Focus Travel Club Presents: 
Sardinia & Corsica: Legendary Islands
An Exclusive 16-day Custom FTC Adventure
$7,499 per person double occupancy
October 11 - 26, 2020
Overnight in Cagliari, Oristano, Alghero, Bonifacio, Ajaccio and Bastia
Six memorable and delicious dinners, plus 4 lunches, a Focus trademark
Breakfast daily
Centrally located excellent hotels
Experience the views from Urpino Mountain
Visit Su Nuraxi a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Wine and olive oil tastings
Foodie experience in Marina Di Bonifacio
Archaeological sites (Roman, Carthaginian, Phoenician, prehistoric and megalithic sites
Boat tour into the Cave of Neptune
Maison Bonaparte, the ancestral home of the Bonaparte family.
Fully Escorted with expert guides.
Round trip air from Denver​

 Day 1 - Oct. 11, 2020: Depart Denver  
Our “Sardinia & Corsica” adventure begins as we board our jetliner. Time en route to enjoy the friendly service and excellent food while we become acquainted with our fellow travelers and discuss the wonders we are about to experience.  These two islands, perfectly situated in the middle of the Mediterranean, one Italian and the other French, are only 10 miles apart.    Here, magnificent coastlines that rival the Amalfi coast await us along with cultures that reflect mainland influences, ancient clifftop towns and pretty fishing villages, and archeological sites along with a delectable cuisine.  We will experience truly, a world apart! 
 
 
Day 2 - Oct. 12, 2020: Arrive Cagliari, Sardinia (D)
Arrive at Cagliari international airport, meet your Tour Manager and travel to the city center for a two nights stay.   Enjoy an evening welcome dinner at local restaurant with wine.   
 
Overnight in Cagliari: Regina Margherita  
 
Day 3 - Oct. 13, 2020: Cagliari (B,L)
Breakfast at hotel Start your discovery of Sardinia with a guided walking tour of Cagliari, the Sardinian capital. It has an enviable setting overlooking the beautiful Bay of Angels and its historic heart, the Castello which is cradled by ancient ramparts that enclose some beautiful architectural gems and historical treasures. Beneath the citadel walls, the vibrant marina quarter is a tangle of tiny streets bursting with tantalizing shops, restaurants and bars. We have included today a visit to Bastione San Remy, a glorious spot for  amazing views, the stunning Royal Palace, the Cattedrale di Santa Maria where to admire the Pisan Romanesque facade, the elaborate Gothic/Baroque interior and the crypt under the altar. Continue to the Museo Archeologico, which gives a fascinating insight into Sardinia’s past with findings from the Neolithic and Nuragic civilization. Following an included lunch in a local tavern, we’ll head south-west to explore Nora, one of Sardinia’s most important Carthaginian and Roman archaeological sites.  Dinner on own. 
 
Overnight in Cagliari: Regina Margherita  

Day 4 - Oct. 14, 2020: Cagliari - Oristano (B,L,D)
Breakfast at hotel Today’s tour starts with a discovery of the simple life and the genuine flavors of the island. After a panoramic view of Cagliari from the top of Urpino Mountain, you will visit a local winery for a wine tasting of some Sardinian wines such as Vermentino and Cannonau. Continue to the Olive Oil Museum in Dolianova for an olive oil tasting accompanied by a light Sardinian barbecue lunch. In the early afternoon we make our way north to Barumini for a visit of the Bronze Age site at Su Nuraxi, ancient megalithic constructions developed during the Nuragic age (1900-730 B.C.), included by UNESCO as World Heritage Site. The Nuraghic people built many prehistoric stone villages in Sardinia from about 1800 BC but left no written records. Su Nuraxi, is described as the finest and most complete example of this remarkable form of prehistoric architecture. We spend the next two nights in the provincial town of Oristano. Placed at the northern border of the Campidano region, between the mouth of the Tirso river and the Santa Giusta marshlands, Oristano was founded in 1070 after the powerful and prosperous city of Tharros was abandoned.   Dinner at a local restaurant. 
 
Overnight in Oristano: Matiano IV Palace  
  
Day 5 - Oct. 15, 2020: Oristano (B)
Breakfast at hotel The morning starts with a discovery of the delightful pastel colored houses town of Bosa located on a green valley at the foot of a mountainous area dominated by the Castello dei Malaspina, on the right bank of the Temo river, the only navigable river in Sardinia. This fascinating town is famous for its artisan tradition of gold-filigree jewelry and lacemaking. Malvasia white grapes proliferate around Bosa and the sweet wine Malvasia di Bosa is one of Sardinia’s highest-quality wines. After a tasting of Malvasia wine in a local bodega you’ll drive to the archaeological excavations of Tharros, a city founded by the Phoenicians around the end of the 8th century BC, on a split of land called Capo San Marco which soon became a flourishing center of commerce.  Dinner on own. 
 
Overnight in Oristano: Matiano IV Palace 

Day 6 - Oct. 16, 2020: Oristano - Alghero (B,D)
Breakfast at hotel Departure in the morning from Oristano to the heart of Sardinia.  We will visit the Well of Santa Cristina, a place of culture that tells us about thousands of years of history and traditions and centuries of festivities and rituals, shared by various civilizations in the Mediterranean. The Well of Santa Cristina is part of a shrine complex built in the 12th or 11th century BCE by the Nuragic civilization and is in fact one of the most important remaining Nuragic sites. Continue to the Museum of Mediterranean masks in the village of Mamoiada, famous throughout the world for Mamuthones and Issohadores (traditional carnival masks) followed by a short drive to Orgosolo, once famous for its bandits and nowadays better known for its wallpaintings (murals) which are everywhere. Satirical, comic, political, folkloric or even brutalist, they have turned the town into an open-air museum. After an included Home-hosted lunch near Oliena, you will spend the next two nights at the picturesque medieval seaside town of Alghero.  Dinner at local restaurant.  
 
Overnight in Alghero: Catalunya  
 
Day 7 - Oct. 17, 2020: Alghero (B)
Breakfast at hotel Following the Catalan-Aragonese invasion of Sardinia, the medieval fortified seaside town of Alghero underwent total Hispanicization and became known as “little Barcelona”. The lively piazza is fitted with shops and restaurants. In the morning, we’ll depart for an exciting discovery of the mystical Cave of Neptune by boat from the port of Alghero, bathed in shimmering colors and bristling with stalactites and stalagmites contorted into fantastical shapes. Please note that in case of unfavorable weather or strong wind, we are obliged to cancel the boat trip and driving instead to the beautiful limestone headland of Capo Caccia where a steep series of 654 steps leads down to the cave for you to visit. Rest of the day is on your own in beautiful Alghero.    Dinner on your own.  
 
Overnight in Alghero: Catalunya  
 
Day 8 - Oct. 18, 2020: Alghero - Bonifacio, Corsica (B,D)
Breakfast at hotel This morning we have the opportunity to contrast the scenery of the two islands as we transfer from Alghero to Bonifacio, admiring the charming landscape of the north-western coast where picturesque granite formations appear out of deep cork oak woods and pastures. En-route we view the town of Castelsardo, perched on a volcanic headland, dominated by the castle which now houses a museum with exhibits of traditional basket-weaving. After a photo stop and a coffee break, we’ll depart to Santa Teresa di Gallura where we  embark on the ferry to Corsica (approx 1 hr journey) at midday. Upon arrival, we’ll be transferred to our hotel in Bonifacio.   Dinner at local restaurant 
 
Overnight in Bonifacio: Santa Teresa  

Day 9 - Oct 19, 2020: Bonifacio (B)
Breakfast at hotel  This morning we begin with a tour of Bonifacio’s Old Town. Bonicacio’s Old Town was built by the Genoese and is a fascinating place to wander around. Founded in 828 AD by Count Bonifacio of Tuscany, its natural harbor bears a striking resemblance to the home of the Laestrygonians referred to in Homer's Odyssey of the 7th century BC.  We visit the Santa Maria Maggiore church, the Street of the 2 Emperors, fortifications and the citadel.  We will also see the famous King of Aragon stairway carved into the rock. Some may want to attempt climbing down these steps but bear in mind they are quite steep. You will also have the chance to visit the impressive marine cemetery. Situated on the Bosco plateau, a few steps from the Saint Francois Church facing the sea, this cemetery has the reputation of being one of the most beautiful graveyards in the Mediterranean. Later today, we continue to the lively port of Marina di Bonifacio where we will  enjoy an included foodie experience. 
 
Overnight in Bonifacio: Santa Teresa  
 
 
Day 10 - Oct 20, 2020: Bonifacio - Ajaccio (B,D)
Breakfast at hotel Today, we head to the town of Sarteme, located up the hill in the valley of the Rizzanese river. After lunch on your own, we drive to the most famous prehistoric site in Corsica, Filitosa which offers almost 5,000 years of history. Populated in very ancient times because it was both fertile and easy to defend, the area was filled with large constructions and menhirs from 1800 BC to 1100 BC. Continue to Ajaccio, your base for the next two nights.   
 
Dinner is included this evening in a Corsican bistro. 
 
Overnight in Ajaccio: Mercure Ajaccio Centre  
  
Day 11 - Oct 21, 2020: Ajaccio (B)
Breakfast at hotel Spend the morning with your tour guide for a tour of historical Ajaccio, the largest city in Corsica and famous because Napoleon Bonaparte was born here on August 15, 1769. We’ll visit the Maison Bonaparte, the charming historical center with its color-washed, terracotta-tiled houses and narrow backstreets which have changed little in centuries. We also visit the Venetian Renaissance-style Cathedral, where Napoleon and his siblings were baptized. The rest of the day is on your own for more explorations of Ajaccio.  
 
Overnight in Ajaccio: Mercure Ajaccio Centre  
 
Day 12 - Oct 22, 2020: Ajaccio (B,L)
Breakfast at hotel Morning at leisure. 
 
This afternoon, depart for a journey to the Ajaccio countryside and to enjoy a traditional lunch and wine tasting in a Corsican domain. The region's viticultural history can be traced to the island's settlement by Phoceans traders in 570 BC. The Ajaccio wine region includes the vineyards surrounding the southwestern coastal town of Ajaccio. The region produces mostly medium-bodied red and rosé wine made primarily from Sciacarello. White wines from Ajaccio are often blends of Ugni blanc and Vermentino.  Return to Ajaccio for an evening at leisure. Overnight in Bastia: Mercure Ajaccio Centre  
 
 
Day 13 - Oct 23, 2020: Ajaccio - Bastia (B, L)
Breakfast at hotel Today we explore the medieval town of Corte, whose fortunate geographic location meant that on several occasions potential conquerors, including the Romans, had to stop short of this region. From its Citadel, which is the home of the Musee de la Corse, one of the leading centers of Corsican culture, there are commanding views of the territory.  We continue to the heart of the Restonica Valley for an included lunch in a Corsican restaurant.  Afterwards, we drive to Bastia.  Dinner is on your own this evening. 
 
Overnight in Bastia: Hotel Ostella  
 
Day 14 - Oct 24, 2020: Bastia (B,D) 
Breakfast at hotel Bastia has a charm of its own which can be found in the Citadel and the historic center, with its narrow alleys reminiscent of Italian villages. With its colorful houses overlooking the sea, Bastia is the second largest city in Corsica and is considered its economical capital. In the morning meet your local tour guide for a discovery of the citadel to get a true sense of the town, and a visit to the archaeological museum.  Later,  join the locals in their ritual coffee in Place de Nicolas or try a pastis at the Vieux Port.  
 
In the evening we’ll celebrate with an “AU REVOIR DINNER” sharing travel 
memories and toasting new friends. 
 
Overnight in Bastia: Hotel Ostella  
 
Day 15 - Oct 25, 2020: Bastia (B)
Breakfast at hotel Today you will transfer to the airport and bid farewell to the beautiful islands of Sardinia and Corsica. 

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