Who wouldn’t want to go to Greece?
Well, if you ask this past summer’s tourists, perhaps a lot, as they all but melted in the sweltering heat!
But that’s not the point here, as we have turned our calendars to fall.
The point is that France has a secret Mediterranean getaway rivaling Greece’s glorious islands with its own.
The Mediterranean in general is never a bad idea, but you should know the entirety of options before booking your next dreamy vacation.
Greece? Italy? Maybe Cyprus or Malta? Or perhaps skipping the all-too-familiar Eiffel Tower by diving into France’s gorgeous sunny island of Corsica instead?
Where Med Vibes Meet A New Take On French Culture
French culture spreads far and wide, even beyond its vast borders.
From Canada’s vibrant cities to South America’s French Guyana to North America’s lesser-known slice of French paradise, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, you don’t have to roam the busy streets of Paris to get your French fix.
Corsica, on the other hand, is the best of both worlds.
You get the feel for France while biding time in one of the prettiest islands in Europe, yet overshadowed by the household names of its alluring neighbors.
The island already stands out on its own, but you may notice they borrow from the Italian diet and language to the point where Google Translate may be unusable with locals speaking a French-Italian hybrid with touches of Arabic and Spanish (good luck!).
Bottom line being if the bustling cities of France, or even the packed beaches of the famed Cote d’Azur aren’t your jam, Corsica fills in the gaps and makes for the perfect fall escape.
Clear Glistening Waters In The Autumn Sun
You can leaf the fall foliage lined streets and sweater weather back home, Corsica is for those who didn’t get enough summer sun and sand.
The island is truly stunning, where you’ll forget all about the bucket-list islands of Greece or anywhere else pinned on your map.
Boasting year-round weather pleasantries, fall is no different. According to the Irish Sun, expect temps to hover around an idyllic 70 degrees.
Corsica’s waters are crystal clear for swimming and shine blue from a distance, perhaps from one of the island’s numerous lovely restaurant patios or hotel balconies.
If you’re missing a sense of city life, Corsica’s capital and main port, Bastia, has you covered.
While nothing like Paris in terms of size, the pint-sized seaside exudes Old World charm, brimming with timeless cobblestone streets and quintessential French cafes.
It also provides epic views reminiscent of its Mediterranean counterparts.
Those who’ve visited say you can’t really go wrong visiting any beach wrapping around the 114 miles of shorelines, but Plage de Palombaggia and Plage de Santa Giulia may take the cake with vivid turquoise waters and soft white sand.
Of course, many love wasting away in a lounge chair overlooking the vast sea, but Corsica is also popular with the more adventurous.
Stand-Up paddleboarding is very common, and it includes SUP yoga, snorkeling, and diving.
One of the best spots to do so is Scandola Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where one recent visitor claimed, “The most amazing place to visit in Corsica”.
Captivating History And Divine Food (With Italian Flair)
You may not know whether to say ‘Bonjour!’ or ‘Ciao!’, but that’s beside the point. Corsica boasts multiple captivating historical sites throughout the island, ranging from architectural marvels and delightful cobbled streets to old citadels perched on the beach.
Not to mention the storybook villages dispersed throughout the mountains with awe-inspiring hilltop villas and traditional artisan markets. In other words, pack your walking shoes!
But, if there’s one aspect most of us travel to Europe for, it’s food. Especially, with such culinary icons as France and Italy.
The same way Bozcaada leans more Greek and Malta leans more Italian, the same goes for Corsica, while not being a complete Sicilian copycat.
Menus here showcase a blend of Mediterranean influences, but mostly a mix of French and Italian delights, especially when it comes to decadent seafood and wine.
Start off with a classic Corsican appetizer of Acciughe alla Planca, followed by a plate of Cannelloni accompanied by a glass of local wine, or perhaps sharing an immensely rich charcuterie board.
According to Micheline Guide, Casadelmar is where you have to dine in Corsica.
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