Corsica is a French department located 200km away from the French Riviera. The Beauty Island was the nickname given to this piece of land by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a French philosopher during the XVIII century. Napoléon de Bonaparte, the famous military commander and politician, was a native of this isle. Often described as a mountain in ►
Corsica is a French department located 200km away from the French Riviera. The Beauty Island was the nickname given to this piece of land by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a French philosopher during the XVIII century. Napoléon de Bonaparte, the famous military commander and politician, was a native of this isle. Often described as a mountain in the sea with its 2700m peak for only 183km long and 80km wide, the transition between golden beaches and cliffs edge is brusque. Please put on your hiking boots, don\'t forget to put sunscreen in your bag, and get a kick out of visiting every nook and cranny of this island, famous for being a top GR footpath destination and considered the most beautiful in the world by its jingoistic population.
Ajaccio is to be one to remember; strolling through the old part of the town will force you to keep your eyes open. Exploring the fortress will make you discover picturesque buildings, old churches, along with historic fountains. The museum of the Bonaparte House is the most frequented tourist attraction in the old town, and it\'s worth a look. Take a deep breath at the heart of the local market, the meeting place of the residents. Although the main attraction is tasting local wines with experts, fresh vegetables, cold meats and the Fior di Percura, a local sheep milk cheese, will make your mouth water.
If you're looking for a less crowded seaside resort that suggests all sorts of activities to have something planned each day, then head to Porto-Vecchio. There, renowned beaches such as Palombaggia or Santa Giulia offer windsurfing as well as water skiing. For the ones passionate about history, climbing the hills beside the village leads to ruins of the Bronze Age. Have an appointment with wild Corsica by escaping for a thrilling mountain bike ride beyond the mark paths. If you and your family are still wondering where to stay during your holidays, we recommend camping. You couldn't ask for better in terms of cost, activities and friendliness.
Christopher Colombus's place and date of birth still need to be clarified. Calvi, a tiny village in upper Corsica, makes the myth last by claiming it as his birthplace. This marina is also a tourist site offering a wide choice of restaurants where regional specialties are served from lunch to dinner.
Bonifacio's old town is a maze of narrow streets. To get there, passing by the Bastion de l'Etendard will offer you fantastic views of the harbor, where stunning yachts and fishing boats are stationed. Plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from are around the harbor, the perfect place to have a break. This harbor is one of many in Corsica where departures for scuba diving are made. Go aboard the dive boat where an expert will take you to one of the numerous coves. Keep your eyes open while snorkeling! Besides observing the marina wildlife of these turquoise waters, you may catch sight of the eye of Saint Lucia. Famous in Corsica, it\'s a shell considered a lucky charm in many countries.
Many sloping villages among the Corsican hills are yet to be discovered, but our last stop will be in Bastia, the former capital of Corsica. Stand the test of time by going through the Louis XVI gateway to enter the Terra-Nova. The Place du Donjon, the Palace of Governors, the Saint Mary Cathedral and several museums, to mention just a few, make this haven overflowing with history. If you want to stand back and admire the isle from another perspective, the city offers boat tours, microlight flights, and parasailing.
◄
