Other places in Corsica

Corse du Sud Haute-Corse

Much in the tourist world has no doubt changed since I last visited Corsica 30 years ago. But the wild extravagance of the rugged scenery must remain timeless.
Diversity came at the beginning of the holiday, for every means of transport was used — the bus, the tube, the train and a plane which seemed to be one of the Wright Brothers' rejects!
Our accommodation, just outside Ajaccio, was in a series of coal sheds politely called bungalows.
It was with some trepidation that we viewed the constant stream of enormous ants which passed the front door. Fortunately, they stayed outside but the same could not be said of a friendly mouse who came every evening to share our chocolate.
The bungalows were close to the beach.
The heat, even in September, was such that there was no difficulty in getting dry after a dip in the sea.
Ajaccio, remarkable for the sombre black dresses of the majority of the ladies, is soaked in the history of Napolean. The curator of the local museum told us all about the house where Napolean was born.
A trip down the west coast through Sartene revealed spectacular scenery.
The weathering of the granite peaks in one spot gave the impression of a lion sprawled across the mountain top.
Bonifacio in the extreme south was made up of tiny cobbled streets. Boat trips across the bay revealed the lighthouse and the extraordinary caves which penetrate the cliffs.
The town is said to be one of the most curious of the Mediterranean ports and second only, for interest, to Valetta.
An excursion into the interior of the island brought us some of the most startling and impressive scenery which it is possible to imagine.
Many of the roads through the gorges of Spelunca past Le Cinto, the highest mountain in Corsica, were little more than precipitous tracks — calculated to bring a chill to the stomach of any indifferent travellers.
This led us to Vizzavona Pass.
Finally we visited Corte, the ancient capital of Corsica, with its fabulous Citadelle perched high on the rocks.
A donkey decided to be friendly and only with great difficulty was he prevented from boarding our bus!
The holiday ended as it began at Ajaccio Airport. We returned to England with an indelible memory of some incredible mountain scenery to which no words can possibly do true justice.

Read more in our destination guide to Corsica.