Day 1 in the Costa Verde Region
Welcome to the Costa Verde 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.
The Costa Verde Region
boasts a large diversity of landscapes and beaches with gentle slopes that
are ideal for children, a mountain area with charming villages
perched on the mountain-sides or in the plains.
Start your exploration of the region
in the city of Bastia
(which is where you would most likely arrive on the island), this
is one of Corsica`s main ports located 40 minutes north of the San Lucianu
area. Bastia is the second largest city of Corsica that sits
beautifully on the east coast, facing Italy with views out to the Tuscan
archipelago.
Take some time in Bastia to wander the
city. Some highlights to explore are the Place St. Nicolas,
a pleasant spot to soak up Bastia`s Mediterranean atmosphere, this is a social
hub of the town. There are many places in the area to stop for lunch and soak in
the culture. Spend some time at Boulevard
aolis and Rue César
Campinchi, the main shopping streets and enjoy the ambient stores.
Check out the Old Town (or the
`Terra Vecchia`) which lies just south of Place St Nicolas and surrounds
the Old Port of Bastia. There are two ports in Bastia: the
original one (old port), and the more recent port where Corsica Ferries arrive.
The old harbor is the popular place to spend your evenings in Bastia with many ambient
bars and restaurants. There is a promenade along the waterfront that is great
for strolling, boasting some fantastic views of the harbor.
While in Bastia, don`t miss the fantastic
mountain and coastal views from its fortress, complete with a 16th-century
bell tower, or the Museum of Ethnography with everything from
geology to folk traditions and contemporary art in the former palace
of the Genoese governors.
Day 2 in the Costa Verde Region
Make your first stop of the day at the Reserve Naturelle de l`Etang de Biguglia,
the largest lagoon on the island and a haven for migrating birds. This
coastal nature reserve is fantastic for walking and cycling, with an eco-museum
and a small restored fort on an island. More than 100 species of birds can be observed
here, while the beach of la Marana provides a great spot for a relaxing
afternoon.
Next, make your way to Penta di Casinca, a land of history and
tradition. This village was built on a rocky spur and offers architectural
beauty. Enjoy a walk on the Heritage
Trail of Penta di Casinca, which allows you to discover step by
step the village whose beauty has earned it a ranking and the label as the `Picturesque site of the Department of
Corsica` in 1973.
The trail starts at the Town Hall Square and
threads through terraced gardens, narrow streets and alleys all while clinging
to the steep slopes that surround the village. Some highlights to discover as
you wander through the village: the baroque church of Saint Michel, The Church
`Christ the King`, and the Romanesque Chapel Round which was built between the
12th and 13th century.
If you are looking to explore more of the
area around Penta di Casinca,
we recommend one of the nature hiking trails. Penta - Palancitellu
is a beautiful natural hiking trail that offers a variety of plant species and the
River Fium`Altu, very popular during the summer months. The Fogata - Palustricu
is another beautiful hike, about 2 miles long, starting from the crossroads
of the city center of Foleli, towards the Orezza.
This route brings you through the village of Castellare di Casinca.
As evening approaches, enjoy any of the local
restaurants offering up delicious Corsican cuisine. There are various
restaurants that offer exceptional panoramas.
Day 3 in the Costa Verde Region
On your last day in the Costa Verde
Region, head to the resort of the town of San-Nicolao, Moriani-Plage.
Moriani-Plage is part of the Costa Verde, a group of 23 towns offering over 10
miles of beaches with gentle slopes with varied natural heritage.
Moriani-Plage
is the only seaside resort in this part of the East Coast and offers many charms and the various attractions that are often attractive
to many young families. The main attraction of this area is the sandy beaches with
turquoise water. Between lounging, swimming and various water activities visitors
can enjoy a relaxing day of fun in the sun. From the beach,
it is possible to observe the ruined Genoese tower of Moriani, a remnant of the
ancient hamlet once here, Padulella.
There are
also shops close by to the area with numerous restaurants and various evening
entertainment options.
Not far away, the Genoese bridge marks
the boundary with the municipality of Santa-Maria-Poggio,
recalling the Pisan era, while the Roman aqueduct used until the nineteenth
century to bring water to the forge, is a relic from Roman times in this part
of Corsica.
Hikers will enjoy the Mare a Mare Nord trail, which connects Cargèse Moriani-Plage,
located on the west coast of Corsica.
This is a long-distance
trail that crosses Corsica in its widest part from the Moriani village in the
eastern coast. The basic route is divided into 10 stages, each of them take
about 4 to 6 hours of walking. The alternative branch starts either in Corte or in
Sermano, returns back to the main route in Marignana, and it is one stage
longer.
Alternatively, head
further inland to the Tavignano
River (a half an hour from San Lucianu) to enjoy canoeing or
white-water rafting. You`ll also discover breathtaking bathing spots, the most
beautiful natural swimming pools, waterfalls and hiking trails at the river.
Additional Days in the Costa Verde Region
Should you be able to spend additional
days in the Costa Verde region of Corsica we recommend a visit to Museum of Cervione where you
will discover the way of life of Corsican population through the 18th
and 20th century. While in Cervione, wander the
enchanting village nicknamed `the balcony by the sea`, the
scenery is spectacular here. Discover the impressive baroque church, beautiful
fountains and charming cafes.
Also, continue to explore the stunning villages of the Costa Verde region. Few of the
villages here have major attractions, although many offer beautiful churches
and more attractive settings. It is rather the harmonious whole that is the
attraction. You`ll pass through forests, rivers, springs and waterfalls as you
stop at one picturesque town to the next. You can also admire the beautiful
beaches that will take your breath away. Some of the other highlighted villages
(not mentioned above): Poggio Mezzana, San-Nicolao, Taglio-Isolaccio,
Santa-Maria-Poggio, and many more.
Your Last Day in the Costa Verde Region
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 Costa Verde region of Corsica.