Calvi has its own airport, but it is a small one: Calvi Sainte Catherine

From Calvi Sainte Catherine Airport you can find direct flights from cities in France and a few cities in Europe.

It is also possible to fly into Bastia and then make your way to Calvi; this is often necessary as there are rarely many flights into Calvi. During the summer a bus runs daily from bastia to Calvi, takes around 2 hours and costs around €20, or you can always take a taxi.

Several ferry routes are served from Calvi port, including Nice, France and Savona. It is generally suggested to book in advance to avoid disappointment.

There are no buses, but there is a small red train that runs along the the coast from Île Rousse to Calvi, and a blue one that runs from Calvi to Bastia. There is no need to hire cars, scooters etc. to get around Calvi, as it is quite a small and densely-packed town. If you are walking in the citadel, we recommend a good pair of shoes, the pavement is really uneven.

Note: the Citadel is really not recommended for people with walking difficulty. There are lots of slopes and staircase plus the ground is covered with uneven pavement.

It is possible to rent Motorcycles and Cars from several places in Calvi, the most notable being Locations Auto-Moto on the Marina.

It is worth noting that Corsica`s road network leaves a lot to be desired outside of the main tourist centers, with roads either lacking markings, being extremely narrow or having no guard rails over mountains and cliffs. If renting a motorbike, we recommend going for something that is not adverse to a bit of rough terrain. Also, it is worth noting that many of the road signs are in Corsican only.

There is a red train that runs several times daily to Île Rousse, also running by the beach at Calvi and offers spectacular views. Be careful which carriage you choose to sit in (the smaller carriage has windows that do not open properly and it gets incredibly hot). There is also a blue-and-white train to Bastia.

If you don`t have a car (and even if you do), consider a train ride on U Trinichellu. This touristic train runs during the Summer from Calvi to L`ile Rousse and return, stopping many times along the way near beaches. It stays along the coast for the whole time offering splendid views to the travelers! It takes 45min one way, and often runs every hour in summer.

Calvi has been a touristic hub since the 1920s. The City center of Calvi is located at the foot of the Citadel and along the marine. There is one main street following the water South of the Marine: Avenue Christophe Colomb. Here you can find all the shops and facilities you may need. Rue Clemenceau is the most vibrant street, in summer it is only accessible to pedestrians.

La Balagne Corsica is famous for the charming villages spread in the hills between mountains and sea. There are a number of charming compact villages with beautiful views and a long history. The most famous and touristy if Sant`Antonino as it is the one that really is most perched on top of a hill.

The region has been inhabited since 6,000 BC and most of these villages that you visit today are from medieval times. They were strong communities for several centuries until people moved back to the coast in modern days. Today, you will see the old houses built into parts of the rock as walls, and they are close to each other. There are also many churches to visit as their history is linked to religion. It is quite fun to explore the narrow streets of these village (some even have tunnels). And because of their location on top of hills, the villages of La Balagne offer fantastic viewpoints.

Calvi is, on the whole, a very safe place to be. Pick-pocketing and general theft is almost unheard of. Violent crime against tourists is likewise rare. However, 80% of France`s violent crime occurs on the island of Corsica, so it is worth taking several precautions. It is probably best not to discuss the Mafia, the FLNC or FNLC (Fronte di Liberazione Naziunale di a Corsica / Front de Libération Nationale de la Corse), Napoléon or refer to Corsica as `France` or `French` when talking to natives.

In the past, the FLNC were known to direct their actions on tourists, but nowadays there is little to worry about in this regard, especially in Calvi.

Calvi has a very high mafia presence, though this is probably not likely to affect you unless you own a business or make substantial money from the place.

Driving in Calvi is probably not a good idea unless you are used to French or Italian driving standards. Most of the cars here have dents or scratches, and people will rarely stop at crossings or slow down for you if you step out into the middle of the road. Motorbikes are everywhere, though in all honesty it is probably safer to ride one in Calvi than it is to drive a car.

As part of France, the currency used in Corsica is the Euro, US dollars are not accepted. Credit cards have become more widely accepted, but it is worth noting that some restaurants and hotels (mostly B&Bs) in Corsica don`t accept credit cards, this is especially true in the mountain villages. Some places refuse cards for small amounts (typically under €15). Always enquire first. Also note that ATMs are scarce in rural areas. It`s wise to stock up with euros.

The average year round temperatures are lower than 75º and higher than 50º F. December to February are the coldest range of months. The temps typically average around 50º and a few days may drop to the 30's. February and April are the rainiest months of the year.

July to September are the hottest range of months. The temps hover around 75º and may reach the 90's, especially sunny days. Even though the weather maintains its course of practical perfection, May and October are ideal months for travel. The temperatures stay in the 60's and precipitation is minimal.

Hotel rates are typically the highest during autumn, late Spring, and early Summer. Most tourists flock to Calvi during the summer. Try to travel in an opposing month to avoid the beach crowds.

The official language in Corsica is French, but a large number of Corsicans speak Corsican - Corsu. It has no current legal status and French Government has yet to ratify the European minority language charter.

Quite a few of the locals will speak a little English, especially in shops and restaurants in the larger towns and menus are often translated into English. Most hotels will have an English speaking member of staff although, generally, in the more remote villages few people will speak English. We suggest you get a good English-French guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.

The beach is a great location for lunch with restaurants that run along the beachfront, providing a wonderful setting. The view across the crystal clear water to the citadel is stunning. They are, however, rather expensive. Most of these restaurants are usually closed in the evenings. The beach is a great location for lunch, with restaurants that run along the beachfront, providing a wonderful setting.

The town center offers several lovely restaurants as well as the in the Citadel. Many of the restaurants in Calvi`s citadel offer a number of good places to eat, however, these are again rather more expensive, which isn`t surprising considering their atmospheric location.

Avenue Christophe Colombo is a great street (heading out of Calvi toward the airport) to look for some cheaper restaurant options. Here you will find a number of pizzerias as well as restaurants serving traditional fare. These tend not to have the charm or the views of the town center or the citadel restaurants, both of which are mainly pedstrianized areas; however, they are worth visiting if you are watching your budget.

And for dessert…take a stroll back along by the marina (Quai Landry), the perfect way to relax after an evening meal, and there are a number of places selling delicious ice creams. For a few euros you can have a large scoop of chocolat noir, as well as many other flavors to choose from.

Corsica food, in general, has French and Italian influences, but has many unique dishes of their own. The chestnut was one of the ancient (and even current) Corsican`s traditional foods, and many meals and even desserts are prepared with this. Also, most of the domesticated pigs on the island are semi-wild, released to forage for food much of the year and the charcuterie reflects this flavor. Typical Corsican meats include lonzu, coppa, ham, figatellu and saucisson made from pig or boar meat. Canistrelli are typical Corsican pastries which come in many different flavors. Corsica also produces a uniquely flavored olive oil made from ripe fruits collected under trees. Many villages have small shops where locally produced food is sold. That said, it may be difficult to find a restaurant that prepares truly Corsican dishes, and you may find yourself eating at a tourist oriented Pizzeria, which nonetheless serves excellent food.

The Quai Landry is the primary area for shoppers. This stretch of bars, restaurants, and stores lines the sea with French colonial facades.

Almost every shop in the area will sell dried meats as well as an amazing variety of honey, olive oil, spices and herbs (from the bushes that litter the mountains, called maquis). For those of you who are a little more adventurous, it may be worth buying some chestnut flour (farine de châtaignes), which is a local specialty used in crêpes, cakes, etc.

If you want to be a little more touristy, on the Rue Artisanat you will find everything from hats to watches and T-shirts and of course knives, of which there is a rather disturbing prevalence here.

VAT: In Corsica the standard TVA rate is 19.6% (rates of French VAT), but reduced rates apply to certain products and services.

Corsicans are generally laid-back and easy going, they appreciate friendliness and patience: be sure to greet people with `Monsieur`, `Madame` or `Mademoiselle` and try not to get irritated by any hold ups you may have such as roads being blocked by two drivers having a chat.

Corsica is an island of culture with an abundance of music, art and cultural festivals which are organized by volunteers passionate about their chosen interest. Many of the island`s villages also hold a fete or festival to celebrate its local crafts and produce as well as religious or historical events.

Emergency services:

-Fire 18
-Ambulance 15
-Police 17

Hospital Center De Calvi Balagne: Lieu dit, Guazzole, 20260 Calvi, France; Tel. +33 4 95 65 11 22.