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Five of the Best Attractions on the French Island of Corsica
The French island of Corsica is said to be one of the best places to visit in Europe for diving. Partly because the island is also renowned for its golden sandy beaches and crystal clear, blue sea. In striking contrast to this stunning coastline, the island’s interior has some rugged mountains that provide wonderful and picturesque settings for everything from hiking, rock climbing and mountain biking, to rafting and kayaking.
Golden, sandy beaches and crystal, clear seas by pimousse
While the Island offers numerous opportunities for various sports and outdoor activities, there is something for everyone. Here is my list of five of the best attractions in Corsica.
Corsica has some spectacular evidence of Stone Age peoples that dates back to about 6600 BC, the time when prehistoric Europeans began farming. The archaeological site of Filitosa is a great place to take a leisurely stroll amongst ancient buildings and statues.
Photograph by akynou.
The Corsican railway is an attraction in its own right. Not only does it provide a means for getting about the island, it is also a great way to sit back, relax and see the island as it winds its way through the mountains and forests and follows the coastline. There are numerous bridges, viaducts and tunnels, but one, the huge Vecchio viaduct, was engineered by the now famous Gustave Eiffel.
There are some spectacular museums in the capital city of Ajaccio. For those interested in archaeology the National Museum of the Bonaparte House has a wonderful exhibit on the Stone Age statues of Filitosa. There is also the Museum Fesch, which after the death of Cardinal Fesch in Rome in 1839, inherited over a thousand artworks from his house in Ajaccio. This collection includes works from the Neopolitan and Roman Baroque eras, as well as early Italian and Napoleonic art.
Getting out should definitely include a visit to Les Calanques de Piana, certainly one of the most spectacular natural landscapes on the island. Here you will see striking cliffs of red granite that have been worn over the years by wind and water, resulting in some bizarre and spiky shapes that are upwards of 300 metres tall.
If it is hiking you are after, Parc Naturel has hundreds of walking and hiking trails of all levels. The park covers some 3,300 square kilometres inland, and is home to the main mountain peaks, some of which are 2710 meters high. The most well-known trail is the GR20, a 210km long path that can take two weeks from one end to the other, with ‘refuges’ along the way to shower and overnight.
Seaside restaurant at Erbalunga by Freddy Adams
And of course, as with the rest of France, Corsicans take their eating seriously; dining out is a favourite local past-time. The cuisine on the island tends to reflect the fact that the locals are originally mountain folk, so it is hearty soups, and meat and vegetables. Traditional Corsican cuisine is made up of simple dishes but strong on flavour – including local mountain herbs and locally produced olive oil. Corsica is well known for some very good red wines and rosés. But start your meal with a typical aperitif, a Corsican muscat is a must!
Five of the Best Attractions on the French Island of Corsica
Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.
2010 – The 97th Tour de France
France is undoubtedly the European destination for cyclists. And, in a few days for the next three weeks the whole nation will become absorbed once again in what must surely be one of the most internationally prestigious and high profile annual sporting events to take place in France. Yes, it is Tour de France time.
On Saturday 3 July 2010 the 22 teams of 9 individuals that make up the 97th Tour de France will leave the Dutch city of Rotterdam. The race then ends, as usual, on the Champs Elysées in the afternoon of 25 July 2010.
During the intervening three weeks nearly 200 cyclists and literally thousands of support people will travel the chosen route of this year’s Tour. The various administrative Departments that make up France bid annually to have their region included on the route. Those Departments that can afford it get to host a stage of the Tour.
For anyone coming to France over the next three weeks and hoping to catch at least a glimpse of the cyclists and part of the Tour should take a look at the official website (in French, English, German and Spanish) for the complete route. Those Francophiles not able to get to France could always follow the Tour on the television. Coverage of the Tour is very good, and not just because of the excitement of each stage and the final finish. Given the different and various parts of France the Tour passes through, TV coverage is the armchair-Francophile’s dream.
Photo courtesy of Garmin.
Europe’s biggest summer destination: the World Cup
Many people may wonder if my geography is correct when I speak of Europe and the World Cup. A couple of weeks ago I wrote about “Getting ready for the World Cup through European travel” and with the World Cup kicking off this Friday June 11 in South Africa, one of its biggest, most passionate audiences will be in Europe. France, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Serbia, England, Slovenia, Denmark, Netherlands, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Greece all take their shot at winning the World Cup.
The World Cup in South Africa - Europe's biggest destination? (Photo by Clare Appleyard)
For the casual fan or for someone who is not interested in football at all, one may wonder how this relates to seeing more of Europe. The answer to that question? The people of Europe. Anyone who travels to these European countries will see a side of Europe that only appears once every four years. Of all the football fans in the world, only South Americans can compete with Europeans in their passion for football.
The World Cup is the biggest sporting event on the planet. And for many countries in Europe, football is either the biggest or second biggest sport in the country. For the next 5 weeks, businesses may close, bars and pubs will be full, jerseys will be worn, and fans will celebrate with passion or express their disappointment in defeat. The World Cup matters and any visit to these countries will be a visit like no other.
While many people travel to see Europe’s museums, beaches, mountains, historical sights, and landmarks, the true beauty of this continent is found in its people. Go beyond the places and meet the faces that make up the rich culture and heritage of any European country. This will be on full display during the World Cup.
Do Germans drink beers and celebrate with restrained enthusiasm? Do Italians scream and yell wildly, throw huge parties, and close down the streets in celebration? What about in Portugal, France, Spain, or Serbia? Observing how people engage in this event and how they react in victory and defeat can give you a lot of insight into each country’s culture.
Talk to people on the streets. Ask the security guard at a museum what he plans to do for the World Cup. Strike up a conversation in a pub or bar. It’s an easy conversation starter so you can get to know people. In both small towns and big cities, even in countries that didn’t qualify for the World Cup, people will be watching.
One of the biggest, most anticipated match ups in the opening round is England versus the United States. Both sides of the Atlantic are excited about this one (while England may be a bit more interested and even a little more nervous). In war and in peace, the English and Americans have long been allies and rivalries between the two are friendly. However, this may be the biggest match up between these two countries since 1950.
The World Cup – what does it mean to you? Will you be watching? As an American, football (i.e. soccer to us) is not a big sport here. Many people here hate the sport and even many sports fans will be nothing more than casual observers as they root for the USA. However, if (and probably, when) the USA bows out, many TVs will be turned off.
As an American who is passionate about football, it is my hope that this catches the attention of many here in the US. For Europeans, this event is as big as it gets. And for anyone traveling around Europe the next five weeks, it will be a wonderful opportunity to engage the wonderful cultures of Europe during the biggest sporting event in so a the world.