Corsica, a perfect holiday destination

Corsica is an island in the Mediterranean to the south of France and to the west of Italy. The weather is mild in winter and hot in summer, and it is perhaps the ideal place for a holiday.

The attractions of the beaches of Corsica are well known ? golden white sand, turquoise sea, and palm trees providing shade behind the beach ? because they have featured in numerous travel brochures and on travel documentaries.

But there is more to Corsica than lying in the sun, pleasant as that will be. If you do have the chance to visit, be sure to venture off the sand for a while to explore some of the other highlights.

Perhaps the astonishing prehistoric carvings at Filitosa will attract your attention. The array of human forms carved into large rocks have stood in the same place for thousands of years?but why were they carved in the first place?

After being baffled by man-made mysteries, head to the Scandola Nature Reserve to see some of the most stunning coastline you?ve ever seen. If possible visit at sunset to see the red rock islands in the sea at their most colourful and beautiful.

Wherever you are on Corsica, the central region of the island is never far away, and is completely different in character from the more popular coastal towns and beaches. It is a region of high mountains, with one of the most challenging hikes in Europe - if you are feeling up to the challenge of the GR20 allow several days for the journey! Otherwise there are plenty of other less arduous hiking trails in Corsica to choose from.

There are also lots of tiny villages that appear to have been squeezed into the Corsican landscape hundreds of years ago, and then left pretty much untouched ever since.

There are numerous other highlights on Corsica, from Ajaccio (birthplace of Napoleon) to the Balagne region in the north, and from wines produced in the renowned Corsican vineyards to the excellent seafood you can enjoy in the many restaurants.

So I recommend you try, hard as it will be, to tear yourself away from the beach for a while, get into the car, and set off exploring a little of what it is that makes Corsica so special.