If you love the majestic allure of mountain landscapes but also seek sun-soaked beaches to stroll along, choosing the ideal holiday destination can be somewhat of a conundrum. Corsica is one of those exceptional places that offers it all. As the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean and a territorial collectivity of France, it remains largely unspoilt, particularly in the North. With that in mind, Corsica provides a perfect destination if you love to explore the outdoors and experience wild and captivating landscapes.
Our Junior Product Manager, Rebecca Carey, did just that. Combining our self-guided walking and e-bike trips to Corsica, she discovered firsthand what this remarkable island has to offer. We caught up with Rebecca after her trip to find out what her highlights of Corsica were and what advice she could offer those looking to visit.
Rebecca’s time in Corsica was spent mainly at the island’s northern tip, exploring places in and around Calvi, Saint Florent, Bastia and Centuri. She particularly enjoyed her visit to Centuri fishing port. While the views of the headland are spectacular from its high points, it is the town’s local speciality that draws many people to visit it. This small fishing harbour is regarded as France’s capital of rock lobster fishing, and according to Rebecca, there’s no shortage of places to sample this delicious treat. “This picture-postcard port is full of enticing restaurants with an excellent choice of seafood dishes,” she explains.
Leaving Centuri for Saint Florent and following the route from our Corsica with eBike trip, Rebecca was bewitched by the landscape. “There are endless views of the undulating coastline,” she describes, “and having an eBike really allows you to enjoy the scenery, from the quiet roads, lined with wildflowers, to dramatic rock formations and rolling vineyards.”
Stopping for refreshments along the way provided a chance to sample some more of the local cuisine. Rebecca recommends Nonza, a picturesque village perched on a clifftop location overlooking the sea. “It’s a perfect lunch stop for this cycle day. There are cafés, bakeries, and restaurants, as well as meandering cobbled alleys to wander through. We walked up to Nonza tower and stopped for a drink at La Sassa, a restaurant built around the local cliff with spectacular views of the Gulf of Saint Florent.”
In Saint Florent, Rebecca decided to try one of the walking routes on our North Corsican Wonders between Coast and Mountains trip, which turned out to be one of the highlights of her holiday. The path first takes you through the Agriates Desert, a primarily protected area known for its wild, pristine landscapes, idyllic beaches and abundant vegetation (despite being named a desert!)
Rebecca describes how she took a boat from Saint Florent to Lotu Beach, a hidden gem of Corsica that is only reachable by sea or on foot. She suggests bringing a towel on this day’s excursion as you’ll need to cross a section of water at one point. On arrival, she was amused by the sights with which she was met. “We came to a white sand beach where some cows were having a sunbathe!” quips Rebecca. Yet, this Corsican coastline did not disappoint, “Following the shore, we passed more beautiful wildflowers, varied rock formations and old shepherd huts. The nature here is so unspoilt.”
Discovering an isolated beach cove where the waters were calm and crystal-clear, Rebecca enjoyed a packed lunch comprising local ingredients such as charcuterie, sheep cheese and fresh baguette. Contemplating the remoteness of this region, she highlights, “While most routes are in the wilderness, you do pass the occasional person, and they always have happy faces!” It’s unsurprising when they are amidst such serene surroundings.
When assessing the fitness levels required for our North Corsican Wonders between Coast and Mountains trip, you’ll find it is graded as a level 2 & 2+ on our 1 to 4 scale. This rating means that walks are generally between 8-15 km, with some at higher altitudes and with uneven terrain. Rebecca highlights, “Corsica is an adventurers’ paradise due to the untouched nature and wildness of the island. For hiking, I would definitely recommend some supportive hiking boots, as many of the paths are over rocks with some scrambling required.”
For our Corsica with eBike trip, she advises, “Due to the mountainous aspect of the trip, even with an eBike, training is required. To enjoy the trip fully, you need a good level of fitness.” However, Rebecca remarks that having an eBike to explore the island was a game-changer for her for a particular reason. “I’m prone to travel sickness, and when navigating the winding mountain roads on an eBike, I could stop at every village and viewpoint, something I wouldn’t be able to do by car due to motion sickness and limited parking.”
Another of Rebecca’s memorable experiences was taking the famous Trinighellu train from Ile Rouse to Calvi. “This train ticket is included in the tour and provides a stunning coastline view before arriving at Calvi’s white sand beaches.” It was also in Calvi where Rebecca tried a traditional Corsican menu, which included Sanglier (wild boar), one of the island’s most celebrated dishes.
While Corsica is renowned for its wild splendour, its culture is also rich and varied, with many intriguing sights to explore. Rebecca recommends visiting Bastia’s old town, St Nicholas Square and the Citadel, meandering the character-filled alleyways in between. She describes how, in the evening, Bastia’s harbour comes alive with activity, with an array of restaurants, bars and shops to enjoy.
Rebecca explains how the Corsican people are very proud of their heritage, “Walking around Bastia, you could feel the great pride in being Corsican, with the Corsican language being on most tourist information. Furthermore, you’ll see the Corsican Flag and the Moor’s Head, the Corsican symbol, in many places, such as on local boats, buildings, produce and souvenirs.” Rebecca also shares how you’ll see Genoese towers dotted across the island. These 16th-century fortresses were used for surveillance and defence and are now regarded as a strong symbol of identity in Corsica.
During her Corsican trip, one of the hotels at which Rebecca stayed was Hotel Vieux Molin in Centuri. Set in a tranquil location overlooking the port, it provides fantastic views, particularly from the terrace. Rebecca describes how you can look out over the slate-tiled roofs and watch as their colours change from green to grey to aqua, depending on the time of day and the light. At its restaurant, you’ll have a choice of local produce, including fresh fish and seafood. Later, in Calvi, Rebecca stayed in Hotel Revellata. This more modern-style hotel offers excellent facilities, including an outdoor swimming pool, an indoor plunge pool, a small sauna and fitness room, and an abundant breakfast.
Rebecca took her holiday to Corsica in May, which she believes is an excellent time to visit, “It was just lovely, not too hot for the walks, and the wildflowers and vegetation were at their best before the summer heat dried everything out. Also, it wasn’t too busy, so the train and boats were not crowded.” Corsica is an island known for its pleasing weather, boasting one of the highest sunshine records in France. Rebecca recommends bringing a hat, as the island has little shade.
Reflecting on her trip, Rebecca summarises, “Corsica is an unspoilt, friendly island, full of history, charm and wonderful food. Exploring it on foot and by bike allowed me to immerse myself in the island’s delights far more deeply than a typical holiday would have, exploring the hidden nooks and trying the local delicacies. I can understand why it is known as the Island of Beauty!”
If Rebecca’s experiences have inspired you to visit Corsica, and you are interested in our self-guided walking or biking experiences, please take a look at our Corsica trip page.
