Exploring the Mediterranean Gems: Discover the Charms of Sardinia and Corsica
Sardinia, the second-largest Mediterranean island, boasts a rich tapestry of history and culture. Its strategic location west of the Italian Peninsula and south of Corsica has attracted civilisations like the Phoenicians, Carthage, Romans, and Spanish, leaving behind a legacy of fascinating architecture and ancient stone dwellings. Today, Sardinia is distinctly Italian yet proudly embraces its unique Sardinian identity, with Cagliari as its bustling capital and largest city.
The island’s diverse ecosystems, from majestic mountains to pristine beaches, offer a glimpse into the essence of Mediterranean life. Sardinia’s cuisine is a fusion of farm-fresh produce, seafood delicacies, and exquisite local wines, creating a culinary experience like no other.
Corsica, a French territory and the fourth-largest Mediterranean island, is steeped in a rich history shaped by empires like Carthage, ancient Greeks, and Romans. Its capital, Ajaccio, is not only picturesque but also the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte and Pasquale Paoli, iconic figures in French and Corsican history.
Corsica’s landscapes are a blend of postcard-worthy scenery and historical sites, with chestnuts being a symbol of its gastronomic heritage. From Corsican Chestnut Beignets to Corsican Chestnut Cake, the island’s cuisine reflects its deep-rooted traditions and flavours.
The Siam Society is planning a study trip to the enchanting islands of Sardinia and Corsica, offering a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.
Starting from Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia, the trip will take you to explore the prehistoric Nuragic sites of Su Nuraxi di Barumini, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Next, we will visit the charming town of Bosa, known for its colourful houses along the riverfront.
Our journey continues to Alghero, where Catalan influence is evident in the architecture and culture. Explore the historic old town and enjoy the picturesque beaches of this coastal gem. We will then head to Castelsardo, a town perched on a hilltop overlooking the sea that offers stunning views and a glimpse into Sardinia’s medieval past.
Crossing over to Corsica, we will visit Bonifacio, known for its dramatic cliffs and historic citadel. Explore prehistoric sites like Filitosa, featuring ancient stone monuments and artefacts that highlight Corsica’s early civilisations.
In Ajaccio, the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, we will delve into Corsica’s fascinating history and visit key landmarks. Our journey continues to Calvi, a charming coastal town with a scenic harbour and beautiful beaches.
Finally, we will embark on a picturesque driving circle, winding through mountainous landscapes and viewing pretty small villages along the way to Bastia, the historic port city.
When
Leader
with Mrs Bilaibhan Sampatisiri
President of The Siam Society
Booking
The tentative programme will be as follows:
| Day 1: Wednesday, 9 October 2024: Bangkok | |
| 22:00 | Meet at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, Check in at the Thai Airways check-in counter |
| Day 2: Thursday, 10 October 2024: Bangkok – Milan – Cagliari (Sardinia) | |
| 00:40 | Depart Bangkok for Milan by Thai Airways flight TG940 |
| 07:35
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Arrive at Milan Malpensa Airport, pass the immigration control and collect the baggage.
Then transfer to Ryan Air check-in counter for a flight to Cagliari, the capital city of the Italian Island of Sardinia. |
| 13:15 | Depart Milan for Cagliari by Ryan Air flight FR238 |
| 14:50 | Arrive at Cagliari Elmas Airport (CAG), then transfer to the hotel |
| Evening: | Dinner and overnight at Palazzo Tirso Mgallery Hotel, Cagliari |
| Day 3: Friday, 11 October 2024: Cagliari | |
| – | Breakfast at the hotel |
| Morning: | Walking tour in the Castello district, the historic town centre perched on a hill and enclosed by ancient ramparts. Within the walls of Castello, wander through narrow, winding streets lined with medieval buildings. |
| – | Visit the Cathedral to admire the Pisan Romanesque facade with its intricate details and elaborate Gothic and Baroque interior, and Bastione di Saint Remy, a magnificent structure that offers breathtaking views of Cagliari, a picturesque setting overlooking the Bay of Angels. |
| Noon: | Lunch at a local restaurant |
| Afternoon: | Visit Museo Archeologico Nazionale and Museo d’Arte Siamese. Go on a panoramic tour by bus to see the most fascinating landmarks of Cagliari. |
| – | Visit the Basilica di Bonaria, a majestic church located on top of a hill overlooking the city and the sea. It is one of the most important religious sites in Sardinia and holds great historical and cultural significance. The church is dedicated to Our Lady of Bonaria, the patron saint of Sardinia. |
| – | Visit Parco Naturale Molentargius-Saline, learn about the history of this park and you will get a chance to watch the beautiful pink flamingos. |
| Evening:
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Dinner at own arrangement.
Overnight at Palazzo Tirso Mgallery Hotel, Cagliari |
| Day 4: Saturday, 12 October 2024: Cagliari – Su Nuraxi di Barumini– Cabras – Oristano | |
| – | Breakfast at the hotel |
| Morning: | Check out of the hotel and proceed north to Barumini, where we will visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Su Nuraxi – an impressive ruined stone complex (Nuraghe). Nuraghe rock town was developed during the Nuragic Age between 1900 and 730 BC There are about 7,000 Nuraghes scattered around Sardinia. The complex at Barumini is the finest and most complete example of this remarkable form of prehistoric architecture, its distinctive culture known as the Nuragic. |
| – | Continue to Cabras, where in 1974, on the Mont’e Prama hill, the archaeologists discovered the remains of about forty ancient stone statues of warriors – the so-called Giants of Mont’e Prama which were created by the Nuraghe civilisation of Sardinia. The discovery has been so important for Sardinian archaeology that it is pushing historians to rewrite a part of Mediterranean history. |
| Noon: | Lunch at a local restaurant |
| Afternoon:
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Visit Museo Civico Giovanni Marongiu in Cabra, where three boxers, two archers and a warrior, as well as four models of a poly-lobed nuraghe found on the Mont’e Prama hill, are being exhibited. |
| – | Visit Tharros, one of the most important and evocative archaeological legacies in the Mediterranean. Located on the southern tip of the Gulf of Oristano, Tharros has more than two thousand years of history. The ruins of the ancient city were founded in the 8th century BC and abandoned in the 11th century AD. |
| Evening:
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Dinner at a local restaurant
Overnight at Rodia Hotel, Oristano |
| Day 5: Sunday, 13 October 2024: Oristano – Bosa – Alghero | |
| – | Breakfast at the hotel |
| Morning:
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Check out of the hotel and explore the charming streets of Oristano’s old town and admire the medieval architecture, the Piazza Eleonora d’Arborea and the Torre di Mariano, a medieval tower. |
| – | Visit the beautiful Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, located in the heart of the city. |
| – | Next, we will stop in Tinnura, a tiny village where it’s worth taking a leisurely stroll to admire its captivating murals. Then continue to Bosa, one of the most beautiful towns of Sardinia, adorned with pastel houses perched on steep hillsides, leading up to a magnificent castle. In the foreground, fishing boats gently sway on a tranquil Temo river. |
| Noon: | Lunch at a local restaurant |
| Afternoon: | Explore the fabulous village of Bosa. The Old Village, also known as Sa Costa, lies around the Serravalle Castle, built by the Malaspinas between the 13th and 14th century AD. Visit the Church of the Immaculate Conception, the town’s Cathedral, featuring beautiful frescoes. |
| – | Proceed to Alghero, one of Sardinia’s most beautiful seafront medieval cities and the main resort in the northwest of Sardinia. |
| Evening:
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Dinner at own arrangement
Overnight at Catalunya Hotel, Alghero |
| Day 6: Monday, 14 October 2024: Alghero | |
| – | Breakfast at the hotel |
| Morning: | Walking tour in Alghero. Stroll along the narrow-paved streets, cobblestoned old centre, and see the Cathedral of St. Mary the Immaculate – a Roman Catholic cathedral, Bell tower, La Piazza Civica main square and seafront Bastions. |
| Noon: | Lunch at own arrangement |
| Afternoon:
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Proceed to visit the Nuragic Complex of Palmavera, a few kilometres away from Alghero. Nuraghe are the most important monuments that you can only find in Sardinia. They are the biggest constructions of the Mediterranean, megalithic towers joined together, made by massive stones and surrounded by a village. |
| – | After that continue to admire the panoramic view from the promontory of Capo Caccia and visit the Papinello estate and winery, founded through three generations of the Parpinello family’s dedication to vineyards and winemaking. Enjoy a wine tasting as part of your visit. |
| Evening:
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Dinner at a local restaurant
Overnight at Catalunya Hotel, Alghero |
| Day 7: Tuesday, 15 October 2024: Alghero – Sassari – Castelsardo – Santa Teresa di Gallura – Bonifacio | |
| – | Breakfast at the hotel |
| Morning: | Check out of the hotel and proceed to Sassari, visit its historical centre. Stroll and see the main monuments, Visit St. Nicholas Cathedral and its bell tower and Piazza Italia, a large square surrounded by several Palazzo. |
| – | After that continue to Castelsardo which was founded in 1270 by the Doria family of Genoa. The entire village built on a cliff called the “land of Hercules” overlooks the Gulf of Asinara and is surrounded by fortified walls. |
| Noon: | Lunch at a local restaurant |
| Afternoon: | Depart to Santa Teresa di Gallura |
| 15:30 | Embark on a ferry to Bonifacio, Island of Corsica (50 mins) |
| – | After a splendid ferry trip across the Strait of Bocche di Bonifacio from Sardinia to Corsica (France), we will reach the famous town of Bonifacio, surrounded by white limestone cliffs and the scene of many historical buildings. |
| Evening:
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Dinner at a local restaurant
Overnight at Prea Gianaca Hotel, Bonifacio |
| Day 8: Wednesday, 16 October 2024: Bonifacio (sightseeing) – Porto Vecchio – Bonifacio | |
| – | Breakfast at the hotel |
| Morning:
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Walking tour in Bonifacio, explore the citadel and historic old town of Bonifacio and the marina. This medieval old town in Bonifacio is the oldest town in Corsica and has many tall houses along cobbled streets in a spectacular setting along the top of the cliffs of the white limestone peninsula. The town is split into two main parts with the main town near the main gateway and at the end of the peninsula there are military fortifications and a cemetery. |
| Noon: | Lunch at own arrangement |
| Afternoon: | Leisure at the Marina with a backdrop of cliffs and the citadel above. There are also plenty of bars, restaurants and shops around. |
| Evening:
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Boat tour 1.30 hrs. Admire the limestone cliffs of Bonifacio, a natural jewel of Corsica.
Dinner at own arrangement |
| Overnight a Prea Gianaca Hotel, Bonifacio | |
| Day 9: Thursday, 17 October 2024: Bonifacio – Sartene – Filitosa – Ajaccio | |
| – | Breakfast at the hotel |
| Morning:
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Check out of the hotel and proceed to visit Sartène, the medieval hill town in the Rizzanèse valley. Its 16th-century watch tower and the main square are the remains of the town’s ancient ramparts. The grey granite houses form a harmonious tone, with the arched passages paved with granite stones. |
| – | Stroll along the little winding alleys, and enjoy the medieval surroundings. |
| – | After that, depart to the Prehistoric site, Filitosa. It is one of the most spectacular and interesting prehistoric sites in Corsica. The 8,000-year-old statues, dated back to the Neolithic era, approx. 70 menhirs sculptures, artefacts and vestiges are excavated and listed as a Historic Monument. In the museum, information on the way of life, beliefs, historical objects and tools are being displayed. |
| Noon: | Lunch at a local restaurant |
| Afternoon: | Driving cross over the hills to Ajaccio, the island’s capital city. It is a vibrant city with a port and colourful marketplace. Napoleon Bonaparte was born here in 1769. Many statuses in his honour are situated in the streets that were once his childhood playground today. |
| Evening: | Dinner at a local restaurant |
| Overnight at Hotel Mercure, Ajaccio | |
| Day 10: Friday, 18 October 2024: Ajaccio – Corte – Calvi | |
| – | Breakfast at the hotel |
| Morning: | Check out of the hotel and start a walking tour in Ajaccio. Since it is the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, nearly everything here is centred around him. Many buildings and places refer to the former French emperor. The centre of Ajaccio is based around the 16th-century citadel (still in military use, so it is not open to the public), and spreads west and north of the citadel into the town. Highlights of Ajaccio are the House of Napoleon Bonaparte’s birth, now the Musée National de la Maison Bonaparte, and The Imperial Chapel (La Chapelle Imperiale) Ajaccio Cathedral. |
| Noon: | Lunch at own arrangement |
| Afternoon: | Depart to Corte, the Corsican cultural town, situated at the confluence of three rivers – the Restonica, the Tavignanu and the Orta with the picturesque fortification of the citadel standing high on a rocky outcrop. It was the capital of Corsica from 1755 to 1769. Pasquale Paoli, head of the Corsican resistance, declared their new republic here in 1794, making Corte the capital. His statue is in the main square. |
| – | After we arrive, we will take the Le Petit train to see this beautiful town. The train route marks the city’s heritage route and passes the most important and most beautiful historic sites of Corte such as Place Gaffori, Place Padou, Place Paoli, National Palace, Citadel, Palazzi House, etc. There are two stops on the route to allow travellers to take some photos. The first is at the foot of the “eagle’s nest” of the citadel, to see the Tavignanu Valley as well as the small Baliri beach on the banks of the river which flows in its centre. The second stop will be at the foot of the Grosseti Barracks, where we will see an extraordinary panoramic view of Corte in its rock setting. |
| –
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After that leisurely in the town centre before heading to Calvi, a town known for its beaches and crescent-shaped bay.
Near Calvi, we will visit a vineyard to test a variety of Corsica wine and liqueur and see the process of wine production. |
| Evening: | Dinner at a local restaurant |
| Overnight at Kasano & Spa Hotel, Calvi | |
| Day 11: Saturday, 19 October 2024: Calvi – Bastia – Frankfurt | |
| – | Breakfast at the hotel |
| Morning:
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Check out of the hotel and start a walking tour in Calvi – old town, Baroque St-Jean-Baptiste Cathedral. On the mountaintop is Chapelle de Notre Dame de la Serra with a statue of the standing Virgin Mary, crowning a rocky outcrop facing the sea.
After that continue driving to see hill villages of Balagne. |
| Noon: | Lunch at a local restaurant |
| Afternoon:
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Proceed to Bastia Airport.
Driving circle via mountain scenery with various pretty small villages along the way such as Sant’Antonino which is the “most beautiful village” of France. The tasting of lemon juice and local products in the Corbara, Pigna and Aregno villages can elevate the atmosphere of these beautiful quaint little villages. |
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Bastia is a port town that was founded in 1378 by the Genoese governor as a fishing village called Marina di Cardo. Bastia was the capital of Corsica until 1791 and still is the military headquarters of the island. Today, Bastia is a modern port city and manufactures cigarettes, cigars, and preserves.
* If time permits, we will spend some free time in the old town of Bastia as time permits before heading to Bastia Airport. Dinner at own arrangement |
| 18:30 | Depart Bastia to Frankfurt International Airport by Lufthansa flight LH1093 |
| 20:10 | Arrive at Frankfurt International Airport, walk to Sheraton Frankfurt Airport Hotel (5 min walk) |
| Evening: | Overnight at Sheraton Frankfurt Airport Hotel, Frankfurt |
| Day 12: Sunday, 20 October 2024: Frankfurt | |
| – | Breakfast at the hotel |
| Morning: | Walk to Frankfurt International Airport |
| 14:45 | Depart Frankfurt to Bangkok by Thai Airways flight TG921 |
| Day 13: Monday, 21 October 2024: Bangkok | |
| 06:25 | Arrive at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport |
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The Siam Society reserves the right to change the programme as necessary. |
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Booking:
Contribution of THB 200,500 (THB 204,500 for non-member). Single room surcharge of THB 32,000. A deposit of THB 50,000 and a photocopy of the identification page on your passport must accompany the booking. Your reservation will be confirmed as soon as the deposit has been made. There is a 3% surcharge for credit/debit card payments to cover bank charges. Payment in full will be required 30 days before the start of the trip (i.e. by Monday, 9 September 2024). Please pay by cash or cheque payable to “The Siam Society”. Transfer can also be made to The Siam Society travel account at TMBThanachart Bank (ttb), saving account no. 053-2-18000-7, swift code: TMBKTHBK or by scanning the QR code below. Once payment has been made, please e-mail the deposit or transfer the docket to us.
Inclusions:
- The contribution includes accommodation (twin sharing basis), meals as mentioned in the programme, transfer and sightseeing coaches, entrance fees, gratuities, and other costs incurred to make this trip possible.
- Basic travel insurance which will only cover participants travelling from and back to Thailand.
Exclusions:
- All air tickets are not included in the price (Bangkok – Milan – Cagliari and Bastia – Frankfurt – Bangkok),but for those who would like us to book their tickets, it can be arranged at the time of booking.
- Seven meals that are excluded from the programme (dinner on day 2, 5, 8, and 11 and lunch on day 6, 8 and 10)
- Visa fees (if any), personal expenses, personal food and beverage consumptions, etc.
Please note that the flight itinerary between Bangkok – Milan – Cagliari and Bastia – Frankfurt – Bangkok as mentioned in the programme only serves as a suggestion. Trip participants can travel with their preferred airline of choice throughout the above sequence of the itinerary.
Tourist Visa Policy
Thai passport holders:
Holders of Thai passports are required to apply for a Schengen Tourist Visa before entering Italy. However, exceptions are granted to Thai passport holders holding a VALID multiple entry Schengen visa.
Non-Thai passport holders:
Nations such as the US, the UK, the EU countries, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, etc. have a visa waiver agreement with Italy and no visa is required for passport holders from these countries to enter for tourism. A valid passport with a minimum validity of six months from the arrival date is sufficient.
For more information about categories and nationals of countries that are required Schengen visa before entering Italy, please follow the link below:
Please note that your passport must be valid for at least six months longer than your intended stay in a visiting country and must also have at least two blank pages for visa stickers/ stamps.
To comply with payment and cancellation policies set forth by the tour agencies and to facilitate smooth working conditions between The Siam Society and the tour agencies, please carefully read the cancellation policies stated below:
Cancellation charges:
| 40 days before the start of the trip: | Deposit forfeited |
| 39-30 days before the start of the trip: | 50% of the tour cost |
| Less than 30 days or cancellation without notice: | No refund |
*The cancellation charges will also depend on the date we pay the deposit to our travel agent. If we have to pay the deposit to the travel agent before the 40-day period prior to the start of the trip, our officer will send an email to inform every participant before we make the payment as only a partial amount of the deposit can be refunded after that point.
Covid-19 policy
Due to a lower number of worldwide infections, many countries have relaxed their travel restrictions and quarantine requirements regarding Covid-19. Nevertheless, when travelling as a group, The Siam Society would like to remind you of the following measures that we have put in place:
– We suggest performing a self-administered ATK test before the commencement of the trip. Participants can also carry ATK test kits, along with their preferred set of medicines (for consumption if infected with Covid-19.) with them.
– In the event that trip participants are tested positive during the trip, the group will continue to follow the planned itinerary. To ensure the health and safety of all trip participants, those who tested positive shall adhere to appropriate self-isolation measures as directed by the trip leader.
– Those tested positive with severe symptoms shall be treated in accordance with the health measures stipulated by the local government. Medical costs shall be at the expense of the trip participant(s).
For further information and bookings, please contact Khun Thun at 02-661-6470-3 ext 205, or studytrips@thesiamsociety.org. The Society’s office is open from 09:00 to 17:00, Tuesday to Saturday.
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