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We stayed on Corsica for a week a couple of years ago and had a fantastic time I would highly recommend it.
There are loads of beaches to choose from many with private parking and cafes that are good value for spending the day.
We also discovered an amazing stone bottomed river in fact it's more of a stream that is fantastic for swimming in on a hot day. I think it was this one which you can see has loads of great reviews. You can just park by the side of the road next to the River so it is easy to access.
Piscine naturelle du Fango
https://maps.app.goo.gl/jZJ5GF1d53rB4oENA
The views around the island are magnificent and the road surfaces really good so if you want to do some driving or motorbiking I'd highly recommend a tour. We rented two motorbikes from a place near bastia for a few days and had a great time traveling throughout the island.
There is also a big pine forest in the center of the island with great roads through it and well worth seeing for a change of scenery.
Corsica Natural Regional Park
+33 4 95 51 79 10
https://maps.app.goo.gl/PuaM5mSAow5ssUrJ9
I just read the comment above about crime but I didn't take any additional precautions and nobody warned me about the risks being greater than anywhere else in France. A relative owns an apartment in Calvi which he only occupies for a few weeks each year and the rest of the time it looked after by cleaners and he has never had a crime problem.
There are loads of beaches to choose from many with private parking and cafes that are good value for spending the day.
We also discovered an amazing stone bottomed river in fact it's more of a stream that is fantastic for swimming in on a hot day. I think it was this one which you can see has loads of great reviews. You can just park by the side of the road next to the River so it is easy to access.
Piscine naturelle du Fango
https://maps.app.goo.gl/jZJ5GF1d53rB4oENA
The views around the island are magnificent and the road surfaces really good so if you want to do some driving or motorbiking I'd highly recommend a tour. We rented two motorbikes from a place near bastia for a few days and had a great time traveling throughout the island.
There is also a big pine forest in the center of the island with great roads through it and well worth seeing for a change of scenery.
Corsica Natural Regional Park
+33 4 95 51 79 10
https://maps.app.goo.gl/PuaM5mSAow5ssUrJ9
I just read the comment above about crime but I didn't take any additional precautions and nobody warned me about the risks being greater than anywhere else in France. A relative owns an apartment in Calvi which he only occupies for a few weeks each year and the rest of the time it looked after by cleaners and he has never had a crime problem.
Been many times, although not in the last 5 years, so bear that in mind (I'm aware it had got much busier recently).
In my opinion, the very best part is the South East around Porto Vecchio. (Porto Vecchio itself gets unpleasantly busy in the summer, but Sept/Oct OK). Have been a few times in September and it's warm enough to be on the beach but a bit less busy.
There's a series of beaches south of PV that are absolutely stunning: Palombaggia, Tamaricciu and the neighboring one I can't remember what it's called. There's a pricey but excellent restaurant on the beach at Tamarriciu.
Further south there's of course Bonifacio and if you like golf there's Sperone. To the north of PV there's Pinarellu, another beautiful beach bordering a pine forest.
If beaches aren't your thing, and given this is PH you might enjoy a good drive, head north from PV to Solenzara, then turn left up into the mountains - the roads are fantastic, the views are amazing and if you want you can stop along the way and have a swim in the rock pools.
If you want history, and more driving, head west to Filitosa to see the ancient stone figures etc, and call into Sartene which is genuinely Corsican and therefore a tiny bit scary, as it should be.
Enjoy!
In my opinion, the very best part is the South East around Porto Vecchio. (Porto Vecchio itself gets unpleasantly busy in the summer, but Sept/Oct OK). Have been a few times in September and it's warm enough to be on the beach but a bit less busy.
There's a series of beaches south of PV that are absolutely stunning: Palombaggia, Tamaricciu and the neighboring one I can't remember what it's called. There's a pricey but excellent restaurant on the beach at Tamarriciu.
Further south there's of course Bonifacio and if you like golf there's Sperone. To the north of PV there's Pinarellu, another beautiful beach bordering a pine forest.
If beaches aren't your thing, and given this is PH you might enjoy a good drive, head north from PV to Solenzara, then turn left up into the mountains - the roads are fantastic, the views are amazing and if you want you can stop along the way and have a swim in the rock pools.
If you want history, and more driving, head west to Filitosa to see the ancient stone figures etc, and call into Sartene which is genuinely Corsican and therefore a tiny bit scary, as it should be.
Enjoy!
gregch said:
Been many times, although not in the last 5 years, so bear that in mind (I'm aware it had got much busier recently).
In my opinion, the very best part is the South East around Porto Vecchio. (Porto Vecchio itself gets unpleasantly busy in the summer, but Sept/Oct OK). Have been a few times in September and it's warm enough to be on the beach but a bit less busy.
There's a series of beaches south of PV that are absolutely stunning: Palombaggia, Tamaricciu and the neighboring one I can't remember what it's called. There's a pricey but excellent restaurant on the beach at Tamarriciu.
Further south there's of course Bonifacio and if you like golf there's Sperone. To the north of PV there's Pinarellu, another beautiful beach bordering a pine forest.
If beaches aren't your thing, and given this is PH you might enjoy a good drive, head north from PV to Solenzara, then turn left up into the mountains - the roads are fantastic, the views are amazing and if you want you can stop along the way and have a swim in the rock pools.
If you want history, and more driving, head west to Filitosa to see the ancient stone figures etc, and call into Sartene which is genuinely Corsican and therefore a tiny bit scary, as it should be.
Enjoy!
Santa Giulia may be the other beach! Was just about to post similar - lovely part of the world - can also get the ferry from Bonifacio to Sardinia, doesn’t take long In my opinion, the very best part is the South East around Porto Vecchio. (Porto Vecchio itself gets unpleasantly busy in the summer, but Sept/Oct OK). Have been a few times in September and it's warm enough to be on the beach but a bit less busy.
There's a series of beaches south of PV that are absolutely stunning: Palombaggia, Tamaricciu and the neighboring one I can't remember what it's called. There's a pricey but excellent restaurant on the beach at Tamarriciu.
Further south there's of course Bonifacio and if you like golf there's Sperone. To the north of PV there's Pinarellu, another beautiful beach bordering a pine forest.
If beaches aren't your thing, and given this is PH you might enjoy a good drive, head north from PV to Solenzara, then turn left up into the mountains - the roads are fantastic, the views are amazing and if you want you can stop along the way and have a swim in the rock pools.
If you want history, and more driving, head west to Filitosa to see the ancient stone figures etc, and call into Sartene which is genuinely Corsican and therefore a tiny bit scary, as it should be.
Enjoy!
andy ted said:
Santa Giulia may be the other beach! Was just about to post similar - lovely part of the world - can also get the ferry from Bonifacio to Sardinia, doesn’t take long
Yes, you're right, thank you! Also Rondinara in that area too I think. And the bit of Sardinia that faces this part of Corsica is also very beautiful.We (family of 5) had probably our best holiday ever in corsica.
We did eurocamp at solenzara which was a great site on the river with swimming in lagoons. As a poster above says, the road it is on carries up into the mountains which are stunning. Lots of places to stop at the river on the way up and swim, chasing the fish.
Loads of great beaches all down the south east coast with good snorkeling- kept us entertained for hours.
Bonifacio was a long but good day visit. Interesting place. We did a boat ride and expected it to be ok, but it was great. Went into caves, and a cove.
Went in school holidays, and not too busy.
We'd love to go back to corsica, but haven't as we are concerned it probably wouldn't be the same 2nd time around
We did eurocamp at solenzara which was a great site on the river with swimming in lagoons. As a poster above says, the road it is on carries up into the mountains which are stunning. Lots of places to stop at the river on the way up and swim, chasing the fish.
Loads of great beaches all down the south east coast with good snorkeling- kept us entertained for hours.
Bonifacio was a long but good day visit. Interesting place. We did a boat ride and expected it to be ok, but it was great. Went into caves, and a cove.
Went in school holidays, and not too busy.
We'd love to go back to corsica, but haven't as we are concerned it probably wouldn't be the same 2nd time around
Edited by covmutley on Monday 8th May 22:13
Solenzara is about 1 hr 20 south of the airport, iirc.
Im not sure there is much north of that. All the sheltered beaches are to the south really I think. Its one road south, and not a busy road. Driving is about as easy as it can get.
As you have a toddler, I would say that the eurocamp I mentioned would be ideal. Very small site, with some small pools.
Im not sure there is much north of that. All the sheltered beaches are to the south really I think. Its one road south, and not a busy road. Driving is about as easy as it can get.
As you have a toddler, I would say that the eurocamp I mentioned would be ideal. Very small site, with some small pools.
fourstardan said:
Looks like October is Bastia flights only.
Has anyone stayed along the south of Bastia as it reads that beaches are better? I could stomach an hour of driving.
Ideally will need somewhere with enough places to have a meal out and keep our child amused as we'll be with our toddler.
Well yes I think as a result of BA repeatedly "enhancing" their service (and maybe brexit?) there are very few BA flights to Figari outside the core summer months. I believe Easyjet might still do it from LTN and/or LGW? IMO Figari is a much better bet than Bastia because a) it's much closer to the nicest bits of Corsica and b) it's much quieter and IMO very civilised.Has anyone stayed along the south of Bastia as it reads that beaches are better? I could stomach an hour of driving.
Ideally will need somewhere with enough places to have a meal out and keep our child amused as we'll be with our toddler.
gregch said:
Well yes I think as a result of BA repeatedly "enhancing" their service (and maybe brexit?) there are very few BA flights to Figari outside the core summer months. I believe Easyjet might still do it from LTN and/or LGW? IMO Figari is a much better bet than Bastia because a) it's much closer to the nicest bits of Corsica and b) it's much quieter and IMO very civilised.
Figari ends from LGW first week in September but Bastia continues till mid Oct.Bit annoying as the beaches look far better.
The other option is to do Sardinia (Olbia) in the north as the beaches look nice as well, we've never been to Italy so would be nice but we like the French lifestyle and food.
fourstardan said:
Figari ends from LGW first week in September but Bastia continues till mid Oct.
Bit annoying as the beaches look far better.
The other option is to do Sardinia (Olbia) in the north as the beaches look nice as well, we've never been to Italy so would be nice but we like the French lifestyle and food.
At the risk of being annoying and endlessly bombarding your thread... I can also recommend the North/North East of Sardinia. Equally amazing beaches, and from beaches on the north coast eg Conca Verde you can rent a 'gommoni' cheaply and easily and head out on your own around the little islands around Maddalena where (even tho it's popular with the yacht people) you can find a perfect cove and beach all to yourself! It's amazing. Bit annoying as the beaches look far better.
The other option is to do Sardinia (Olbia) in the north as the beaches look nice as well, we've never been to Italy so would be nice but we like the French lifestyle and food.
Of course, you don't get the mountains and so on that you find in Corsica, and in my opinion the eating and going out options are nicer in Corsica. Also bear in mind that Sardinia isn't really Italy, in the same way that Corsica isn't really France.
gregch said:
At the risk of being annoying and endlessly bombarding your thread... I can also recommend the North/North East of Sardinia. Equally amazing beaches, and from beaches on the north coast eg Conca Verde you can rent a 'gommoni' cheaply and easily and head out on your own around the little islands around Maddalena where (even tho it's popular with the yacht people) you can find a perfect cove and beach all to yourself! It's amazing.
Of course, you don't get the mountains and so on that you find in Corsica, and in my opinion the eating and going out options are nicer in Corsica. Also bear in mind that Sardinia isn't really Italy, in the same way that Corsica isn't really France.
No not annoying, it's useful. Boat hire never crossed my mind!Of course, you don't get the mountains and so on that you find in Corsica, and in my opinion the eating and going out options are nicer in Corsica. Also bear in mind that Sardinia isn't really Italy, in the same way that Corsica isn't really France.
The two options feel far better to get some good quality away time from home and usual miscreants you'll get down in the Spanish islands that time of year!
I spent a bit of time there, mainly up near Calvi, a great spot if you like the sea/mountain combo, seeing Monte Cinto looming over the bay is beautiful; marina, [Napoleon's?] citadel, tiny ancient streets, multi-million pound yachts, 5km of beach which is packed town side after lunch but quieter the further you get. Think there's also camp/lodge type places too. If you're lucky you'll see the Legion jumping.
The island is full of nice places though, Porto and around there is v popular [everywhere is, particularly when the Parisians take their two week break], the Balagne caters for popular beaches to quiet ones with sleepy nearby villages, the cap for getting away from it all and places like Bonifacio and Corte which are just good little day trips.
Enjoy!
The island is full of nice places though, Porto and around there is v popular [everywhere is, particularly when the Parisians take their two week break], the Balagne caters for popular beaches to quiet ones with sleepy nearby villages, the cap for getting away from it all and places like Bonifacio and Corte which are just good little day trips.
Enjoy!
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