Holidays in Corsica

Activities

Corsica's landscapes are varied and so offer a wide choice of outdoor activities.

Water Sports

Corsica's Mediterranean climate and varied bays and beaches offer superb swimming, rock swimming and snorkelling opportunities.

The bigger bays of the west coast and the southeast are the main centres for windsurfing, and dinghy or small catamaran sailing. You can usually hire equipment, from an hour upwards, from fully licensed sailing clubs and centres and many centres offer tuition.

A boat trip is a more relaxing introduction to the best of the coastline. Vedettes - pleasure boats that also operate as ferries - depart from St Florent to the marvellous beaches of the Désert des Agriates, and glass-bottomed boats run from Porto and Calvi to the Scandola marine nature reserve.

Thanks to a virtual absence of pollution, Corsica's coastal waters rank among the cleanest and clearest in the Mediterranean. For divers, the marine landscape mirrors the island's mountainous interior, with sheer drops and rock formations. Several wrecks also lie off the coast and there are some spectacular marine reserves near Bonifacio. Your Voyages Ilena rep or the local Tourist Information Office will have details of the dive centres nearby, but please remember that extra insurance is required for diving.

Inland, white water canoeing and river bathing are available at certain times of year - please call reservations on 0845 330 2048 for more information

Walking, Hiking & Climbing

Corsica is criss-crossed with paths from coast to coast and through the amazing interior mountains. Here there are walking opportunities for all age groups and fitness levels, from village strolls and country walks to the famous hiking challenge, the GR20, which is legendary across the world.

Experienced hikers can try part of one of the trails that make up the GR20, a wild and magnificent hiking tour running north to south through high mountains, forests, glacial lakes and scrubs, which is often said to be the toughest trek in France. Winding 200km from Calenzana (12 km from Calvi) to Conça (22 km from Porto-Vecchio), in its entirety it is a test of endurance for even the fittest.

Walking maps are available in newsagents and local tourist offices and before your holiday we will provide you with the Michelin map to Corsica and a book list of other walking guides that may be useful to you.

Corsica also offers a selection of climbing routes, being the most mountainous of the Mediterranean islands. For short climbs the island's chalk cliffs are the most rewarding. These run in a seam from L'Ile Rouse (on the northwest coast) to Solenzara (on the east coast). More demanding climbing sites are at the granite needles of Bavella in the south.

Mountain Biking

Mountain bikes can also be a wonderful way to get around, and can be hired in many areas. For those who seek a more challenging terrain follow forest tracks and old mule paths into the interior of the island. You will be able to obtain a cycle guide from the cycle hire firm the local Tourist Information Office.

Horse Riding

Enjoying the landscapes on horseback is a great way to explore the island - especially in terms of getting to places 'off the beaten track' that are inaccessible to vehicles. There are 1900km of bridle tracks open to riders on the island and standards of horsemanship are very high and you will find that equestrian centres across the island offer half or full day rides.

Golf

For avid golfers there is an excellent 18-hole course, designed by Robert Trent Jones, at Spérone near Bonifacio.

Touring

The spectacular scenery makes Corsica a wonderful place to explore by car, stopping in at prehistoric sites and picturesque villages. Even in high season the main roads can be relatively empty, and you can often have the mountain roads to yourself, although be prepared to encounter some steep and windy roads.

Festivals & Events

Numerous festivals puncture the Corsican calendar, and are often based on centuries-old tradition. Most sizeable villages and towns host their own festivals, usually based around locally produced fares or a musical, historical or religious theme. This is a great way to sample an authentic slice of Corsica.

Here are a few examples:

• Good Friday - Evening religious processions take place across the island, including major towns such as Calvi, Sartène and St Florent
• June - Festival du Jazz, Calvi
• July - Fiera di u Vinu, Luri, Cap Corse. Wine and handicraft festival
• July - Nuits de la Guitaire, Patrimonio. An international guitar festival showcasing a range of styles, from classical to blues
• Mid-September - Recontres de Chants Polyphoniques ~ festival of traditional Corsican music, Calvi

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