Proudly French, with Italian undertones as the result of 500 years of Genoese rule, this colourful island offers terrific beaches, dense inland forests and excellent walking both leisurely and challenging, with the renown GR20 routed across the mountains. It’s the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte; you can follow the trail dedicated to him around Ajaccio and join in the festivities on August 15th, his birthday. Why not take a look at the local festivals too, enjoy music, mountain celebrations and cheese, wine and olive special events.
As for where to stay, visitors are spoilt for accommodation in both villas and hotels, beside sandy beaches, in the characterful towns or in rural hideaways. The selection below is new for 2023 and provide a good choice across the island, and you’ll find even more accommodation here.
Calvi & la Balagne
Long favoured by the discerning British traveller, la Balagne with its mix of the chic and the cosmopolitan, the rustic and the rural, is the perfect introduction to Corsica. Calvi itself is a delightful mix of culture, excellent restaurants and the ancient fortifications of the Citadel.
Try villa A Casa Turchina, a 4 bedroomed property that sleeps 8, which is just yards from the beach at Algajola. There’s a pretty garden and private pool for lazy days and the village is 5 minutes’ walk away. Car hire is included at this villa.
Premium villa Casa Regina, with 6 bedrooms, sleeping 12, is a stunning house in the village of Santa-Reparata-di-Balagna with incredible views to the sea, just a short drive from Ile Rousse and the coast with idyllic beaches. Calvi is easily accessible by train for a day’s outing – just 50 minutes on an exceptionally scenic rail route. Next door is U Casale, which works well in combination with Casa Regina for extended families or bigger groups of friends.
If you prefer to be in the thick of things, Hôtel La Caravelle in Calvi town is perfectly placed to access the beach easily (50 metres away) and enjoy the town’s restaurants, bars and amenities. Surrounded by pretty gardens and with a wide range of room types, this hotel works well for couples or small families.
St Florent & the North East
From the dramatic, mountainous Cap Corse and the magnificent, untamed Désert des Agriates, the northern heights sweep round to shelter the historic waterfront town of St Florent, with its marina sporting luxury yachts and a hint of glamour on the waterfront.
This is most certainly a prince of holiday properties: 4 bedroom Villa U Princi Pellu has a large pool, from which the panorama of the sea stretches before you. The villa is designed for outside living, with shaded patio areas and al fresco dining very much the order of the day. It’s close to St Florent for evenings out and shopping. And of course, you’ve beaches all round to choose from. Car hire is included with this holiday.
L’Extrême Sud
With its bays of white sand and crystal blue waters, sophisticated resorts, such as Porto Vecchio and Bonifacio, and breathtaking harbour towns perched precariously on white limestone l’Extrême Sud is a dreamer’s paradise of sun and sea.
If the countryside is your desire, then 4 bedroom A Liccia in Tarrabucceta offers a rural retreat with amazing countryside vistas and wonderful scenic walks. Porto Vecchio, with its Citadal and old streets and more modern marina, from which boat trips along the coast are available is within 15 km as is historic Bonifacio, the southern most port on the island.
For couples or smaller families, Les Terrasses de Rondinara offers 1 or 2 bedroom modern villas, with a shared pool and services such a groceries and a daily bakery service on the site. The south-facing villas offer an impressive view of the bay of Rondinara and its crystal-clear waters.
Hotel Du Tourisme: This small, intimate hotel is situated in the large inland village of Zonza in the south, so it’s perfect location for all of the activities of the interior of the island such as canyoning and walking as well as the mountains and forests, and scenery, plus the amenities of the Sud region are comfortably in reach. This is a great little hotel for making the most of the great activities that the location offers, and also perfect for multi centre holidays.
Central Corsica
For many visitors, it is the rugged landscape that is the interior’s main attraction. Mountains run from the tip of Cap Corse in the north almost to the toe of Corsica, with the most spectacular lying in central Corsica.
Boutique Hotel Artemisia: A lovely boutique hotel situated in the village of Bastelica, which has a handful of restaurants, 20 minutes from Lac de Tolla which is the largest lake in Corsica. With stunning mountain scenery, this hotel is perfect for a twin centre holiday. Here you can immerse yourselves in the beauty of the island and enjoy all the activities the lake and surrounding mountains and forests offer.
Getting there
Corsican Places have secured a new flight charter with BA CityFlyer with Sunday departures from May to October between London Stansted and Calvi. You can also fly to Figari Airport in the south and Bastia Airport in the east.
Next steps
Our Silver Travel Advisors can give you more information, get a quote and book for these holidays for you, call 0800 412 5678. Visit Corsican Places.
