We%26#39;re considering a two week vacation to Corsica this October, likely based in Ajaccio. Is this too long for a first visit? Our last trip to Europe, mainly a cultural/historical tour, saw us changing location every 2 or 3 days. Will Corsica hold our interest for 14 days?
Looking forward to the group%26#39;s advice.
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If you want history/museums then yes, 2 weeks is too long because that%26#39;s not really what Corsica has to offer. Ajaccio has the whole Napoleon thing and Filitosa is authentically old. But after that, it is about the beauty of the scenery shot through with some interesting culture, that does take some finding.
If you%26#39;re worried about this, then use multiple bases. Spend time in Calvi/Balagna checking out the scenic beauty and the artisans villages. Visit the central part (Corte down to Zonza) for the mountains and river valleys to get some walking done. Then spend a few days in the South (based in Propriano), doing the history side of things in Ajaccio, Filitosa and Bonifacio.
If you have 2 weeks in Ajaccio going off on trips, you will spend a lot of time driving.
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Thanks much. Very helpful. Is October too late to enjoy the beaches?
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Two weeks is not long enough. But don%26#39;t stay in one place. Have at least two centres. Corsica has a lot of culture, but it is not the museum kind. It is really about living history and nature. I am sure you will love it.
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October is not a month to be fully trusted. Usually at some point in the Autumn you%26#39;ll get a lot more rain and temperatures will fall. Sea temperatures will be fine but there will be days when the beach will not be the thing.
First week of October - shouldn%26#39;t be a problem but might be. Last week of October might be a problem/might not be.
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Two weeks is far from too much but, yes, split your centres; try splitting your travel with a third in the Calvi area, a third in %26amp; around Ajaccio and a third around Porto-Vechhio (in that order, as the weather may be bit more reliable in the South the later it gets).
Attractions;
Calvi - the town, the beach, the trinichellu train, the mountain hinterland, (nude!)river-swimming in the Fango river (if it%26#39;s rained a bit), Ile-Rousse, boat trip to Scandola/Girolata....
See the Calanches of Piana on the way to Ajaccio
Ajaccio: Gorge de Spelunca, Museums, shopping (I suppose)
See Filitosa on your way to Porto-Vecchio
Porto-Vecchio: Bonifacio, Sartene, beaches (Palombaggia, Rondinara); mountains
October can certainly be mixed, but the compensation is that the marcassin (young sucking-wild boar) is then in season, so you should seek it out; in the South and the mountain restaurants would be your best bet.
Enjoy!
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Two weeks would work fine if you relax and take your time and don%26#39;t expect too many %26quot;sites.%26quot; Corsica is a great place to explore but it%26#39;s not a huge island and if you don%26#39;t adjust your travel pace, you may find yourself ready to go before two weeks is up. If you like to hike or walk, you can find very nice trails or beaches to explore, or if the weather is good, you can spend time relaxing on a pretty beach on any part of the island. The towns and cities are interesting but not large. It may be a fun idea to go around the entire island on your stay, as most of the sites/cities are on the coast and the inland is mostly hills/mountains. There is a lot of history in Corsica, but it%26#39;s more of a feeling and atmosphere than it is museums, etc. I spent nine days there on one trip, but it was a %26quot;beach%26quot; trip and we swam and relaxed for part of each day and explored and saw the sites for the other part, returning to our hotel each evening. I%26#39;ve also done a road trip on the northern part and sometimes found myself making much quicker progress than I expected, even with the winding roads. The weather in October could be easily be gorgeous or cool and rainy; in late September I had both, with the rain lasting for days and changing the whole feel of my visit because there%26#39;s not much %26quot;indoor%26quot; sightseeing.
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I can confirm that with 2 weeks you don%26#39;t see everything in Corsica, but you will see a lot.
Also it is indeed in the first place a %26quot;nature%26quot; destination with of course some historical places, but mainly beautifull scenery.
Renting a car is a must. Corsica has not the long distances as in Canada, but... the road are generally good, but turning and turning and turning. The only straight road is from Bastia to Bonifacio at the east side which is flat.
I gave some idea at other people here have a look at:
tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187139-i701-k2109…
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