Journey by coach to the historic Genoese port of Bastia, with its ancient, crumbling old town, the Terra Vecchia. Equally enchanting is the Terra Nova district and its two (Vieux and Nouveau) harbours, which assure its place as the island’s main commercial gateway. A guided tour by mini-train will bring to life this compact, tree-shaded town, which sits beneath its historic fortress. Afterwards, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy lunch, perhaps in the charming surroundings of the old port. This afternoon, you'll re-board the coach, and journey to the wine village of Patrimonio, which waits beneath an idyllic, hilltop church. Enjoy a tasting of the local Muscat wine, and complete a wonderful day with a journey across the unspoilt countryside to the exquisite port town of St-Florent. This bustling harbour town is set in the shadow of its medieval citadel against the dark, vine-covered Nebbio hills, and close to the inaccessible Desert des Agriates. You’ll return to Calvi and your hotel for dinner.

Rest and relax in the hotel and its surroundings, or join today’s optional excursion and head to exquisite Porto, a pretty resort town with a tiny harbour and pebbly beach overlooked by an ancient watchtower. Spend some time wandering the around the resort, then re-board the coach for the drive through the surrounding scenic nature reserve that overlooks the blue waters and the fantastical, UNESCO-listed Calanches. This collection of towering, oddly shaped and eroded, pink granite rock formations, carved by nature over millennia, are sure to astound. You'll also take a 90-minute cruise to view the Calanches from the water before returning to the hotel for dinner.

Journey through yet more spectacular mountain scenery into the Corsican heartland. Here, in the centre of a beautiful national park, lies the ancient town of Corte, former stronghold of Pascal Paoli, the Fater of Corsica, who founded a nationalist government and Corsica’s only university here in the 18th Century. Take tour by mini-train, wander the narrow streets beneath the imposing Citadelle, and perhaps indulge in a leisurely lunch. Later, a scenic journey through the Niolu region of the island's rugged interior, full of dramatic peaks and plunging gorges, completes another memorable day.

Today you're free to enjoy the delights of Calvi and the surrounding blue waters.

Your last included tour takes you back to the island’s north, and begins with a call at chic L’Île Rousse, built by Pascal Paoli as a showpiece port-town, and boasting an impressive port, a fine promenade and a grid of palm-tree-lined streets. Perhaps take time for a last lunch, under the plane trees of Place Paoli above the harbour, then enjoy a last scenic drive through the gorgeous Garden of Corsica, the Balagne region. Expect vineyards, olive groves and orchards – Balagne is at glorious odds with some of the island’s more rugged interior. A chance to buy some freshly pressed oil from a traditional mill is the last highlight of the holiday, before you return to Calvi for a final evening.

Bid "a dopu" to your Corsican hosts and transfer to Bastia Airport to board your flight home.