"Corsica, "The Mountain in the Sea"" Top 5 Page for this destination Corsica by intl_dan

Corsica Travel Guide: 433 reviews and 1,120 photos

An impression of Corsica I've drawn - Corsica

General Information

Hello and welcome to my Corsican travel recommendations! Feel free to send me any questions you might have.

I have been living in Corsica for nearly two years and have travelled extensively around this beautiful Island.

Castagniccia

Casalta, my home village

I want to altert your attention to the Castganiccia region, so called in Corsican, after its chesnut trees that blend into the mountainous forests. Its dotted with beautiful and fascinating villages, hamlets, churches, convents, waterfalls, mountains, forests, and ... wild boars! This is a wonderful place for nature lovers and hikers, full of history and culture, it was once one of the most densly populated rural areas of europe, but today is sometimes sadly allusioned to as "the green desert". Since its under represented in tourist information, and people miss it, I will dedicate more recommendations to it than other, more well known regions.

General information on Corsica

Corsica: a waterfall in L'Ospedale

Corsica is more than 300km, southeast of Marseille, but less than 80km from Tuscany. It is not surprising then that it was by far more influenced by Italy then France in its very long and bloody history. The island is a bit less than 9,000sqkm and is very mountanious (highest Monte Cinto 2,685m/8,810ft). Forests cover a good deal of the island, and hence its reputation as the greenest of the mideterranean islands. Most of the castagniccia is in the huge Parc Regional Corse that cover 360,00 hectare which also encompasses 122km of coastal area, the longest in Europe.

The north and south differ in both landscapes and cultures. The north has the highest mountains, and is historically more prosporous and cultured, also known as Diqua dei monti (this side of the mountains). Because of its revolution agains the aristrocracy in the 13-15th centuries, it developed a more egalitarian, almost socialist (non ideological) distribution of land into communes (land communaly owned), and henced known as Terre du Commmuni. The south, Dila dei monti (beyond the mountains) is the most touristy part of the Island, also known as Terre de Seigneurs, famous for its vandetta's and ... beaches!

Most Corsicans live ... in exile, there are nearly a million of them outside Corsica and only 180,000 on the Island, along with another 100,000 non natives (I will explain why I write this in "local customs"). Anyways, the Island is one of the most sparesly populated areas of France, with some parts of it boasting a population density to rival the Sahara! So despite it being small, there is alot of room!

The biggest city is Bastia with, ahem, 50,000 people! Its a great place, make sure you visit it.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Beautiful Island, exceptionally varied landscape, unspoilt beaches, unique culture
Cons:Expensive, poor public transport
In a nutshell:Corsica - the Island of Beauty

Intro Updated Dec 3, 2003
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Reviews (11)

U Nebbiu - a view on the Désert des Agriates - Corsica

U Nebbiu - Désert des Agriates Things to Do (6)

South of St. Florent is a 40km stretch of wilderness known as the Désert des Agriates. A beautiful rocky expanse of... more travel advice

U Nebbiu - Oletta Things to Do (6)

Visit the handsome village of Oletta on the D82 between St. Florent and Bastia. It seems the village began its life up... more travel advice

Authentic Corsican Home Cooking Restaurants (2)

Francesca built her little chalet in the village of Querciolo all by herself just by the maquis, and not too far from a... more travel advice

The Corsican Lanugage Local Customs (3)

Before the Romans came along, according to archeologists, Corsican was a non-indo-European language that resembled... more travel advice

Travelogues (2)

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Comments (15)

frenchlondon Jul 18, 2004 at 3:42 AM Report Abuse

great page and i love your drawing!
jayhawk2000 May 28, 2004 at 11:21 AM Report Abuse

a highly informative page, I really appreciate the art and homemade maps!
traveldave Apr 23, 2004 at 3:47 PM Report Abuse

An excellent page about a part of France (although it hardly seems French) that I haven't visited. Never knew much about Corsica. Thanks for the information.
lust4adventure Apr 18, 2004 at 10:18 PM Report Abuse

Wow, I learnt something new today, never knew about the island Corsica. Thanks for your very informative page. Now would definitely like to visit someday.
RitchiS1 Apr 18, 2004 at 10:08 PM Report Abuse

GREAT PAGE , CORSIKA I VE SEEN TWICE , Lovely ISLAND
hunterV Apr 12, 2004 at 1:37 AM Report Abuse

It's a splendid narration about that magical island and people! Thanks!
Goner Mar 30, 2004 at 9:23 PM Report Abuse

I found your page on Corsica fascinating - well done!
Luchonda Mar 30, 2004 at 1:58 PM Report Abuse

Informative page on Corsica - an island i would like to visit !
Irine_29 Dec 29, 2003 at 5:08 AM Report Abuse

so informative! I really want it to be my next destination abroad. i have a love with Corsica!
grishaV1 Dec 5, 2003 at 8:49 AM Report Abuse

great description about mazzeri! could feel the love & passion on your page!