SARDINIA & CORSICA FROM THE STONE AGE TO NAPOLEON SEPTEMBER 21 – OCTOBER 6, 2018 TOUR LEADER: ROBERT VEEL SARDINIA & CORSICA Overview FROM THE STONE AGE TO NAPOLEON Sardinia and Corsica each have a unique history, stretching back 5,000 Tour dates: September 21 – October 6, 2018 years. In spite of centuries of invasion and occupation both islands have maintained a distinctive culture, reflecting both their current status as part Tour leader: Robert Veel of Italy and France, and millennia of diverse Mediterranean influences. This carefully constructed itinerary aims to showcase the very best of each Tour Price: $8,450 per person, twin share island, mixing historical and cultural sites with the superb landscapes for which the islands are famous and an exploration of local traditions, food Single Supplement: $1,850 for sole use of and wine. double room On Sardinia we focus on the island’s remarkable archaeology, with perhaps the greatest range of Palaeolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age sites Booking deposit: $500 per person to be found anywhere. A picture of these ancient cultures is built up progressively, visiting a range of small sites and museums. We also Recommended airline: Emirates explore the influence of Phoenician, Roman, Pisan, Genoese and Spanish occupiers over the centuries. The itinerary begins in southern Sardinia, Maximum places: 20 moving progressively north. Itinerary: Pula (3 nights), Santa Caterina (2 In Corsica, the focus is first and foremost on the magnificent natural nights), Alghero (3 nights), Bonifacio (2 nights), scenery of the island, which combines pristine coastline with a Ajaccio (3 nights), Bastia (2 nights) mountainous interior that is the equal of the European Alps. However, there are also notable historic sites to be enjoyed, including the Bastion Date published: May 23, 2018 cities built by the Genoese and of course the story of Napoleon, Corsica’s most famous son. The itinerary includes several days of scenic coach touring and two boat excursions. There are some long days of coach journeys on winding roads and all up we stay in six different towns. A reasonable level of fitness and stamina is required to enjoy this tour. Your tour leader Robert Veel has been leading tours to Italy and other parts of the Mediterranean since 1990. He is a director of Academy Travel and holds a BA, Med and Dip Ed from the University of Sydney. For many years Robert taught at the University of Sydney, including several years as Assistant Director of its Centre for Continuing Education. Robert’s knowledge of Italy stretches from the time of the Greek colonies to the 20th century, though his teaching focus has been on Medieval and Renaissance Italy. Robert also has a keen interest and good knowledge of the visual arts and western classical music. Enquiries and Robert researched this tour to Sardinia and Corsica in October 2017. The bookings itinerary aims to provide a broad range of experiences including archaeology, ancient history, maritime empires of the Mediterranean, For further information and to geology and natural scenery, food and wine. secure a place on this tour please contact Kathy ‘Robert Veel was every traveller’s dream leader. Ever-present to Wardrop at Academy Travel be of assistance, energetic, enthusiastic and entertaining in his talks – a on 9235 0023 or 1800 639 true professional.’ Feedback from Academy Travel’s New York: Music, 699 (outside Sydney) or email Theatre, Art & Food tour, April 2016 [email protected] Tour Highlights SARDINIA’S STONE & BRONZE AGE SITES Dotted around the island are hundreds of prehistoric sites, ranging from 5,000-year-old necropoli to Bronze Age ‘Nuraghe’: fortresses, villages, sacred wells and other structures, dating from 2,000-1,200BC. Sardinia offers perhaps the world’s best glimpse into human pre-history. On the tour we visit a varied range of sites and key archaeological museums to gain an understanding of Sardinia’s ancient peoples. ALGHERO A mix of Spanish and Italian influences, Sardinia’s western maritime city of Alghero is full of charm. The fortified old city dates from the time of Aragon rule in the 13th-16th centuries. As well as historic sites, the area offers fine scenery, with plunging limestone cliffs and attractive harbours. North of Alghero is one of Sardinia’s leading wine-producing areas, with the white vermentino variety predominant. BONIFACIO Corsica’s southernmost town is dramatically situated high on the limestone cliffs of the straits that separate Sardinia and Corsica. At Bonifacio’s heart is a magnificent fortress, built by the Genoese in the middle ages to guard this strategic point. Fought over for centuries, Bonifacio’s history is as striking as its scenery. Numerous groups tried to conquer the citadel, including Saracen pirates and Pisa, Genoa’s chief rival. NAPOLEON’S BIRTHPLACE Corsica’s capital Ajaccio was the birthplace of its most famous son, Napoleon, who rose up from relatively humble origins to command an empire. Corsicans are immensely proud of this heritage, celebrated in an excellent house-museum and the art collection of the Emperor’s uncle, Cardinal Fesch, one of the most important connoisseurs of the 18th century. The Palais Fesch also houses an imperial chapel for the Bonaparte family. CORTE AND THE CENTRAL MOUNTAINS The crossing from south to north Corsica is as dramatic as the Swiss Alps. A river valley gradually gives way to pristine oak forests and finally craggy granite peaks, rising nearly 3,000 metres above sea level. The inland town of Corte is the spiritual home of Corsican identity, and the centre of Corsican independence movements. All this is explored in the well- regarded Musèe de la Corse, within the 15th-century citadel. Introducing Sardinia and Corsica In spite of their proximity to continental Italy and France, of which they are 3,000BC semi-independent regions, the islands of Sardinia and Corsica are not well NEOLITHIC HYPOGEA known to most travellers. So what do they have to offer? Landscape The landscape of each island is distinctive. Sardinia is mainly limestone, with chalky cliffs and rolling hills. White cliffs punctuated with sandy beaches characterise the coastline, whereas the interior is rolling hills. Most 1800-800BC local architecture is built from the limestone. Corsica, on the other hand, BRONZE AGE was formed mainly by dramatic volcanic uplift, with craggy granite peaks ‘NURAGIC’ CIVILIZATION thrusting over 2,500 metres and a ruggedly beautiful coastline. History 750-212BC The history of both islands begins in the Neolithic period, the late stone age. PHOENICIANS/ Visitors can visit impressive underground burial vaults (hypogea) that are CARTHAGINIANS over 5,000 years old. Sardinia is famous for its Bronze Age (1800-800BC) sites. Over 6,500 Bronze Age structures have been identified, the most 212BC–6C AD characteristic being the cylindrical watch towers, called ‘nuraghe’ in ROMANS Sardinia. There are also castle-like buildings, sacred springs and monumental ‘giants’ tombs. In the seventh century BC, the Carthaginians established trading settlements on both islands. These were later occupied by the Romans, 6-10C AD VANDAL, GOTH, who held the islands right through to sixth century AD. The period 600- SARACEN INVASIONS 1100 was one of invasion and depopulation. Successive waves of Vandals, Goths and Saracens moved through the islands. Things settled down in the 11th century when the Pisans established strongholds on both islands, part of their vast maritime empire. Striped ‘Pisan Romanesque’ churches pop up on both islands. 11C-1284 PISAN MARITIME EMPIRE The Genoese defeated the Pisans in a decisive sea battle in 1284 and their presence on Corsica lasted right through until the 18th century. The 18th century saw Sardinia and Corsica being swapped among the Bourbons, Hapsburgs and Savoy rulers of Europe, until Napoleon swept away the ancient regime. 1284-18C GENOESE Remote and underdeveloped Sardinia and Corsica became backwaters in MARITIME the 19th and 20th century, but this very remoteness and lack of EMPIRE development are drawcards for the modern traveller. Food and wine 1799-1815 NAPOLEON Seafood dominates the local cuisine. Specialities include lobster around Bonifacio and ‘bottarga’, a delicious fish roe. Lamb is also abundant on both islands, and sheep’s cheese is a staple. In Corsica you can also find cinghiale, wild boar sausage. Overlaid with these regional specialities are classic Italian and French dishes – fresh pasta and excellent croissants. 19-21C AUTONOMOUS Both islands produce excellent red and white wines, which are only now REGIONS being recognised. Vermentino is Corsica’s leading white wine, whereas OF ITALY Bordeaux-style reds come from Corsica’s Cap Corse region. AND FRANCE Detailed itinerary Included meals are shown with the letters B, L and D. Begin the tour relaxed In order to get the most from the tour we suggest you plan to arrive in Rome a few days early to recover from the flight. As well as flights we are able to arrange pre-tour accommodation in Rome. Please contact us to discuss the best options. Friday September 21 Rome to Sardinia The tour begins at Rome’s Fiumicino airport at 1.30pm today. Please arrange your travel so that you are at the airport by this time. After meeting your tour leader Robert Veel, we take our group flight to Cagliari. On arrival at Cagliari a coach takes us to Pula, a resort town on the south coast about one hour away. Tonight there is a simple dinner in our hotel. Overnight Pula (B, D) Saturday September 22 A snapshot of ancient Sardinia After an introductory lecture we visit the Punic-Roman archaeological site of Nora, just a few minutes from our hotel. The site is beautifully situated on a narrow headland. Next to the site is an 11th century church built in honour of the martyr saint, Efisio.