CORSICA & SARDINIA HISTORY AND LANDSCAPES MAY 5-17, 2018 TOUR LEADER: DR ESTELLE LAZER - Academy Travel
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CORSICA & SARDINIA HISTORY AND LANDSCAPES MAY 5-17, 2018 TOUR LEADER: DR ESTELLE LAZER
CORSICA & SARDINIA Overview
HISTORY AND LANDSCAPES
The islands of Corsica and Sardinia each have a unique history stretching
Tour dates: May 5-17, 2018 back millennia. This tour offers an exploration of these two Mediterranean
islands which, despite centuries of invasion, plunder and settlement, retain
Tour leader: Dr Estelle Lazer a proud independent spirit and their distinct languages, cultures and
identities. In their beautiful Mediterranean setting, we discover the diverse
histories of each island, from their ancient sites through to their rich
Tour Price: $7,650 per person, twin share
contemporary cultures. Extended stays on each island combine site and
museum visits with time for independent sightseeing.
Single Supplement: $1,580 for sole use of
double room Our tour starts on Corsica. Constantly invaded but fiercely independent,
Corsica saw off the Carthaginians, Greeks, Etruscans, Vandals, Visigoths,
Booking deposit: $500 per person Saracens and the Lombards. We begin in Ajaccio, birthplace of Napoleon
Bonaparte, and then continue to the megalithic site at Filitosa and on to
Recommended airline: Emirates Bonifacio, visible across the Strait from Sardinia and dominated by its
Genoese citadel.
Maximum places: 20
Travelling on to Sardinia we first stay in Alghero, visiting the ancient
necropolis at Anghelu Ruju and see the Spanish influence left on the city
Itinerary: Ajaccio (3 nights), Bonifacio (3 nights),
itself by the Catalan occupiers in the 14th century. We then make our way
Alghero (3 nights), Cagliari (3 nights)
south to the vibrant capital city of Cagliari. From here we explore the
remains of the nuraghic settlement at Su Nuraxi, where we see the unique
Date published: May 3, 2017 conical towers left by the Bronze Age civilisation, as well as the
Phoenician and Roman remains at Nora and Tharros.
The journey has all the characteristics of an Academy Travel tour –
extended stays in centrally located hotels, background talks before site
visits and a maximum group size of just 20.
Your tour leader
Dr Estelle Lazer is an archaeologist with an
international reputation for her years of work on
the human skeletal remains discovered at
Pompeii. Estelle has also worked on
archaeological sites in the Middle
East, Italy, Cyprus,
the UK, Antarctica and Australia. Estelle
teaches at the University of Sydney and
the University of NSW. Since 2005 Estelle has
led numerous trips to for Academy Travel
Estelle has recently embarked on a large
project – using special CT-scanning and x-ray equipment – to examine
Enquiries and more of Pompeii’s casts, of animals as well as humans. The Italian
bookings government has dedicated a significant amount of funding, as part of
efforts to raise the site’s profile after decades of controversial political
For further information and to neglect; and the BBC has ensured a wide audience, with Mary Beard’s
secure a place on this tour new documentary on Estelle’s project, Pompeii: New Secrets Revealed.
please contact Kathy
Wardrop at Academy Travel “Estelle is an outstanding tour leader in every respect.” Feedback from
on 9235 0023 or 1800 639 Academy Travel’s Sicily and the Aeolian Island tour September 2015
699 (outside Sydney) or email
kathy@academytravel.com.au
Tour Highlights
PALAIS FESCH - MUSÉE DES BEAUX-ARTS
This superb fine arts museum was established by Napoléon’s
uncle, Cardinal Joseph Fesch, and houses France’s largest
collection of Italian paintings outside the Louvre. The
collection includes canvases by Titian, Fra Bartolomeo,
Veronese, Bellini and Botticelli’s masterpiece, Mother and
Child Supported by an Angel, along with a significant
collection of less well-known masters.
SCANDOLA NATURE RESERVE
There’s no vehicle access or footpath into the magnificent,
protected Scandola Nature Reserve – the only way to reach it
is by sea. As a result, Scandola, a UNESCO World Heritage
site, is blessed with exceptional wilderness both above and
below the waterline: the gulf boasts fantastic marine
biodiversity and stunning landscapes. We explore the natural
beauty of the area by boat.
FILITOSA
Corsica's most important prehistoric site is Filitosa, northwest
of Propriano, where a collection of extraordinary carved
Bronze Age menhirs, or stone warriors, were discovered in
1946. The Filitosa menhirs are highly unusual: several have
detailed faces, anatomical features (such as ribcages) and
even swords and armour, suggesting that they may
commemorate specific warriors or chieftains.
THE VIEW OF BASTIONE SAN REMY
The Sardinian capital of Cagliari was built on seven hills. The
oldest part of the city, Castello, lies on top of one of these hills,
resulting in a stunning view of the Gulf of Cagliari. Views from
Bastione San Remy over most of Cagliari and out to the
Mediterranean Sea and the beautiful Romanesque Cathedral of
Cagliari, a short walk away, make the climb even more
worthwhile.
NURAGHE
In the heart of the countryside near Barumini, the Nuraghe Su
Nuraxi is Sardinia’s sole World Heritage site and the island’s
most visited nuraghe. The focal point is the 1500 BC tower,
which originally stood on its own but was later incorporated into
a fortified compound. Many of the settlement's buildings were
erected in the Iron Age, and it's these that constitute the
beehive of interlocking buildings that roll down the hillside.
Detailed itinerary Included meals are shown with the letters B, L and D. Saturday May 5 Arrival Passengers arriving or staying in Nice fly to Ajaccio on an afternoon domestic flight. Meet your tour leader Dr Estelle Lazer upon arrival at Ajaccio airport to commence the tour. Travel together by coach to the hotel, about 30-minute drive from the airport. After time to check-in and freshen up, time permitting, we’ll head out for an orientation walk of the old city. This evening, after a light dinner in a local restaurant, we have an early night. Overnight Ajaccio (D) Sunday May 6 The Bonaparte family Napoleon Bonaparte is Ajaccio’s most famous son and the city makes the most of the connection, however ironic that may be in historical retrospect. This morning we visit the Maison Bonaparte, Napoleon’s childhood home, now a museum dedicated to the Emperor and his family. We also visit the nearby Chapelle Imperiale, holding the Bonaparte family tombs. In the afternoon visit the adjacent Palais Fesch - Musée des Beaux-Arts, once home to Napoleon’s uncle, Cardinal Joseph Fesch. The palace now houses part of the Cardinal’s extensive art collection, assembled while he was in Rome serving as French ambassador. The Cardinal’s Italian paintings, including works by Titian and Botticelli, are said to constitute one of the most important collections of Italian art in France, outside of the Louvre. The later afternoon is at leisure to explore Ajaccio before we meet for our welcome dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Ajaccio (B, D) Monday May 7 Scandola Nature reserve We make an early start today to meet our boat to travel along the famously beautiful western coast of Corsica. We make our way up past Porto and Piana to the fishing hamlet of Girolata where we have a break for lunch. From here we head to the Scandola Nature Reserve whose sheer red granite cliffs, transparent waters and abundant flora, bird life and underwater fauna have earned it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Returning to Ajaccio the evening is at leisure. Overnight Ajaccio (B) Tuesday May 8 Sartène and Filitosa Departing Ajaccio today we make our way south to Bonifacio. En route we stop at Filitosa, Corsica’s most important prehistoric site. We explore the famous site where 4,000-year- old anthropomorphic menhirs – extraordinary stone warriors – were discovered by local land owner Charles-Antoine Cesari in Images left: colourful Ajaccio Harbour; Napoleon at the Musée Fesch in Ajaccio
1946. The site is still maintained by the Cesari family. We
continue to Sartène, whose architecture of grey granite walls, tall
town houses and narrow alleyways is the result of centuries
spent staving off attacks from Barbary pirates and internal
vendettas between the town’s leading families. Happily, neither
is rife these days and Sartène is instead becoming well known
for its gastronomy and wine. After our visit, we continue on to
Bonifacio where we have dinner together at a local restaurant.
Overnight Bonifacio (B, D)
Wednesday May 9
Bonifacio Harbour and citadel
Today we take a closer look at Bonifacio, a settlement on a
precipitous limestone promontory founded by Boniface, the
Marquis of Tuscany, in 828. The proximity of Bonifacio to
Sardinia makes it a mecca for sailors and the town around the
marina has a contemporary Italian flavour. This changes as we
head up to the fortified Old Town and Citadel, built by the
conquering Genoese at the end of the 12th century, where the
atmosphere is distinctly medieval but with the added advantage
of a good selection of modern boutiques and cafes. After our
guided tour of the upper town there is time to explore at leisure.
Overnight Bonifacio (B)
Thursday May 10
The capital of ancient Corsica
The history of the ancient settlement of Aléria, on the marshy
east coast of Corsica, began when Greek colonists set up a
commercial outpost here around the mid-6th century BC. After a
period of Carthaginian domination, in 259 BC Aléria was invaded
by the Romans and initiated the conquest of the island, which
lasted for more than a century. Aléria was the capital of Corsica
in the Imperial Age, and Augustus, Hadrian and Diocletian
beautified it with large public works. In the 5th century AD, the
increase of malaria and invasion by the Vandals led to the
abandonment of the city. Today we explore the archaeological
site, the ruins of the Roman city, with time afterwards to stroll the
cobble-stone streets of the town. Overnight Bonifacio (B)
Friday May 11
To Sardinia
We depart Bonifacio this morning by ferry, a short journey across
the strait to the port at Santa Teresa Gallura. When we arrive in
Sardinia, we explore the stunning coastline of the Costa
Smeralda. We visit seaside towns and the nuraghic monuments
of Azachena. After arriving in Alghero, we stroll from our hotel to
one of the harbourside restaurants for a relaxed dinner.
Overnight Alghero (B, D)
Saturday May 12
Anghelu Ruju and Alghero
This morning we drive a short distance to the Necropolis at
Anghelu Ruju, the largest ancient burial ground on Sardinia,
Images right: the bastion walls of Sartène; Bonifacio limestone cliffs offer a
challenge for the happy home builder; the nuraghic monuments of Azachena
dating back to the late Neolithic age. The extensive site includes over 38 rock cut tombs. Returning to Alghero we take a guided walking tour of this striking medieval city. Founded by the Catalans when they took control of the island in the 14th century, the old city remains the most Spanish city in Sardinia with many examples of Catalan-Gothic architecture and streets signs printed in both Italian and Catalan. After our tour, the afternoon and evening are at leisure for independent sightseeing, shopping or relaxing. Overnight Alghero (B) Sunday May 13 PisaN Romanesque churches This morning we travel north to visit the Basilica di San Gavino in Porto Torres, the largest and oldest of the Romanesque churches of Sardinia. We break for lunch to enjoy two local culinary specialties synonymous with Sardinia, these are Cannonau wine and pecorino cheese. We briefly visit Sassari, the island’s second-largest city, to see the Duomo, Cattedrale di San Nicola, and to visit the Museo Nationale Sanna, boasting a comprehensive archaeological collection. Later in the day we visit the Basilica della Santissima Trinità Saccargia, which contains the only extant cycle of 13th-century frescoes in Sardinia. The construction is entirely in local stone, black basalt and white limestone, with a typical appearance of Tuscan Romanesque style. We return to Alghero late in the afternoon. Overnight Alghero (B, L) Monday May 14 Tharros We depart Alghero this morning and head south to Cagliari, first stopping at the well preserved nuraghic site at Paulilatino. We continue on to Tharros, an ancient port city in a stunning coastal location. Founded by the Phoenicians in the 8th century BC, the fortunes of Tharros waxed and waned in much the same way as those of Nora. The town was abandoned in the 11th century, and its structures pillaged for stone for surrounding villages, and the site is now an open air museum and we see remains from periods of Phoenician, Punic and Roman occupation, including a tophet - an open air sacred site common to a number of Phoenician settlements around the Mediterranean, the Cardo Maximus - the main street with its excellent drainage systems still evident, a bath complex and the Torre di San Giovanni, a coastal watchtower built on the site of the acropolis with stone from the city. Finds from the site can be found in the archaeological museum in Cagliari (and in the British Museum). Re-joining our coach, we head to Cagliari. Dinner tonight is in a local restaurant. Overnight Cagliari (B, D) Tuesday May 15 Cagliari Known in Sardinia as Casteddu, the islands capital has steep streets and architecture spanning medieval to modern times. The Castello district is the oldest part of Cagliari. Built by the Images left: the striped black basalt and white limestone exterior of Santissima Trinita di Saccargi and a detail of the frescoes of the basilica; ruins of the Phoenician, and then Punic and Roman, town of Tharros
Pisans in the early 13th century, the fortified inner sanctum
which gives the district its name was later enlarged by the
Aragonese, Spanish and Piedmontese rulers. We make our way
to the Bastione San Remy, which offers spectacular views over
the seafront, then wander past the art and antique shops of the
Via Marmora to the Duomo, Cattedrale di Santa Maria. While
some of the original 13th century features remain, it has been
rebuilt several times. Continue on to visit the Museo
Archeologico to admire the fine collection which covers finds
from Neolithic times through to the Middle Ages. In the
afternoon, we travel south to the site of the ancient city of Nora.
Founded by the Phoenicians in the 9th century BC, the
settlement continued to enjoy prominence under Roman rule
and, thanks to its strategic position and sheltered harbour, grew
to become the island’s most important city. We see the Temple
of Tanit, dating from the Carthaginian era, Roman bathhouses
with mosaic floors and a small theatre. This evening we have a
talk in our hotel then the evening is at leisure. Overnight
Cagliari (B)
Wednesday May 16
Su Nuraxi
Our full day tour begins with a visit to the church of San
Saturnino, built to commemorate the martyrdom of Saturno,
Cagliari’s patron saint. Dating from the turn of the 4th century
AD the basilica is one of the oldest Christian buildings on the
island. From here we make our way north to Barùmini where we
have a guided visit of the vast Bronze Age site at Su Nuraxi.
This exceptional site, which has UNESCO World Heritage
status, is characterized by the distinctive nuraghe, truncated
cone shaped towers made from huge blocks of stone, for which
Sardinia is famous. Returning to Cagliari in the late afternoon,
this evening we have our farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight Cagliari (B, D)
Thursday May 17
Departure
Our flight departs mid-afternoon for Rome, arriving in time to
meet the late evening departing Emirates flight for Australia. (B)
Hotels
Hotels are all four-star properties that have been selected
principally for their central location.
Ajaccio, Hotel Palazzu U Domu (3 nights)
www.palazzu-domu.com
Bonifacio, Hotel Santateresa (3 nights)
www.hotel-santateresa.com
Alghero, Hotel Catalunya (3 nights)
www.hotelcatalunya.it
Cagliari, Hotel Regina Margherita (3 nights)
www.hotelreginamargherita.com
Images left: the view from Bastione San Remy; a Bronze Age figurine in the
Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Cagliari; one of the the 7000 Nuraghe they
built across the island – whose exact purpose remains unknown
The site at Su Nuraxi
Tour Price Fitness Requirements
The tour price is $7,650 per person, twin share (land content of THIS tour
only). The supplement for a single room is $1,580 per person.
A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is required to GRADE THREE
secure a place on the tour.
It is important both for you and for your fellow travellers that
Tour Inclusions you are fit enough to be able to enjoy all the activities on this
tour. To give you an indication of the level of physical fitness
Included in the tour price required to participate on our tours, we have given them a
Economy class airfares Nice-Ajaccio and Cagliari-Rome star grading. Academy Travel’s tours tend to feature
All accommodation in carefully selected four-star hotels extended walking tours and site visits, which require greater
All breakfasts and selected lunches/dinners in hotels and fitness than coach touring. We ask you to carefully consider
local restaurants as noted in the itinerary your ability to meet the physical demands of the tour.
All ground transport via private air-conditioned coach Participation criteria for this tour
Ferry crossing Bonifacio-Santa Teresa
Boat cruise as specified in itinerary This Grade Three tour is among our most physically
All entrance fees to sites mentioned on the itinerary demanding. To participate on this tour, you should be able to
Background talks on sites and extensive tour notes comfortably undertake up to seven hours per day, over
Services of tour leader throughout tour/ local guides at several days. Activities may include travelling long distances,
some sites walking on difficult terrain, climbing stairs, embarking and
Tips for local guides and drivers disembarking trains and/or boats, exposure to high altitudes
and long days of touring. These tours may include one night
Not included
stops and early starts.
International air fares, taxes and surcharges (see below)
Travel insurance You should be able to:
Meals not mentioned in itinerary
keep up with the group at all times
Expenses of a personal nature
walk for 5-7 kilometres at a moderate pace with only
short breaks
Air travel OPTIONS
stand for a reasonable length of time in galleries and
The tour price quoted is for land content only. For this tour we museums
recommend Emirates which offers flights into Nice and out of tolerate varying climatic conditions such as humidity and
Rome from most Australian cities. Please contact us for the heat
best possible prices on economy, business or first class fares. a reasonable level of physical and respiratory fitness
Transfers between airport and hotel are included for all tolerate a diet that can be significantly different from a
passengers booking their flights through Academy Travel. typical Australian diet, and where some dietary
These may be group or individual transfers. requirements cannot be met
walk up and down slopes
Enquiries & bookings negotiate steps and slopes on archaeological sites or
For further information and to secure a place on this tour mountain paths, which are often uneven and unstable
please contact Kathy Wardrop at Academy Travel on get on and off a large coach with steep steps, train or
9235 0023 or 1800 639 699 (outside Sydney) or email boat unassisted, possibly with luggage
kathy@academytravel.com.au
move your luggage a short distance if required
Weather on Tour A note for older travellers
Spring is a great time to tour the Mediterranean. During the We regret that we are not able to accept bookings on
daytime temperatures range from 18-25°C, dropping to 8- a Grade Three tour from people more than 80 y
13°C at night. Little rainfall is expected however it is wise to
bring a light, waterproof jacket and an umbrella
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