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Thomson Destinations
Mixing up St-Tropez glamour and rural Tuscan charm, Corsica's where the best of France meets the best of Italy.
Corsica
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Corsica. Is it French? Or is it Italian? Probably a little of both. Technically speaking, Corsica's been part of France for a couple of hundred years or so. But prior to that it was under Genoese rule and so has something of an Italian look and feel to it. This collision of cultures has turned Corsica into a slightly schizophrenic island - you'll find bistros and boulangeries straight out of the Cote d'Azur rubbing shoulders with trattorias and pizza parlours that wouldn't look out of place in Tuscany. And then there's Corsica's beaches, which wouldn't look out of place in the Caribbean. The countryside is out of this world, too with olive groves, pine-covered mountains and forests of chestnut and oak. One of the other pluses about Corsica is its variety - each region has its own character. L'Extreme Sud has an Italian flavour and the best beaches. The West Coast has spectacular landscapes. The mountainous interior is perfect for activity holidays. And Cap Corse, the wild north', has a rugged coast and tranquil hideaways. And then there are the sexy little towns and marinas to think about, like the walled city of Bonifacio. The port of St-Florent. And the chic seaside retreat of Calvi. Things to see and do Walking Corsica's magnificent outdoors just begs to be explored on foot. From the wild Cap Corse peninsula to the valleys, lakes and mountains of the interior, the island has a wealth of varied scenery that simply takes your breath away. Nature lovers will be in their element in beautiful surroundings like the Zonza National Park, the picturesque Alta Rocca region in the south and the Aiguilles de Bavella - the Bavella Needles mountains - which soar to over 1600 metres. Watersports With its gently shelving beaches, calm, crystal clear waters and abundance of marine life, Corsica is a great place for swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving. Popular spots are the beach at Algajola and the marine nature reserve at Bonifacio. Most of the bigger resorts offer facilities for watersports, including jet skis, windsurfing, sailing and para-sailing. Corte This elegant town in the centre of Corsica had a short-lived spell as the island's capital in the 18th century. Today it's a university town and the cultural capital, if not the official one. Highlights include the ancient citadel, the Genoese National Palace and the Corsican Museum. Bonifacio Bonifacio's Haute Ville' is a delight, a jumble of ancient houses, steep alleyways, churches and medieval battlements, spectacularly set amongst towering white cliffs and topped by an imposing citadel, built in the 9th century. Aleria Travelling even further back in time, Corsica plays host to a number of ancient sites including the remains of the Roman city of Aleria on the east coast. Originally founded by the Greeks back in the 6th century BC, Aleria was the capital of Corsica under the Romans. Explore the remains of this once glorious city, peppered with ruined temples and bath houses.
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Lavatoggio Ille Rousse Feliceto
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Pino Farinole Patrimonia
Macinaggio Rogliano Sisco Erbalunga Pietranera
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Solenzara 2134 Quenza Mt Incudine Zonza Porto Pollo Olmeto Capicciolo Gialla Golf Sartene Campo Moro Muratello Porto Vecchio Precojo Santa Giulia
Golfe d'Ajaccio
Bonifacio
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CORSICA
40 km
© TUI 2005
Strait of Bonifacio
Beaches Corsica has 1,000km of coastline and more than 200 beaches - three of which have featured in the Sunday Times European Top 20. So whether you like a big, open stretch of Caribbean-style sand or a small, secluded pebbly cove, you won't be disappointed. With many beaches which are extremely safe for swimming and have the bonus of resident lifeguards, Corsica is a great choice for families. You'll also find plenty of watersports in the bigger resorts. It's generally agreed that the best beaches are in the south east of the island around Porto Vecchio, and on the west coast around Calvi. Or try Campomoro on the south west coast if you like your beaches with a good selection of bars and restaurants nearby.
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Santa Giulia Bay
Location 9km south of Porto Vecchio Transfer time About 40 minutes Owing more to the Caribbean than the Mediterranean, this place has one of the most popular beaches in Corsica. It may sound like a cliché, but the scenery really will take your breath away. But it's not just scenery that's pulling in sun-worshippers. This place has long been a favourite with watersports fans. And the surrounding land's ideal for long walks, horse riding and quad biking. Of course there's more here than sun, sand and scenery. You'll find a few tempting eateries dotted around the island, where fresh seafood hogs the culinary limelight. With all this and more, we can't imagine anyone wanting to leave. Should you want to stretch your legs and explore, however, you won't have too far to go. The cafés and lively marina of Porto Vecchio are only a few minutes away, while Bonifacio's got its fair share of history and sights.
Sky digital 647 Visit your travel agent up to Call 0871 230 2555 Calls costMobile 10p/min plus 6p set up fee from a BT landline. and other providers' charges may vary.
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