Experience Overview
Set sail across some of the most transparent, bluest water on earth on this relaxing nautical adventure to the coasts of Italy and France. Island-hop from Portisco to Bonifacio, stopping to snorkel among the coves of Caprera, swim in the archipelago, or find a quiet spot on a white sandy beach in Isola Santo Stefano. Climb the King Aragon Steps in Corsica, bush walk through wild national parks or cruise Maddalena Island on two wheels. The beauty of a sailing adventure is that each day you wake up in a new spot, with the freedom to do as much or as little as you please. At night, watch the sunset from the nearest pristine beach or from the deck of your group’s yacht and fall asleep to the undulating waves beneath you.
Highlights
- Swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea and take the opportunity to go snorkelling among colourful fish and marine wildlife at each destination.
- Explore the ancient citadel of fortified Bonifacio in Corsica, as well as the many medieval houses, chic bars, historic buildings and bustling Old Town.
- Delight in the wildlife in beautiful Caprera, like the wild goats that roam freely. Look out for the varied birdlife on the island, too – declared a natural reserve for the seabirds that live here.
- If you choose, cycle around the lively city of Maddalena, a town in the archipelago of the same name that boasts many cafes, bars, restaurants and shops perfect for exploring on foot or wheel.
- Watch the sunset each night from a local, white-sanded beach or rise nice and early each morning to watch the sunrise on the deck of your group’s yacht – this setting couldn’t be more perfect for some rest and relaxation.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Cooperativa Coraggio. Donations help them regenerate 22 hectares of unused public land to create local jobs and produce organic food in Italy.
Trip Details
Product Code: 3305
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Boat
Guide Language: English
Supplier Code: ZSRS
Starts: Olbia, France
Finishes: Portisco, France
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating: Average
Includes
Accommodation: Overnight boat (7 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 2478 (CAD 310 /day)
Itinerary
Salve! Welcome to Italy. Your sailing adventure begins in Olbia, on the Northeast coast of Sardinia. Fifty years ago, this coast was farmland until a group of businesses turned it into a millionaire’s playground – it’s now nicknamed the Costa Smeralda or Emerald Coast for the green-blue of the water. Meet your skipper at 4 pm this afternoon at the café Principe Umberto. After, take a private transfer to Portisco, where your yacht will be waiting for you. You'll also head to the local supermarket to buy supplies for your trip as a group. Spend the first night on the Costa Smeralda. For dinner tonight, you can explore the restaurants in Portisco and get to know your group a little better.
Accommodation:
- Overnight boat (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, set sail for Caprera Island. This island has been declared a natural reserve for the species of seabirds that live here – the royal seagull, cormorant and peregrine falcon. The island is linked to Giuseppe Garibaldi, an Italian patriot and fighter who lived in the 19th century and was one of the fathers of Italian independence. He bought the island in 1855 and died here in 1882. His house is now a museum and a memorial chapel and the island itself is a national monument. The island was probably given its name due to all the wild goats living on it (capra means goat in Italian). When you arrive, swim in the beautiful water below and set off on your first snorkel of the trip. Tonight, maybe watch the sunset from a nearby beach or from the deck of the boat after helping out with dinner on board.
Accommodation:
- Overnight boat (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning after breakfast, you’ll cross the Bocche di Bonifacio (strait of Bonefacio), famous for the strong wind that hits from the northwest – the Mistral. Your destination is Bonifacio on the French-governed island of Corsica. An ancient, fortified city, this is where according to tradition, you must buy one of the famous knives. Bonifacio is a star attraction in Corsica drawing visitors from all over the island and overseas to marvel at its medieval houses that precariously teeter on the edge of the imposing limestone cliffs. Bonifacio's Old Town, with a labyrinth of narrow streets and historic buildings, was built by the Genoese and is a fascinating place to wander around. Explore its busy marina filled with impressive yachts and lined with chic bars, restaurants and hotels or head to one of the several Corsican beaches, surrounded by mountains. Tonight, you’ll find a delicious dinner in one of the traditional little restaurants in the Old Town.
Accommodation:
- Overnight boat (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning after breakfast, if the winds permit, head to the King Aragon steps in Corsico and ascend the 189 irregular steps for vast views over the seas, the cliffs, and Sardinia. Over the next few days, you’ll explore Lavezzi and the Maddalena archipelago – a collection of small granite islands and reefs in the Strait of Bonifacio that separates Corsica from Sardinia in the Mediterranean Sea. This first stop is known as ‘a little paradise’ where the natural world is still well intact. These uninhabited islands are surrounded by great snorkelling opportunities, natural landscapes, multiple walking trails and crystal-clear waters full of colourful fish. You'll dock in the centre of the lively town of La Maddalena. Here, you’ll have the option to rent e-bikes and normal bikes to explore the island. The town has lots of small stores, cafes, bars and restaurants, perfect for wandering on foot by day or partying by night. For the next three nights, you'll have two dinners on board the yacht and one dinner will be free for you to find somewhere enticing in town. For your last night, head back to Portisco, where you can swim and find the perfect little restaurant for a farewell dinner with your fellow travellers.
Accommodation:
- Overnight boat (Number of Nights: 4)
Relax on board this morning before your unforgettable adventure comes to an end, at around 9am. Sardinia has so much to offer, see and do, so it’s recommended that you book a couple of extra days pre or post trip, to explore inland and further south. If you’d like to stay longer and explore Porto Istana, Porto Brandinchi or Porto San Paolo, just speak to your booking agent.
Similar Experiences
Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Jennifer M - Traveled, September 2019
We enjoy the small group flexibility and experience
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/18/2019
Mary W. - Traveled, September 2019
The trip was well organised and accurately described in the trip notes. It was good value and costs/extras were appropriately advised. The plan for the trip and the area as a whole was beautiful and interesting. Great area for sailing!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/18/2019
Peter M - Traveled, September 2019
The level ofhospitality, people skills, safety, ... was exceptional Our captain, Reece, was incredible in including everyone and on board and on land.I can not say enough about how excellent Reece made this tripe a purely unbelievable experience.The best
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/18/2019
Peter G. - Traveled, September 2019
Great fun and great captain who made adjustments to trip schedule due to weather
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/18/2019
Jacob O. - Traveled, September 2019
Overall good experience especially when you don’t want to go through the fuss of planning too much.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/18/2019
Catherine B. - Traveled, September 2019
the quality of leader makes sailing a pleasure with Intrepid and this trip has lived up to expectations. Reece has that rare combination of qualities - skill as a captain and the ability to work well and thoughtfully with his “crew”. life on a boat is...
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/18/2019
Kate - Traveled, August 2019
Great week sailing with a fantastic group of solo travellers! Nuncio looked after us all really well and involved us in decisions. A pretty relaxed pace but with opportunity to explore and sight see as well. Would definitely recommend!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/28/2019
- Traveled, July 2019
This thril was fantastic, I would highly recommend it. Our skipper Noon was brilliant and made the trip so great. We had a great mix of people on our tour and it was a lot of fun. Noon cooked food for us and that was some of the best Italian food I have ever had. When we were at the harbours he took us to some fantastic restaurants and great little bars. The beaches and swimming spots each day were amazing, there was a lot of swimming and waking up anchored in quiet bays surrounded by islands was so nice. We went to Bonifacio and it was so beautiful there. We had some rough weather during our trip, but Noon chose spot to anchor or habours to stay at that were safe and out of the bad weather. My only slightly negative comments would be about the actual boat. One of the fridges didn’t work for the duration of the trip and the cabin area of the boat wasn’t overly clean when we boarded and wasn’t stocked with linen. Thankfully the next day we had linen supplies to us.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/12/2019
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