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Since 1991, Holiday Options have offered an extensive range of Corsica holidays to this most beautiful of mediterranean Islands. With this experience of Corsica holidays we have developed a programme that includes boutique and family hotels, quality apartments and new for 2008 a twin centre island option with Sardinia. Our Corsica holidays feature the popular resorts of Calvi,L’Ile Rousse, Algajola, Saint Florent, Erbalunga, Bastia, Porto, Pinarello, Porto Vecchio and Propriano.
All of these Corsica holiday resorts are accessed by a range of Corsica flights that include
Gatwick to Calvi, Bastia and Figari
Manchester to Calvi and Figari
Birmingham to Bastia
Bristol to Bastia
Edinburgh to Bastia.
Simply use the column on the right hand side of this page to view the resorts as well as detail on all the accommodation we have available. At any stage you can book the Corsica holiday of your dreams by using our search and book box.
Beautiful bays and craggy coves, majestic mountains and herb scented hillsides, citrus and olive groves and forests of pines all combine to create the bewitching landscape of Corsica. Against this backdrop are picturesque ports and stepped old-town streets, nurturing a heady blend of history, music and hearty food. Corsica basks in Mediterranean waters a hundred miles southeast of Nice and fifty miles from Italy’s western shore.
Its name is derived from a Phoenician word meaning ‘cloaked in forests’. More recent descriptions refer to it as ‘a mountain in the sea’, while its best known claim to fame is as the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte.
But contemporary Corsica rewards the
curious visitor with much more than epithets and legends, for this is an island unspoiled,
unhurried and uncrowded. Its 3,400 sparsely inhabited square miles are home to the
200ft laricio pines, prized for centuries as ships’ masts, and to parched acres of maquis
heaths, where every breeze carries a cuisine of aromas from juniper and rock rose to wild
mint and myrtle. Soaring mountain ranges, capped with snow, send tumbling streams and
cool cascades to meet the salt sea far below, where the Med is met by rugged rocks and
often deserted sands.
For 2000 years, until Genoa sold it to France, Greeks and Romans, Byzantines, Moors
and Lombards had all fought for ownership of this little island, giving it a history too huge
for the size of its boundaries and a heritage rich in the remnants of these periods of its
past. A scenic drive becomes a journey through time in a landscape sprinkled with towers
and citadels, tiny chapels and big Baroque churches. Pretty seaside villages give way to
small towns terraced into hillsides and to tiny hamlets clinging to the steep slopes of the
mountains.
A disarming blend of French and Mediterranean character, the islanders can be as fiery as their peppered cuisine, as intellectual as their ancient ancestors, and as warmly welcoming as the climate.
Perhaps surprisingly, Corsica has never courted mass tourism so, while it has its keen aficionados who visit year after year, its colourful scenery, cultural heritage and contemporary attractions remain a relatively secret treasure, deliciously undiluted. With modern amenities in a timeless setting, it all adds up to an intoxicating atmosphere for a fabulous holiday.
Corsican Activities
The clear waters surrounding the island make snorkelling and sailing popular, and there are intriguing dive sites for experienced scuba enthusiasts whilst beginners are also catered for. Dive schools can be found in Calvi and near Porto Vecchio. Calvi, Algajola, Propriano and Santa Giulia make excellent bases for watersports, with windsurfing being especially popular. Instruction and board hire for beginners starts at around €40 per hour and board only hire is about €12 per hour.
Hiking trails and guided walking tours are especially rewarding in Corsica, revealing a
range of stunning landscapes accessible only on foot. The most famous trail is the GR 20
(Grand Randonée 20), which winds its way along the spine of the island for approximately
200km from the northwest to the southeast. If this sounds a little daunting there are less
taxing hiking trails from several of the hotels we feature, including L’Incudine
and La Corniche.
Located within 6km of Bonifacio, Sperone ranks as one of the most beautiful par 72 golf
courses in the world. It is sometimes difficult to concentrate on the game, such are the
views which unfold before you. The lovely Santa Giulia Palace is within
25km. Our local staff will be able to help you with temporary membership formalities.
Boat trips, especially along the spectacular west coast from Calvi, around the bays of Porto Vecchio and the cliffs of Bonifacio and also shadowing Cape Corse from Saint Florent, are exciting and rewarding. The light railway is fun and can take you along the coast in the north and even further afield through the mountains.
The Calvi Jazz Festival attracts international and national stars and takes place outdoors in mid June each year.
Passionate about Corsica
" I am fiercely proud of my Corsica. It is in my soul and runs through my blood. It is more than an island, it is Magic! When I talk to the guests in my hotel I need them to feel the special Corsican welcome, warm and friendly. Corsica is an awesome island full of mystery and secrets.
Seemingly impenetrable villages hang from the sky. We passionately guard and speak our language (yes, a language, not a dialect). We dine on wild boar and wild strawberries, figs, chestnuts and truffles, which we hunt and forage for in dense forests and on challenging mountainsides. Our fine local produce tastes and smells of the sun and the maquis and of the sea. Yes, we eat ‘Corsican’, not French or Italian, because we are not of those nationalities. We are Corsican! And you as my guest are most welcome to share
a little bit of this with me A prestu!Michel Orsini is the manager of the Hotel Eden Park, Porto and is also a gifted rugby player. Domaine Orsini is the nearby family co-operative producing wine, cheese, preserves, paté and other fare regularly offered on the hotel menu."
An introduction to…
Ajaccio, Porto Vecchio, Pinarello, Propriano & Zonza
Ajaccio, with its palm-fringed promenade and boulevards, fashionable shops, elegant buildings, Old Town and port is a distinguished capital reminiscent of Nice and the French Riviera. Restaurants and bars abound, especially around the port area, and there are excellent long, sandy beaches. Ajaccio is a fascinating mix of old and new, which can be both lively and peaceful.
Porto Vecchio is an elegant, cultured and lively resort located on a hill overlooking the magnificent Gulf of Porto Vecchio. A chic and stylish town, Porto Vecchio offers a vibrant buzz with its many elegant shops and cafés and spectacular beaches within easy reach.
Pinarello is a small resort by the sea renowned for its splendid white sand beach, which stretches round the crescent-shaped bay. Pinewoods fringe the beach, which is overlooked by a Genoese watchtower. Unlike the other splendid beaches of Porto Vecchio, the resort area is immediately on hand. There are a few pizzerias, bars and shops and two excellent restaurants - Le Rouf, overlooking the beach at the Le Pinarello Hotel, and the gourmet restaurant at U Paesolu. Pinarello will appeal to those seeking an unspoiled resort with a superb beach and quality accommodation.
Propriano, located midway between Bonifacio and Ajaccio, is famous for its fine sandy beaches and delightful rocky coves. The waterfront hosts many cafés and restaurants where the local seafood specialities are delicious and highly recommended.
Propriano is typically Corsican and very popular, although smaller than some other resorts, and has a lively marina and waterfront area.
Zonza in the heart of the mountains, is popular with walkers and those seeking a typical Corsican village. It overlooks the Corsican Nature Reserve and the stunning mountains of Bavella. There are some excellent restaurants and convivial bars. Visitors can swim in fresh rivers and waterfalls and the white sand beaches of Santa Giulia and Palombaggia are within an hour’s drive.
An introduction to
Calvi, L’Ile Rousse, Algajola, Bastia, Saint Florent,
Oletta, Cap Corse & Porto
The town of Calvi is dominated by the imposing citadel and within it lie many treasures
revealed to those who choose to wander beyond the port and explore the alleyways and
old cobbled streets.
Originally a small fishing port, Calvi has always been historically significant, and, once having
been occupied by the Genoese, is reputed to be the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.
It remains the capital of the Balagne region, one of the most prosperous areas of Corsica. Calvi possesses a beach of 6km of fine white sand, next to the ancient harbour and old town.
It is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island with a gentle slope and safe bathing in the shallow, turquoise-blue waters. Dining is positively an art form in Calvi and an assortment of elegant fish restaurants and lively cocktail bars line the vibrant marina, which is home to many opulent yachts. A journey on the little train, which winds its way along the northern coast to the resorts of Algajola and L’Ile Rousse, is a delightful experience and takes a little under an hour.
Calvi will inspire you to discover more of this beautiful island!
The charming little town of L’Ile Rousse, once the largest of four red granite islets and
founded by Pasquale Paoli, still retains a true Corsican atmosphere.
A pleasant evening pastime is to sit beneath the plane trees and date palms in the central
square, Place Paoli, with an aperitif or a coffee and watch the evening boules tournaments
taking place. There is a small bustling market near the entrance to the square where a
wide variety of Corsican produce can be purchased, and also an excellent selection of
restaurants and bars.
This is one of the warmest towns on the island, enjoying the shelter of an amphitheatre of hills, and the gently sloping beach of fine sand is particularly attractive on hot summer days.
L’Ile Rousse is a small town exuding a truly Corsican charm.
Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries Algajola was a major port, which traded in oysters and olive oil. Once L’Ile Rousse had been fully established, however, its commercial importance declined until early this century when it re-emerged as a fashionable resort.
This small but elegant town has immense appeal with a relaxed pace of life. There is one street which runs alongside the superb beach of Aregno-Plage up to the ancient fortified citadel.
In the nearby town square there is a small selection of bars and restaurants, which appeal to all tastes and budgets. Some, like Le Chariot, are set al fresco under huge fig trees and beside the citadel walls. This is a delightful seaside village of proudly Corsican yet tremendously hospitable people.
Bastia is a quaint town steeped in history but inspired by a modern, urban culture. It is a town which came to prominence as Corsica’s main port. The focal point is the Place St. Nicolas with its brightly coloured facades, cafés and restaurants. The old quarter, Terra Vecchia, is to the south of the central square and the home of Bastia’s historic sights.
The Terra Nova or citadel quarter has a distinctly prosperous air and is largely the preserve of Bastia’s affluent set. An intriguing and quaint labyrinth of narrow lanes weaves amongst the buildings between these two districts. Bastia also has the three ports of Vieux Port, Vieux Nouveau and the Marina. A meal al fresco overlooking the Vieux Port is a memorable experience, and the convivial nature of the Bastians will evoke lasting and cherished memories. A busy and colourful port with a rich history and a vibrant centre, Bastia will not fail to please.
Saint Florent is a small and peaceful town reminiscent of some of the more refined resorts
of southern France. Town life revolves around the Place des Portes where many restaurants
and cafés come alive during the evening, especially along the Rue du Centre. The town is
renowned for its langoustine and red mullet, which are freshly caught each day. Restaurants
offer a wide selection of delicious fish and seafood together with the more traditional
Corsican specialities. The finest beach in the area has no name but is located just 2km to the
southwest where there are clear waters and scenic views.
With a wide variety of excellent restaurants this small town is very popular with Corsican
gastronomes.
Considered one of the three most stunning villages in Corsica, Oletta is a tapestry of all
that is beautiful about the island. The 300 or so houses, church and chapels cascade down
the side of the mountain offering wonderful views of the vine-clad valleys below, and of
St Florent and the Mediterranean in the distance. A maze of lanes and alleyways dissect
its stone-built and shuttered houses. Jays and swallows flutter through the gardens while
predatory kites soar overhead. There is an excellent restaurant, ‘A Magina’, a pizzeria, a bar,
a few shops and one hotel, Sant’ Andria (page 84). This is the area of Patrimonio, famous for
its wine and cheese, whilst St Florent is within 15 minutes and Bastia within 25 minutes.
Within easy reach of the sea and Bastia and yet elevated in the mountains of Cap Corse the sleepy village of San Martino di Lota spreads amongst hills of chestnut and oak trees with magnificent views out over the sea to the island of Elba and beyond. Gentle village life gravitates around the village square where you may be invited to play cards or boules with the locals beneath the quaint church.
With superb views and several small bars and restaurants San Martino is typical of the
many spectacular villages of Cap Corse.
Erbalunga is a picturesque old fishing village on the rocky coast of Cap Corse and is
celebrated as the source of great inspiration of many accomplished 20th century artists.
Each summer the village hosts a wonderful music festival featuring Corsican folk songs.
There is a distinctive Genoese tower in the middle of this outstandingly picturesque
village, which is rich in the culture of Corsica.
With its old stone buildings stacked like crooked boxes behind a cosy harbour, Erbalunga
is the highlight of the east coast of Cap Corse.
On the spectacular west coast, Porto is one of the most sought after tourist villages on the island of Corsica and has a distinctive quality created by the groves of eucalyptus, the sweet-scented maquis and the towering mountains that surround it. The original village is one kilometre from the sea and has a few shops, bars and restaurants. Its small marina by the main street is the focal point of the resort. The deep, wide shingle beach is a ten minutes stroll from the marina across a wooden bridge.
With a distinctive Genoese Tower, Porto is an old fishing village of much character and charm and the ideal base for exploring this beautiful region.
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