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Corsica

The French island of Corsica has a predominantly Italian flavour, with it's neighbour of Italy influencing the language, cuisine and architecture over the centuries. The local language, for example, is Tuscan-inspired. Corsica has been under French rule for only 200 years after being sold by Genoa to Paris in 1768. Before that happened, this island that rises majestically out of the Mediterranean, belonged by turns to the Greeks, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, Moors and Lombards, each conquering nation leaving their mark and influence to be added to the Corsican melting pot. Corsicans today tolerate French rule unwillingly, but radicals are tempered by the realisation that the island economy is heavily subsidised and islanders enjoy generous tax concessions.

The island is still being invaded every year by thousands of European tourists, who flock to the popular eastern coast of the island for it's long stretches of enchanting sandy beaches and quaint fishing villages dotted along the sun kissed shores. The west coast has awe-inspiring scenery with cliffs and rocky inlets, while the mountainous interior remains largely wild, in between cultivated groves of olives, pine plantations and cork forests.

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Ajaccio

The tranquil bay on the west coat of Corsica is home the island's capital of Ajaccio, which is backed by lush hills and woodlands. It is a relaxed rather than lively town and visitors come here to enjoy its wealth of cafes, restaurants and shops. The sights here mainly revolve around Napoleon, who was born here. The town's main sights are; the magnificent cathedral where Napoleon was christened, the Bonaparte residence and numerous statues and street names related to his family.

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Balagne

The orchards along the interior of the north west coast of Corsica have been well known for vibrant orange, fig and olive trees since Roman times and are crisscrossed with a labyrinth of narrow roads. Tiny villages such as Sant'Antonino and Speloncato perch high above the countryside built around rocky outcrops, while others along the Artisan's Route, like Pigna, proudly display their traditional crafts such as pottery and stringed instruments. Set beneath a wall of imposing jagged mountains that remain snow-capped until July, the rocky coastline of the Balagne area shelters a string of stunning white sand beaches and an old fishing settlement now turned into one of the island's most popular resort towns at Calvi.

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Corte

The dramatic Corsican hinterland of Corte offers an alternative holiday in Corsica, with a warm climate and an impressive mountainous region for hiking activities. The majestic granite mountains surround the town of Corte, which is an independent and proud town, that has for long epitomised Corsican nationalism for a short time in the 18th century it was the capital of Pascal Paoli's short-lived Corsican state. Now a university town it remains dominated by the Haute Ville (upper town) and its forbidding citadel, site of the Muse de la Corse, the islands premier museum.

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Porto

Porto is a quaint little seaside resort, which is home to charming harbour that is overshadowed by a sixteenth century Genoese Tower. It is an excellent base from which to explore the surrounding countryside and spectacular coastline. The Gorges de Spelunca, a spectacular ravine, is popular for its rocky pools, Genoese bridges and hiking opportunities, while the Fort d'Atone is one of the island's most beautiful forests with waterfalls and numerous walking trails.

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