Isles of Sardinia & Corsica A CULTURAL WALKING ADVENTURE


When was the last time you broke bread with a shepherd?Were you sitting at a stone table in his garden, a Sardinian breeze rustling the leaves, with a cork- wood plate of his homemade specialties? It’s a simple and simply remarkable event,


just one of many we’ll arrange for you in this amazing week.The isles of Sardinia and Corsica are eight miles and worlds apart. Corsica—part of France, but defiantly non-French—is blanketed in fragrant herbs and dotted with quaint villages. Sardinia is more rustic and mysterious, with Phoenician, Spanish and Italian blood in its veins.Together, these two gorgeous islands are some of the least-touristed spots in Europe.When you leave behind the yacht-studded harbors for the mountains, pastures and vineyards of the inte- rior, you have the rarest of privileges—to see and experience countryside and culture that have stood still in time.


ITINERARY


We meet in the Sardinian town of Alghero (1 night). The Aragons captured the city in 1353 and it still has a visible Spanish influence. We’ll wander the quiet, pedestrian-only streets, then take a guided horse-carriage tour of the prome- nade before getting our first taste of the locally- caught seafood.


After breakfast we head north and take a light walk to a castle, perched on a promontory over- looking Castelsardo. Then we cross the 8-mile strait to the ancient Corsican town of Bonifacio (2 nights). Shop the afternoon away or join us for a great seaside walk. Moving inland we stroll in chestnut forests and taste the olive oil at an historic press. After picking up lunch in Sartene, we walk in a nature reserve and explore fascinating 5,000-year-old carved stone monoliths.


In the morning, we ferry back to Porto Cervo on Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda, mooring site of the yacht set. From our country inn near Oliena (3 nights), we visit a local baker... explore an archeological site with Europe’s oldest stone towers...relax over lunch with a local shepherd...and savor a final dinner of the local specialties. On our final day, we return to Alghero for flights home or to other points in Europe.


Tour Dates May 15-21 June 19-25 July 17-23 September 4-10 October 9-15


Trip Length: 7 days/6 nights


Price: From $4095 (includes all breakfasts, 2 lunches and 5 dinners)


Single Supplement: $695 Begins & Ends: Alghero


Normandy & Brittany A CULTURAL WALKING ADVENTURE


You’ll tell everyone about the day you walked to Mont-St.-Michel.The cathedral floats on water—until the tide ebbs to reveal the causeway to its gate.Then, as the faithful have done for centuries,we pilgrimage on foot across the seabed to one of France’s most glorious landmarks. Brittany and Normandy have their apple orchards and salt-meadow sheep flocks and picture-book villages deep in the woods.And we’ve planned beautiful walks among them. But we always seem to come backto the sea.To explore coastlines invaded by Iron Age Celts and D-Day forces.To stroll in ports that launched the Norman conquest of the British Isles.And to feast in restau- rants where fresh oysters, lobsters and Coquilles St.-Jacques are standard fare. So much beauty in the shadow of so much history makes this a truly unfor- gettable journey.


ITINERARY


We meet in Deauville (1 night) for a short drive to Honfleur, the birthplace of Impressionism. This gem of Normandy offers lovely portside walks and magnificent views from the Cote de Grace chapel.


The classic Norman countryside—orchards, valleys and dairy farms—is perfect for walking, with a pause to taste calvados, the local apple brandy. From our château hotel near Bayeux (2 nights), we visit the legendary 230- foot tapestry named for the city. Then we spend a day with remarkable coastal walks on the D-Day beaches of Normandy—including Pointe du Hoc, the American cemetery and Omaha Beach.


Monaco CORSICA Ajaccio


Costa Smeralda Alghero


MEDITERRANEAN SEA Bonifacio Oliena SARDINIA Rome


Mont-St.-Michel is one of France’s premiere landmarks. We time our visit so we can cross the tidal flats on foot to explore this glorious fortress. From our base in Saint-Malo (3 nights), we roam the 6th century seaport, walk panoramic seaside trails and even take a lesson in Breton cooking. Finally, we explore the countryside and villages around Mont Dol and sample the seafood near the oyster-farming center of Cancale. On our final day, we visit the medieval quarter of Rennes before boarding trains to Paris.


Tour Dates: May 1-7, June 19-25, July 17-23, September 4-10, October 2-8


Trip Length: 7 days/6 nights


Price: From $3895 (includes all breakfasts, 1 lunch and 5 dinners) Single Supplement: $695 Begins: Deauville Ends: Rennes


For a detailed itinerary, go to


Honfleur


Mont-St.-Michel Deauville


Bayeux


Saint-Malo Rennes


Honfleur Paris Rennes


| ClassicJourneys.com/itineraries


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