CORSICA & HISTORY AND LANDSCAPES

MAY 5-17, 2018 UPDATED TOUR LEADER: DR ESTELLE LAZER NOVEMBER 2017

Overview

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 Itinerary: Ajaccio (4 nights), Bonifacio (2 nights), necropolis at Anghelu Ruju and see the Spanish influence left on the city Alghero (3 nights), Cagliari (3 nights) itself by the Catalan occupiers in the 14th century. We then make our way 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: November 24, 2017 conical towers left by the 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 . Estelle has also worked on archaeological sites in the Middle East, , 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 Enquiries and project – using special CT-scanning and x-ray equipment – to examine 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 [email protected]

Tour Highlights

This superb fine arts museum was established by Napoléon’s uncle, Cardinal Joseph Fesch, and houses ’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.

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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.

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 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.

In the heart of the countryside near Barumini, the 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 The tour begins at Nice airport at 9.30am today. Please arrange your travel so that you are at the airport by this time. We take our group flight to Ajaccio, where we meet Dr Estelle Lazer upon arrival. 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 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 Corte and the interior A spectacular drive takes us over Corsica’s central mountain range. We stop to enjoy the fine scenery of massive granite cliffs, oak forests and river valleys. Corte lies at the geographic centre of Corsica and is intimately connected to the island’s struggle for independence in the 18th century and, more

Images left: colourful Ajaccio Harbour; Napoleon at the Musée Fesch in Ajaccio

recently, with Corsica’s cultural identity. We visit the Musèe de la Corse which explores Corsica’s history and traditions. We then proceed to a lunch of traditional Corsican specialities before returning to Ajaccio by train. Overnight Ajaccio (B, L)

Wednesday May 9 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 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)

Thursday May 10 Bonifacio Harbour and citadel This morning after a talk, a local guide shows us the highlights of Bonifacio. The town is named after its Tuscan founder, Count Boniface, who came here in 828. The Genoese, in their early phases of their maritime empire established a presence here in 1187, the first of their Corsican holdings. For centuries the town has faced attack from Saracens, Pirates and fighting Pisan, Genoese and Spanish forces, all wanting to control this strategic place. After our tour the afternoon and evening are free. There are several walks near the town and you might like to take a short cruise of the harbour and nearby islands. 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 Nuragic sites near Arzachena. This includes the ‘giant’s tomb’ of Coddu Veccju, a monumental grave with a circle of impressive monoliths stunning coastline. After a brief stop on Sardinia’s famed Costa Smeralda we continue to Alghero on Sardinia’s west coast. This evening we stroll from our hotel to one of the harbourside restaurants for a relaxed dinner. Overnight Alghero (B, D)

Saturday May 12 Alghero This morning we explore Alghero, with 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

Images right: the bastion walls of Sartène; Bonifacio limestone cliffs offer a challenge for the happy home builder; the nuraghic monuments of Azachena

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. It is possible to take a boat tour to the ‘Grotte di Nettuno’ caves. Overnight Alghero (B)

Sunday May 13 Wine and ruins This morning we visit two remarkable sites. Sant’Andrea Priu, on a remote inland hill is a large Neolithic burial chamber, perhaps 5,000 years old, and in continuous use right through to the Byzantine period in the 8th century AD. Nearby Santu Antine is a large and complex Nuragic fortress. Returning back to Alghero, we visit the basilica of Santissima Trinità di Saccargia, built in 1116 and the finest example of Pisan Romanesque architecture on the island. Enjoy a tour and late afternoon wine tasting at Sella and Mosca, Sardinia’s best regarded winemakers. Overnight Alghero (B)

Monday May 14 Tharros We depart Alghero this morning and head south to Cagliari, first stopping at a sacred well at the nuraghic site of Santa Cristina. We continue on to Tharros, an ancient port city in a stunning coastal location. Founded by the Phoenicians in the eighth 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 where 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 our hotel. Overnight Cagliari (B, D)

Tuesday May 15 Cagliari Sardinia’s capital is spread out around the base of a fortress, built by Pisans in the 13th century and strengthened by the Spanish in the 16th. Our exploration begins at the fine archaeological museum, containing the very best artefacts from the Nuragic period, as well as Phoenician and Roman pieces. Next door is the small picture gallery, containing numerous altarpieces from the Spanish period. A walking tour takes us through the old city to the cathedral and down to the vibrant Castello and Marina districts, where there are many restaurants in the narrow laneways. This evening there will be a coach

Images left: Santu Antine – one of the 7000 Nuraghe they built across the island whose exact purpose remains unknown; a sacred well at the nuraghic site of Santa Cristina; and the view from Bastione San Remy transfer to and from the Marina district, so you can explore these restaurants. (B)

Wednesday May 16 NORA This morning, we travel south to the site of the ancient city of Nora. Founded by the Phoenicians in the ninth 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. We then share a farewell lunch in the resort town of Pula before returning to Cagliari in the late afternoon. Overnight Cagliari (B, L) Thursday May 17 Departure This morning we check out of the hotel and head to the airport. We arrive at the airport in time for the 12.05pm flight to Rome, connecting to a range of onward flights. (B)

Hotels

Hotels, except Bonifacio, are four-star properties, selected principally for their central location. The Hotel T in Cagliari is the city’s best hotel, but is located in a modern district of the city. Coach transfers to the historic area will be provided.

➢ Ajaccio, Hotel Palazzu U Domu (4 nights) www.palazzu-domu.com

➢ Bonifacio, Hotel Santateresa (2 nights) www.hotel-santateresa.com

➢ Alghero, Hotel Catalunya (3 nights) www.hotelcatalunya.it

➢ Cagliari, Hotel T (3 nights) www.thotel.it

Images right: a Bronze Age figurine in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Cagliari; and then Punic and Roman, town of Tharros

Scandola Nature Reserve

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 secure a place on the tour. It is important both for you and for your fellow travellers that you are fit enough to be able to enjoy all the activities on this Tour Inclusions tour. To give you an indication of the level of physical fitness required to participate on our tours, we have given them a star grading. Academy Travel’s tours tend to feature ➢ Economy class airfares Nice-Ajaccio and Cagliari-Rome extended walking tours and site visits, which require greater ➢ All accommodation in carefully selected four-star hotels fitness than coach touring. We ask you to carefully consider ➢ All breakfasts and selected lunches/dinners in hotels and your ability to meet the physical demands of the tour. local restaurants as noted in the itinerary ➢ All ground transport via private air-conditioned coach ➢ Ferry crossing Bonifacio-Santa Teresa This Grade Three tour is among our most physically ➢ Boat cruise as specified in itinerary demanding. To participate on this tour, you should be able to ➢ All entrance fees to sites mentioned on the itinerary comfortably undertake up to seven hours per day, over ➢ Background talks on sites and extensive tour notes several days. Activities may include travelling long distances, ➢ Services of tour leader throughout tour/ local guides at walking on difficult terrain, climbing stairs, embarking and some sites disembarking trains and/or boats, exposure to high altitudes ➢ Tips for local guides and drivers and long days of touring. These tours may include one night stops and early starts.

➢ International air fares, taxes and surcharges (see below) You should be able to: ➢ Travel insurance ➢ keep up with the group at all times ➢ Meals not mentioned in itinerary ➢ Expenses of a personal nature ➢ walk for 5-7 kilometres at a moderate pace with only short breaks ➢ stand for a reasonable length of time in galleries and Air travel OPTIONS museums ➢ tolerate varying climatic conditions such as humidity and The tour price quoted is for land content only. For this tour we heat recommend Emirates which offers flights into Nice and out of ➢ a reasonable level of physical and respiratory fitness Rome from most Australian cities. Please contact us for the best possible prices on economy, business or first-class fares. ➢ tolerate a diet that can be significantly different from a Transfers between airport and hotel are included for all typical Australian diet, and where some dietary passengers booking their flights through Academy Travel. requirements cannot be met These may be group or individual transfers. ➢ walk up and down slopes ➢ negotiate steps and slopes on archaeological sites or Enquiries & bookings mountain paths, which are often uneven and unstable ➢ get on and off a large coach with steep steps, train or boat unassisted, possibly with luggage For further information and to secure a place on this tour please contact Kathy Wardrop at Academy Travel on ➢ move your luggage a short distance if required 9235 0023 or 1800 639 699 (outside Sydney) or email [email protected] We regret that we are not able to accept bookings on a Grade Three tour from people more than 80 y Weather on Tour

Spring is a great time to tour the Mediterranean. During the daytime temperatures range from 18-25°C, dropping to 8- 13°C at night. Little rainfall is expected however it is wise to bring a light, waterproof jacket and an umbrella