Fact Sheets & Video - Corsica

Get swept away on the Mediterranean Isle of Corsica

Corsica, the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, is an island of natural pulchritude and remarkable contradictions. Part of France yet highly influenced by Italy, Corsica has a distinct personality all of its own. With 1,000km of coastline and more than 200 beaches and soaring mountains, Corsica is a compelling geographic and cultural vision.

It was a little over a century ago that artist Henri Matisse arrived at Corsica and was overwhelmed by the clarity of the Mediterranean light. He later declared that this was where his passion for colour began.

One of the more leisurely ways to appreciate this "Island of Beauty" is to take a tour of the west coast. Your journey may begin with a walk with a donkey through the north-west, where seaside cliffs and grottoes, jagged sun-baked mountains, deep gorges, white-sand beaches and pristine Mediterranean landscapes merge. Under the title of 'Balagn'ane ('ane' being the French word for donkey), owner Noel Boyer and his family will hire you one of their much loved donkeys.

Commencing in the village of Olmi Cappella, the walks with donkeys are an independent hike without a guide. Walkers are provided with maps and a travel book (in French) to follow on marked-out footpaths and traverse the many villages throughout some of the island. For an additional cost a bilingual guide is possible to arrange through Europe Active.

Walks with a donkey generally last for around six days, which include overnight stays in quaint rustic villages and/or farms offering various accommodations from guest rooms to B&Bs and tents.

At the completion of a leisurely walking tour and in complete contrast, travelling along the western coastline by car, delivers you to the lively, pastel-shaded town of Ajaccio. The capital of Corsica pays tribute to one of its most famous citizens Napoleon Bonaparte (plus family members), with monuments and establishments such as Maison Bonaparte and Fesch museum.

Ajaccio was the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of the French. In fact, Napoleon was born on the 15 August 1769; one year after the island was transferred to France by the Republic of Genoa. Ironically, Napoleon spent little of his adult life in Corsica and after crowning himself Emperor of France in 1804, he never returned to the island. However, it is regarded as one of the best places to learn about the life of the great Nap.

The exploration may conclude in the extreme south at a fortified town called Bonifacio. The labyrinthine old town, which is located 12kms from the Italian island of Sardinia, dramatically clings to a 1.5 kilometre-long and 200 metre-wide limestone peninsula. The town consists of two main areas: the marina at the south-eastern corner of Bonifacio Sound , and the Citadel - known as the Vielle Ville (old city) or the Haute Ville (upper city), which occupies the middle section of the promontory. It was among the most powerful fortresses in the Mediterranean for more than three centuries. Bonifacio's merchant dwellings, churches and marine cemetery make it an atmospheric place to wander.

Meanwhile for avid golf players, Sperone is the only 18-hole golf course in Corsica located about six kilometres from Bonifacio and is the most southerly golf course in France. According to Golf Magazine, Hole 16 is one of the most beautiful Par 5s in the world. The ever-present winds that blow through the Straits of Bonifacio make for some challenging play.

Further Information:

Corsica, FRANCE

Air China fly return to Paris

From $1952 ex Melbourne

$1970 ex Sydney

$2260 ex Brisbane

9232-7277

Prices correct at 16/6/08. Prices include surcharges, fees & taxes. Conditions apply

Balagn'ane

La Campannella, Corsica, France

Independent two-day walks with a donkey start from $155 per donkey.

0011-334-9561-8088

www.rando-ane-corse.com

Europe Active

For six-day guided walks with a donkey and an English speaking guide (including B&B), 0011-334-9544-4967

www.europe-active.com

Musee International de la Maison Bonaparte

0011-334-9521-4389

www.musees-nationaux-napoleoniens.org

Musee Fesch

0011-334-9521-4817

www.musee-fesch.com

Domaine de Sperone

0011-334-9573-1132

www.sperone.com

Hotel Genovese, Bonifaccio

Rooms from $204 a night

Suites from $368 a night

0011-334-9573-1234

www.hotel-genovese.com

Conditions, surcharges and block out dates may apply.