Silversea Luxury Cruises A CALVI (Corsica)

Calvi is a most charming town found in the Mediterranean and a walking tour is a great way to see it. The narrow, steep roads in the Citadel area still house some residents and feature a few small parks and some lovely small churches, but the views from the top are amazing and worth the climb.

Citadel

From the pier, follow your guide to the entrance of the citadel, perched on a rocky hill overlooking the port. Walk through the drawbridge and stop to enjoy a breathtaking vista of the red rooftops and the crystal clear sea. You will continue to the Place d'Armes and then to the Cathedral St Jean Baptiste set at the highest point of the promontory. The cathedral founded in the 13th century, was partially destroyed during the Turkish siege in 1553 and rebuilt in a form of the Greek cross.

Columbus House

Your walk will then take you to the home of Calvi's most famous resident, Christopher Columbus who is believed to be born in Calvi on October 12th. After viewing the exterior of this fabled building, pass the 13th century Caserne Sampiero, formerly the Governor's palace which now served the military.

Make your way to the Oratoire St Antoine where you can admire the Italian fresco, stroll along the city's ramparts and wander through the Ville Basse. A bustling section of the town sitting at a foot of the ramparts, The Quay Landry features a lovely marina and a café lined promenade.

Return with your guide to the pier area and marina and to your ship.

An invigorating and scenic half-day electric-biking experience awaits you as you get up-close to the splendid beauty and architecture of Calvi in a unique new way. Corsica is exploding onto the European mountain biking scene as the must visit destination.

Electric Biking

After receiving your safety instructions, helmet and bicycle, depart the pier for a guided adventurous E-biking tour through Calvi. Ride approximately 9 to 12 miles (15 to 20 kilometres) over mostly tarred roads before reaching the more rugged, varied terrain, including some uphill to Notre Dame de la Serra, downhill and flat areas to la Revellata.

Your route offers splendid photo opportunities and panoramic vistas of the city and coast. Weather-and-sea conditions permitting, a stop is made to swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean, or simply relax and enjoy the sea breeze.

Your tour concludes back at the pier.

Coach drive to Ile Rousse, the second important town of the Region Balagna. Learn about Pasquale Paoli, contemporary to Napoléon who became his enemy, as well as the enemy of Genoese 'owners' of Corsica. Filippo Antonio Pasquale di Paoli was a Corsican patriot and leader, the president of the Executive Council of the General Diet of the People of Corsica. Paoli designed and wrote the Constitution of the state of Corse.

Visit Ile Rousse. Enjoy the view points from trolley train ride on 'La Pietra' far end rocky peninsula. Take some free time at leisure to stroll, shop, seat at a café.

After, comence your approximately 45 minutes drive back to the ship.

The area of Calvi, in northwest Corsica, boasts over 600 miles (966km) of coastline and in such a small place in the world holds the rich history of famous men. Discover, according to legend that Christopher Columbus came from Calvi, which was at the time part of the Genoese Empire. The anarchist uprising against the Genoese was led by Pascal Paoli from 1729 to 1768. Admiral Nelson lost his right eye at Calvi during the siege of the citadel. Even Napoléon Bonaparte was to be kept at bay by the British with the use of a Corsican defensive measure, while Napoleon was successively both ally and enemy of Pasquale Paoli and Horacio Nelson.

Calvi's Citadel

From the port area, walk to the house in which lived the discoverer of the New World, Christopher Columbus. It is still visible today but in a poor state. Near the citadel a plaque states that Columbus was born in Calvi around 1436. This conviction relies on the oral tradition, still very vivid in Corsica, according to which Columbus was the son of a fisherman living in the times when Calvi was ruled by the Genoese. The advocates of this theory note that Columbus gave his discoveries the names of Corsican villages like Haiti, inspired from the village of Aiti. They add that Columbus hid his Corsican origins from his Spanish supporters, because Calvi inhabitants had massacred a regiment from Aragon in 1421.

Ile Rousse

Board your coach and drive to Ile Rousse, a second important town of the region, and learn about Pasquale Paoli, contemporary to Napoléon who became his enemy. Filippo Antonio Pasquale di Paoli was a Corsican patriot and leader, the president of the Executive Council of the General Diet of the People of Corsica. Paoli designed and wrote the Constitution of the state. Following the defeat of Corsican forces at the Battle of Ponte Novu, he was forced into exile in Britain where he was a celebrated figure. He returned after the French Revolution which he was initially supportive of and later broke with the revolutionaries and helped to create the Anglo-Corsican Kingdom which lasted between 1794 and 1796. After the island was re-occupied by France he again went into exile in Britain where he died in 1807. The American Sons of Liberty were inspired by Paoli. Ebenezer McIntosh, a leader of the Sons of Liberty, named his son Paschal Paoli McIntosh in honor of him. In 1768, the editor of the New York Journal described Paoli as "the greatest man on earth". Many places in the United States are named after him. Inhabited since very ancient times (between 5000-3000 BC), l'Île-Rousse was in 1000 BC a small, prosperous town dependent on Tyre in Phoenicia, called Agilla. Destroyed by the Phoenician fleet of Calaris, Agilla came under Roman rule as Rubico Rocega (red rock) until the 4th century AD.

Continue towards Notre Dame de la Serra a take this opportunity to learn about the battles of Nelson. The loss of sight in his right eye at the Seige of Calvi was at the origin of Nelson's ability to claim at the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801 why he disobeyed orders (not for the first time in his life) and went on to a resounding victory. Discover a small chapel surrounded by a courtyard with an imposing statue of the Notre Dame de la Serra. From here, a stunning panoramic view takes in the whole bay of Calvi and the Réginu Valley.

You will also learn that ironically Napoleon was to be kept at bay by the British with the use of a Corsican defensive measure and he was successively both ally and enemy of Pasquale Paoli and Horacio Nelson.

Your tour returns to Calvi with a short, approximate 15 minute drive.

Explore the history and flavours of a Corsican winery in the foreground of Mount Grossu during this guided winery tour and tasting excursion.

Calvi, Scenic Drive, Winery Visit

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 30-minute drive to a winery created in the 1960s by Baron Henry Louis de La Grange, owner of the Convent of Alzipratu. This winery was run by Maurice Acquaviva before being taken over by his son, Pierre, and his wife, Cécilia.

Vineyards, Mount Grossu

The approximately 99-acre (about 40-hectare) vineyard is composed of several south-facing parcels, and split into two different parts. The first is located north of the convent, near Zilia, and the second is situated approximately 6.2 miles (about ten kilometres) west of the village of Calenzana, in the upper-Figarella Valley. The vineyards are planted primarily with traditional Corsican varietals. The vines lie at the foothills of Mount Grossu, whose peak towers approximately 6,398 feet (about 1,950 metres) above sea level and is just minutes from the coastline. This results in highly-contrasted climatic influences, thanks to the vineyard's proximity to both the sea and the mountains.

Guided Walking Tour, Oenologist Speech, Wine Tasting with Local Specialities, Free Time

During your guided tour of this famous vineyard, learn about its history, hear an oenologist speak and sample five of its prized wines accompanied by five local specialities. Afterward, some free time is made available to answer questions or browse the boutique. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 30-minute drive back to the pier.

Experience the scenic beauty and charm of Corsica during this memorable, half-day excursion through its picturesque villages. Exploring the perched villages set in the hillsides to the east of Calvi and to the south of L'Ille Rousse, there are dozens of these small villages and each has its own particular charm.

Lumio, Sant'Antonino, Cateri, Pigna

Depart the pier for the approximately 30-minute drive through the hinterland of the Balagne region and along the coastal road leading through Lumio. From here, the road snakes leisurely through the interior to typical Corsican villages and offers lovely views along the way.

Next, pass by Col de Salvi and Cateri, with its flowered balconies, en route to Sant'Antonino. Your drive continues past the interesting Church of Aregno with its multi-coloured walls and unique sculptures.

Your tour concludes with a visit to the village of Pigna. Upon arrival, some free time is made available to explore the charming cobbled paths, the small courtyards and streets of ancient houses and blue shutters. After a refreshment, comence the approximately 30-minute drive back to the pier.

Discover the beauty of the island of Corsica, one of the jewels of the Mediterranean, on this delightful, half-day exploration. Corsica is an island of contrasts, from rugged mountain outcrops, to tranquil broad bays and intimate coves of golden sand.

Notre Dame de la Serra

Depart the pier on your coach and drive to Notre Dame de la Serra, a small chapel built in 1860 over the site of a 15th-century sanctuary. Pause to gaze at the dramatic views of Calvi, Calenzana and Revellata before continuing along the coast's deeply-cut bays and beautiful beaches.

Torra Mozza

As you venture through the island's countryside, pass the Torra Mozza, a Genoese tower where, in 1852, Prince Bonaparte built his hunting pavilion.

Cirque de Bonifato

Your journey then takes you in the direction Fango Delta. During your stop at Bocca Marsulino, take a few pictures of the striking island landscape. Then, wind through the Balagne Déserte, an uninhabited region dotted with red rocks and blanketed by shiny green maquis. Nearby is the Cirque de Bonifato, a forest that borders some of Corsica's tallest mountains and grows thick with lariccio pines and evergreen oaks.

Following a relaxing stop at a café for refreshments, return to Calvi aboard your coach.

Explore Calvi at your leisure during your full-day (8-Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Calvi at your leisure during your half-day (4-Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.