Corsica
Why go?
Corsica’s history is mostly one of conquest and
colonisation. The list of those who have ruled this island is
an A-Z of Mediterranean history: Etruscans and Romans, Visigoths
and Vandals, Saracens and the Genoese. And when the British tried
to take the island in 1794, one Horatio Nelson lost his right eye
in battle. And so it goes.
The small coastal towns with their ancient citadels bear
testimony to this history, but the newest invasion to settle on the
island is tourism. In the days before tourism the beaches were
worthless - wastelands on which you couldn’t grow a thing.
Now they attract the French in their thousands, and although the
season is relatively short, the effect of tourism on the
island’s economy has been profound.
If the tourists tend to stick to the coast, it is not without
reason: sun, sand and aquamarine waters have an addictive effect on
hard-working city souls. But those in the know also make sure they
spin into the mountains, and now that a number of good hotels have
opened in the hills it’s easier to explore. You’ll also
find the most beautiful landscapes here: chestnut forests,
switchback roads, tiny villages perched high in the sky, mountain
peaks sculpted by the wind. What’s more, you’ll pretty
much have the place to yourself.
Any Downsides?
Most hotels in July and August charge eye-watering rates, sometime in excess of €500/night. And you’ll probably have to pay €20 for breakfast, too! There is also the problem of getting here. If you come out of season and don’t live in France, you’ll need to take 2 flights, one to France, one to Corsica. However, seasonal airlines do operate in summer. When you arrive, don’t expect to get anywhere quickly. Main roads are busy and cut through villages every 10km or so. But work has started to widen roads and Corsican authorities now understand that if they make it easier for people to visit, more money will filter into the collective coffers.