France and its Riviera are always popular in the summer months and are perfect for a train tour. Such legendary locations as Nice, Cannes, Monaco and Saint Tropez can get quite crowded in the summer as well. If you find yourself here, let me fill you in on how you can escape these crowds with a little island getaway cased Corsica!
The island of Crosica sits off the coast of the French Riviera, is truly a tropical island in the summer months. Here you find all the culture, history and tasty cuisine of France, with all the perks of a tropical island. Note if you have a Eurail global pass you get a discount to take a ferry to Corsica, where I bet you’ll want to stay a few days. The main draw here is the beautiful scenery and beaches. The gorgeous Balagne region is filled with citrus groves, vineyards, and picturesque mountain villages like Speloncato, Calenzana, Zilia, and Sant Antonino. Other highlights of Corsica are the flowery bluffs of Asco Valley, the Cap Corse peninsula and the gorges of Restonica and Tavignano. The Scandola Nature Reserve and the Senino peninsula are known for their bird watching. Across all this you will find scenic trails to hike with guided tours available.
Here on Corsica you’ll find plenty of little beaches and coves to discover. The town of Calvi has a stunning blue bay and beaches to match, makes it a great play to stay. The tiny fishing town of Algajola in Corsica’s Balagne region boasts great diving and snorkelling. Other popular beaches include the Ille Rousse, Aregno, and Santa Giulia. Out here the sea is swimmable any time of year, but nothing beats the summer months.
Corsica’s nightlife here is vibrant and full of island fun. While mostly located in the center areas, most little villages know how to party with little sea side bars. Bonifacio harbor has also higher-end bars for a post-dinner drink or two, and the trendy Porto Vecchio offers many stylish nightclubs for the late-night party-goer. Also check out the bars, restaurants, and cabarets in Ajaccio, Bastia, and Calvi if you care to have some appetizers with your cocktails.
The history of Corsica is a just a rich and colourful as any other location on the Mediterranean. The famous Haute Ville with its lovely ensemble of medieval battlements, churches, steep lanes, and ancient houses, and be sure to admire its white cliffs and 9th century citadel. The university town of Corte is part of a 15th century fortress and many other fascinating historical sites. Erbalunga is known for its fabulous cultural events and music festivals. Corsica’s real claim to fame is it is the birthplace of Napoleon, which they celebrate yearly.
You will enjoy the ferry ride to Corsica, as it will give you a break from your train tour to enjoy the beautiful waters of the Mediterranean. Once you spend some time here, you will want to buy a little villa and never leave!
