Day 1 in Eastern Corsica
Welcome to the Eastern region of Corsica!
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.
This region of Corsica includes the
less developed and less visited eastern coast and inland regions of the island,
with ancient forests and remote hill villages to discover, unspoiled by the passage
of time and the arrival of tourism.
Start your visit to the area in the charming village of Aleria,
situated south-east of Corte on a natural inlet called the Etang de
Diane. Little remains of the Greek settlement that once stood here,
although excavations continue to make new finds, and it is evident that the
site has been occupied for at least 8,000 years. The archaeological site covers
a plateau adjacent to the medieval town.
Founded by the Phoenicians in the 6th
century BC, Aleria was a port city located on major
Mediterranean trade routes, and then subsequently occupied by the Greeks,
Etruscans and the Romans. While here, you can admire
centuries of history, through the remains that help inform visitors about the
daily life and traditions of different Mediterranean peoples. The archaeological
site was classified a historic monument in 1990. There
are also ruins of Roman baths dating from the second
century, but it is a private property.
Also at Aleria is a fort constructed towards the end of the 16th
century. This fort is now classified as a historic monument and also houses the
county museum of archeology Jerome-Carcopino. Here, visitors
will discover some fascinating finds from archaeology explorations, ranging
from Greek ceramics and sculptures to money and weapons, and provides a
fascinating glimpse of how life would have been in the town.
Both the ruins and the fort at Aleria have excellent views over
the sun baked Corsica countryside.
Also take some time in Aleria to explore the pond of Diana lagoon. Since the
Roman ages, flat oysters, as well as mussels and clams, have been cultivated in
this water pond located 1.5 miles north east of Aleria. There are several
places around the pond where visitors can buy or eat these popular
oysters.
An island called `island of the fishermen` has actually formed in the
pond through the accumulation of oysters shells! It is also worth taking a walk
or lazing in the sun at the beach Mare e stagnu that
stretches between the pond and the sea into the mouth of the pond. Grab a
basket of oysters, a nice Corsican glass of wine and watch the sun set over
the pond and the Genoese tower that stands at the mouth - a perfect way to end a
beautiful day!
Day 2 in Eastern Corsica
Make your first stop of the day about 7 miles
south of Aleria to the tranquil seaside resort town of Ghisonaccia. This small
resort offers a seemingly endless wide stretch of sand and beaches. Start off
your visit at the beautiful Vignale Beach, and then stroll
over to Pinia Beach, the wildest beach of the town that
borders the forest of Pinia south of the Urbino
pond. It can be accessed easily through public trails. This sandy beach is
one of the most beautiful in Corsica. Little known, even in summer, visitors
can enjoy the beach without the crowds (which is unusual in Corsica!).
After enjoying some refreshing beach time, head into the village
of Ghisonaccia to grab a bite to eat. The village is set back from
the sea about 3 miles inland offering a completely different scenery. Enjoy a
relaxing lunch while giving yourself some time to walk through some of the
shops in the area.
Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the
nature of Ghisonaccia. Check out the Lagoon of
Ubino, a wetland and swampy nature reserve; take a hike in the surrounding
countryside, which forms a patchwork of fields and forest; or explore
the nearby Fiumorbo river by canoe.
At the end of the day, enjoy any of the area restaurants serving
up delicious local cuisine before heading back to your hotel for a restful
night sleep.
Day 3 in Eastern Corsica
On your last day in the Eastern Region
of Corsica, head 15 miles south to the beautiful seaside resort of
Sari-Solenzara where you`ll also find long sandy beaches, emerald
waters alongside vast expansive trees - this is a paradisiacal destination!
Spend a day of adventure at the Gorges of the Solenzara River.
The river winds its way down from
the mountains to the coast creating many natural swimming pools and waterfalls
and offers a number of fun outdoor activities from canyoning, swimming, hiking
and canoeing in the gorges. This great site epitomizes the special relief of the
island, the amazing shapes and colors that range from red light to the darkest
gray within the immense forests of Corsican pine.
After an active day, enjoy
the friendly and charming atmosphere of Sari-Solenzara, an idyllic little
village with an authentic feel that exudes calm and relaxation. Wander the narrow
streets, enjoy the panoramas from the `Penna` and `Monte Santu`, and check out
some of the beaches in the area.
Additional Days in Eastern Corsica
Should you be able to spend additional
days in the eastern region of Corsica we recommend a visit to Castagniccia and the villages inland in
eastern Corsica, a place of stunning natural beauty. It is a mountain region, covered with green maquis and composed of
villages that are hung in the valleys. Exploring Castagniccia is a fascinating
experience, but there are no autoroutes here, rather a maze of small winding lanes
meandering up and down the hillsides past the small village.
For a good dose of authenticity in one of
the most rural areas of the island, you have to walk the roads of this region. These
villages are perhaps the least affected by tourism and the changing times that have affected many of the villages
in Corsica.
Few of the villages here have major attractions, although many offer
attractive churches and more attractive settings. It is rather the harmonious
whole that is the attraction. Some of the more popular places to visit are Piedicroce,
Orezza and the romantic
ruins of the convent, Campana and La Porta.
Your Last Day in Eastern Corsica
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 eastern region of Corsica.