The west coast of Corsica is an area of outstanding and varied natural beauty, and offers some of the best sailing conditions in the Mediterranean. The coast offers a multitude of unspoilt anchorages, offshore islets, impressive inlets and caves that can only be explored by boat.
Jewel of the Balagne, Calvi will impress with the variety of its beauty. It is an imposing Genoese citadel with a pretty marina at its foot. Around the marina there are some good bars and restaurants. Step into the back streets that are narrow, steep, cobbled and colourful. Across the water you will see the long stretch of sandy beached backed by pine clad hills.
Make sure you take time to explore the enchanting medieval citadel; it is worth the climb.
Jewel of the Balagne, Calvi will impress with the variety of its beauty. It is an imposing Genoese citadel with a pretty marina at its foot. Around the marina there are some good bars and restaurants. Step into the back streets that are narrow, steep, cobbled and colourful. Across the water you will see the long stretch of sandy beached backed by pine clad hills.
Make sure you take time to explore the enchanting medieval citadel; it is worth the climb.
This area is one of the most spectacular and scenic places on the Corsican coast, a unique and dramatic beauty. know as “The garden of Corsica” due to its fertile hills. See the wonderful sight of the red cliffs of the Scandola natural reserve. The bay of Girolata is a favourite anchorage.
This area is one of the most spectacular and scenic places on the Corsican coast, a unique and dramatic beauty. know as “The garden of Corsica” due to its fertile hills. See the wonderful sight of the red cliffs of the Scandola natural reserve. The bay of Girolata is a favourite anchorage.
The Réserve Naturel de Scandola takes up the promontory dividing the Balagne from the Golfe de Porto, its name derived from the ooden tiles (scandules) that cover many of the island's mountain houses. But the area's roof-like rock formations are only part of its amazing geological repertoire: its stacked slabs, towering pinnacles and gnarled claw-like outcrops were formed by Monte Cinto's volcanic eruptions 250 million years ago, and subsequent erosion has fashioned shadowy caves, grottoes and gashes in the rock. Scandola's colours are as remarkable as the shapes, the hues varying from the charcoal grey of granite to the incandescent rusty purple of porphyry.
The headland and its surrounding water were declared a nature reserve in 1975 and now support significant colonies of seabirds, dolphins and seals, as well as 450 types of seaweed and some remarkable fish such as the grouper, a species more commonly found in the Caribbean.
The Réserve Naturel de Scandola takes up the promontory dividing the Balagne from the Golfe de Porto, its name derived from the ooden tiles (scandules) that cover many of the island's mountain houses. But the area's roof-like rock formations are only part of its amazing geological repertoire: its stacked slabs, towering pinnacles and gnarled claw-like outcrops were formed by Monte Cinto's volcanic eruptions 250 million years ago, and subsequent erosion has fashioned shadowy caves, grottoes and gashes in the rock. Scandola's colours are as remarkable as the shapes, the hues varying from the charcoal grey of granite to the incandescent rusty purple of porphyry.
The headland and its surrounding water were declared a nature reserve in 1975 and now support significant colonies of seabirds, dolphins and seals, as well as 450 types of seaweed and some remarkable fish such as the grouper, a species more commonly found in the Caribbean.
The gulf of Ajaccio is beautiful, and Ajaccio the capital of the island and birthplace of Napoleon perches on a large bay. Ajaccio is a working town of bustling streets, markets, palm trees, traffic, people, fountains, monuments, rickety buildings… Ajaccio has a charm and a buzz all of its own; step ashore for dinner or for a drink; sit back and watch the world go by. A sumptuous cathedral (1582), Napoleon’s house, and the Napoleonie and Fesch museums (primitive Italian paintings).
The gulf of Ajaccio is beautiful, and Ajaccio the capital of the island and birthplace of Napoleon perches on a large bay. Ajaccio is a working town of bustling streets, markets, palm trees, traffic, people, fountains, monuments, rickety buildings… Ajaccio has a charm and a buzz all of its own; step ashore for dinner or for a drink; sit back and watch the world go by. A sumptuous cathedral (1582), Napoleon’s house, and the Napoleonie and Fesch museums (primitive Italian paintings).
A vast blue inlet bounded by rolling, scrub-covered hills, the gulf presents the first dramatic scenery along the coastal highway.
You will make you way to the old town of Propriano, a beautiful town surrounded by green hills that slope gently up to the mountains behind, and encircled like a necklace by the white sandy beaches that stretch around the gulf.
Enter the harbour via a cleft in the rock face, and the beauty of this place will hit you. The old town is perched on impressive limestone cliffs. Spend the day there exploring the old citadel, and strolling the pretty café and restaurant-lined harbour. Bonifacio is certainly one of the prettiest spots on the island.
A vast blue inlet bounded by rolling, scrub-covered hills, the gulf presents the first dramatic scenery along the coastal highway.
You will make you way to the old town of Propriano, a beautiful town surrounded by green hills that slope gently up to the mountains behind, and encircled like a necklace by the white sandy beaches that stretch around the gulf.
Enter the harbour via a cleft in the rock face, and the beauty of this place will hit you. The old town is perched on impressive limestone cliffs. Spend the day there exploring the old citadel, and strolling the pretty café and restaurant-lined harbour. Bonifacio is certainly one of the prettiest spots on the island.
The marine reserve of Lavezzi, a granite archipelago located between Corsica and Sardinia, is known to divers as "Meruville" due to its impressive tally of resident meru (or grouper) fish. The reef comprises a series of rocky pinnacles coated in yellow cup coral.
In the southeast corner of the island, is an attractive town, useful mainly for re-stocking. The port is rather touristy, but the old town on the hill is pretty with a good atmosphere, and plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from
The marine reserve of Lavezzi, a granite archipelago located between Corsica and Sardinia, is known to divers as "Meruville" due to its impressive tally of resident meru (or grouper) fish. The reef comprises a series of rocky pinnacles coated in yellow cup coral.
In the southeast corner of the island, is an attractive town, useful mainly for re-stocking. The port is rather touristy, but the old town on the hill is pretty with a good atmosphere, and plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from
Maddalena itself is the largest of twenty three islands scattered amongst some of Sardinia’s most transparent seas. With its sheltered anchorages and sandy beaches, this paradise is irresistible to sailors.
Porto Cervo is a village of multicoloured buildings, recently built in front of the natural port and the surrounding hills.
The Porto Vecchio (Old Port) dates back to the 60's and is on the south-eastern side, while the new harbour is equipped with the most modern and complete tourist infrastructures for international marine traffic. The Port is visible from the sea and makes reference to Capo Ferro, a 46 m high promontory with a lighthouse indicating north of Porto Cervo.
Maddalena itself is the largest of twenty three islands scattered amongst some of Sardinia’s most transparent seas. With its sheltered anchorages and sandy beaches, this paradise is irresistible to sailors.
Porto Cervo is a village of multicoloured buildings, recently built in front of the natural port and the surrounding hills.
The Porto Vecchio (Old Port) dates back to the 60's and is on the south-eastern side, while the new harbour is equipped with the most modern and complete tourist infrastructures for international marine traffic. The Port is visible from the sea and makes reference to Capo Ferro, a 46 m high promontory with a lighthouse indicating north of Porto Cervo.