coast to an impressive range of peaks running down the spine of the island. Whilst the lower slopes are covered with chestnut and oak trees, we climb up through pine and beech forests to reach the higher slopes of rockier terrain and alpine vegetation. Many of the surrounding hills are covered with the indigenous and sometimes impenetrable ‘maquis’, a mix of aromatic herbs, shrubs and flowers. A visit to Corte brings us to the centre of Corsican culture and there are opportunities to visit the Corsican museum and the citadel perched above the town as well as a chance to relax in the pavement bars or cafes.
Extend your stay: Extra nights accommodation can be booked at Hotel Beausejour, £34 single, £45 double. A £5 booking fee is charged.
Further Information
Special equipment required: walking boots, water/windproof jacket and trousers, sun hat, sun cream, warm jacket, daysack (25 litre) and a water bottle.
Extra Expenses:
evening meal and lunch on free day €40, packed lunches €40, train fares for free day €15, entrance to museums etc. €10, extra for tips, wine and soft drinks.
Meals Included:
7 breakfasts, 6 evening meals.
Transport:
airport transfers are by road; road or rail transport is used for the daily programme.
Children:
children under 16 can not join the group departures, but it is possible to book fly-drive with children.
Joining locally:
the local joining point is the Hotel Beausejour, Bocognano. There is a limited train service from Ajaccio (1hr15min – timetable at www.sncf.com.) There is a bus linking Ajaccio airport to Ajaccio train station. A taxi fare from Ajaccio to Bocognano costs about €70 You can join in the afternoon or evening of Day 1.
Group & Staff:
Min. 6, max. 16, plus leader.
Accommodation:
The 2-star Hotel Beausejour has been in the Ferri-Pisani family for four generations and a friendly welcome is guaranteed. Twin and single rooms all have en-suite facilities and there is a large dining room decorated in traditional 1930s style. A large tree-shaded terrace is ideal for relaxing after a day's exploration.
Food:
Corsica is famous for its charcuteries and brocciu cheeses, fresh local herbs, gamey meats and fish, which usually feature in the evening meals. The 3 course evening meals are arranged as a ‘menu’ for the whole group, although vegetarian alternatives are always available. Traditional Corsican food, seasoned with herbs of the maquis, is proudly served in the hotel restaurant from where guests can enjoy fantastic views over the Gravona valley. Breakfast consists of orange juice, croissants, fresh bread, butter, jam and coffee/tea. Dinner is not included on the free day to allow you to experiment with local restaurants. Packed lunches can be purchased (approx. €6) or you can make up your own picnic from the local shops. Wine, beer and soft drinks can be purchased to accompany evening meals.
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Day 1 | We depart London Heathrow early in the morning by charter flight to Ajaccio and travel by road to Bocognano. In the afternoon we take an orientation walk to the Bride’s Veil waterfall. Those with land-only arrangements join at Bocognano. | Day 2 | 5 guided walks of 3 to 6 hours, (plus stops for lunch etc.), are suitable for anyone who enjoys a weekend walking in hilly terrain. Ascent can be as little as 200m on a couple of days and as much as 500m on some routes. The leader will detail the organised activities as the week progresses, as adjustments are made to suit weather conditions. Walks take us through forests, past waterfalls and into the mountains, encountering mainly single-track paths, some of which may be a little narrow, steep, overgrown or rocky underfoot in places. There are numerous possibilities from which the leader finalises the programme; a rocky path climbs into the gully of the Ruisseau de Cardiccia for excellent views across to Bocognano; another path takes us to the oldest standing stone on the island; walking by the coast allows a cooling dip in the sea and a chance to see Ajaccio. There is one free day when you can try a self-guided walk or relax at the hotel. Alternatively travel by train to enjoy the university town of Corte, Ajaccio and its beaches or even reach the historic port of Bastia.
| Day 3 | As above | Day 4 | As above | Day 5 | As above | Day 6 | As above | Day 7 | As above | Day 8 | Return to Ajaccio airport by road for the return flight to London. Those with land-only arrangements will leave at Bocognano. |
Accomodation - Click Here for Full Accomodation Information
|  Beausejour
Ferri-Pisani family for four generations and a friendly welcome is guaranteed. Twin and single rooms all have en-suite facilities and there is a large dining room decorated in traditional 1930s style. A large tree-shaded terrace is ideal for relaxing after a day's exploration.
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Departures Between | Price from | 26 Sep 04 | *£599 | | *Prices subject to confirmation |
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FLIGHT INCLUSIVE PRICE
Local payment €120 (approx. £85)
Single room supplement £70
Insurance £25
This holiday is operated by Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582.
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Corsica Bocognano
A Walking in the mountains of central Corsica
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