Introduction

Corsica is an island to the south-east of France known for its sandy beaches, mountainous terrain and favourable climate. Classified as one of the 26 regions of France, Corsica is divided into two departments, Corse-du-Sud and Haute-Corse, and has a population of over 260,000. It receives a staggering 2 million visitors every year.

The island has over 1,000km of coastline and more than 200 beaches. It's land area is 8,722 km² and its mountainous interior has 21 peaks of over 2,000m; the highest, Monte Cinto, reaches 2706m.

History

The island has changed hands frequently during its 8000-year history, with possession passing between the Romans, Goths, Vandals, Byzantine Empire, Moors, Genoese and French. The Genoese in particular have had a lasting effect on its architecture. Apart from reverting to Italian possession for a brief period during World War II, Corsica has been under French rule since 1769.

Ajaccio, the island's capital was the birthplace of Corsica's legendary son, Napoleon Bonaparte, who is honoured throughout the town.

Major cities

• Ajaccio
• Bastia
• Bonifacio
• Calvi
• Cargèse
• Corte
• Porto-Vecchio
• Saint-Florent / San Fiurenzu

Weather

Corsica enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild winters.

Beaches

There are over 200 beaches along Corsica's 1,000km of coastline and they are considered among the very best in the Mediterranean, with three being named among Sunday Times' list of The Top 20 European Beaches. The crescent white-sand bay of Palombaggia is the most popular beach on the island and attracts the international jet-set.

The other two on the list, Saleccia and Plage de Loto, are accessible only by boat and as such remain relatively unspoilt. Saleccia is also included on UNESCO's world heritage lists.

Tourist sites

Foremost among the island's sights is the porphyry Calanches (creeks) on the west coast. Listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, the red rock masses have been eroded into spectacular shapes, some of which rise hundreds of feet above the Mediterranean. They are often associated with different figures and animals, such as the monocled-bishop and the famous Tête de Chien (dog's head).

Bastia, the principal Genoese stronghold and the capital of the north thrives on commerce rather than tourism; although it's perfectly preserved 15th century citadel is worth visiting.

Family entertainment

Corsica offers a wide variety of outdoor pursuits (sailing, rafting, horse riding, fishing, diving) which are great for families with older children. See the sports offered below.

Corsica does not have any theme or amusement parks to speak of, but if you want outdoor family entertainment, there is plenty to choose from.

Food and Drink

Corsica's many waterside and mountain restaurants offer spectacular views and, although they can be a little more expensive than mainland France (due to the cost of importing foodstuffs) they are still cheap in comparison to UK prices.

Corsican cuisine using local ingredients, such as wild boar and chestnuts, is excellent, although genuine Corsican eateries are hard to find among the scores of pizza and pasta restaurants that reflect the Italian influence on Corsica.

Skiing

There are three ski resorts in the Corsican mountains, however, the highest, Ghisoni-Capanelle, is only situated at 1600m and none of the resorts can rival their Alpine counterparts. Snow is not guaranteed every winter.

Walking

The G20 path through the mountains of central Corsica is celebrated as one of the best trails in the world for its breathtaking views which attract hundreds of thousands of walkers each year.

Other sports

A wide range of extreme sports are available on Corsica, such as paragliding, parachuting, water-sports, bungee-jumping, rally-driving and white-water canoeing. Corsica also has many opportunities for mountaineering and is described as a rock-climbers paradise.

Sailing is another popular pastime around the island and boat-hire is available in most of its ports.

Corsica has its own breed of horse, which historically played an important role in the transportation system of the island. Now horse-riding is significant to Corsica's tourism industry and numerous riding schools, liveries and trekking establishments exist on the island.

There are also many diving schools in various locations around the island offering lessons and dives in Corsica's crystal clear waters.

There is only one 18-hole golf course on Corsica, but the Sperone Golf Club offers some quite amazing greens on cliffs above the Mediterranean. Pictures of the course can be seen on the Sperone website.

Wine tasting

Corsica's vineyards owe more to the island's Italian heritage than to France and they use a wide range of grape varieties in making both whites and reds. More than half of the island's production is of simple table wine and it is renowned for its rose, which is delicious served chilled (especially with the azure blue of the Mediterranean in the background.)

Ease of access

There are four airports on the island, Ajaccio Campo Dell 'Oro being the largest, with traffic of over a million passengers a year. However it mainly receives domestic flights. Most visitors to Corsica fly into Nice International and take a ferry to the island. Ferries take at least 3 hours depending on which port you choose to go to and from.

Value for money

A holiday to Corsica can be expensive, especially if you stay in the more popular seaside towns. However, there is a wide range of options for accommodation and dining out, so if you have a tight budget you can still enjoy a holiday there. During the high-season in summer (July and August) prices can be much higher and you will often need to book accommodation well in advance. Consider renting a property inland to keep costs down although this may require car hire too.

Summary

Corsica is one of the most popular holiday destinations in France and deservedly so. If you are in search of warm weather, stunning beaches and walking or outdoor sports, Corsica is an excellent choice.