Corsica – A Mediterranean Paradise
Over a third of Corsica is a regional nature reserve, managed by the Parc Naturel Régional, making Corsica largely protected and the greenest, most lush Mediterranean island.
Corsica is also home to 5 nature reserves, some of which appear on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. The island has over 2000 plant species and almost 30,000 acres of its coast is owned and protected by France’s Conservatoire du Littoral.
The mountains are the true homes of the Corsicans. They were for centuries their refuge from invaders and where much of their culture formed. The highest peak is Monte Cinto, 2706m high and only 30 kilometres from the coast. It dominates a maquis covered landscape of lakes, rivers, gorges and a diverse variety of rocks, minerals, flora and fauna.
Wild boar is in abundance and commonly hunted during the hunting season, but other species of animal are rare and protected, such as the mouflon, the osprey and the Corsican red deer.
Beach Holidays in Corsica
With so much of Corsica’s coastline protected and the genuine lack of mass tourism, beaches in Corsica are generally pristine and sometimes as wild as its interior, unlike many other Mediterranean shorelines.
Some world-famous beaches are found in Corsica: in the North, Saleccia in the Desert des Agriates (reached by boat and footpath from Saint Florent); Palombaggia in Porto Vecchio, with its soft, white sand dotted with laricio pines; and Ostriconi beach near Ile Rousse, a wild beach of untamed beauty. But there is a good choice of beaches to suit every taste in all parts of Corsica, whether in the North or the South.
Best Beach Holidays in Corsica
Corsica’s Roads Less Travelled
Leave your resort behind and, up in the mountains, there’s a whole other world to discover. In close-up, the cloak of maquis becomes cistus and arbutus, juniper, box, wild thyme and myrtle. Feathery asphodels overtake abandoned pastures and rare orchids hide in the forest.
Corsica’s mountainous backbone, with its diversity of gorges, rivers and intriguing rock formations, has for centuries been the Corsicans' refuge from invaders and in many ways their true home. Here rock pools and waterfalls await you for refreshing dips. And when other refreshments beckon, even in the most isolated village, a bar usually waits to serve passing strangers.
Two of Simpson Travel's alluring hotels in Corsica, set off the beaten track are highlighted below;
Ferme Auberge Les Bergeries, a rustic farm with unique chambres d'hôte and traditional home cuisine is set high upon the hills above the Figari plain where time stands still.
Hôtel Dominique Colonna, a riverside mountain hotel nestled below the Restonica Gorge where the scents of pine fill the air. Just below one of Corsica's spectacular sites of natural beauty, the Restonica Gorge, this quality hotel satisfies every need for mountain ramblers and nature lovers.
Exploring Corsica By Car
‘L’Ile de Beauté’ or ‘L’Ile des Contrastes’… Corsica begs to be discovered. To make the most of it, you'll want to walk or tour by car. Most of our Corsica properties include a hire car. For the few that don’t, we recommend you hire one for part of your stay.
With the exception of Calvi and the Balagne coast which has its little train, U Trinichellu, and the island rail link connecting Calvi and Bastia with Corte and Ajaccio, public transport is limited.
Remember roads are winding (sound your horn at bends!) and often skirt sheer drops, so journeys can take longer than they look on the map. But the landscapes are so stunning every kilometre is worth seeing.
The size of the car included is determined by the number of persons travelling. For larger parties of 6 or more, two vehicles are provided to ensure that transport to and from your chosen Corsica property is as comfortable as possible.
You may upgrade your car hire at the time of booking your property in Corsica, if you require.
Corsica Complementary Car Hire
Pleasures of Corsica – Simpson Travel |
