My journey started in the Netherlands and drove via the French Riviera (check blog here), to Nice. From Nice with the Corsican Ferries night ferry to Bastia in the North of Corsica. I paid for the journey from Nice to Bastia in September including a small car, sleeping cabin with a window, 181 EUR. Please use this link with Direct Ferries if you want to support me in writing these blogs!
Day 1
Somewhere in the middle of South of France. I stopped at the village of Mercurol. Right next to the Route de Solei past Lyon, 1.000 kilometers from home, in a beautiful area. Perfect to stretch your legs after a full day in the car. Hiked up the “La Tour de Mercurol” a fort surrounded by vineyards and watched a stunning sunset. The holiday has started!! Logis Hotel l’Abricotine, was simple but perfect including a restaurant in the middle of nature and close to the A7, the main road to the South of France. Good pick!
Day 2
From Mercurol, it was only 330 km to Saint-Tropez, my first real stop in the Cote d’Azur. The last part was over the D558 was stunning and feeling that I was really on holiday. Last minute I booked the Ibis Golfe de Saint-Tropez in the Cogolin. This is very close to Saint-Tropez and Ramatuelle, a perfect and cheaper option that is in the center of Saint-Tropez. Please check my blog Iconic Saint-Tropez Area, Côte d’Azur France, here!
Day 3-4
From Saint-Tropez to Cannes, Grasse and Antibes. Driving the coastal road D559, D6098, A8 and D6185 to Grasse. See my blog of things to do in the Cannes, Grass and Antibes area here. Like perfume museum in Grasse, shopping in Cannes and stroll in Antibes. All with tips to make it easier to travel.
Day 5
Next day the unique Monaco. The distances are not to long only 60 km, with good toll road in between if you want to hurry up. Check my detailed blog on what to see in Monaco here.
Day 6-7
Drive the Vue Panoramique, M6007 from Monaco and Nice, you will pass the lovely village of Eze. Stunning views, but difficult to stop to make a picture. I loved Nice, great vibe and my last stop in the French Riviera, from here my overnight ferry went to Corsica. Check here my blog with all the tips and inspirations on Nice, and why I loved it so much!
You definitely need a car on the island. I have seen some trains and busses but to be fully flexible and get the full Corsica experience, you need a car, camper of motor.
Day 8-9
Driving the D81 From Bastia to Calvi. Stay to nights in Calvi as a base and discover the area, with the villages of Pigna, Sant’Antonino and L’Île-Rousse. Chill at the stunning beaches Plage de Ghjunchitu and Plage de Bodri. Check for a more detailed description of this itinerary in the blog Travel Tips and Inspirations Round Tripping Northwest Corsica.
Day 10
Driving from Calvi to Coggia area, passing the West side of Corsica, the view of the Bocca Di Palmarella, have lunch in Porto, with the highlight of the trip, the Calanques de Piana. I stayed in Hôtel A Rena D’Oru at the beach of Santana. Perfect to chill and watch the sunset after a long day of driving!
Day 11
Visiting the capital and birthplace of Napoleon in Ajaccio and chill at Plage du Lido in Propriano and enjoy the lovely accommodation Hôtel A Stretta!
Day 12-13
Today you will be driving from Propriano to Porto Vecchio, visiting the unique village of Sartène and of course the famous Bonifacio. Porto Vecchio is a perfect base to discover the Southeast of Corsica, including the Îles Lavezzi islands. This part of Corsica has the most beautiful beaches Plage de Rondinara and Plage de Palombaggia. I loved hotel Mistral, the Ibis Porto Vecchio is also a good alternative. The detailed blog on Travel Tips and Inspirations Round Tripping Southeast Corsica, you can find here.
Day 14
Today driving from Porto Vecchio to Bastia, with as main stop Calvi in the middle of Corsica. Perfect in time to take the night ferry back to the South of France, in my instance Toulon.
Take the night ferry; saves time and you can book your own cabin with beds and private bathroom, all for a decent price of 80-90 EUR per cabin. Which is cheap compared to a hotel room on the island.
Day 15 -16
Toulon to Den Haag Netherlands. In one-way straight home, long drive but wanted to sleep in my own bed. But better to take a stop in the middle and extend the holiday for another day!!
Enjoy your trip!! Check my blog on Tips before you go Road Tripping for more Tips!
