Corsica ~ Trying Again!

Alex, Have you gotten a couple of guidebooks, Rough Guide and Lonely Planet, that cover Corsica? I have never been there but this is where we start in our planning process. Then do computer searches: Corsica tourism, Corsica hotels that sort of thing. You'll get more good information that you have so far here.

Yes have done that ~ don't like Lonely Planet's format so much. I like getting personal recommendations from people and have been very lucky here in the past!

Alex - Been to Corsica many times and love it. Far and away the most beautiful island in the Med (at least that I've been to). You could spend a month and not really see everything, but a week or two would be good to give you a very good taste of things. Remember that driving around is SLOW since the roads are quite windy and the island is mountainous. Renting a car is pretty much essential. Where to go: definitely the northwest corner (Piana over to Ile Rousse including Calvi and especially the Calanches sea cliffs and the villages of the Balagne inland). You'd certainly want to see Bonifaccio in the far south and the coastal area around there is gorgeous. Then there is the interior (Corte and the mountains). Also enjoy very much bastia and Ajaccio for a bit of (small) city life. Depends as well on when you plan to go. If it is the summer, be ready for very crowded conditions on the beaches. Corsica is a major tourist destination for the French and Italians. Things calm down considerably off-season and if you can swing it, June or September is ideal sionce the weather will be perfect, water great for swimming and the crowds all back safe and sound in Paris and Milano ! - Kevin

Thanks so much Kevin! Which area/s would you recommend we stay in-would like to stay put in one place? Any hotels, prefer smaller/local hotels, you would recommend??

Alex - We tend to stay with family so I can't help you out on the hotel front. I personally love the coastline between Ajaccio and Piana - it's gorgeous and relatively undeveloped with awesome beaches. But for sightseeing, think about the Balagne (Calvi or Ile Rousse). Also great beaches and lovely villages to visit plus the two larger towns and an easy day trip to Piana and the Calanques and even over to Bastia via St. Florent. It would make for a long day getting to Bonifaccio, but you can't expect everything from just one location. As I said before, driving around Corsica is slow going - one of the dellights about the island at the end of the day ! - Kevin

Ok, awesome, thanks! Lucky you staying with family ~ that is the best way to go :)

How about Porto Vecchio ~ seems like alot there also? Though Ile Rousse looks amazing!

This sounds great - I have always wondered about both Corsica and Sardinia - haven't seen much about them as popular tourist destinations (which to me makes them even more appealing). Need to add these to my list...