Corsica Holiday
The old fashioned island of Corsica draws much of its fame from its status as Napoleon's birthplace - but visitors will be surprised to find much more besides.
The Mediterranean island of Corsica, a region of France, is the perfect destination for travellers seeking sun, sand and sights.
A scenic, rugged island located to the southeast of France and the west of Italy, Corsica is an old fashioned place, with charming ports, friendly towns and delightful beaches.
The long history of occupation and its importance as a trading port has provided the island with a unique and varied culture, whilst still retaining much of its own identity.
During the 16th century, Corsica became embroiled in a battle between France and Italy and the dispute did not come to an end until the 18th century when the island came under French control. Key to the resistance during World War Two, Corsica is now pushing for greater autonomy from France.
Famed as the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte and the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, there is a great deal for tourists to see and do on Corsica. The island enjoys hot dry summers, rainy and mild winters and warm, pretty springs.
Favourites with visitors include a trip to the dramatic citadel of Bonifacio, which overlooks the sea, the university town of Corte in the centre of the island, Bastia and its 15th century Citadel, and the neolithic Filitosa archaeological site.
Corsica's lively capital Ajaccio has some pretty architecture and cafe-lined squares. Visitors will enjoy browsing in the shops and markets and attending outdoor concerts during the summer months in the 19th-century square, Place St-Nicolas.
Home to just 260,000 people, Corsica has 1,000km of coastline and over 200 beaches, offering holidaymakers an array of quiet and picturesque resorts to choose from around the island.
Walkers will enjoy exploring the mountainous interior, with the 2,706m peak of Monte Cinto dominating the scenery and the Parc Natural Regional de Corse home to a wealth of plant and animal species.
Active travellers will delight in the array of pursuits on offer around the island, including sailing, diving, fishing, golf, horse riding, cycling and climbing.
Evenings in Corsica tend to be quiet compared with other European islands and most people head for the excellent restaurants, serving French, local and European dishes, or the many small bars.
Corsica attracts almost two million visitors a year and accommodation is plentiful and tends to be clean and attractive, with a range of options available to suit most tastes.
There are still relatively few flights available directly to Corsica from the UK, with most passing through France, while a number of companies offer package deals.
