Traditions and culture in Corsica

Corsica has a long history of colonisation, dating back to the Mesolithic age and taking in the ancient Greeks, the Etruscans, the Roman Empire, the Republic of Genoa and, finally, France.

The Corsican Revolution began in 1729 and the Corsican Republic was briefly formed in 1755, before the French secretly purchased it from the Genoese, officially incorporating it into their country in 1770.

Traditionally, the island is renowned for producing some excellent wines, which is perhaps unsurprising as its grape cultivation dates back some 3,000 years and its vineyards are first-class.

The locals used to take shelter in the mountains as Corsica was considered susceptible to invasion and this trait is still in evidence even now, with most of its cultural attractions focused on the interior of Cap Corse.

These include a number of distinct customs and festivals, while food culture comes in the shape of inland favourites such as cured sausages, cheeses and lamb seasoned with wild herbs.

Things to do in Corsica

It is easy to see why Corsica has become a popular holiday destination, with its 1,000km of coastline decorated by swanky towns such as Ajaccio and stunning beaches at places such as Calvi.

Travellers who decide to book flights to the region will also find that there is plenty to satisfy their appetite for exercise, with great hiking opportunities among the vast mountain ranges and lively chestnut and pine forests.

The most famous of these is perhaps the renowned GR20, which is feted for its demanding physical nature, stunning visual rewards and hair-raising switchover roads.

Not everywhere in Corsica focuses on the tourism industry, with more unaffected towns such as Bastia being well worth a visit for their lively atmosphere and laidback approach to life.

Finally, anyone contemplating heading to the island in the summer should look to book a cheap hotel early, as it tends to swell with tourists during those months.

Weather in Corsica

No holiday guide to a destination in the Mediterranean would be complete without a thorough assessment of the weather Britons can expect during their break.

Corsica experiences a lengthy summer (between May and October) when temperatures tend to soar - the average temperature between July and September is around 27C.

As a general rule, the north is hotter than the south - although the micro-climates vary depending on altitude - and the winters are fairly mild, with an average temperature of 14C between January and March.

Destination checklist for Corsica

Corsica has a population of around 281,000.

The island is one hour ahead of UTC time.

The currency in Corsica is the euro.

The official language spoken is French.

The island's international dialling code is +33.