Discover the "Beauty Island"

H i   g u y s !

I think that discover a new city for your next travel destination is the best way to start this week end, isn’t it? It brings me some inspiration for a new article about a place you have to go especially during summer holidays !

Do you know Corsica? (“Corse” In French)

This is an island in the Mediterranean Sea belonging to France. It is located West of the Italian Peninsula and Southeast of the French mainland. In France we get it the nickname of “Ile de Beauté” (the Beauty Island), so I let you guess that the scenery over much of the island is fantastic! The driving experience on the minor roads is something you really won’t forget.

There are only two towns (Ajaccio and Bastia) which could be described as “large” in Corsica. 

I have been there several times, in different parts of the Island. I would like to present you my favourite city in Corsica : Porto Vecchio. I have spent one week there for summer holidays 2 years ago with some friends, it is such a great memory!

I went there particularly for a Festival, the “Porto Vecchio Festival” which takes place every summer at the end of August, and has become a can’t-miss event for music lovers! I stayed a week in a camping just next to the festival (near Santa Giulia beach).

Santa Giulia beach

This is not a secret : South of Corsica have some of the best beaches of the island ! It is worth taking a kind of “beach tour”, starting from Pinarellu further up North of Porto-Vecchio and then heading South to Palombaggia, Santa Giulia, then Rondinara. I went to all these beaches and I can assert you won’t be disappointed.. 

Palombaggia beach

Concerning party at Porto Vecchio, I advise you to plan a night to the famous “Via Notte”, which is probably the most popular club in Corsica. The “Via Notte” is located a few kilometres outside of Porto-Vecchio and offers a superb open air setting for summer partying. It also hosts a raft of very good guest DJs all over the peak season. It is THE club to go to.

In Porto-Vecchio you will find trendy bars and fancy outdoor restaurants in the town centre to kick off the night. 

For corsican people, the topic of food and wine is serious! The island offers a lot of dishes inspired by fresh and tasty Mediterranean products locally grown (tomatoes, zucchini, figues…) but also products much more specific to Corsica and its inland mountain culture such as herb-fed veal, boar, brocciu, seasoning herbs of the maquis..

During your trip, you could enjoy the degustation of specialities such as :

Charcuterie - Cured meats :

Boudin - Black pudding

Figatellu/Fitonu - Liver Sausage

Fromage de tête - Cheese head, a delicacy made with from brains of pigs and seasoned in different ways

Meat dishes :

Agneau Corse - Corsica lamb that is slow roasted with fresh rosemary, potatoes, and whole garlic cloves is one of the more traditional and tasty dishes.

Ragoût de Sanglier - This wild boar casserole is highly revered as the signature dish of Corsica. It is a hearty and very rich casserole with a gamey boar flavor combined with carrots, chestnuts, fennel, garlic and onions.

Veau aux olives - Veal with olives, is one of the most popular stews of the Island, I let you appreciate its taste by yourself..

Seafood :

You can always find an excellent selection of fish and oter seafood whenever you visit the Corsican coast. The more popular are :

Huitres - Oyster 

Langoustine - Crayfish

Loup de mer - Seabream

Rouget - Red mullet

Truite - Trout

Desserts :

It's time to talk about desserts..to my mind the most important part in a menu! The most traditional Corsican desserts is Fiadone - Essentially a cheesecake, but with a twist! Fiadone is a traditional recipe using Corsican brocciu cheese, eggs and chestnut flour that is then flavored with lemon zest and eau de vie. Normally served chilled, this is a delightful finish to an evening meal.

You can also eat Fiadone with a dash of Cosican Honey, another of the Island’s specialty.

What can you drink with all these tasty dishes?

First of all, Corsican are wine producers, there are no less than 9 “AOC” (protected designation of origin) regions for wine in Corsica. Both quality reds and whites can be found with a large variety in strength and taste. This variety is brought both by the richness of Corsican vine soils, the altitude of the vines and the proximity of the sea. Corsican wines are also made unique by the use of grapes that are seldom used outside of the island; mainly Sciaccarellu, Niellucciu for red wines and Vermentinu for the whites.

 Another Corsican specialty is the chestnut beer, brewed since 1996 by the Piera Brewery.

How to go to Corsica?

Corsica is now within easy reach of many European Capital cities by plane. Several low cost airlines also now offer cheap flights from France, Belgium, Germany or the UK, mostly from April to October. (The best period to discover Corsica). From United Kingdom, there are direct flights with Easyjet from London to both Ajaccio and Bastia and from Manchester and Bristol to Bastia and from London to Figari with Ryanair). Figari is the nearest airport to Porto-Vecchio.

However, ferry from the french or italian coast remain the most popular access yet, so if you plan a trip to Marseille, Corsica could be the perfect way to conclude your holidays !

I hope you liked this article (and I guess you already love Corsica..)

S e e   y o u   g u y s  !