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Corsica, Isle of Beauty in the Mediterranean!

Corsica sits more than 100 miles off of the eastern coast of France, but could just as easily thought of as being a part of its closer neighbor, Italy. Nowhere in the Mediterranean islands is there a more geographically diverse location. Corsica has over 1000 km of coastline that offers some of the best beaches in Europe. Snowcapped mountains finally melt in July. The azure water of the Mediterranean offers great swimming, diving, snorkeling, and deep-sea fishing excursions. A vacation in Corsica can be as active or as relaxed as you want it to be. Come and see why the island has earned the nickname "l'ile de beaute (the island of beauty)."

The capital city of Corsica is Ajaccio, located along the southwest coast. This is the birthplace of Corsica's most famous son, Napoleon Bonaparte. A great place to start your visit to Ajaccio is Place Foch, in the old town section of the city. Lined with restaurants and cafes, this shade covered square slopes into the Mediterranean and offers spectacular views of the surrounding port, and is a great spot for soaking up the local atmosphere.

Nearby is the Maison Bonaparte, a museum dedicated to all things relating to Corsica's involvement in various wars. This is the actual birthplace of Napoleon, and some of the original furniture still survives. The first floor contains a collection of medals, ribbons, and other accolades worn by Napoleon. The upper levels have displays of various weaponry, and an extensive collection of paintings depicting Corsica's storied past.

For some excellent beach time, head south approximately 17 miles to the resort town of Porticcio. This ritzy community is located across the bay and is chock full of shopping and nightlife. The beach that sits in the crescent shaped bay is a great place to relax and soak up some Mediterranean sun.

The beaches are plentiful if you head north from Ajaccio and point your compass to the small town of Calvi. The beach at Calvi is one of the most stunning of all the gorgeous beaches on Corsica. Charter fishermen await to take you searching for the perfect catch. Near to Calvi is the northern region of Corsica known as Cap Corse. The harbors in the region have more beautiful sandy beaches, and small fishing villages like Erbalunga and Centuri-Port offer further fishing adventures.

The town of Bastia is the capital of the northern part of Corsica. It is a combination of urban commerce and old-world charm. The old town portion is known as Terra Vecchia, and is filled with a maze of haphazardly arranged streets filled with cafes, shops, and restaurants that beg exploration. The focal point of Terra Vecchia is place St-Nicolas, a splendid square with a statue of Napoleon guarding the entrance. The square is lined with cafes, and spills into some wonderful shopping areas.

For an up close and personal view of Corsica, adventurous hikers will want to give the Parc Naturel Regional de la Corse a whirl. The park stretches almost the length of the island and offers miles of walking trails. The most famous trail is known as GR20, which extends over 160 km from Calvi to Conca.

Corsica has everything you would expect in a French vacation. Fine cuisine, historical sites, gorgeous cathedrals, informative museums, and outdoor activities that will satisfy any physical enthusiast. A day's itinerary can include swimming, sun bathing, parasailing, deep-sea fishing, sight-seeing, or just finding a nice café to watch the world go by. If you are looking for some fun in the Mediterranean sun, Corsica is just the place!