The Experience
Corsica is an island located off the south of France, and I never thought that I'd ever visit that little dot in the Mediterranean. But my goodness, it's a speck of gold in the blue.
We travelled in July/August, summertime baby! Golden skies, golden smiles, and golden sun. This helped with one of our accommodation locations as it was student accommodation that was vacated while students were away.
We chose this island because out of Sardinia or Corsica, Corsica was cheaper. Cheaper to get to, cheaper to stay on, and cheaper to get around.
A contributing factor to the fond memories and longing to return to Corsica is that we had no idea what to expect of the island... it blew us away with amazement.
Another major contributing factor is the number of 'Gabby walks' we went on.
´What is a ´Gabby walk?´ Weeeeeell, let me tell you!
I went to this island with a very positive and adventurous friend of mine and yes, you guessed it, her name is Gabby. Now, Gabby has a reputation of taking the 'long route' when going to explore something, or sightsee. Unintentionally and almost always by mistake. But, honestly, her walks add so much value to your trip. I think anyone who has travelled with Gabby would 100% agree with me. They would know what a ´Gabby walk´ is and experience the same range of emotions when they find themselves on one.
First, excitement for the adventure.
Then, doubting that you´re going the right way.
Followed by, certainty that you're going in the wrong direction and an urge to turn around. Then, you feel defeated, you don't want to go on, you're trying to persuade Gabby to give up and tell her, "Let´s just chill on the beach". Only to remember, Gabby doesn´t give up easily and you are still going to walk to this destination - no matter how long it takes.
And it could take 2 hours. It could take the whole day.
However, once you´ve reached the destination, you are in awe of the discovery and proud of yourself. Although your trust in Gabby´s navigational skills has been severely affected, you're extremely grateful that she was your travel buddy through this experience. You also know that the journey to the destination was the core memory being made and without Gabby, they would not have happened. These walks are the highlights reels on your Instagram profiles and the destinations are the pictures posted.
In sharing this, I can confidently say, that if you've planned enough time, Corsica is a very walkable island - there is plenty to see by going everywhere on your own two feet.
So. save the environment, take your foot falcon.
I encourage you to go, with a bit of a spontaneous plan, and explore. However, below, I've compiled an itinerary with fine print of a plan based from what we did - it is up to you if you decide to read the smaller writing. The regular font is for what is available in these locations.
Corsica Itinerary
Bastia
Swim out by the rocks, watch the local stray cats, try the wine and picnic at Jardin Romieu with views out over the horizon, visit the citadel, and walk through the cobble-stoned streets.
Lil'Rousse
Lighthouse walk, secluded beaches, bring your own snorkel gear, bakeries, public beach.
A highlight was the train ride along the coast to Lil´ Rousse, you are right on the water and have to cross the train track to access the public beach. We were there for four hours, morning train in, afternoon train onto Algajola because Lil´Rousse was too expensive to stay in. Nice walk up to the lighthouse with rewarding views, and a public beach you can cool down in afterwards.
Algajola
Beach with amazing sunsets over the water, a hike up to the abandoned village of d´Occi, great ice-cream.
We arrived and walked to our nice hotel. Enjoyed beers and sunset on the beach. Took a ´Gabby walk´ along a windy, tight two-lane road to the abandoned village, hiked through the mountains back down. Ate ice-cream and swam in the hotel pool.
Corte
Lakes, citadel, Belvedere de Corte, walk La Restonica Trail, swim in the Baignade Tavignanu river, great restaurants, and drive or take the bus to see many of the surrounding lakes.
We went on the walking tracks around the town, ate good food, swam in the river through the middle of town. Enjoyed the views at Belvedere de Corte. The next day, walked to the bus stop about 30 minutes out of the centre to go to the lake only to realise it wasn´t operating. Decided to walk the natural path back through the river, stopping to swim and snack along the way. Ended back in the centre swimming in the river in town with cold, local beer.
Ajaccio
The Plage de la Tour Genoise Fautea, numerous beaches on the coast and in the city centre, citadel, markets, snorkelling, monuments, and museums.
We took the bus to the end of the line towards Plage de la Tour Genoise Fautea, and walked along the coast back to the city. Visited the markets, ate a lot of ice-cream, swam at the city beach, visited the fort, went snorkelling with an amazing company. Highly recommend and really hope Lionel is still there - he was the funniest and most memorable person we met. He wasn't joking about the rum, either.
Getting Around on the Island
The cheapest and most sustainable mode of transport around the island is the train. You can find the trains´ schedules here.
You pay for your tickets onboard with cash or card, or at some station ticket offices, provided they are open. Below is a grid for an idea of pricing.
There is also something on their website called a Pass Liberta, which is 50 euros and allows free movement for 7 consecutive days. We chose not to use this as we wouldn't make the most of the monetary value due to staying at least two night in each location, and the fares for where we travelled were pretty low.
According to All Aboard, travelling by train is the most sustainable travel method, besides walking or riding a bike of course. Amazing! With the breath-taking views, and ease of the trains, it's really an extra golden token to know you're minimising your carbon footprint. One useful tool I like to keep in my bag includes travelandclimate.org, a website fantastic for information and counting your travelling carbon footprint.
Island History and Information
The forests on the island make up 20% of the island.
Parc Naturel Regional de Corse (PNRC) is a large part of the island that encompasses the local population with a goal to protect the environment and cultural heritage.
Reserve Naturelle de Scandola is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a part of the PNRC.
Reserve Naturelle des iles Finocchiarlo is off limits to humans between March and October so that rare birds may breed in peace. Respect.
Fires are the biggest threat to the island, therefore barbecues and any kind of outdoor fires are banned during summertime.
A beautiful friend from India told me that a Bollywood Dance Movie was filmed in the citadel of Bastia. Watch it here.
Ajaccio is the birth place of Napoleon Bonaparte. However, during his reign, the island was largely neglected by the French state.
The Greeks, Romans, Pisans, Genoese and French have all ruled over this island in the past.
Today, Corsicans mostly vote for autonomous and independent politicians.
The island has be reviewed in the Sydney Herald as, 'No place for shy strangers', and I completely agree. When you do meet people on Corsica, they are the loveliest and try their hardest to have a chat with you.
There was no free walking tours we could find when there, so please leave a comment if that changed on your travels!
Have you been to Corsica and have anything that you would like to add? Please leave a comment below. If you have a friend who also goes on 'Gabby' walks, then share this itinerary and location with them.
Keep exploring, keep learning
- B
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