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The Gargano

Corsica

A Mountain in the Sea

Scenically stunning Corsica has long held an interest to naturalists; there are many elegantly penned articles from a bygone era with prose redolent of aromatic maquis and dramatic gorges.

Erodium corsicum © Tristan Lafranchis

Brick-pink granitic cliffs sweep down to the sea west of Ajaccio, where yellow Calicotome villosa dominates maquis that has a rich flora including Convolvulus sicula and Succowia balearica. Southern coastal limestone is home to beautiful Erodium corsicum, endemic Morisia monanthos, and fine hummocks of Astragalus massiliensis. Orchids include Orchis laxiflora and bee orchids such as Ophrys morisii, Ophrys marmorata and Ophrys lutea corsica. Corsican Dappled White and the Corsican Swallowtail are on the wing as we stop by roadsides dotted with Green-winged and Pink Butterfly Orchids.

Cytinus hypocistus’s yellow flowers glow from crimson bracts amongst Cistus, and in meadows there are displays of Serapias hardly matched elsewhere in the Mediterranean with large-flowered Serapias cordigera and Serapias neglecta and the common Serapias lingua. In the mountainous interior extensive Corsican Pine forests are home to the endemic Corsican Nuthatch, and a second endemic bird, Corsican Finch, is rather common, especially amid Sweet Chestnut woods. Endemics continue with the rare Tyrrhenian Tree Frog, European Leaf-toed Gecko, and Pygmy Algyroides.

Corsican Swallowtail by Fiona Dunbar

In the south Kerry Lily blooms, and the broomrapes Orobanche rigens and Orobanche sanguinea are both beautiful richly-coloured species. Narcissus tazetta and Romulea requienii decorate rocky crevices and shorelines have much Matthiola tricuspidata, Medicago marina,and purple-streaked Silene sericea. Moving inland we’ll find Brimeura fastigata and Pancratium illyricum, which unlike its more widespread European cousin flowers far up into the mountains. Cyclamen repandum blooms at all altitudes, with Corydalis pumila at higher passes amid a selection of gageas, and slopes covered with pretty lilac Crocus corsicus, the outside of the flowers etched with deep purple lines. Fabulous mounds of Saxifraga cervicornis adorn shaded rocks in a narrow gorge where Armeria leucocephala, Saxifraga corsica, Arenaria balearica, and Orchis olbiensis bloom. On the east coast we will see the endangered Anchusa crispa at one of its remaining sites. Our hotel in the Gorges du Restonica sits beside the cascading river, Helleborus argutifolius flowering abundantly nearby.

Dates and Prices

15th April - 22nd April 2025 (8 days)

London - London £2,655
Ajaccio - Bonifacio £2,345
Single Supplement* £465
Deposit £250

* doesn't apply if you're willing to share and a room-mate can be arranged

or ask us a question.

Tour Summary

Day 1
To Corsica and Ajaccio
Day 2
Pointe de la Parata and the West Coast
Days 3 & 5
Col de Verghio and the Restonica Gorge
Day 4
The East Coast: Aleria, Inzecca Gorge & Col de Sorba
Days 6 & 7
Bonifaccio & the Southern limestone
Day 8
Departure from Figari

Tour information

Focus

Flowers. Also Butterflies and Birds.

Leaders

Paul Cardy , Jonathan Bradley

Group Size

One leader for a group of up to 6, two leaders up to the maximum group size of 12.

Included in the Price

All flights. Transport, accommodation and all meals in Corsica. Services of the leaders. Please note: drinks, tips, and items of a personal nature including travel insurance, are not included.
Flower, bird and odonata checklists are available.

Accommodation

We start with a night in the Hotel Stella di Mare situated in a lovely spot on the Parata Peninsula with pleasant gardens right by the sea. Next we’ve four nights in the central mountains in the magnificent scenery of the Gorges du Restonica. Our hotel, the very comfortable Dominique-Colonna, is set in a well-wooded stretch of the gorge and right by the rushing river, a very lovely setting indeed. We finish the holiday with two nights at the Prea Gianca sited on a clifftop on the outskirts of Bonifacio with views out over the Mediterranean towards Sardinia. This hotel prides itself on its gastronomic approach, the restaurant featuring a range of local and French cuisine focussing on local produced ingredients. The recently refurbished rooms are very comfortable and there’s a swimming pool to enjoy if the weather’s warm enough! All rooms on this holiday have en suite WCs and showers/baths.

Walking

Relaxed and easy. Up to two or three miles a day and always at a slow pace, perfectly suited to photographers.

Flights

UK return flights are from London Heathrow*, Gatwick, Luton, Birmingham* or Edinburgh* to Ajaccio via Nice, returning from Bonifacio, also via Nice. Other indirect routes from regional UK Airports* are available.

*These routes may incur a supplement.

Climate

Variable but mostly clear and sunny with daytime temperatures between 12°C and 25°C. Rain is likely at some point and is occasionally prolonged.

Suggested Variations

Why not combine this holiday with the lovely Sardinia tour? Sardinia and Corsica Your leader will transport you between the two.

How to Book

Contact us to check if there is availability for the number of places you require. Click on the ‘Book this Tour’ button on this page to be taken to the online booking form or contact us and we will send one to you which you can complete and send back to us. You will receive confirmation of your place, and then a detailed information pack will be dispatched to you about twelve weeks before departure. This will contain up-to-date health information.

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