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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

First-Class Wonders of Corsica & Sardinia

Escorted island rail tour of Corsica and Sardinia from London with hotels

Illustration of First-Class Wonders of Corsica & Sardinia

Great Rail Journeys operates this 12-day escorted tour for travellers seeking a leisurely pace through two Mediterranean islands. The journey departs London on Eurostar Plus class, continuing by TGV First Class to the French port of Toulon, then by ferry to Corsica. Over three days based in Calvi, you explore the compact port town on a guided tour and ride the scenic Trinichellu coastal train past white-sand beaches to medieval villages, including Sant'Antonino. A highlight comes on Day 5 when you travel inland on the Heart of Corsica mountain railway, crossing Gustave Eiffel's 1890s viaduct and passing through the 2.5-mile Vizzavona tunnel before descending to Propriano. After two days of leisure there, you ferry south to Sardinia and spend four nights in a five-star spa hotel in Alghero, with a guided tour of its fortified Old Town and a boat excursion into Neptune's Grotto, a subterranean lake system filled with stalactites. An overnight return ferry and First Class TGV bring you back to London. Throughout, a UK Tour Manager accompanies the group, and stays are in hand-picked 4 and 5-star hotels with 10 breakfasts and 5 dinners included. This tour suits repeat rail travellers, luxury-seekers, and those drawn to Mediterranean history, local food and wine, and guided cultural exploration.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement is GBP 600 above half the double room rate (GBP 3,999 vs GBP 3,399, or 18 percent higher), notably more than typical.
  • Group size reaches up to 30 people, which is substantially larger than boutique train tours.
  • Day 6 in Propriano and Day 9 in Alghero are entirely free, relying on the hotel amenities and independent exploration rather than included activities.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Toulon

    From London to the French Riviera

    Your holiday begins at London St Pancras, where you meet the Tour Manager and travelling group, ready to board the Eurostar to Paris. Travelling in spacious Plus class, we are served a light meal at our comfortable seats. In the French capital, we switch trains and travel in First Class to the port town of Toulon. Once a key regional port, Toulon boasts a beautiful and historic Old Town, famous for its pretty fountains, narrow streets and tree-covered squares. Arriving in the evening, we check in to our hotel and enjoy our first dinner together.

    Meals: Eurostar light meal, Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Calvi

    Across the Mediterranean to the Corsican town of Calvi

    After an early breakfast, we are transferred the short distance to Toulon's port, where we board a ferry to the Mediterranean island of Corsica. As we sail across the azure waters of the French Riviera, you have plenty of time to soak up the sun on deck or relax indoors, enjoying a choice of bars and restaurants including an à la carte menu. Disembarking at Corsica's port of L'Île-Rousse, we're transferred by coach to our accommodation, a stylishly converted 16th-century monastery in Calvi.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3overnight: Calvi

    Exploring the hidden gems of tranquil Calvi

    We set out after a leisurely breakfast for a guided tour of Calvi. Overlooked by its imposing medieval citadel, this compact port town has more than 3,000 years of history and, according to legend, was the birthplace of explorer Christopher Columbus. With a free afternoon, you're welcome to explore the island independently, enjoy the hotel's pool and terrace, visit picturesque beaches, or stroll along the palm-lined marina. In the evening, we regroup for dinner at our hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Calvi

    The coastal train to beautiful hilltop villages

    Boarding the local 'Trinichellu' train after breakfast, we enjoy a journey that passes the very edge of the immaculate white-sand beaches of the Balagne coast. Disembarking in L'Île-Rousse, we have time for lunch independently. Our journey continues by coach through stunning cliffside villages, stopping at Sant'Antonino, one of the most beautiful villages in France, with medieval cobbled paths and sweeping vistas of the azure sea and rugged mountains. We then visit the famous Notre Dame de la Serra chapel which offers breathtaking views across Calvi Bay.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5railovernight: Propriano

    A rail journey into the rugged heart of Corsica

    Taking a mid-morning coach to the inland village of Ponte Leccia, we board the train for a beautiful journey through lush green mountain scenery. The single-track railway passes pastel-coloured rural stations as it carves and twists through Corsica's mountainous interior, crossing Gustave Eiffel's 1890s viaduct over the plunging Vecchio Canyon and passing through the 2.5-mile-long Vizzavona tunnel before winding down to Ajaccio, birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte. After some free time to explore, we transfer by coach to our hotel in Propriano, set in peaceful parkland overlooking the Mediterranean.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Propriano

    Embracing the island lifestyle and sampling local produce

    Today is spent at leisure in Propriano. Our four-star hotel overlooks the beautiful Valinco Gulf and offers two swimming pools, a seasonal hot tub, and a wellness area. Sandy beaches and the Mediterranean Sea are nearby, and the small town of Propriano is easy to explore. Later this afternoon, we are transferred by shuttle bus into town for a tasting of local wine and sharing platters of cheese and charcuterie.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7overnight: Alghero

    Bonifacio and onwards to Sardinia

    Leaving Propriano after breakfast, we drive to the southern port town of Bonifacio for our ferry across to Sardinia. Bonifacio is a spectacular town perched high on cliffs on a narrow spit of land. We explore beautiful Bonifacio on a guided tour and have free time over lunch before catching the ferry to Sardinia. Once in Sardinia, we check in for four nights in a five-star hotel on Alghero's seafront.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: Alghero

    A guided tour of Alghero and cruising to Neptune's Grotto

    After breakfast with blissful sea views, we enjoy a guided tour of Alghero. Having once been ruled by Catalans and now by Italy, the fortified Old Town combines many Mediterranean styles. From the large marina, we set sail for Neptune's Grotto, a cavernous system of tranquil subterranean lakes filled with impressive stalactites and stalagmites, accessed directly from the boat. Back in Alghero this evening, you have free time to explore and sample the local cuisine.

    Meals: Breakfast

  9. Day 9overnight: Alghero

    Getting to know Alghero at leisure

    A free day after breakfast gives you a choice to explore further or spend the day relaxing. The hotel offers a large outdoor pool, an extensive spa (payable locally), wellness provision, two restaurants and a bar with an attractive terrace. Alternatively, explore Alghero's Old Town along the palm-lined promenade, with honey-coloured buildings and churches dating back to the 16th century.

    Meals: Breakfast

  10. Day 10overnight: Alghero

    Exploring the fortified village of Castelsardo

    After breakfast, we travel by coach to Castelsardo, one of the 'loveliest towns in Italy'. The early 12th-century Castello dei Doria overlooks a delightful old town of pale-hued buildings and narrow shaded lanes. You are at leisure over lunch in Castelsardo, with magnificent views of the rugged coast from the Piazza del Duomo. We drive back to our hotel this afternoon before attending a family-owned 'agriturismo' for dinner, a four-course meal of local specialities in idyllic surroundings.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  11. Day 11overnight: Ferry (at sea)

    Overnight ferry to Toulon

    A leisurely morning after breakfast at our coastal Alghero hotel provides an ideal opportunity to relax. Afterwards, we transfer by coach to nearby Porto Torres, where we board the overnight ferry back to the mainland. With outside-facing ensuite cabins, each with a porthole, you may relax in your cabin or head onto the deck. A range of restaurants and bars are available onboard as we dine independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  12. Day 12rail

    Homeward bound

    Disembarking in Toulon on the French mainland, we transfer to the station where we take our First Class seats to Paris. In the French capital, we join the Eurostar in Plus class, enjoying a light meal at our seat before we arrive back in London St Pancras, where your fantastic voyage of discovery concludes.

    Meals: Eurostar light meal

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Depart London St Pancras on Eurostar Plus class, meeting the Tour Manager and group, travelling to Paris then continuing in First Class TGV to Toulon.
  • Day 4Board the local Trinichellu train, which hugs the white-sand beaches of the Balagne coast before climbing through coastal cliffside villages including Sant'Antonino, one of the most beautiful villages in France.
  • Day 5Travel on the Heart of Corsica train through the rugged mountainous interior, crossing Gustave Eiffel's 1890s viaduct over the plunging Vecchio Canyon and passing through the 2.5-mile-long Vizzavona tunnel.
  • Day 8Sail from Alghero's marina into Neptune's Grotto, a cavernous system of subterranean lakes filled with impressive stalactites and stalagmites, accessed directly from the boat.
  • Day 11Board an overnight ferry from Porto Torres with an outside-facing ensuite cabin featuring a porthole, relaxing on deck as the ship returns to the French mainland.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 10 nights' 4 & 5-Star hotel accommodation
  • 1-night cruise onboard a ferry in an outside-facing cabin with porthole
  • Eurostar Plus class travel
  • First Class rail travel
  • All rail, cruise, ferry and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Eurostar light meals (outbound and return)
  • 10 breakfasts
  • 5 dinners
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The price includes all rail journeys: Eurostar Plus class outbound and return, TGV First Class Paris to Toulon, the Trinichellu local train in Corsica, and the Heart of Corsica mountain train. Coach, ferry and boat travel are also included.
What is included in the price?
The package includes 10 nights' accommodation in 4 and 5-star hotels, 10 breakfasts, 5 dinners, Eurostar light meals outbound and return, all rail and coach travel, guided tours of Calvi, Alghero, Bonifacio and Castelsardo, a cruise to Neptune's Grotto, a wine and charcuterie tasting in Propriano, and a one-night ferry cabin with porthole.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager who accompanies the group from London St Pancras through the entire 12-day journey.
What are the hotels like?
Three hotels are named: Hôtel L'Abbaye, a five-star former abbey in Calvi (3 nights); Bartaccia Hôtel, a four-star property in Propriano overlooking the Valinco Gulf with two pools and a wellness area (2 nights); and Smy Carlos V Wellness & Spa, a five-star hotel on Alghero's seafront with pool, spa and two restaurants (4 nights).
When does the tour run?
Great Rail Journeys offers six departures in 2026 and 2027: August 2026, September 2026, April 2027, May 2027, June 2027 and September 2027.
How much walking is involved?
The tour includes guided walking tours of four towns and villages, free time to explore independently, and days at leisure in Propriano and Alghero where you choose your own activity. Most travel between locations is by coach or train.

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