South Corsica
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South Corsica
Hotels South Corsica
Restaurants
Restaurants
At the southernmost tip of the island, perched atop awesome white cliffs battered by the waves, stands Bonifacio - the most visited of the exceptional sites of Corsica. There is a distinctly mediaeval air to the upper town which was founded in 833 by Boniface, Count of Tuscany, and has had a colourful, tumultuous history. But Bonifacio is also a safe, eminently accessible port attracting seagoing pleasure craft in large numbers. Here, where the wind blows some 250 days a year, fun-boarders are in their element. The best spots (but keep it to yourself!) are: Figari, La Tonnara, Piantarella, Santa Manza and Balistra. Sailing boats and their crews will find a whole series of calanques (deep narrow creeks) and gulfs in which to drop anchor along this highly indented coastline. Submarine life is every bit as extraordinary with gorgonian, sponge, grouper and coral all abounding. And why not spend a day on the Lavezzi Isles, just four kilometres off the coast? This maze of rocky islands surrounded by tropical blue water enjoys the protective status of an international marine park. TO SEE - The large number of prehistoric sites that are dotted all over the region, in particular those at Castellu d'Araghju and Ceccia. Also visit the sites at Cucruzzu and Castellu di Capula with their impressive cyclopean walls. At Levie, discover the "lady of Bonifacio", the island's oldest inhabitant (6570 years BC) at the departmental museum of prehistory at Alta Rocca. At Bonifacio, visit the old town with the Bastion de l'Etendard, the Place d'Armes, the very moving sailor's cemetery, the magnificent King of Aragon steps carved out of the cliff face, and the church of Saint Dominique, one of the island's few Gothic buildings. At Porto-Vecchio, you can stroll around the old town that is protected by Genoese fortifications. TO DO - Dive at Mérouville. Head off along the inland traks to explore the "barraconni" shepherd shacks and old oil mills. Refresh yourself at the Piscia di Gallo waterfall, in the Ospedale massif. Visit the "cinematheque" at Porto-Vecchio that is open all year. Play a round of golf on the superb course at Spérone, designed by Robert Trench Jones by the sea. From Bonifacio, take a boat trip to explore the famous sea caves. TO TASTE - The charcuterie of Alta-Rocca, goat and sheep's cheese, honey, olive oil from Saint Lucie de Tallano and a variety of seafood with scorpion fish, ocean bream, red mullet, sea bass, sea urchins and crayfish. Also ty the Bonifacio aubergines. From Michelin star restaurants to farm/inns, the south of Corsica is a gastronome's delight.
