For for the casual American traveler to Europe, how do the two islands compare in terms of accessibility, transport/getting around, cost/accommodations, culture, and most importantly things to see/do (historical, natural, beaches)?
I think it probably largely depends on what you want to do. Sardinia has fancy beach resorts, but overall I'd say both islands would be ideal for a nature lover looking to drive to rural villages and hike in national parks. This is based on research since both are right up my alley and on my list (flights/insufficient vacation time have always been the issue for me). Someone with unlimited time could use train and bus, but it would be more challenging.
I'd go to some websites that list various itineraries and compare that way.
Corsica is far more mountainous than Sardinia, with peaks up to 9,000 feet. Roads are slower, accordingly. A car is absolutely necessary. Historically... Bonifacio's lovely but otherwise there is not much. It is really about nature and coastal scenery.
ACCESSIBILITY:
Easy to reach by air. By boat it is possible but takes too long and to me it makes sense only if you are a European taking your own car rather than spending a bunch on a rental car.
TRANSPORT/GETTING AROUND:
A rental car almost a must. Public transportation exists but not frequent and therefore would severely limit ability to see the islands efficiently.
COST/ACCOMMODATIONS
Expensive and few vacancies from mid July to end of August. Much more affordable outside those periods. Sardinia (Italy) substantially cheaper than Corsica (France).
CULTURE
They have it.
THINGS TO SEE
Historical: some, but not as much as other regions in the continent
Natural: a whole lot, on mountains, hills, beaches and cliffs, under water.
Beaches: probably the absolute best in the Mediterranean (applies to both Sardinia and Corsica)
@valadelphia
"This is based on research since both are right up my alley and on my list (flights/insufficient vacation time have always been the issue for me). "
I know exactly what you mean, thank you for sharing your research!
@ Roberto da Firenze
Very thorough information, thank you so much!
@ balso
How do they compare in terms of local knowledge of English. Corsica according to Wikitravel: "English is not widely understood (except in very touristic areas), even by teenagers and young adults, that's why English speakers should try to learn some basic French and Italian sentences." Is Sardinia pretty much the same?
Both islands are heavily visited by international visitors (mostly European). As a result anybody working with tourists in tourist areas (hotels, restaurants, etc.) is likely to have some decent knowledge of English.
In Sardinia I speak Italian, but they usually spoke English to my wife.
In Corsica, since my French is embarrassing to say the least, I spoke with the locals in Italian. The Corsican dialect is related to a variety of Tuscan (basically Tuscan words ending in “u”), therefore no problem there. Locals are fluent in Italian too since they get Italian TV and lots of Italian tourists. I had challenges with some of the non local French staff who go there to work during the tourist season from France (many of North African o African descent). They spoke little or no Italian, only French and some English, so in those circumstances I would talk to them in English, or (when I could) some of the French I know. My wife (who is Puerto Rican black and therefore the African-French hotel staff often befriended her), conversed with them in English, interspersed with some Italian, some Spanish, and a lot of hand gestures. Hotel desk staff or waiters at restaurants often speak English however in both islands. If you are the adventurous type and would like to venture into the less touristy areas in the interior, then talking to the locals without some knowledge of the language might be more challenging, but someone around will speak some English. Besides those working with tourists, younger generations will speak at least some English. So if you need to ask for directions and you have the choice between a high school or college age girl and a 90 year old Sardinian (or Corsican) lady dressed in black with no teeth, go for the former. The latter will probably speak only Sardinian dialect which would be incomprehensible to me as well.
@ Roberto da Firenze
Excellent information, thank you again!
So what about Sardinia AND Corsica? That has been on my bucket list for a long time - to take the ferry between. How much time would one need to get a good look at both?
That's so subjective, rachele, but personally I want minimum ten days for either island, so something approaching a month would be good for both. Of course many plan all kinds of jet-setting trips and manage to live to tell the tale.
@Rachele:
You can visit both on the same trip. There is a car ferry that goes back and forth between Bonifacio (Corsica) and Santa Teresa di Gallura (Sardinia), about 45-50 min crossing time (but longer wait in line for the car loading process). Some car rental agencies may restrict travel on ferries, I did take rental cars across more than once. Coming from Italy it is easier to find direct flights to Sardinia, if you come from France, there are more options to Corsica.
Considering the time and cost to get there you should devote at least a week to Sardinia. Corsica is smaller, but maybe 4 nights can give you a taste of it. So maybe 11 nights minimum for a taste of both. If you do both, staying in or near Santa Teresa (Gallura area) is good. For Corsica you'd do the southern part (Bonifacio, Porto Vecchio, etc.)
Thanks Roberto - very encouraging. I just haven’t been able to choose one island over the other as they both sound interesting in their own way.
