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Ffestiniog Travel · Escorted tour

The Splendour of Corsica

14-day escorted rail journey from London through France to Corsica by train and ferry

Illustration of The Splendour of Corsica

Ffestiniog Travel's 14-day escorted tour combines mainland rail travel with an immersion in Corsica's narrow gauge railways and coastal towns. You depart London via Eurostar, cross to Lille, travel south through France to Nice along the French Riviera coastal line, then ferry to Bastia. From there, the tour spreads across a week using Corsica's historic narrow gauge network to reach Calvi and Ajaccio, with a 7-day travel card enabling unlimited exploration of the island's railways. Throughout, a tour leader from London accompanies you, and an English-speaking local guide joins you for a full-day Cap Corse excursion. The itinerary balances structured rail journeys, including the spectacularly scenic Corté-to-Bocognano line, with leisure days in each major town to explore markets, restaurants, citadels, and harbours. You stay in centrally located three-star hotels and return to the mainland via ferry and rail, arriving back in London on Day 14. This tour suits escorted travellers seeking Mediterranean culture and railway variety without flying to the destination.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure listed: September 2026 at £3,450. Confirm availability and dates with Ffestiniog Travel before booking.
  • The itinerary includes many unguided leisure days (Days 3, 5, 8, 9, 11). You are responsible for your own activities during these periods.
  • Some hotels are marked by standard chain names (Campanile, Mercure, Ibis Styles); quality and specific amenities may vary by location.
  • Two meals are included (1 lunch, 1 evening meal); most other meals are at your own expense in local restaurants.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Lyon

    London to Lyon

    We take the lunchtime Eurostar from St Pancras to Lille and then continue by high speed train. Late evening arrival into Lyon for a 1-night stay.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Nice

    Onwards to Nice

    Departing Lyon late morning, we travel by train to Marseille and onwards along the renowned French Riviera coastal line to Nice for a 2-night stay.

  3. Day 3overnight: Nice

    At Leisure

    Time to explore Nice, one of the world’s most popular tourist regions. Peruse the unique markets or take a trip inland to Digne-les-Bains on the Chemin de Fer de Provence.

  4. Day 4overnight: Bastia

    Sail to Corsica

    Free morning in Nice before transferring to the ferry terminal for an afternoon departure to Bastia, on the north-eastern tip of Corsica. Relax on board and enjoy the voyage. As we arrive into port it is clear why Corsica is aptly named “the mountain in the sea” – it boasts countless summits that reach more than 2000m in elevation. We stay here for 3 nights.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Bastia

    Bastia at Leisure

    The town of Bastia oozes culture and history. There will be no shortage of fabulous cuisine as you dine in some of the town’s many restaurants. Sightseeing options include taking the local bus service to St. Floren, known as the Corsican St. Tropez, or travelling by rail to the university town of Corté, complete with citadel, museum and scenic walks. Your 7-day travel card, for use throughout the holiday, allows unlimited rail travel on the island.

  6. Day 6overnight: Bastia

    Cap Corse Excursion

    Enjoy a full day excursion by road with an English speaking local guide around Cap Corse. Located on the northernmost tip of Corsica, this 40km long and 10km wide promontory dotted with several fishing villages, is regarded as one of the most beautiful parts of the island. A ridge of mountains runs down the centre of Cap Corse, including Mont Stello in the centre of the peninsula, the highest peak at 1307m. The two sides, east and west, are quite different in character – to the west of Cap Corse the mountains reach right to the sea in a much more dramatic fashion than on the gentler east side. We will stop off at a local restaurant for lunch (included).

  7. Day 7railovernight: Calvi

    Rail to Calvi

    Morning departure by rail direct to Calvi via Ponte Leccia. From Ponte Leccia we travel via Ile Rousse where the train hugs the western coastline giving spectacular views. Lunchtime arrival in Calvi for a 3-night stay beginning with an afternoon at leisure.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Calvi

    At Leisure

    The coastal town of Calvi, in the Balagne region of north-west Corsica, boasts the intrigue of traditional Corsican culture. The streets are narrow, the restaurants beckoning and the boat excursions inviting. Visit the Citadel or take a boat trip to Scandola, Corsica’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. Optional excursions by train include the towns of Algajola or Ile Rousse.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Calvi

    At Leisure

    The coastal town of Calvi, in the Balagne region of north-west Corsica, boasts the intrigue of traditional Corsican culture. The streets are narrow, the restaurants beckoning and the boat excursions inviting. Visit the Citadel or take a boat trip to Scandola, Corsica’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. Optional excursions by train include the towns of Algajola or Ile Rousse.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Ajaccio

    Rail to Ajaccio

    Morning departure by bus back to Bastia for a direct train to Ajaccio, travelling via Ponte Leccia and Corté. Sit back and relax as you pass through some of the most amazing scenery on the island. The line between Corté and Bocognano ranks as one of the most scenic railways in the world. The train follows the valley of Gravona, passing through several tunnels and beautiful gorges. Look out for the ‘bride’s veil’, a splendid waterfall that overhangs the railway. Eventually the scenery changes from the lush green pasture of central Corsica to the tropical atmosphere of the Gulf of Ajaccio. Mid-afternoon arrival in Ajaccio for a 2-night stay with the remainder of the afternoon free.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Ajaccio

    At Leisure

    Free day to explore the bustling port town of Ajaccio, birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte. The most relaxing way to see Ajaccio is by ‘Le Petit Train Ajaccio’, a small tourist road train which travels through the narrow alleys of the old Genoese city which is steeped in history.

  12. Day 12overnight: Toulon

    Farewell to Corsica

    Morning ferry back to the mainland. Arrive in Toulon for a 1-night stay and your evening meal (included). Our hotel is located a short distance from the harbour and the old town.

  13. Day 13railovernight: Lille

    Toulon to Lille

    Morning transfer to the railway station for travel to Lille via Marseille. Arrive early evening for a 1-night stay; our hotel is close to the station.

  14. Day 14rail

    Return Home

    We depart Lille after a morning at leisure and return via Eurostar to London, arriving early afternoon.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Travel along the French Riviera coastal line from Marseille to Nice.
  • Day 4Ferry crossing to Bastia; arrive at dusk to views of Corsica's mountain peaks rising from the sea.
  • Day 6Full-day excursion around Cap Corse with an English-speaking guide, exploring the northernmost promontory and its fishing villages.
  • Day 7Corsican narrow gauge railway from Bastia to Calvi via Ponte Leccia and Ile Rousse, hugging the western coastline.
  • Day 10Rail journey from Bastia to Ajaccio via Ponte Leccia and Corté; the Corté-to-Bocognano section ranks among the world's most scenic railways, passing through gorges and the 'bride's veil' waterfall.

Included

  • All rail travel as stated in Standard Class
  • A 7-day Travel Card for unlimited travel on the island's railways
  • Accommodation in good quality hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
  • 1 lunch and 1 evening meal
  • All ferry and coach travel as stated
  • Full day excursion to Cap Corse with English speaking guide
  • All local taxes/fees
  • Services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included in the price?
Yes. All rail travel is included in Standard Class, including Eurostar to Lille, trains on the French Riviera coastal line, and Corsican narrow gauge railways. A 7-day travel card for unlimited island rail travel is provided.
Is this an escorted tour or independent?
This is an escorted tour. Ffestiniog Travel provides a tour leader from London and throughout the tour, plus an English-speaking local guide for the Cap Corse excursion on Day 6.
What trains and routes are used?
Eurostar from London St Pancras to Lille, the French Riviera coastal line from Marseille to Nice, the Corsican narrow gauge railway from Bastia to Calvi via Ponte Leccia and Ile Rousse, and from Bastia to Ajaccio via Ponte Leccia and Corté.
Which hotels are included?
Campanile Lyon Centre, Mercure Nice Centre Notre Dame, Hotel Port Toga in Bastia, Hotel L'Abbaye in Calvi, Hôtel Mercure Ajaccio, Ibis Styles Toulon Centre Port, and Crowne Plaza Lille Euralille, all on a bed and breakfast basis.
When does the tour run?
One departure is listed for September 2026 at £3,450 per person.
How much walking is involved?
Days include city exploration on foot in Nice, Bastia, Calvi, and Ajaccio, plus the full-day Cap Corse excursion which involves scenic walks and a guided road tour around the promontory.

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