Great Rail Journeys
Biarritz & Bordeaux Cruise
Ten-day escorted French trip pairing rail travel with a Bordeaux river cruise
10 daysfrom $4,005
40% rail
Tailor Made Rail · Self-guided rail holiday
Corsica Without Flying
Travel by train and ferry to the French island of Corsica with stops en route in Paris and on the French Riviera.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Paris
London to Paris
Travel from your local station to St Pancras and catch the Eurostar to Paris, arriving at Gare du Nord. Evening at leisure in the French capital.
- Day 2railovernight: Toulon
Paris to Toulon
Free morning sightseeing in Paris (Champs Elysées, the Seine, or a gallery) before boarding a high-speed TGV to Toulon on the French Riviera.
- Day 3overnight: Toulon
Toulon
Explore Toulon's old town and Provençal market, take the cable car to the summit of Mont Faron for panoramic views, or stroll the palm-lined waterfront.
- Day 4overnight: Ferry (Toulon–Bastia)
Toulon and ferry to Bastia
Further time in Toulon, including the National Maritime Museum or the beaches east of the harbour, before an overnight ferry sailing to Bastia.
- Day 5overnight: Bastia
Bastia
Arrive in Bastia, France's second-busiest port after Calais, and explore the walled citadel of Terra Nova and the harbour area of Terra Vecchia.
- Day 6overnight: Bastia
Bastia
Further time to explore Bastia's historic quarters and waterfront cafés.
- Day 7railovernight: Calvi
Bastia to Calvi
3-hour local train journey (payable locally) to Calvi on Corsica's north-west coast, known for its beaches and medieval citadel.
- Day 8overnight: Calvi
Calvi
Visit the hilltop chapel of Notre-Dame de la Serra for panoramic views, the city ramparts, and the 13th-century St-Jean-Baptiste Cathedral.
- Day 9overnight: Ajaccio
Calvi to Ajaccio
Change trains at Ponte Leccia to continue south to Ajaccio, the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, on Corsica's rugged west coast.
- Day 10overnight: Ajaccio
Ajaccio
Explore Bonaparte's ancestral home museum and the 16th-century Notre-Dame Cathedral, with paintings by Delacroix and Tintoretto.
- Day 11overnight: Ferry (Ajaccio–Marseille)
Ajaccio and overnight ferry to Marseille
Further time exploring Ajaccio before collecting bags and making your way to the port for the overnight ferry to Marseille, in a private en suite cabin with dinner onboard.
- Day 12overnight: Ferry (Ajaccio–Marseille)
Ajaccio and overnight ferry to Marseille
Overnight sailing continues, arriving into Marseille (ferry timings and routing can vary due to the irregular nature of Corsica ferry services).
- Day 13rail
Marseille to London
Leave Marseille after breakfast and catch a direct high-speed TGV to Paris, crossing to Gare du Nord for the Eurostar service to London.
Included
- All rail journeys, in standard class (except on Corsica)
- Seat reservations where required
- 11 nights' handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
- Overnight ferry from Toulon to Bastia and an en suite twin cabin on the overnight ferry from Ajaccio to Marseille
- Easy-to-follow travel documentation
- Despatch of tickets by email
- Proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions
Not included
- Local train fare from Bastia to Calvi (payable locally)
