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Parisian-style patisseries.Tuscan-looking trattorias. And beaches that wouldn't look out of place in the Caribbean. It's fair to say Corsica has got something of a split personality. It's been part of France for hundreds of years, but before that it was an Italian isle and they've both stamped their identity on the place. Each region has its own unique brand of charm. L'Extreme Sud has the best beaches. The gulfs on the west coast deliver dinky towns and spectacular sunsets.And the mountainous interior is perfect hiking territory. Meanwhile the area around Cap Corse, known as the wild north', is dotted with tiny coves. Piece it all together and you've got one impressive island and our selection of properties provide you with the perfect base.We've got fairytale cottages, converted watchtowers and mountain-top villas. And whether its rustic and away from it all or chic and central, you're guaranteed plenty of peace and quiet.
Discover Corsica
Porto Vecchio
pg. 12-35
The Valinco Gulf
pg. 38-49
Set on a hill above a deep and beautiful gulf, surrounded by gigantic outcrops of pink granite, Porto Vecchio was once rated as one of the most distinguished harbours in Europe. Nowadays, it has further successes to claim, as its proximity to superb beaches and a plethora of restaurants and cafés scattered not only in the town but all over the area - make it the perfect holiday location. Only a couple of kilometres inland are the foothills of the Bavella mountain range. A small road winds up around craggy rocks through the tiny villages of Ospedale and Zonza to the scraping spires of the Bavella massif - one of Corsica's most definite must sees'.
The Valinco Gulf stretches from Porto Pollo to Campo Moro and is a glorious gulf, fringed by wonderful sandy beaches. At the heart of the Gulf is the small port of Propriano, a former sleepy fishing village that now offers a range of restaurants and harbourside cafés. Further north is the ancient site of Filitosa - famous for its prehistoric menhirs. Or head south, to the charming fishing village of Campo Moro. Enjoying tranquil isolation amongst eucalyptus trees at the foot of a maquis-covered hill, the village's main attraction is its sheltered semi-circular bay. A gorgeous curve of golden sand, it's overlooked by a traditional Genoese watchtower. It's an ideal base from which to explore the south of the island and an hour's drive in any direction will take you to a completely different Corsican landscape. With its choice of watersports and vast beaches, the Valinco Gulf is the perfect getaway.
Bonifacio
pg. 36-37
A cliff-top medieval citadel overlooking the most dramatic harbour in the Mediterranean, Bonifacio is situated at Corsica's southernmost point (with the island of Sardinia only an hour away by boat). It is a narrow peninsula of dazzling white limestone and a town like no other on the island. In former days, Bonifacio was a site of great strategic importance for fighting against invaders and its precipitous cliffs made it a town to be reckoned with. Nowadays, this historic bastion is a haven for yachts from all around the Mediterranean with a plethora of cafés and restaurants to suit all tastes and pockets. Its surrounding area, characterised by dense maquis and small, twisting limestone-walled lanes, characterises this very unique part of Corsica.
Cargese
pg. 50-53
Sitting high above a deep blue bay on a cliff scattered with olive trees is Cargèse, Corsica's friendly Greek' village. With wonderful sandy beaches and pretty white houses, this small village oozes charm and tranquility and is the perfect base for exploring the nearby spectacular mountains and the dramatic coastline as well as for relaxing in quiet surroundings. Within Corsican history, Cargèse is best known for its Greekness', from the Greek refugees who settled there over two centuries ago to the Greek Orthodox church that stands side by side with the Catholic church in the village. From here you could visit the birthplace of Napoléon, Ajaccio, the capital of Corsica that has
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