We are planning to travel to Corsica before attending the International Meeting in Malta.
Corsica is a small island and I'm told a bit challenging to drive around.
We are beginning to map out our plan and are considering stopping in these towns and I would love your feedback and comments.
Ajaccio
Sartene
Piana
Corte
Rogiano
Bastia
I appreciate your thoughts.
Merry Jo
Replies
As Napoleon Bonaparte I. of Corsica once said ''I shall return.'' (je retournerai) Strange how he died in Tristan da Cunha of all palces.
Hi Merry Jo
Our route was similar to Mike's. Bastia - Calvi - Porticcio - Bonifacio - Santa Giulia - Bastia
Some trip ideas:
Calvi Beach and Citadel
Boat to Scandola from Calvi or Cargese
Bridge of Ota
Heart of Calanches de Piana (Sentier di Couer)
Ajaccio Market in Place Campinchi
Boat to Iles Sanguinaires from Ajaccio
Pointe de la Parata near Ajaccio
Gorges du Prunelli
Menhir at Filitosa
La Viva and Agosta and Ruppione beaches near Porticcio
Campomoro if staying near Propriano
Coastal walk to Cap Pertusato near Bonifacio
Escalier du Roy d'Aragon near Bonifacio
Definitely a boat trip to Lavezzi
My French friend recommended Corte and Restonica but we had already solidified our itinerary
We lived in Switzerland at the time and took our own car over on the ferry from Italy. If you have driven in any mountains or along an ocean cliff road, you will be fine. The landscape isn't all like that so you won't be white-knuckling every day. You will find some unsealed roads when you venture to some sites, but we had no problems. We found the roads fairly empty and leisurely (not like the autobahn or Grand Prix) which helped since we were foreign to the roads.
With many of our European friends choosing Sardinia over Corsica for the resorts and built-up areas, I would definitely say the more-rugged Corsica is underrated. Enjoy!
Thank you. This information is very helpful. We are renting a car. I've spent the day reviewing our plan and have made some tweaks based on your comments and some other articles that I read today. I think we will spend a couple of days in Calvi and a day in Cargese instead of 3 days in Piana. So hard to make these decisions when you have not been there. Did you take a boat out to the reserve.
Thank you, Merry Jo
Hi Jo
I was in Corsica September 2021. Wonderful place and hiring a car is the best option. I did not and although I got around OK it would have been more enjoyable with a car.
My route was Bonafacio - Bastia - Calvi - Ajaccio. All similar to some extent as they have port areas, a beach and are overlooked by a citadel. Food is wonderful and the weather is usually good. The route from Bastia to Calvi and from Calvi to Ajaccio is spectacular and is the area where I wished I had my own vehicle where I could have made several stops within the mountain range. Some very good beaches to the east of Calvi too on the North Coast.
Enjoy