7 Days - Treasure Troves of Corsica & Sardinia: A Total Solar Eclipse

Itinerary
Day Rome, ItalyDepart 05:00 PM
"Rome is both a modern bustling city and an ancient open-air museum. You can walk in the footsteps of emperors, have coffee in Renaissance piazzas and see contemporary art all in one afternoon. Your sightseeing time in Rome begins at the nearby port of Civitavecchia, a seaside town with roots that stretch back to the Etruscan era. Take note of the Forte Michelangelo (both Bramante and Michelangelo had a hand in its design), and the lungomare, a lively stretch along the sea with beach clubs, bars and restaurants. Once in the Eternal City you can fill your day with museums, churches, archaeological sites, traditional trattorias, artisan shops and, of course, gelato. The Colosseum and the Vatican Museums are Rome's superstar attractions, but there are plenty of quieter gems to explore. For food lovers there are the markets in Campo de' Fiori or the slightly farther flung Testaccio. The hip neighborhood of Monti, next to the Colosseum, has a vibrant piazza scene and boutique shopping, while the Villa Borghese offers a green oasis with a view towards Saint Peters Basilica and the masterpiece-filled Galleria Borghese. Although Rome might not have been built in one day, you'll certainly be able to see the highlights and top things to do in Rome in 24 hours. "
"Rome is both a modern bustling city and an ancient open-air museum. You can walk in the footsteps of emperors, have coffee in Renaissance piazzas and see contemporary art all in one afternoon. Your sightseeing time in Rome begins at the nearby port of Civitavecchia, a seaside town with roots that stretch back to the Etruscan era. Take note of the Forte Michelangelo (both Bramante and Michelangelo had a hand in its design), and the lungomare, a lively stretch along the sea with beach clubs, bars and restaurants. Once in the Eternal City you can fill your day with museums, churches, archaeological sites, traditional trattorias, artisan shops and, of course, gelato. The Colosseum and the Vatican Museums are Rome's superstar attractions, but there are plenty of quieter gems to explore. For food lovers there are the markets in Campo de' Fiori or the slightly farther flung Testaccio. The hip neighborhood of Monti, next to the Colosseum, has a vibrant piazza scene and boutique shopping, while the Villa Borghese offers a green oasis with a view towards Saint Peters Basilica and the masterpiece-filled Galleria Borghese. Although Rome might not have been built in one day, you'll certainly be able to see the highlights and top things to do in Rome in 24 hours. "

Day Bastia, Corsica, FranceArrives 08:00 AM Departs 06:00 PM
Filled with heart, soul and character, the bustling old port of Bastia is a good surprise. Sure, it might not measure up to the sexy style of Ajaccio or the architectural appeal of Bonifacio, but it has an irresistible magnetism. Bastia is an authentic snapshot of modern-day Corsica, a lived-in city thats resisted the urge to polish up its image just to please the tourists.
Filled with heart, soul and character, the bustling old port of Bastia is a good surprise. Sure, it might not measure up to the sexy style of Ajaccio or the architectural appeal of Bonifacio, but it has an irresistible magnetism. Bastia is an authentic snapshot of modern-day Corsica, a lived-in city thats resisted the urge to polish up its image just to please the tourists.

Day Calvi, FranceArrives 08:00 AM Departs 03:00 PM
"On Corsicas northwest coast, the port town of Calvi is steeped in heroic tales. It was here in capturing the massive Genoan-built citadel that Admiral Horatio Nelson famously lost his eye. Today, the town still houses a French Foreign Legion regiment. Lined with cafés, bars, boutiques and souvenir shops, the Quai Landry is the place to start your visit with a stroll past pleasure yachts docked in the marina, and where a stop for ice cream belongs on the agenda. The former stone salt tower on the water cant be missed, nor can the Baroque Santa Maria Church in the lower town with its pink facade. In the summertime, the city puts on a popular jazz festival with concerts throughout town and nearby. Calvi is graced by several miles of beach, and a short excursion through evergreen shrubs out to the headland on the Gulf of Revellata takes you to a mid-19th-century lighthouse and marine research center. Its the perfect setting for a picnic, with the ocean before you and the snow-capped mountains of the interior as a backdrop. "
"On Corsicas northwest coast, the port town of Calvi is steeped in heroic tales. It was here in capturing the massive Genoan-built citadel that Admiral Horatio Nelson famously lost his eye. Today, the town still houses a French Foreign Legion regiment. Lined with cafés, bars, boutiques and souvenir shops, the Quai Landry is the place to start your visit with a stroll past pleasure yachts docked in the marina, and where a stop for ice cream belongs on the agenda. The former stone salt tower on the water cant be missed, nor can the Baroque Santa Maria Church in the lower town with its pink facade. In the summertime, the city puts on a popular jazz festival with concerts throughout town and nearby. Calvi is graced by several miles of beach, and a short excursion through evergreen shrubs out to the headland on the Gulf of Revellata takes you to a mid-19th-century lighthouse and marine research center. Its the perfect setting for a picnic, with the ocean before you and the snow-capped mountains of the interior as a backdrop. "

Day Alghero, ItalyArrives 09:00 AM Departs 11:00 PM
"The city of Alghero on Sardinia was founded in 1102 by the powerful Doria family from Genoa on the Italian mainlandthough long before they arrived, Phoenicians, Romans and Arabs all had settlements in the area. The civilization that had the most influence on the island's fifth-largest city was, however, not Italy but Spain; specifically Catalonia. One of Algheros nicknames is Little Barcelona, and the local dialect has much in common with the Catalan spoken on Las Ramblas. The Catalans conquered Alghero in 1353 and colonized it, building the city walls that can still be seen today. Thanks to their economic and military power, the Algheresiboth Italians and colonistsenjoyed a golden age of prosperity lasting well into the 16th century."
"The city of Alghero on Sardinia was founded in 1102 by the powerful Doria family from Genoa on the Italian mainlandthough long before they arrived, Phoenicians, Romans and Arabs all had settlements in the area. The civilization that had the most influence on the island's fifth-largest city was, however, not Italy but Spain; specifically Catalonia. One of Algheros nicknames is Little Barcelona, and the local dialect has much in common with the Catalan spoken on Las Ramblas. The Catalans conquered Alghero in 1353 and colonized it, building the city walls that can still be seen today. Thanks to their economic and military power, the Algheresiboth Italians and colonistsenjoyed a golden age of prosperity lasting well into the 16th century."

Day At Sea
Day Mahon, Menorca, SpainArrives 08:00 AM Departs 10:00 PM
Mahon is the capital of Menorca, second largest of the Balearic Islands. It stands out from the others because of the abundance of prehistoric structures, and because its culture was influenced by British occupation in the 18th century. The people who built the prehistoric constructions are believed to have been responsible for similar works in Sardinia, and for Stonehenge in England. Believed to have been founded by the Carthaginian General Mago, Mahon was held by the Moors from the 8th to the 13th century and in turn occupied by the English, the French and the Spanish. Mahon was finally ceded to Spain by the Treaty of Amiens in 1802.
Mahon is the capital of Menorca, second largest of the Balearic Islands. It stands out from the others because of the abundance of prehistoric structures, and because its culture was influenced by British occupation in the 18th century. The people who built the prehistoric constructions are believed to have been responsible for similar works in Sardinia, and for Stonehenge in England. Believed to have been founded by the Carthaginian General Mago, Mahon was held by the Moors from the 8th to the 13th century and in turn occupied by the English, the French and the Spanish. Mahon was finally ceded to Spain by the Treaty of Amiens in 1802.

Day Mahon, SpainArrives 12:00 AM Departs 12:00 AM
"Spain's Minorca is a small island with a big port. The natural deepwater harbor at the capital, Mahón (also called Maó), is the largest in the Mediterranean, and second largest in the world after Pearl Harbor. Over the millennia, that harbor has made Minorca an attractive base for seafaring powersfrom the Romans 2,000 years ago, to the British 300 years ago. In fact the British moved Minorcas capital from Ciutadella de Menorca to Mahón, precisely because of the latter's superior port. The British influence is still evident in Mahón today, and not just in the citys colonial-style architecturethere's even a small-batch gin distillery. Travelers can explore the intriguing Museum of Minorca and La Mola Fortress, along with a handful of markets, shops and tapas bars. The entire island is easily toured from one end to the other. Take a day trip to Ciutadella de Menorca to see the historic capital, and drive to the top of Monte Toro for great views and a visit to the islands patron saint. Archaeological sites like the Cala Morell Caves and Trepuco offer glimpses of the ancient civilizations that once thrived here. "
"Spain's Minorca is a small island with a big port. The natural deepwater harbor at the capital, Mahón (also called Maó), is the largest in the Mediterranean, and second largest in the world after Pearl Harbor. Over the millennia, that harbor has made Minorca an attractive base for seafaring powersfrom the Romans 2,000 years ago, to the British 300 years ago. In fact the British moved Minorcas capital from Ciutadella de Menorca to Mahón, precisely because of the latter's superior port. The British influence is still evident in Mahón today, and not just in the citys colonial-style architecturethere's even a small-batch gin distillery. Travelers can explore the intriguing Museum of Minorca and La Mola Fortress, along with a handful of markets, shops and tapas bars. The entire island is easily toured from one end to the other. Take a day trip to Ciutadella de Menorca to see the historic capital, and drive to the top of Monte Toro for great views and a visit to the islands patron saint. Archaeological sites like the Cala Morell Caves and Trepuco offer glimpses of the ancient civilizations that once thrived here. "

Day Barcelona, SpainArrives 10:00 AM
On the northeast coast of Spain, overlooking the Mediterranean, Barcelona is a vibrant port city, packed with centuries of iconic art and architectureGaudí and Picasso both called it homeand lined with sunny white-sand beaches. Explore the Catalan capital's tourist attractions and historic neighborhoods, Modernisme and world-renowned art museums, galleries and local crafts shopssome of which are centuries old and stock traditional Catalan wares. After you see the sights, there are lively tapas bars around every corner where you can stop for a drink, a café amb llet (Catalan for espresso with steamed milk) or a snack, no matter the hour. Green spaces for picnics, long walks and respite from the hustle and bustle are scattered throughout Barcelona's attractions: There's Gaudí's mosaic-decorated park, a neoclassical maze at the Laberint d'Horta, as well as plenty of high places (mountains, monuments and edifices) where sightseeing visitors can take in the view. A short trip from Barcelona by car or train, luxury outlets, cava wineries, a mountaintop abbey and the sandy beaches of the Mediterranean coast await.
On the northeast coast of Spain, overlooking the Mediterranean, Barcelona is a vibrant port city, packed with centuries of iconic art and architectureGaudí and Picasso both called it homeand lined with sunny white-sand beaches. Explore the Catalan capital's tourist attractions and historic neighborhoods, Modernisme and world-renowned art museums, galleries and local crafts shopssome of which are centuries old and stock traditional Catalan wares. After you see the sights, there are lively tapas bars around every corner where you can stop for a drink, a café amb llet (Catalan for espresso with steamed milk) or a snack, no matter the hour. Green spaces for picnics, long walks and respite from the hustle and bustle are scattered throughout Barcelona's attractions: There's Gaudí's mosaic-decorated park, a neoclassical maze at the Laberint d'Horta, as well as plenty of high places (mountains, monuments and edifices) where sightseeing visitors can take in the view. A short trip from Barcelona by car or train, luxury outlets, cava wineries, a mountaintop abbey and the sandy beaches of the Mediterranean coast await.
