Thanks for the information, K8T, and for the link to the transfer company. I think I'll contact them for a quote, just to compare with the price I already have.
Edited to add: I just checked the prices with Barcelona Transfers and they are quite a bit less than the company I now have reservations with. Thank you, thank you for the tip K8T!!!
So glad, I thought they were a bit more than others to be honest!!!, but it was worth it for the reliability and vehicles.
OK, if anyone is interested!!!
Corsica Ajjacio. This is a lovely little island, we did a local excursion on another cruise ship, but it only took us around the town and to the square and monument, which you can actually walk to yourself, head up into the town and to the left slightly and then straight on again. (sort of 11.00 direction from the ship!).
I like this port because in the morning there is usually a market, just opposite where the ship comes in, selling fresh vegetables, fabulous honey etc. If you continue through the market, through to the other side, there is a long shopping street that runs parallel with the water, some nice cafes, touristy type stuff, nice pottery in bright colours, olive oil pourers etc. A good place to buy gifts to take home.
Ajjacio is the birthplace of Napoleon, so there are monuments and squares dedicated to the man himself and there is also an amazing library along the main street that houses, really really old books full of his letters and journals, certainly worth a look.
I believe there is a little train that does a trip around the town. There are some small beaches within walking distance, just walk to the left of the town and keep going following the waterline. You have to go down some steep steps to the beaches, they are quite narrow, but nice sand and the water is clear, good for snorkling. The second beach along is nicer, but a bit of a walk. They have showers, but that is all. We buy cheese & bread at the market, a bottle of wine and have an afternoon just lazing!
There is also a tourist bus, which takes you along the coastline, which is very interesting to see a bit of the scenery, there are private beach clubs along this road and the bus will drop you off, they have jet skis for hire. I am sure a search would come up with something and of course a taxi could take you.
The shops do usually shut around lunchtime, so just be aware of that, they open again in the afternoon. There are some lovely restaurants on the edge of the quay, which do fantastic seafod (as you would expect). Try the Moules et frites.
Villfranche This is a tender port, the boats come into a little harbour, which you walk along, through a small building which has lots of tourist information, maps etc., The beach is literally over to your right, so just walk along the waterside. However it is very narrow and a bit stony. The train station is the same direction, you will see a large wall on your left and some steps up to the station. If you are on the sea side of the platform the train takes you to Nice, on the other side (landside), you go to Monaco, Montecarlo.
The trains are easy to use, clean, but busy, there are displays inside that tell you what station is coming up.
Montecarlo is certainly worth a visit, looking at the millionaires yachts and the Casino is beautiful, you need your passport if you want to go inside and I think they charge you now to have a look. There is the Hotel de Paris just outside and opposite that a pavement cafe, where it cost us around $60 for two beers, two wines, three waters and an icecream!! However, you can sit here with cool water being misted over you from above, watching the Ferraris, Rolls Royce and other amazing cars driving up to the Casino and being valet parked by the doorman - in the middle of the afternoon. The Palace is worth visiting, the buses are fairly easy to use, the maps have the routes marked. It is built into a hillside and you can find elevators that take you up levels, but be prepared for some walking!
Nice has a large beach, but a stony one, amazing shops and again restaurants along the beach front, it is a big place, very different from Monaco/Montecarlo. A typical seaside resort. I like shopping around here and there are some quaint little streets. I am sure you are aware that you may find topless bathers on the beaches, perfectly normal in the South of France! There are a lot of small private beaches, with sun loungers and umbrellas and showers, You can pay six or seven euros and stay for the afternoon, with drinks and icecreams being brought around to you.
If you go out early enough, you can do both Montecarlo and Nice, but probably wouldn't do either full justice. Personally I would say go to Montecarlo, I think it is much more visual and entertaining.
Villefranche is also nice just to wander around for an hour or two if you don't want to go far.
Hope the above helps, Disney Falcon has some great photos which show all the ports really well, you can't go very wrong if you follow that!!
Kate