Corsica - 16 Nights
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144 km
29 km
Bonafacio 3N
130 km
Ajaccio 2N
68 km
Piana 1N
95 km
Corte 1N
85km - you could take the back roads through the mountains to save doubling back on the coast road
Calvi 2N
69 km
86 km
Macinaggio 1N
37 km - back to Bastia
= 16N
It is the 4th largest island in the Mediterranean. It is 100 miles from France, 50 miles from Italy and 7 miles from Sardinia. Ajaccio is the capital
Same as for France, part of the Shengen area and 90 days on arrival for many countries, check to make sure
Europe is never going to be cheap but if you are travelling as a pair you should be able to keep costs down. Accomodation is usually the main expense and car rental will take its fair share. It all depends on what you must have and what you can do without. Try to budget for a bit more to allow yourself a freedom of choices.
Population -
342,000
AKA -
The Isle of Beauty / known as Corse in France
About -
Corsica has around 7 airports and 7 ferry ports so start and finish where you arrive. This trip is a loop of the island and starts and finishes in Batsia which has ferry connections to various ports in France and Italy.
Stay in or near Bastia 2N. There are plenty of old towns and ports around the island so try to have some variety in your accommodation.
In Bastia to drive around the island and drop it back here 16 days later. Stop in at a smorgasbord of attractions as you make your way around the island. Or going around on a motorbike would be even better.
Head down to Puerto Vecchio for 2N with a day at the Jewel of Corsica beach.
3N at Bonafacio with maybe a side trip to Sardinia thrown in
2N in Ajaccio the capital
Piana 1N (UNESCO listedHeritage listed Park which is one of the most beautiful drives in Europe)
1N in Corte in the mountains then Calvi (Beach) 2N, and Saint Florent 2N (stunning)
Next drive around the (most scenic) peninsula for
and other little villages and spend the night in lively little Macanaggio. Continue on and head home from Bastia. Or take the ferry over to Italy and keep the good times going.
The best time is May to September - the water stays warm until September
For walking May, June and September are a little cooler
April and October are still ok for a visit
November to March things are pretty quiet
Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte (AJA)
from Nice and Marseille / Weekly direct flights from Europe to Bastia and Ajjaccio / more from Gatwick and Manchester
There are 7 ferry ports on the island with crossings from France and Italy
Corsica has an excellent rail system
Stay -
A lot of these don't have free cancelation so just try walking in off the street
Bastia 2N
Tres Bel Appartement Viex Port de Bastia
Great location in the old port - fully equipped kitchen - washing machine - free parking
Monsieur Miot Concept Hotel ***
Good location in the centre of the city - restaurant & bar - no parking (you don't need to get a car here until you leave)
Close to port and markets - terrace & bar & cafe - parking 1 EUR per hour, (see above)
Porto Vecchio 2N
excellent location on the waterfront and near the port - outdoor pool, sun terrace & hot tub - free parking on site - sea views - massage & hammam - restaurant & bar
excellent location on a hill with sea views and close to the beach - gardens & rooftop terrace with pool - free parking onsite - cafe & bar - 8km away from Porto-Vecchio
excellent location directly on the water of a private beach - self catering villas and studios with patios with BBQ facilities - outdoor pool with furnished terrace - free parking onsite - washing machine - 2 outdoor pools, kids pool and private beach 10 m away - cafe
excellent location 5 mins drive from Porto-Vecchio & close to Palombaggio beach the Jewel of Corsica - 2 outdoor pools & sea views from the funished terrace - free parking onsite -
Bonafacio 2N
Perfect location on the quiet side of the port offering stunning views of the Old Port and the Citadel - heated outdoor swimming pool with bar and terrace - all rooms have port views - free onsite secure parking - buffet breakfast - evening cocktails in the bar lounge with old port views
Ajaccio 2N
Excellent location in the Old Town and near the City Beach - both places are practically neighbours - close to restaurants and bars - public parking nearby and charges may apply
Next to property above - restaurant - close to market and Napoleon's House - parking same as above
Piana 1N
Excellent location with UNESCO listed panoramic terrace overlooking the Gulf of Porto - don't miss the restaurant even if you don't stay here - secure carpark - not on Booking.com
Excellent location at the entrance to one of the most beautiful villages in France, Piana - a cheaper option to the one above - not on Booking.com - private parking
Corte 1N
Excellent location in the centre of town - Public parking nearby for Eur 10 per day - cafe
Calvi 2N
Excellent location on the beachfront with stunning views looking back at the Old Port and Citadel and only a 10 minute walk away - free parking onsite - garden & bar - cafe
Just a couple of hundred metres down the coast from the one above and cheaper - free onsite parking
Excellent location in the centre of the Old Town surrounded by shops, restaurants & bars - parking nearby is 15 Eur per day and needs reservation - bar
Excellent location between the Citadel and the Old Town - secure car park behind the hotel Eur 15 per day - breakfast room with panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea -
Saint Florent 2N
Great location next to the Old Town - free parking next to the hotel - outdoor terrace
Excellent location in the Old Town on the waterfront - sun terrace with views of the sea - very good onsite restaurant - public parking for a cost in front of the restaurant - bar - cafe
Excellent location 400m up the hill with a swimming pool and superb sea views - set in a one hectare park - free onsite parking - tennis court - restaurant & bar
Macinaggio 1N
Perfect location right on the harbour - free public parking- panoramic sea views - 3rd floor sun terrace with hot tub - probably wouldn't hurt to book this one
Features -
It is a mini continent on an island which means you can choose the beach, mountains, city, village or all 4 in one day.
History -
The Genovese held power here between the 13th and 18th centuries until the French took over in 1769.
Since then the English, Germans and Italians have had brief stints in charge. The Corsicans would prefer running things themselves.
The island was briefly independent between 1755 and 1768. A Parliament was formed in Corte and this is still the centre of Corsican Nationalism
It was the birthplace of Napoleon
· See -
Bastia
The Old Port and the Old Town in Bastia
Porto-Vecchio
The soaring Bavella Needles - enroute or from Porto-Vecchio
Bonafacio
Clff walks - Mountain villages - Beaches - Viewpoints
Golf de Sperone - one of the world's most beautiful
Take a boat trip to see the Bonifacio Cliffs
Ajaccio
The historic village of Sartene - enroute to Ajaccio
Megaliths at Filitosa - enroute to Ajaccio
The Garden of Bees - enroute to Ajaccio
Cathedrale d'Ajaccio - where Napoleon was baptised
Napoleon's House - Maison Boneparte Museum
Piana
Corte
UNESCO Calanches of Piana - enroute to Corte - one of the most beautiful drives in Europe
Spelunca Gorge - enroute to Corte
Calvi
The Medieval Village of Belgodere - enroute to Calvi
Saint Florent
Macinaggio
Cows on the beach - enroute to Macinaggi
· Do -
Bastia
Ride the Petite Tourist Train in Bastia
Visit the L. N. Mattei Distillery enroute from Bastia
Go to the idyllic beach at Palombaggia - the Jewel of Corsica
Canyoning - many stunning canyons in the south
Bonafacio
Horseback riding on a huge estate
The Strait of Bonifacio is a diving mecca for wrecks
Day trip to Sardinia - only 12 km away - and you can take the car. Have a look in #149 Southern Italy.
Ajaccio
Tree Climbing in an adventure park in the forest
Piana
Wander the old town of one of France's most beautiful villages
Have lunch or dinner at Les Roches Rouges
Corte
Calvi
Climb up to the Chapelle de Notre-Dame de la Serra
Saint-Florent
Macinaggio
Have a picnic on Cap Corse - stock up in Saint-Florent or in Zonza at L'eternisula - enroute to Maciaggio - have a look at Paoline Tower while you're there, it's next to your lunch stop La Sassa
Stop in at Centuri enroute
to see one of the most beautiful villages and the only fishing village on the island that specialises in Spiny Lobster
Everywhere
Highlights -
Glorious scenery and weather
Eat -
A blend of French and Italian, what could be better!
Wild Boar (Sanglier) Casserole is the Signature dish / Veal with Olives / Corsican Lamb (Slow roasted with garlic, rosemary and potatoes)
Leisurely 3 hour lunches with a few wines are quite common
Good seafood on the coast but prices are going up as stocks get depleted
Cured meats are popular
Desserts are egg or milk based often involving cheese like Fiadone a creamy cheesecake flavoured with lemon
L' Arbousier - gourmet restaurant
Piana
Cafe de la Plage - Arona Beach
Corte
Saint Florent
Macinaggio
Lunch in Nonza enroute - at La Sassa with the amazing views
Drink -
Good wines, fortified wines like Muscat and they also make the famous Pietra beer. Movala Whiskey Distillery / Ajaccio Rouge / Muscat du Cap-Corse / Vin Mariani
While it's not exactly a party island there are plenty of bars and the larger towns have nightclubs and discos.
You will also find live music around the place
Upper Corsica and Southern Corsica
Ajaccio - Sunset cruise around the Sanguinaires Islands
Piana - Les Roches Rouges
Saint-Florent - La Vista
Brocciu cheese fritters / Leek fritters / Fig jam / Honey / Bouillarbasse (Fish soup similar to Bouillabaisse) / Honey roasted baby piglets / clams stuffed with cheese
Tips -
Corsican is notably different to French and widely spoken
Cap Corse has limited accommodation so book ahead
Products from the Garden of Bees / Chestnut Jam / Corsican Cookbook / Olive Oil / Immortelle Oil (Secret blend of essential oils) / Myrtle Liqueur / Cap Corse Mattei (Legendary Corsican aperitif invented in 1872 to battle malaria)
Aperitifs including muscat, aperitif with citron, chestnut, myrtle, orange, peach, strawberry, cherry, blackberry, clementine, walnut and with lemon - Liqueurs including Myrtle, chestnut, limoncello, citron, arbutus, blackberry, clementine, fig, almond, hazelnut and lime
including Almond nougat, Clementine nougat, The citron nougat, Chestnut nougat, Fig nougat, Myrtle nougat
Nougat with Fig & Walnuts, Caramelized black nougatand 6 flavours of Fruit Pastes Citron, Chestnut, Fig, Clementine, Melon & Strawberry
Famous -
Dramatic Mountain Peaks and Stunning Coastlines
The Giant Cannibals in Homer's Odyssey were from Bonifacio
Bonafacio was an administrative centre for the French Foreign Legion
· Festivals -
Polyphonic Song Festival / Calvi On The Rocks Jazz Festival / Venaco Cheese Fair / Holy Week / Fish and Seafood Festival / Horse Fair / Bastille Day / Festival of the Olive / Corsica Guitar Festival / Modern Music Festival / Piano Festival / Festival de Film / Almond Festival / Latin-American Music Festival / Napoleons Birthday / Festival of the Hazelnut / Festival of the Fig / Festival of Honey
Extra -
Have a look at France in Countries A - L - Sardinia is very close, have a look at #149 (Southern) Italy in 'Countries A - L'. Throw your car on the ferry and see another brilliant Mediterranean island.
