Corsica - Island of contrasts (Corsica)

Member Name: maggiemay

Product:	Corsica
Date:	05/07/00 (372 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good beaches, Charter flights operate to both Calvi and Ajaccio, Car hire available. Reasonably priced food. Good choice for families and couples.

Disadvantages: Some very hairy hairpin bends. Need to have some basic french. Calvi has a french foreign legion base (so don't get to drunk and watch what you sign!!! - (only joking)

Napoleon was born here, Nelson did battle off the coast, this Island has a colourful history and very patriotic people with a desire for independence. From the moment you step off the plane, the strong heady scent of the maquis hits you. This is an Island of contrasts, hair-pin mountain bends, rocky coves, glorious beaches, fortresses, ancient citadels, boules in the square. It is popular with both the cruise and yachting sets.
Calvi in the north has a truly wonderful crescent shaped beach, which offers safe shallow bathing and is ideal for kids. The town has an old citadel where many artists and crafts people live and work. This is a good place to find that holiday souvenir and unwind in a cafe. There is a good choice of restaurants, most display a set "plat du jour" which offers good value for money. From here you can explore places like Ille Rousse, which has an excellent market full of really fresh produce, and pretty St Florent with its charming harbour and town square, where the locals are always engrossed in a game of boules, their black berets perched on their heads despite the heat.
A short drive down the coast brings you to Porto, surrounded by pine forests, this has
a nice beach and is a popular day excursion. Some care is needed negotiating the steep bendy mountain roads (the island isn't included in the Rally championships for nothing!!!)
Like a lot of france, there is a reluctance by the locals to speak English, so it does help
to know the odd bit of french. Driving through the interior you can't miss a stop off at the ancient hillside town of Corte. Wander round its narrow streets and discover some of its colourful past. The drive through the interior down to Ajaccio takes you through flower filled forests, steep ravines, and past wild boars. Ajaccio reminds me of Nice, with its wide promenade, restaurants and cafes. There is a good choice of hotels and shops. If you happen to be here on Bastille Day (July 14th) t
here is a street carnival and the most spectacular free firework display. Visit Napoleon's house where he was born, and the museum dedicated to him. At the southernmost tip of the island is Bonafacio, this has a cliff top fortress, and you can go on boat trips to the neighbouring island of Sardinia. Up the eastern coast are reputedly some good beaches. I didn't make it to these, there was so much to see and do in the 2 weeks I was there, I ran out of time.

Summary: