Ferry to Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Toe

Rather than drive the complete length of the Italian “boot,” we decided to ride a ferry to Corsica, another to Sardinia, a third one to Sicily, and one last ferry to Italy’s toe, on the mainland. An entertaining and educational way to go.

We left Livorno, Italy, at breakfast time and arrived in Bastia, Corsica by lunch. The morning rainstorm had increased in intensity, so after driving around Bastia, we drove on to Corte, then Ajaccio, visited other parts of Corsica, then a day or two later, arrived at Bonifacio, at the southern tip of Corsica.

Bonifacio is an outstanding ancient town, high on the edge of a cliff, with walls and a fortress, with multicolored buildings, right along the harbor. At the ferry dock we were informed that the space on the boat from Corsica to Sardinia, needed for our “large” vehicle, was sold out. When it happened that space was available, the French ticket clerk was so disappointed to be proven wrong, he almost didn’t sell us a ticket. An Italian clerk would have cheered our good luck.

It was a picturesque thirty minutes to Sardinia. The view of Corsica, the pastel colors of the buildings along Bonifacio’s port, the castle above the 200 feet high yellow stone cliff, small rock islands scattered in the deep-blue sea—the ride was exceptional. That ferryboat ride to Sardinia cost $28 for the RV and the two passengers, and we have yet to blunder into a more wonderful way to spend $28.

About a week later we drove onto the ferry from Sardinia to Sicily, and a large truck filled with smelly sheep parked right next to us. While we had asked if we could spend the night in our RV, after seeing (smelling!) our neighbor, we were very happy to have a small stateroom in which to spend the night.

We had been the first vehicle on the ferry from Sicily to Italy’s toe, and would be the first off when we arrived at Villa San Giovanni. In front of us were two very heavy-set ladies with four large, and two even larger bundles to carry. The two largest bundles looked to be several smaller packages, gathered together in a large knapsack or tablecloth, 3 feet across.

When we docked, they each balanced their largest bundle on their head, picked up others in each hand, then smoothly and gracefully glided off the ferry ahead of us. Amazing.