Corsica or Sardinia?

It would help tremendously to know what your interests are and WHEN you would like to go -- my answer will vary depending on that info...

I tried to keep it simple, but you asked: Our son, his french wife & child live in Montpellier. Last year my wife & I did Italy for 1 1/2 weeks, working north, & ended up in Nice on the Promenade with them for a week before going to Montpellier. They were not thrilled with Nice. Too touristy. I agree, but I loved it anyway.
For our next trip I am trying to do 1 1/2 weeks Italy, working south, and then meeting them maybe on an island, hopefully not too touristy, for a week. The 2 obvious choices are Corsica Sardinia. I am open to other choices that also have ferry service.

Hi Wayne I have never been to Sardinia so can't help with comparing the two, however if you will be in Montpellier it is easier to reach Corsica as it is well served from the French mainland. From Montpeller you can fly, or if you prefer to take the ferry you can sail from Marseille (the main ferry company from there is called SNCM, and there is another one called La Meridionale). My own experience of Corsica is just an overnight stay in Ajaccio to watch a football game, but it's a very popular destination for French holidaymakers and I believe it deserves its moniker of "Ile de Beauté".

"...and then meeting them maybe on an island, hopefully not too touristy, for a week. The 2 obvious choices are Corsica Sardinia..." Both of those places are on my wish list to see, also. But at risk of stating the obvious, BOTH of those land masses are much too large to "feel" like an island (particularly Sardinia) Sardinia is about the size of New Jersey and Corsica is about the size of Deleware. If you are yearning for an island experience, there are many choices, especially just off the coast of Italy. Get a good map and explore your options.

I would like a small Italian island, but are any easily accessible from Montpellier?

Addressing only ferries and omitting Sicily: There ain't no islands you can get to from Montpellier. You can get to Corsica from Marseille, Nice, and maybe Toulon. You can obviously get to Sardinia from Corsica. I think you can also get directly to Sardinia from Marseille. The only other Italian island in the area that comes to mind is Elba and you have to get to it from a town I've unremembereed the name of about fifty miles south of Livorno. Like Randy, I don't know what you mean by an 'island experience'. Other than some dumps in the Bahamas and Caribbean, the only place I can think of where you can see water for three hundred sixty degrees is Iwo Jima and the hike to the top of the hill there is a bit of a trek. I've been to both Corsica and Sardenia. I spent about ten days hiking and biking Corsica three years ago and thorougly enjoyed it - - but, it has become more developed from what I think I remembered from twenty years earlier. I spent a week on Sardinia the year before (driving) and enjoyed it almost as much - - nothing wrong with it at all. Both have essentially the same geography and both have neat little towns with great people. For some reason the terrain of Corscia sticks in my gord as being a bit more appealing - - but I tend to spend as much time as possible outdoors. I think what you need to decide is if you want more of a semi-French flavor or a semi-Italian one.

My experience with both is that the WHEN matters most for either, than elsewhere in continental Europe. Come the end of October, tourist facilities in the villages just roll up the carpets and close the shutters until the following May. In July and August (especially), the roads choke up with back-to-back traffic, especially on Corsica. Both are beautiful, with amazingly clear waters.

Too bad you are not farther south, then I'd say Capri.

>>Note<< This is a duplicate posting of one in The Boot.

I spent about 3 days in Corsica in mid-October 09 and loved it! It was sunny with temps in mid-70's.
We flew to Ajaccio from Paris (very reasonable fare) then slept on the overnight ferry that we caught from Ajaccio to Toulon. Toulon is just east of Marseilles and probably about a 3 hour train ride from Montpellier. Ajaccio is a nice town and the beaches are beautiful with clear azure water. We explored a bit up and down the coast and I'd love to go back.

This post originated last year.

Corsica!!!!!! That is my most favourite destination on the planet. I visited Calvi, Ajaccio, and Bastia. Bastia was my most favourite.

Yes, the post did originate last year, but just slightly more than 3 months ago. It's not clear when the poster is traveling so the responses may be relevant.

Thanks for the replies, all input helps. My trip is not planned until next January or February. I know weather is a huge gamble, but I've been very lucky in the past, but never on a island.

You will find that not much is available/open in January and February... many people in the industry are themselves gone travelin' at that time. That would definitely be off-off-season! If you can nail your accommodations, you'll be able to visit either island in total peace and quiet! Never assume that restaurants will be open, so make sure to ask if at least your evening meals will be available where you shall book. Bonifacio would be nice and more affordable at that time, as would Ile Rousse on Corsica; but dead... Better yet, maybe you could consider pricing out an all-inclusive getaway to the Maldives from France ;-)