Share the article
Last updated
Who wouldn’t want to go to Greece?
Well, if you ask last summer’s tourists, maybe a lot, because they almost melted in the sweltering heat!
But that’s not the point here, because we’ve set our calendars for fall.
The point is, France has a secret Mediterranean getaway that rivals Greece’s glorious islands with its own.
The Mediterranean in general is never a bad idea, but you should know all the options before booking your next dreamy vacation.
Greece? Italy? Maybe Cyprus or Malta? Or perhaps skip the all-too-famous Eiffel Tower and head to the beautiful sunny island of Corsica in France instead?
Where Med Vibes meets a new perspective on French culture
French culture spreads far and wide, even beyond its vast borders.
From the vibrant cities of Canada to French Guiana in South America and North America’s lesser-known slice of French paradise, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, you don’t have to wander the busy streets of Paris to get your French fix.
Corsica, on the other hand, is the best of both worlds.
You’ll get a feel for France as you wait on one of the most beautiful islands in Europe, yet overshadowed by the household names of its alluring neighbors.
The island is striking in its own right, but you may notice that they borrow so much from the Italian diet and language that Google Translate can be unusable because the locals speak a French-Italian hybrid with a dash of Arabic and Spanish ( good luck!).
The bottom line is that if the bustling cities of France, or even the busy beaches of the famous Cote d’Azur, aren’t your thing, Corsica fills the gaps and makes for the perfect autumn getaway.
Clear sparkling water in the autumn sun
That’s possible leaf the autumn leaf-lined streets and sweater weather at home, Corsica is for those who haven’t gotten enough summer sun and sand.
The island is truly breathtaking and you will forget the bucket list islands of Greece or anywhere else on your map.
With pleasant weather conditions all year round, autumn is no different. According to the Irish sunexpect temperatures to hover around an idyllic 70 degrees.
Corsica’s waters are crystal clear for swimming and shine blue from a distance, perhaps from one of the island’s many beautiful restaurant patios or hotel balconies.
If you miss city life, the capital and main port of Corsica, Bastiahas you covered.
Although nothing compares to Paris in size, the small seafront exudes Old World charm, packed with timeless cobbled streets and quintessential French cafés.
It also offers epic views reminiscent of its Mediterranean counterparts.
Those who have been there say you really can’t go wrong visiting a beach that stretches around its 180 kilometers of coastline, but Plage de Palombaggia And Plage de Santa Giulia can take the cake with vibrant turquoise water and soft white sand.
Of course, many love to languish in an easy chair overlooking the vast sea, but Corsica is also popular with the more adventurous.
Stand-up paddle boarding is very common and includes SUP yoga, snorkeling and diving.
One of the best places to do this is Scandola Nature Reservea UNESCO World Heritage Site, where one recent visitor claimed: “The most amazing place to visit in Corsica”.
Fascinating history and divine food (with Italian flair)
You may not know if you want to say “Bonjour!” or ‘Ciao!’, but that doesn’t matter. Corsica boasts several captivating historical sites spread across the island, ranging from architectural wonders and beautiful cobbled streets to ancient citadels on the beach.
Not to mention the storybook villages scattered across the mountains with awe-inspiring hilltop villas and traditional craft markets. In other words, pack your walking shoes!
But if there’s one aspect that most of us travel to Europe for, it’s food. Especially with culinary icons such as France and Italy.
In the same way that Bozcaada leans more Greek and Malta leans more Italian, the same goes for Corsica, even if it’s not a complete Sicilian copycat.
The menus here show a mix of Mediterranean influences, but above all a mix of French and Italian delicacies, especially when it comes to decadent seafood dishes and wine.
Start with a classic Corsican starter of Acciughe alla Planca, followed by a plate of Cannelloni accompanied by a glass of local wine, or perhaps sharing a hugely rich charcuterie board.
According to the Michelin Guide Casadelmar is where to dine in Corsica.
✈️Join our Travel Off Path community forum: Where travelers come together, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel companions!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to the latest Travel Off Path breaking travel news, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
