Corsica, France, the birthplace of Napoleon and most mountainous island in the Mediterranean, is known for its stunning beauty. No matter what your travel style— lounging on the beach, soaking up history, snuggling into a rustic mountain B & B, hiking spectacular vistas, or indulging in exquisite cuisine—you’ll find it here. The large and culturally diverse island of over 300,000 inhabitants has a personality all its own; atmospherically it’s known for being a little more down to earth than its glamorous counterparts on the Cote d’Azur.
To get to Corsica, fly into one of its four airports or take a ferry from France or Italy. It’s highly recommended to rent a car on arrival to make the most of spectacular rural scenery. Be sure to pick up Euros before you go—many of the smaller rustic towns don’t have much in the way of ATM or credit card services.
Weather in Corsica is mild year-round, rarely reaching above 30 degrees Celsius in summer time, the busiest tourist season. If you go then be prepared for beach parties, but you’ll find it mild and pleasant during shoulder season when it’s calmer and weather is perfect for outdoor adventures. Corsica’s Spectacular scenery comes in all shapes and sizes: turn any corner and you’re likely to come across port towns, cities, beaches, jugged mountain peaks, dense forests and rustic hillside villages. Nature lovers need not miss the Unesco World Heritage Scandola Nature Reserve and should seriously consider camping along turquoise water beaches of the Cap Corse peninsula.
The island attracts all sorts of outdoor enthusiasts, and perhaps one of the more adventurous activities to try is canyoning. But if you’re not feeling quite so brave, there are plenty of things to do that are a little more…grounded: take a sunset boat tour out of Propriano, visit la Maison Bonaparte and other museums in Ajaccio, or perhaps a find a choir performance at the Church of Ste-Croix in Bastia. If you’re headed to Bonifacio, try organic pork and local cheeses at the authentic and rustic Kissing Pigs. Other local dishes worth trying include wild boar, figatellu (a specialty sausage), river trout, specialty cheeses and chestnuts.
