Day 1 in Calvi
Welcome to the Calvi!
Upon arrival, make your transfer to your destination, arrive at your hotel,
check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and
do.
Begin
your afternoon at the Quai Landry,
a promenade along the seafront
in the marina. There are several small pleasure boats as well as many local
fishing boats in the harbor, and palm trees line the promenade. Here you`ll also
find numerous
restaurants and cafes which makes it a great area to enjoy some lunch while
taking in the local atmosphere with a view. Afterward, enjoy stopping in the
various small shops to pick up some souvenirs of the area.
In the streets immediately behind the port there are various small
shops and the pink baroque
style Church of Sainte-Marie-Majeure, built in the 16th century.
As you continue further away from the water you reach larger streets with
larger and more upscale shops.
Next, step back in time to the historical citadel situated at the northern end of
town, this is the main monument in Calvi, it is essentially an entire small
town surrounded by fortified walls. Originally built in 1268, Calvi`s citadel
is a maze of narrow streets and towering buildings and landmarks, as well as
numerous stunning views across Calvi harbor and along the coast.
Venture through the narrow cobbled streets and passages of the
citadel to see the old town where you will find many delicious eateries and
souvenir shops. As well as the ancient streets of very tall stone houses, there
are several important historic monuments here which include the Palace
of the Bishops of Sagon (now privately owned) and the Cathedral.
Stop in the Cathedral of St Jean Baptiste, a 16th
century baroque style reconstruction of an earlier church that once stood here.
Some highlights of the cathedral include a large 15th century painting called L`Annonciation,
a black statue of Christ and renaissance period baptism
fonts.
The site of the house that is said to be the birthplace
of Christopher Columbus is also in the citadel, marked by a statue. Legend
states that Christopher Columbus was born in the town, yet, it is worth noting,
that this claim has been unproven.
If you enjoy history, pay a visit to the Museum of Corsican Ethnography
which features numerous exhibits explaining the history of Corsica, and the Tour
de Sel, a 19th century addition to the citadel, as well as the 16th
century Oratory Saint-Antoine.
As evening approaches, enjoy some local Corsican cuisine at any of
the number of restaurants in town before heading back to your hotel for a
restful night sleep.
Day 2 in Calvi
Wake up early today and take the train
journey along the coast to L`Ile Rouse, a fabulous experience
that will allow you to soak up the beauty of this portion of Corsica`s
coastline. L`Ile Rousse is situated on the north-west coast
of Corsica, about 12 miles north-east of Calvi, at the northern edge of the
Balagne region.
Spend some time in L`Ile Rousse exploring the
beautiful setting of the town. The architecture is amazing, and includes some
attractive buildings, mostly dating from the late 18th and early 19th
centuries. Something a bit different than many other Corsican towns is that
L`Ile Rousse has a planned layout of straight streets, lined with boutiques and
restaurants.
The center of town is at Place Paoli,
a square that opens to the sea, and also has a pleasant covered market. It is a
perfect place from which to venture into both the old and new towns. The old
town is typically of most interest to visitors, offering a lively ambiance in
the summer with lots of small shops and cafes. The narrow streets with old
houses are pleasant to explore.
Head north from old town to the Ile
de la Pietra and on to the lighthouse, this is a
great spot that offers the best views of the two small offshore islands. There
is also a `Petit Train` (a little tourist train) that takes the ride to this
sight, as well as around to the main sights of the town.
Alternatively, take a boat ride to Girolata and the Scandola Nature Reserve. You`ll
enjoy the lovely views of the citadel and Calvi Bay from the sea and Girolata
is a charming little village, only accessible by boat (or via a long mule track
down the hillside). The UNESCO
Marine World Heritage Site, Scandola is a reserve with dramatic red
cliffs rising out of the sea just south-west of Calvi, on the Cape Girolata
peninsula. This is an exceptional sight and some of the finest coastline to be
found anywhere in Corsica. It is always beautiful, but especially so later in
the afternoon, as the rocks catch the setting sun. The Scandola Reserve has a
wide range of sea birds, as well as established seal and dolphin colonies.
Ospreys are also becoming established in the regions, after great efforts by
conservationists.
After another busy
day of exploration, head back into Calvi to experience the lively atmosphere of
the city at night (especially in the height of the summer season). There are many quayside cafes, restaurants
and several clubs to enjoy.
If energy allows, make
your way to the well-known bar `Chez Tao`, is a must see. This venue
boasts over 80 years of history and the best views in town. It is a sleek,
up-scale bar and lounge set in the Citadel tower. This is also a great place for celebrity spotting.
Day 3 in Calvi
On your last day in Calvi, spend a
relaxing day at the beaches of the area. There is a very
popular long and sandy beach at Calvi, called la Pinede because it is backed by pine trees, which are over
a mile long and to the east of the harbor. There is a wooden boardwalk between
the beach and the trees for the first mile or so.
Although you can walk to the beach from Calvi center, you will
need to walk a mile or so out of the town center to find the first attractive
public section. Otherwise, there is a small tourist train that runs along
behind the beaches that will take you to a beach further out. You`ll find
several activities available at the beach including windsurfing and paragliding,
as well as various beach restaurants to relax at.
There are also many more
beaches of different styles to discover in the region. Bodri
Beach is a great beach if you are looking for beautiful white sand.
It is located about 30 minutes by car from calvi, followed by a 5 minute walk. Punta
di Spanu is also a beautiful beach that can be reached by car in
about 20 minutes.
Enjoy your last night in Calvi watching
the boats from the marina. Take an evening stroll, wander the marina and admire
the range of impressive yachts and boats that sit in the harbor. The marina is
lined with plenty of bars and restaurants, offering the opportunity to sample
authentic Corsican cuisine and fresh seafood.
Aditional Days in Calvi
Should you be able to spend additional days in Calvi we recommend you visit more of the villages of La Balagne Corisca (what the region is famous for). There are so many charming villages spread in the hills between mountain and sea. Many of these villages are charming and compact with great views and rich history. One of the most famous and touristy is Sant`Antonino as it is the one that really is most perched on top a hill. Most of the villages you can visit today are from medieval times.
Your Last Day in Calvi
Depart your hotel for the train station, ferry or airport where you will head home or make your way to more Corsican adventures. Savor the memories of a very special time in the city of Calvi and the Balagne Region of Corsica.