Perched atop a rocky headland, Calvi’s imposing Citadel oversees the bustling little town.
The massive citadel was fortified by Corsica’s Genoese rulers from the 12th century onwards.
While there is little in the way of businesses within it’s walls, it is still worth while exploring the alleyways and nooks and crannies.
Especially as there’s some amazing paper paste ups to be found!
There are stunning views to be had from the ramparts, both over the town and out to the sea.
The citadel also houses a former military hospital as well as containing the remains of a house that is rumoured to be the place where Christopher Columbus was born.
Corsican is littered with stunning beaches of all shapes and sizes. So naturally we’re off to explore a few of them!
From tiny coves to vast swathes of pure white sand, there’s a patch of sand to suit everyone.
The sands are blissfully empty towards the end of September. It’s our favourite time of year to travel as the weather is still great but the crowds are thinning out nicely.
Green hills and wind blown salty trees back the lovely beach of Ostriconi.
Ostriconi Beach (also called the beach of Perajola) is renowned for its rugged beauty.
It’s wild and windswept, braced by dunes and immersed in fragrant Corsican maquis.
Maquis is a special wild-scrub area of Corsica that covers approximately 20% of the island.
It includes the fragrant curry plant and rock rose to myrte, daisies and various types of mint. When the wind blows over it, the smells are amazing.
As Corsica had seen some bad weather before we arrived, a lot of the beaches were covered in seaweed which detracted from their pristine loveliness.
However Ostriconi was not one of them and its gorgeous sands were weed free!
Look how joy filled we are!!! The water was phenomenally blue and the sun was just the right level of scorching!
Next up on our Corsican odyssey is an exploration of the gorgeous Gorges de la Spelunca.
Just inland from Porto, the awesome gorges offers splendid hiking, plus freshwater swimming on hot days.
The Gorges de Spelunca are scenic river valleys cutting through the mountains. Rocky paths pass alongside stunning gushing waters of green, blue and brown.
We took the shorter route which was from the road bridge to the old Pont de Zaglia in the gorge-bottom forest – and back again. It took about two hours in total.
The winding path passes through the gorges with mountains, river valleys and pools. It’s a bit of a scramble in the heat but well worth it when you reach your destination.
After about 40 minutes you reach the Ponte a Zaglia. A fairy-tale like Genoan stone bridge that was built at the end of the 18th century to make life easier for the locals and the shepherds.
The bridge has a very high arch because at certain times of year the river becomes very large and fast flowing.
Next to the Ponte à Zaglia bridge there are some glorious pools of colourful water surrounded by boulders, which are an excellent place for a picnic.
After a sweaty hike these beautiful pools are like magnets to us.
The rushing, sparkling water is so tempting as it glitters under the Corsican sunshine.
How tempting does this beautiful pool look? The man looks like he is about to dive right in!
And he’s in. Dipping his toes in this wonderful green pool of cooling goodness.
Even now, the water makes me want to leap in! I can remember the boiling heat on my neck and the beguiling sparkles on the river.
Then finally I take the plunge! Like a plump mermaid, wallowing in the gorgeous, shockingly cold, pools.
It might have been a little chilly (and I might have soaked my only set of clothes) but it was awesome!!!
Look how delighted we both are!! Thumbs up from us, definitely a must see.
As we head towards Calvi we choose to negotiate through one of Corsica’s natural wonders, the exceptionally beautiful Calanques de Piana.
These are granite rock formations along the coast of western Corsica near Porto.
Winding south from Porto to Piana in the north west of Corsica, is a coastal road with some of the most stunning, otherworldly scenery that we’ve ever encountered in Europe.
The Calanques de Piana are incredible, sculptural, weather beaten rock formations with an almost alien feel to them.
The surreal landscape of wind-eroded granite cliffs tower over the road and then plunge dazzlingly into the sea.
The cliffs are a naturally harmonised palette of colours including red, pink, russet and honey.
Stacks, towers and pinnacles have been shaped by the elements and are up to 300 metres above the sea in some places.
Ajaccio is Corsica’s capital and is a port city on the rugged isle’s western coast.
As such it has a bustling little marina and large port complete with a multitude of colourful, bobbing boats.
The Tino Rossi Marina is a pleasant place to stroll around and enjoy the laid back bustle of fishermen carrying on their centuries old traditions.
Naturally the hubby opts to locate the more flashy boats and proceeds to act as if he has the money to own one . . .
Then we’re heading back to the pretty town beach for one of our budget picnics and a splash about!
Supermarket beer and baguettes! That’s how us cheapskates travel 🙂
That’s it for Ajaccio, we’re heading onward in a North Easterly direction as we head to the citadel town of Calvi via the spectacular Calanches de Piana and Gorges de la Spelunca.
