Introduction to Corsica
Endless mountain ranges, sunny days filled with the magical atmosphere of Mediterranean bliss, mouth-watering cuisine and underworld marvel. French island boasts a title for a wonderful holiday destination, still a bit more expensive than its Italian neighbours, but absolutely worth spending a last penny. It is the sun, food and nature that make it an ideal spot for the yoga retreat.
Corsica belongs to the group of the biggest Mediterranean islands. It resides within France but still preserves the Italian culture. Plenty of donkeys are roaming the countryside, little towns resound unusual music and very special food with its distinctive examples of chestnut polenta or spicy cheese is served in local restaurants. The island is highly recommended for beach lovers, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. It has absolutely everything required to please the most demanding scuba divers too.
Corsica is situated only 170 km from the French coast, which makes it a quite popular destination amongst French holidaymakers. It is regarded as the rapidly developing area for the relaxational tourism. Its distinct features include mild climate, interesting landscape and architectural monuments which offer attractive conditions for the growth of seaside resorts, water sports and sightseeing. The local governor puts extra effort to develop the land, especially its shorelines, and builds artificial beaches due to the island’s rocky characteristics. It is because of the rocky beaches that makes it a less crowded place and allowing you to spend your dream holidays in a bit of isolation. It is a perfect place for a calm, relaxing, spiritual retreat away from outside world disturbances.
Corsican towns – a blend of culture and nature
You will find a few very well developed seaside towns in Corsica, such as Bonifacio, Calvi, Sant Antonio, Porto Vecchio, Ajaccio, Piana and Propriano.
Ajaccio
Ajaccio is the capital of the island as well as the birthplace of a famous Napoleon Bonaparte, where every corner of this town reminds you about his presence. It offers a lot to its visitors, starting from historical and cultural insight into the city’s life, relaxing walking in the mountains to exploring sunny beaches. There are more than twenty of them in the vicinity of the pleasant city gulf. Nothing sounds more energising than the sun salutation performed at the sunrise on one of spectacular beaches belonging to the Îles Sanguinaires coast with the sensational view of the sea.
Propriano and Sartene
Nearby Ajaccio you will find the gulf of Valinco, the home of Propriano and Sartene – “the most Corsican of Corsican towns”. This area is famous for stunning scenery, picturesque beaches, caves and bays waiting for you to come and enjoy mother nature in its entirety. Sartene has been recorded on the list of “Ville d’Art et d’Histoire” (City of Art and History) due to its remarkable heritage. Near the town there is another common place called Domaine Rosa de Caldene where visitors can indulge themselves in thermal baths. This is a wonderful opportunity to detoxify your body.
Calvi
Another interesting town to stop by and take a longer break is Calvi. It is reportedly the birthplace of Christopher Colombus, a famous explorer and colonizer of the American continent. It is said that Columbus was born within the walls of the citadel during the Genoese occupation. Calvi offers kilometres of one of best sandy beaches in France, a beautiful crescent-shaped bay as well as crystal blue shallow water allowing you to enjoy the refreshing swim.
Bonifacio
Bonifacio lies on the territory of Corsica’s largest nature reserve – the Réserve Naturelle des Bouches de Bonifacio (UNESCO). This conservation area includes limestone cliffs, seaside grottos and Lavezzi islands. The whole environment includes waters of French territory, marshland, lagoons and covers altogether 80 000 hectares. Some scarce, protected species of birds and fish live in this ecosystem. On top of that, the town is surrounded by plentiful magnificent beaches. A person with pitta dosha will love the sandy surface touching their feet while walking in the moonlight to cool down their hot bodies and restless minds. Lavezzi islands deserve the special attention of anyone who needs a little bit more of loneliness. This granite tiny archipelago is classified as a Reinforced Protection Zone of the Nature Reserve and separates Corsica from Sardinia. What will you find there? Certainly turquoise sea, fantastic beaches and creeks and wild environment. It is simply a paradise for snorkelling lovers and deep-sea divers, where the magical underwater world entices with its beauty.
Porto Vecchio
Beaches of Porto Vecchio are by far the most popular tourist attractions in Corsica. In the summer time they can get a little bit too crowded so it might be worth considering a visit in different months. Both Plage de Palombaggia and Plage de Santa Giulia boast magnificent wide sandy shores and quiet crystal blue waters. They are located in the lagoon and as such give perfect conditions for swimmers. A daily yoga practice in this place can really fill your body with lots of positive energy and happiness. A little bit further away from both beaches there is another one called Plage de Rondinara which resembles a tropical paradise. Porto Vecchio town would be a fine place for a nice walk too as it is full of narrow climatic alleyways and peaceful squares.
Sant Antonino
For those yogis who are looking for the spiritual retreat and a bit of calmness, the Sant Antonino village is probably one of places worth visiting. It is located on the hilltop at about 500 metres above sea level, which provides visitors with a great view over the nearby countryside and the sea. Its history dates back to the 9th century which makes it one of the oldest villages in Corsica. It has been classified as “Plus Beaux Villages” (Most Beautiful Villages) and put on the country’s list. A trip to Couvent Saint-Dominique de Corbara, which lies in the vicinity of Sant Antonino, would be highly recommended for those who search for some silence and serenity. The convent offers metaphysical experience to its guests.
Hypnotic natural landscape captured on the small island
Corsica has always been a combination of elegant coastal port towns, dense pristine forests and steep rocky snow capped summits.
Hiking Trail – GR20
Almost half of the island is protected by the park with many hiking trails, of which the most challenging is GR20, a very popular footpath extending from the north to the south. It is proclaimed as the most difficult long-distance hike in Europe due to its length as well as rough surface. A perfect idea for seeking some solitude and a real test for your body’s physical strength which in the end will be rewarded with some epic views.
Cap Corse is the northernmost tip of Corsica. Many believed this is the most charming area of the island. What makes it so attractive? It is a picturesque chain of foothills with prolific valleys abundant with fruit and olives. Amongst those hills there are enchanting little medieval villages such as Pino, Nonza or Rogliano where time came to a halt. The main beauty spot of the peninsula is the Plage de Farinole – a gorgeous sandy beach with lots of areas for people who love bathing in the sun, practising yoga in nature or simply enjoying outdoor activities. The place offers wonderful conditions for surfers due to undercurrent and high waves but is not so convenient for swimmers.
Piana
Piana is a little village that will delight everybody who likes taking pictures of panoramas and enjoys breathtaking views of the sea.
Calanques de Piana is a popular tourist attraction present on the UNESCO heritage list. Its characteristic scenery can be observed from the coastal serpentine roads. Calanques is an inlet encompassed by pinkish granite walls and rock formations that fall off right into Mediterranean sea. A part of these cliffs reach up to 300 metres above sea level. If you prefer an active lifestyle you can choose one of the hiking trails in this area and admire marvelous pictures of mother nature. They will definitely bring a soothing effect on the busy mind and a crestfallen soul.
Gulf of Porto
Another UNESCO natural park ranges within the Gulf of Porto and is called Réserve Naturelle de Scandola. It’s been recognized for its amazing coastal landscape which can be accessed only by boat. It covers isolated highland peninsula and seaward islands created from the archaic volcano forming high cliffs and hidden bays. It’s one of the best places to go snorkelling or scuba diving in Corsica. Animal lovers will find here many marine species such as dolphins, seals or coral reefs. The reserve is a superb place for some relaxation.
Corsica has a desert called Agriates, which is an ample preserved area of scrubland, agricultural fields, stony coastline and sandy beaches. It’s beaches, mainly Plage de Lotu and Plage de Saleccia, that attract people the most thanks to their soft white sand and clear waters. Plage de l’Ostriconi hidden behind dunes would be perfect for some isolation and real retreat. It’s the lonely and inaccessible stretch of coast. Almost a kilometer long, this is one of the most impressive bays in northern Corsica. A luminous green stream meanders through shiny sand into the sea and crooked bushes decorate the tips of dunes. The place could be your wonderful opportunity for some refreshing or inspiring nature walks.
Lastly, it is worth mentioning that Corsica has a beautiful unspoiled forest with pine trees called Valdo-Niello. Some of the trees reach up to 50 metres and create an impenetrable timberland and home to varied plants and animals. Monte Cinto is the highest peak of Coriscan mountains with the height of 2706 metres above sea level. It is characterised by many pleasant walking paths and hiking trails which enable tourists to inhale some truly fresh air and adore the natural allure.
Practical Information
Corsica is accessible by plane or ferry. The flight duration from Paris is only 1.5 hour. It has four airports where Ajaccio and Bastia are the biggest ones and located in the south west and north east coasts, respectively. Travelling by ferry is also a comfortable and relaxing experience. Regular cruises run from French Marseille, Nice and Toulons and Italian Livorno ports. Due to the weather conditions the best time to visit the island is between May and September. The official language of Corsica is French, however many Corsicans speak Corsu which resembles Italian. Not many of them speak or understand English or German. The official currency is Euro.