Jewels of Corsica
more British holidaymakers are now discovering why the mediterranean island of corsica is such a magical destination
Perched on a limestone clifftop on the southern tip of Corsica, the ancient town of Bonifacio is one of the most photographed in France. on one side, towering houses cling to the edge of a sheer cliff sculpted into grooves by wind, weather and the sea. on the other, a vast citadel stands guard over a harbour, fringed with yachts and cafes. Take a boat trip to view this spectacular clifftop community from the water, a highlight of any visit to France’s ‘Island of Beauty’ (visit-corsica.com).
Why go?
With a flight time of just over two hours from London, Corsica is easy to reach but deliciously different from mainland France. The island’s jagged interior is gloriously green with thick forests, and more than 100 mountain peaks over 2,000 metres tall. Along the coast, sandy beaches and rocky coves are fringed with crystal clear water. This is a destination for people who love nature, outdoor activities and an authentic laid-back lifestyle.
And this year, more British visitors are set to discover the island thanks to new scheduled flights with Air Corsica from London Stansted to Ajaccio, Bastia and Figari. With regular services from 3 May to 4 November, Corsica is now viable as a short-break destination as well as for longer holidays.
explore and discover
Not that it’s easy to tear yourself away after a long weekend. Hire a car and you’ll discover an unspoilt natural paradise with a dramatic history. Closer to Italy than to France, Corsica was ruled by the Genoese for some 500 years and the island still has a very Italian feel, despite being French since 1768. A year later, Napoleon Bonaparte was born here at Ajaccio, the capital since 1811. Today this buzzing town and its harbour are popular with
cruise ships. Visit Napoleon’s birthplace, see the rich Italian art collections of Palais Fesch or stroll its elegant tree-lined boulevards.
get Back to nature
Ajaccio is a good starting point for exploring Corsica’s west coast. To the south lies the resort of Propriano; the historic town of Sartène; and Filitosa, one of the island’s many prehistoric sites. Head north from Ajaccio and the twisting coast road offers stunning views at every bend. Stop off to tour the pretty village of Piana before a boat trip from Porto to the Scandola Nature Reserve. If Bonifacio is the jewel of the south coast, so Calvi sparkles in the north. Another dramatic clifftop crowned with a citadel and overlooking a sweeping 5km beach. Drive inland for the villages of the Balagne region and the Regional Nature Park for walking and outdoor adventures.
Beautiful Beaches
The north coast resorts of L’île Rousse and Saint-florent are easily reached from the airport at Bastia. But don’t leave Bastia without wandering the town’s Vieux Port, narrow streets and the boutiques along Boulevard Paoli. North of Bastia, the ‘finger’ of rugged Cap Corse points towards Genova and the Italian coast. Drive the coast road for wonderful views, historic watch towers and charming fishing villages.
A little over 100 miles separate Bastia from the far south along the level east coast road. The final stretch between Porto-vecchio and Bonifacio offers family-friendly beaches aplenty, like Santa Giulia, Palombaggia and Rondinara, all easily accessed from Figari airport.
Where to stay
I rented a rural villa with pool through Corsican Places (corsica. co.uk). On our last night, we headed into Bonifacio and ate wild boar stew at U Castillé restaurant, owned by Hotel Colomba across the cobbled alley (hotel-bonifacio-corse.fr).
The lights of Sardinia came on across the water as we ate at one of four cosy tables jutting out above the waves on a narrow balcony. An unforgettable view in an island that’s packed with perfect panoramas.