It's quite difficult to go around Corsica in 21 days, 3 weeks aren't enough, but with paid leave and lack of money, we must make some choices.
This blog is a step by step recount of our 3 weeks holiday in Corsica during the summer 2011.
lundi 26 mars 2012
Day 1 : Nice - Ile Rousse (Issula Rossa) - Saint Florent (San Fiurenzu) - Patrimonio
Departure from Nice with SNCM Company ; The crossing was reserved since february (6 months before) that's why the tickets weren't too expensive : less than 150€ for the round trip.
Journey on economy seat : the seat must be allocated but when you get there you can sit wherever you want. There is a possibility to have something to eat on board.
The crossing lasts 6 hours. Think about taking all necesseraly things in your car for the journey because when the boat leaves you aren't allowed to go to the parking level.
In l’île Rousse, policemen manage the flood of landing passengers. They guide you out of the town. However you can stop if you find a parking. There is a market hale of local product everyday.
On the road to Saint Florent, in the middle of nowhere, there is a snack bar, with a parking lot. You can savour bastlle (a turnover made of a pastry puff with aromatic herbs, brocciu, vegetables...) Sit at a table outside snack bar, the grass hut overhangs the sea (nice view)
Note : Snack bars, restaurants or grass huts are everywhere on roadside, waiting for tourists, sometimes in places totally unexpected.
On the way to Saint Florent, you cross through the desert of Agriates (impressive landscape) 15000 hectares cover with strawberry bushes, heathers, myrtles, olive trees, maritime pines and very rare houses.
Stop in Saint Florent, seaside resort. It was full of people, few parking. There are some monuments to see/or visit (Genoese tower, Cathedral of Nebbiu, Church of Saint Anne).
Campsite A Stella, two-star (Location : Marine de Farinole, 20253 PATRIMONIO) It has like much of them in Corsica, different levels, many 
trees, no bounded sites. You 'll not be disturbed by the light during the night, there are only few streetlights lost in vegetation. They give you a number to hang at your tent and sticker to put on your car for free entrance in the campsite (there is no gate, barrier) Toilet stalls are proper but the toilets themselves are insufficient.
There is an open air bar/restaurant where you can go at night without fees if you want to get lighting on the evening.
Attention there are a lot of mosquitoes
Positive point is its direct opening on the sea. You don't need to take your car to have a swim. Some people pitch their tents at seaside (nice view but it is hot)
You reach a pebble beach (not exceptionnel), but if you follow and climb it to the east you will discover a nice fine sand cove.
vendredi 23 mars 2012
Day 2 : Nonza - Macinaggio (Macinaghju)
Nonza, medieval village, full of charm is stick high up. Close to the Genoese tower, there is a nice view on the Church of Santa Ghjulia.
However it's difficult to find a place to park your car.
The crossing from the west to the east end through the mountains is surprising. It's one of the most narrowest roads of Corsica. Fortunatelly, there is less trafic.
The beach of Macinaggio isn't very nice. There is no much people on sand or in sea, but the presence of many seaweed can explain this desertification. It is not pleasant to bathe among seaweed (not to mention the smell of decomposing seaweed)
In conclusion, a beach to avoid if you have the choice, prefer the beach of Tamarone at the North of Macinaggio.
Campsite U Stazzu (Location : Route de la plage de Tamarone, 20248 Macinaggio) 700 meters north to the town square. The campsite is quite big, no bounded sites, not much lighting during the night, shaded or shining sites. The toilet blocks are quite dirty and toilets insufficient (only 2 normal)
There is a covered bar restaurant. And the great thing about the campsite is the possibility to use a freezer for free (not very high performance and often crammed, but by 40° outside it is very substantial)
Be carreful the campsite is full of mosquitoes.
Day 3 : Erbalunga - Bastia
On the road to Bastia, at 10km south: obligatory stop in Erbalunga, nice little port. The village isn't big but it worth a visit: many alleways and mazes (great to take photos of)
In Bastia, the tourist information is in Place Saint Nicolas. We had crossed the town for visiting the Palace of Governors, recounted the story of the city. Something above
all the other expositions that interested us : « free pencils »
The Garden of Governors (accessible from the museum) is amazing because of its location. You have a superb view on Bastia.
http://www.musee-bastia.com/musee-bastia/musee.php?nav=9&lang=en
Campsite San Damiano, three star (Location : Lido de la Marana, 20260 BIGUGLIA) at 11 km from Bastia. It's quite luxurious. It has a swiming pool and a big minimarket, wifi is free and soap in toilet stall!
The sites aren't bound, there are pines everywhere that give much shade.
The state of the art campsite has a direct opening to a fine sand beach. It's very substancial to have only 50 metres to cross for a bath.
Day 4 : Corte (Corti)
Good road to join Corte from Bastia, it's rare so we must emphasize it.
Campsite of Alivetu (Location : Faubourg de Saint Antoine, 20250 CORTE) There is a direct access to the river (La Restonica) It's pleasant by huge heat. There is no bounded sites, rare streetlights lighting the campsite at night, the toilet stalls are proper.
Positive points : there is toilet tissue in toilets and wifi is free.
http://www.camping-alivetu.com/v2/en/
The downtown of Corte is 10-15 min on foot from the campsite by the road, and 30 min on foot by the river.
The old town, more particulary the citadel overhang the town : you must climb to visit it. From the citadel there is an unobstructed view guaranted of the valley and the mountains surrounded Corte.
Nice city, essential, build on succesive storeys with its many narrow alleways and many little places.
In Corte prevails a special atmosphere, symbol of the struggle for independence of Pascal Paoli.
Day 5 : The Hiking : The Lake of Melo
Departure from Corte since the sheep barn of Grotelle where the stroll starts. The road leading to the sheep barn is excessively steep and narrow. (But it's not surprising : you go high up)
The parking charges 5€. And it's difficult to park before because many road signs point no parking. It's also impossible to not pay because there is a block with a person stopping all cars, and further down other people organize the parking.
The hike attracts many people, young and old people, families and experienced hikers.
At the begining of the stroll, an announcer informed us that it takes one hour to the lake of Melo and 1h45 for the Lake of Capitello.
The track is sprinkled with rocks that are more or less big. The hike is more pleasant with a hiking stick. Some ways are not so easy to cross. The track is not very shaded (Think about taking sunscreen and above all a lot of water)
After two hours to the first lake (with heat and tiredness) we don't have the energy to continue.
You can have a swim in the lake but the water is extremely cold.
The return last more than an hour.
mardi 13 mars 2012
Day 6 : Propriano (Prupià)
We rented a mobilehome for a week at The Tikiti Campsite in Propriano, three star (Location : route d'Ajaccio, 20110 PROPRIANO)
The mobilehome is proper, not necessarily clean. And they don't ask you to do any cleaning until you leave, the former explains the latter. It's make up of a living room, a kitchenette, a bathroom, two bedrooms and toilets.
On the campsite, there's a swiming pool and a bar, you can do washes.
You can go to the beach of Baracci (600 meters on foot) Although it's not the most beautiful beach in Propriano.
The downtown is located 1,5km from the campsite : prefered the car to go there because the road leading to it isn't pleasant on foot.
Website : http://www.campingtikiti.com/
Propriano is a port town mainly based on tourism.
You'll find many souvenir stores, bars, restaurants that fight over places near the port.
There is an old town but it lacks in charm. There is nothing to do in Propriano except to stroll or go to the beach.
On the port you'll find many stands suggesting boat tours, jet ski, quad.. in short, many activites with strong carbon footprint.
Site de la ville de Propriano : http://www.mairie-propriano.com/
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