Recipes & Reminiscing with Karen Wright – South France
Corsica is set in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, just off the coast of the South of France, making it the perfect spot for a camping holiday full of sunshine. Steeped in history and full of untouched natural beauty, there is plenty to see and do on this exotic island. With three airports you can fly to across the island and plenty to explore once you arrive, it is ideal for a fly and drive camping holiday.
The capital city of Ajaccio
The beaches of Ajaccio
Corsica is the home country of Napoleon Bonaparte and his old family home has been converted into a museum. Located in Ajaccio on the Rue Saint-Charles, the beautiful ancestral home was owned by the Bonaparte family from 1682 to 1923. The house was famously a place of pilgrimage for French revolutionaries and now hosts memorabilia of the former emperor and his family. It is well worth a visit when exploring the capital city of Ajaccio.
While you’re in Ajaccio, be sure to visit the Fesch Museum situated within the gates of the Palais Fesch. Napoleon’s uncle, Cardinal Joseph Fesch, was an art collector who amassed a collection of over 16,000 paintings. He commissioned the fine arts museum in the 19th Century and filled it with his impressive collection of art, including France’s largest collection of Italian paintings.
The natural beauty
Reserve Naturelle de Scandola
The Reserve Naturelle de Scandola is perfect for those who love the outdoors. This natural reserve is completely untouched and only accessible by boat. The gulf is filled with marine life so you can hop on a tour from Calvi or Porto and spot the dolphins and seals in their natural habitat. Alongside the sea creatures you’ll be amazed by the beautiful rock formations with their jagged inlets and caves. It is one of the finest coastlines on the island and shouldn’t be missed.
The Southern coast
Bonifacio harbour
The South of Corsica is home to many beautiful towns that are worth exploring. Porto Vecchio’s old town features old Genoese houses perched along the ramparts of the stone citadel.Porto Vecchio is a fashionable tourist resort and has been dubbed the ‘St Tropez’ of Corsica. Porto Vecchio’s Place de la République is its main square and is a wonderful place to sit and have a drink or a bite to eat. The town is surrounded by beaches with shallow waters, ideal for families with children. The nearby Alta Rocca region is excellent for explorers who enjoy a spot of mountain walking, horse riding, rock climbing or swimming in unique rock pools.
Bonifacio at the very southern tip of the island is a popular tourist destination – and it’s easy to see why. Its old town is perched at the top of a limestone cliff. Wandering around the ancient fortress’ labyrinth of cobbled streets will take you back to ancient times. The main town also has a beautiful, busy marina lined with lovely bars, restaurants and hotels. Bonifacio is also close to some unspoiled white sandy beaches, surrounded by breath-taking mountains. The crystal blue water here offers great opportunities for a bit of snorkelling, and the consistent winds make are ideal for windsurfing and kite surfing.
Explore more of Europe
If you fancy seeing more of Europe during your stay, why not take a day trip to Sardinia. There are ferries that set sail from Porto Vecchio and take you straight to Corsica’s neighbouring island. On the way you’ll see some beautiful sights including the Maddalena Archipelago.
Our Campsites in Corsica
We have a number of campsites in Corsica that are the ideal starting point for a Corsican adventure. Here are two of our favourites:
Camping Cupulatta
Camping Cupulatta, Corsica
Sandwiched between the mountains and the clear waters of the Mediterranean, Camping Cupulatta feels like a tropical getaway. Located in the Porto Vecchio region, it is the ideal base for exploring the Southern coast of Corsica. The campsite has everything you need with a pool, boules pitch and a children’s playground. Plus it is just a 6 minute walk from the beach where you do some water sports.
Camping Via Romana
Camping Via Romana, Corsica
Just 3 miles from the Mediterranean beach, Via Romana is the perfect destination for relaxing and soaking up the sun. The campsite itself has three swimming pools if you’re looking to cool off after a long day of exploring. There are also sports activities such as volleyball or tennis, but for something a bit faster paced; horse riding, sailing, treetop aerial adventure and canyoning are all available within a short drive from the campsite.
Getting there
Corsica is ideal for a fly and drive holiday, with three airports accessible from the UK and plenty to explore with a rental car:
Bastia
Bastia Harbour
Situated on the northern coast of the island, Bastia is the most accessible Corsican airport. Flybe offers direct flights from Birmingham and Southampton, additionally Easyjet offers direct flights from London Gatwick and Manchester. Our closest campsite to Bastia airport is Camping Via Romana just a 46 mile drive away.
Figari
Figari is ideally located for exploring the Southern coast and is the closest airport to our Camping Cupulatta, just a 20 mile drive away. Currently the only direct flights available to Figari from the UK are through Easyjet from London Gatwick.
Ajaccio
Corsica’s capital city and airport are located on the Western coast of the island. Currently direct flights to Ajaccio are only available through EasyJet from London Gatwick. The airport is 76 miles from Via Romana and 89 miles from Cupulatta.
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