MARELLA CRUISES

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Calvi Cruises, Corsica

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There’s no better way to arrive in Calvi than by cruise ship. As you pull into the iconic harbour, you’ll be greeted by its towering citadel. Beneath the soaring peaks of the Monte Cinto, this 15th-century outpost keeps watch over the whole town. Look beyond it, and you’ll discover a stylish holiday playground that’s a magnet for the yacht-owning super-rich. Cue designer boutiques, trendy seafood restaurants, and a four-mile stretch of glistening white sand.

• Calvi’s citadel is just as impressive on the inside as it is on the outside. Step through its walls to discover narrow cobbled passages, 13th-century houses and the famous Saint Jean-Baptiste Cathedral.
• Nose around the former home of Calvi’s number one celebrity, Christopher Columbus. The building was almost completely destroyed by Nelson’s troops back in 1794, but the ruins are well worth checking out. Among them you’ll find a statue of the great explorer.
• Make the tough climb – or take the easy option and drive – to the hilltop Notre Dame de la Serra. Then sit back and relax in the chapel, while you listen to the violinist and admire the views.

Map of Calvi

SHORE EXCURSIONS View all excursions

Corsican Old Villages

This tour takes in the picturesque mountain villages of Corsica’s Balagne region, which is famous for its olive groves and fruit orchards. First up, you’ll pass through the ancient village of Calenzana, with its views of Calvi Bay, the Genoese towers of Caldanu and Spano, and the Monte Grosso mountains. From here, it’s on to the villages of Zilia, Cassano and Lughignono, before making tracks for Col de Salvi and Cateri. Cateri is particularly good-looking, with its balcony-clad houses and 12th-century chapel. Then it’s on to Sant Antonino, one of the oldest villages in Corsica. There’s some free time here, so you’ll get to explore the winding lanes, stepped alleyways and stone houses that spill down the hillside. You’ll then drive on passing through the village of Ile Rousse and, finally, Lumio. In ancient times, this place was at the centre of sun-worshipping cult activity.

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Balagna Scenic Drive

This guided driving tour takes you through Corsica’s picturesque Balagne region, which is overflowing with olive groves, fruit orchards and velvet green hills. You’ll set off towards Notre Dame de la Serra, an 18th-century chapel that offers up sweeping views of the mountains and Calvi below. You can get off the bus for a photo stop, before continuing past wind-whipped bays and beaches. Next, you’ll venture through the countryside. As you pass the ruins of an ancient silver mine, keep an eye out for the Genoese tower where Prince Bonaparte built his hunting pavilion in 1852, and try to spot the Capo Tondo or ‘Round Mountain’ on the way. Driving on, you’ll pass close by to the coastal wildlife reserve of Scandola, where you’ll come across the Balagne Deserte – a deserted region of red rock that’s smothered in greenery. Nearby, you can see the Cirque de Bonifato – a dense forest filled with evergreens and pines. A relaxing tour and complete scenic treat!

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Calvi Walking Tour

This guided walking tour gives you the lowdown on Calvi’s past, from its origins as a quaint fishing village and its century spent as a Genoese stronghold, to how it emerged as the trendy hotspot it is today. After setting off from the pier, you’ll head for the citadel, which is perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the port. You’ll pass through the drawbridge and stop to admire the sweeping views, before heading for the Place d’Armes and the 13th-century Cathedral St John Baptiste, which dominates the main square. Next on the agenda is the former home of Calvi’s most famous resident, Christopher Columbus. Then it’s over to the enormous Caserne Sampiero, which used to be the governor’s palace. It dates back to the 13th century and, in those days, the castle’s tower was used as a dungeon. Next up, you’ll visit the Oratoire St Antoine Church, with its graceful granite carvings, before moving on to the city’s ancient ramparts and the Ville Basse – the lower part of Calvi. Last but not least, you’ll take in a very different face of the town – the Quay Landry. Its sleek marina, boutiques and café-lined promenade attract a well-heeled crowd.

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