Wonders of Corsica & Sardinia

Our holiday begins when we meet our fellow travellers at London St Pancras, ready for boarding the Eurostar to Paris. Travelling in spacious Standard Premier Class, we are served a light meal at our comfortable seats and there's time to introduce ourselves before we change in the French capital to the First Class train to the port town of Toulon.

On our way to the Mediterranean, we are whisked the 500 miles to the south of France in a touch over four hours. A city known for its many fountains, and with narrow streets opening on to tree-covered squares, Toulon is also an historically important port. On arrival, we check into our hotel and enjoy our first evening meal together.

• Dinner
• Eurostar light meal

After an early breakfast, we are transferred the short distance to Toulon's ferry port. Corsica is today's destination as we board the ferry* to this warm Mediterranean island. Sailing past the stunning French Riviera across azure waters, there is plenty of time to soak up the sun on deck as we spend the day cruising. Inside, we can enjoy the bars and a choice of restaurants, including a la carte.

The history of Corsica is synonymous with these waters and the Genoese who occupied the island for nearly 500 years from the 13th century. Once a trading empire stretching from Morocco to the Black Sea, Corsica was strategically important and still bears many reminders, such as the Tower of Calvi in the charming coastal town where we stay for three nights in a stylishly converted 16th-century monastery.

*Please note, the timings and routings of ferries are subject to change

• Breakfast

A guided tour of laid-back Calvi follows a leisurely breakfast this morning. Overlooked by its imposing medieval citadel, Calvi's compact town has more than 3,000 years of history and, legend has it, was the birthplace of explorer Christopher Columbus.

With a free afternoon, there are many options in this fascinating historic town, including a variety of beaches or indeed, the hotel's exquisite pool and terrace.

Alternatively, the picturesque marina lined with palms and alfresco restaurant decks has a peaceful Adriatic feel. Views stretch across the harbour, dappled with small boats, to overlapping mountain peaks. Connected to the marina via the Genoese tower, the citadel recalls the town's military past in a setting of pastel buildings and cobbled streets. This evening we regroup for dinner at a local restaurant where we are treated to three courses of classic Corsican food.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, after breakfast, we board the local 'Trinichellu' train that passes the very edge of the immaculate white-sand beaches of the Balagne coast.

Disembarking in L'Île-Rousse, a pretty and vibrant market town with shaded squares, we have time for lunch. Indulging in some alfresco dining by the sea is a tempting option here. Our journey continues by coach to visit some stunning cliffside villages which appear hewn out of rock. The first is Monticello, where there's time to look around. The final and highest is Sant'Antonino, one of 'Les Plus Beaux Villages de France' (Most Beautiful Villages of France).

With no cars, only medieval cobbled paths winding through covered passages which open on to spectacular views, it is easy to imagine you have travelled to a bygone age. Sant'Antonino boasts sweeping vistas of the azure sea and rugged mountains. The entrance to the village features stalls of local produce, and here we enjoy a refreshing juice at the Maison du Citron. We drive back to our hotel at the end of the afternoon and this evening you are free to dine independently.

• Breakfast

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. This route is one of Europe's hidden gems. The single-track railway passes pastel-coloured rural stations as it carves and twists its way through Corsica's mountainous and verdant interior. The route crosses Gustave Eiffel's 1890s viaduct over the plunging Vecchio Canyon and loops round steep hills, before entering the 2.5-mile-long Vizzavona tunnel and winding its way down to the island's capital, Ajaccio.

Ajaccio is a bustling port city of 75,000 people, home to about a fifth of the island's population, and was the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte. After some free time to explore independently, we transfer by coach to our delightful hotel in Propriano, set in peaceful parkland, overlooking the Mediterranean. We arrive early evening with a little time to relax before dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today is a full day at leisure in Propriano, which gives you the chance to savour the unspoilt tranquility of southern Corsica. Our four-star hotel overlooks the beautiful Valinco Gulf and verdant hills. It offers two swimming pools, a seasonal hot tub, and a wellness area, so those wanting to relax after breakfast need not go far. With two restaurants and a cocktail bar, you might take some persuading to leave the hotel!

For those who want to step out, you will find fine sandy beaches and the tempting Mediterranean Sea nearby. The small town of Propriano is close by and easy to explore. You could start by visiting the harbour where colourful houses overlook the marina of yachts and sailing boats. Beyond the harbour is the main street, lined with shops and traditional houses, as well as a tempting variety of restaurants and bars to choose from this evening.

• Breakfast

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. The attractive lower town stands beside a serene harbour of working boats and small cruisers. We explore beautiful Bonifacio on a guided tour and have free time over lunch to perhaps sample one of the town's pleasant restaurants before catching the ferry to Sardinia.

With Corsica belonging to France and Sardinia to Italy, these two islands - known as 'the forgotten corner of Europe' - have very individual and distinct characteristics. However, as they are both disconnected from the hustle of the mainland, they share a laid-back calm. Once in Sardinia, known for its turquoise waters and enticing beaches, we check in to our fabulous five-star hotel on Alghero's seafront, getting a taste of the area over dinner in the hotel. We spend the next four nights in this divine location.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today starts off in style with a relaxed breakfast relishing the blissful views of the sea from our hotel overlooking the seafront, before a guided tour of Alghero. Having once been ruled by Catalans and now by Italy, the fortified old town combines many Mediterranean styles, with narrow streets opening on to charming piazzas. From the large marina berthed with small boats and yachts, we set sail to the wondrous Neptune's Grotto which is accessed directly from the boat**. This cavernous system of tranquil subterranean lakes is filled with impressive stalactites and stalagmites.

Back in Alghero, you have free time to explore and to sample the local cuisine. You might like to try fregola pasta with clams and carasau flatbread. Pair these tasty delicacies with a glass of local wine at one of the lively centre's many restaurants.

**Please note, surfaces inside the cave are uneven and sometimes slippery, so you may opt to stay on the boat and experience this trip to the grotto without going inside.

• Breakfast

Having learned about Alghero's fascinating history yesterday, a free day gives you a choice to explore further or spend the day relaxing. Our seafront hotel is a 10-minute walk from the old town. With a large outdoor pool, an extensive spa and wellness provision, two restaurants and a bar with an attractive terrace, this exceptional hotel takes care of all your relaxation needs.

Another option today is to take in the delights of Alghero's old town, with its honey-coloured buildings and churches. Whether exploring the shaded streets, the tree-lined esplanade or the historic ramparts, you are certain to find an attractive spot to enjoy a cooling aperitif or a glass of crisp local wine.

• Breakfast

After breakfast, we travel by coach to Castelsardo, one of the 'loveliest towns in Italy'. Appearing as an imposing hilltop fortress, the early 12th-century Castello dei Doria is only part of Castelsardo's beauty. Hiding behind the impressive castle is the delightful old town. A cluster of pale-hued buildings overlooks a network of narrow, shaded lanes, while trattorias and cafés spill out on to the characterful alleys.

You are at leisure over lunch in Castelsardo, and you can admire magnificent views of the rugged coast from the Piazza del Duomo, where the cathedral of Sant'Antonio Abate stands. Its campanile tower was originally a lighthouse but is now topped with a colourful tiled cupola. Inland, the modern town with its painted houses cascades down the slope in a burst of colour. We drive back to our hotel this afternoon with time to refresh before a highlight of our trip this evening. For dinner tonight we attend a family-owned 'agriturismo'. An amazing farm-to-table experience, we enjoy a delicious four-course meal of local specialities in idyllic surroundings.

• Breakfast, Dinner

A leisurely morning in Alghero provides an ideal opportunity to relax before 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 want to take the opportunity to relax in your cabin while you sail across the crystal blue Mediterranean, or head onto the deck to enjoy the sights and sounds of the journey. A range of restaurants and bars are available for food and drink.

• Breakfast

Disembarking back on the French mainland at Toulon, we transfer to the station where we take our First Class seats to Paris. Passing vineyards and beautiful Provençal landscapes, we join the Rhône at Avignon and weave alongside this mighty river towards Lyon.

In Paris we board the Standard Premier Class of the Eurostar, and enjoy a light meal before arriving back at London St Pancras. With shared memories, we bid farewell to our travelling companions and look back with fondness on the relaxed island holiday we have experienced on Corsica and Sardinia.

• Eurostar light meal