Southern Photo: Stephane Bidouze/Shutterstock.com Birthplace of Bonaparte and home to some awe-inspiring natural landscapes, Southern Corsica (or Corse-du-Sud) entices with outdoor pursuits, remnants of prehistoric settlements, and a stunningly diverse scenery. From the dramatic white cliffs of Bonifacio, to whimsical rock formations of Piana, to the uninhabited Lavezzi Islands and white-sand beaches, Southern Corsica has plenty to capture imaginations with.

NOTE: This Guide has been limited to 20 points of interest per section. For the full guide, Samuel Borges Photography/Shutterstock.com please visit ArrivalGuides.com Top 5 Scandola Nature Reserve No paths or roads lead to the Scandola Nature Reserve, an area of wild natur... Calanques de Piana Cliffs One of the island's UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the wondrous cliffs of Pian... Palombaggia Beach Evannovostro/Shutterstock.com Just south of Porto-Vecchio lies Corsica's celebrated Plage de Palombaggia, ... Filitosa The megalithic archaeological site of Filitosa is known for its curious menh... The capital of Corsica and birthplace of Napoléon Bonaparte, Ajaccio is an a...

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Updated 11 September 2019 Destination: Southern Corsica Publishing date: 2019-09-11

THE REGION DO & SEE

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Southern Corsica's visitor hot spots are From steep clis of Bonifacio, to the majestic Propriano and Porto-Vecchio (known for its landscapes of the island's interior, to white-sand animated nightlife), along with the capital of beaches and uninhabited islands just o the Ajaccio, the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte coast, to yellow and orange tones of Ajaccio (the (the Bonaparte family home – Maison Bonaparte capital), Southern Corsica is a region of – has now been converted into a public museum). spectacular natural beauty and a great many There are plenty of sandy beaches along the outdoor pursuits. western coast of Corsica, all the way down to its southern tip. Key highlights of the south, apart Scandola Nature Reserve from beaches, are the stunning Citadel of No paths or roads lead to Bonifacio perched atop steep white clis, and the the Scandola Nature pristine, uninhabited Lavezzi Islands just o the Reserve, an area of wild coast. natural beauty accessible solely by sea. This Sartène, although removed from the UNESCO World Heritage visitor-frequented coast, is a quintessential Site is all clis and sensational rock formations, Corsican town with a rather grim past (it had pristine waters, and dramatic sea- and notoriously struggled with gang crime) that has landscapes. One company oering boat tours is preserved a good amount of its medieval charm. Porto-based Via Mare, at the Hôtel Le Golfe (+33 It is primarily known for its annual Good Friday 6 07 28 72 72; www.viamare-promenades.com). procession, an event that aims to recreate Jesus' journey to the Calvary. The 35-kilo cross and Photo: Sasha64f/Shutterstock.com 17-kilo chain used in the procession are on Calanques de Piana Cliffs display year-round at the Sartène church of One of the island's St.Mary. UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the wondrous clis of Piana are best seen in the evening, when the natural reds of the earth Destination: Southern Corsica Publishing date: 2019-09-11

light up in in the rays of the setting sun. Another Ajaccio way to see the clis is from the water, on a boat The capital of Corsica and cruise in the Gulf of Porto. birthplace of Napoléon Bonaparte, Ajaccio is an Photo: gevision/Shutterstock.com attractive seaside Address: Piana settlement with an animated yet slow-paced Palombaggia Beach street life. Some of its primary attractions Just south of include the Maison Bonaparte (the Bonaparte Porto-Vecchio lies family's ancestral home) and the ne arts Corsica's celebrated museums Musée Fesch, containing works of Plage de Palombaggia, an great masters such as Titian and Botticelli. idyllic beach with crispy

white sand and azure Photo: Evannovostro/Shutterstock.com waters. There are several locations that provide sunbed and umbrella rentals, along with a couple Lavezzi Islands of beach restaurants along the stretch. The uninhabited Lavezzi islands o the coast of Photo: Pawel Kazmierczak/Shutterstock.com Corsica are one of its Address: Palombaggia, Porto-Vecchio must-visit natural gems, located a short boat ride Filitosa from Bonifacio or The megalithic Porto-Vecchio. Nature is pristine and water archaeological site of crystal-clear, which makes for some fantastic Filitosa is known for its snorkelling. Bring your own sun umbrella and curious menhirs, with plenty of water (facilities are minimal). detail of facial features and body outlines carved Photo: Matteo Gabrieli/Shutterstock.com into them. Earliest artefacts dug up here date back to 3300 BC (the menhirs are estimated to Bonifacio have been erected around 1500 BC). There are a The island's oldest citadel small museum and a thousand-year-old olive tree sits dramatically atop a on site. high-rise rock platform in Bonifacio, the Corsican Photo: Luisa Puccini/Shutterstock.com town a mere 12 Address: Filitosa, Sollacaro Phone: +33 4 95 74 00 91 kilometres away from Internet: www.litosa.fr Italian Sardinia. It is a denitive must-visit that reads more like a place somewhere in southern Italy than a French one, and radiates a leisurely, uncomplicated air.

Photo: John_Walker/Shutterstock.com Destination: Southern Corsica Publishing date: 2019-09-11

Aiguilles de Bavella Canyon Corse: To see some of the Photo: pedrosala/Shutterstock.com island's most striking Address: 6 Bd Fred Scamaroni, Ajaccio natural landscapes, follow Phone: +33 6 15 05 28 42 the Col de Bavella, a Internet: www.corsica-canyoning.com mountain pass that Email: [email protected] aords spectacular views of the Aiguilles de Bavella (the Bavella "needles", DINING called that for its spiry peaks). A part of the G20 trail runs from the Notre Dame des Neiges statue all the way up to the massif.

Photo: sanddebeautheil/Shutterstock.com

Catenacciu Procession Sartène, a scenic town historically notorious for Lenka Jor/Shutterstock.com its banditry and rivalling

gangs, has long-left the Corsican charcuterie is considered to be some of grim of its past behind, the worlds nest, an achievement it largely owes while preserving the to Corsican pigs being cross-bred with wild boar, historic tradition of re-enacting Jesus' way to the and fed natural chestnuts - a historic island Calvary on Good Friday every year. The 35-kilo staple, carrying on into the cuisine of today in cross and 17-kilo chain used in the reenactment the form of "pulenta" (chestnust porridge) and are displayed at the Sartène church of St.Mary. "fritelli a gaju frescu" (fritters), as well as an ingredient of many other dishes. Other local Photo: Tiresa/Wikimedia Commons (image cropped) specialities include sh, seafood, and game (the Address: Sartène "civet de sanglier" - casserole of wild boar - is, Canyoning perhaps, the island's most prominent dish). Corsica's varied Le Bilboq Chez Jean-Jean (Ajaccio) landscape features a Le Bilboq holds somewhat multitude of natural of a legendary status: the canyons, many of which restaurant specialises on perfectly family-friendly, one thing only - lobster - and t to be explored which comes in extremely even by those new to the pastime. Organised generous servings, as tours take groups to canyons like the Richiusa at part of its signature "spaghettis à la langouste" Bocognano, as well as lesser-known canyons dish. Payment is in cash only, and reservations across the island. strongly recommended.

One company oering guided excursions is Destination: Southern Corsica Publishing date: 2019-09-11

Photo: Visionsi/Shutterstock.com A Nepita (Ajaccio) Address: 1 Rue des Glacis, Ajaccio In a town often overrun Phone: +33 4 95 51 35 40 by visitors, A Nepita is one establishment that L'Altru Versu (Ajaccio) keeps delivering Run by the talented authentic, high-quality Mezzacqui brothers, Corsican meals. Fixed L'Altru Versu is a menus vary by day and come with a choice of longstanding ne dining two dishes for each course. Reservations in establishment on the advance are highly recommended. Ajaccio waterfront. Using

the highest quality local ingredients and fresh Photo: Syda Productions/Shutterstock.com seafood, the team of two maintains a highly Address: 4 Rue San Lazaro, Ajaccio professional approach both in the kitchen and Phone: +33 4 95 26 75 68 front of house. Le Santana (Sagone)

Photo: Denizo71/Shutterstock.com La Santana on Corsica's Address: 17 Boulevard Stephanopoli de Comnene, Ajaccio west coast embodies the Opening hours: Thurs-Mon 12pm-2pm & 8-10pm, Tue-Wed perfect combination of 8am-10pm quality cuisine and Phone: +33 4 95 50 05 22 unbeatable views. Set Le 20123 (Ajaccio) directly on the beach, it A dinner at Le 20123 can oers front-row seats to the spectacle of an feel as one inside an island sunset, along with an abundance of ethnography museum excellent sh and seafood dishes to select from. exhibition hall - the space Photo: Kitti Tantibankul/Shutterstock.com is stylised to recreate a Address: Plage du Santana, Sagone square of the village the Phone: +33 4 95 74 02 03 restaurant's owner comes from, complete with a Internet: www.lesantana.fr water pump and life-size dolls in traditional costumes. The menu consists of xed 4 courses, Le Piano Chez Toinou (Porticcio) with a focus on traditional avours. Hailed as the best of its kind in the area, Le Piano Photo: Tatiana Vorona/Shutterstock.com Chez Toinou is Address: 2 Rue Roi de Rome, Ajaccio distinguished for its Opening hours: Daily 7am-11.30pm impeccable service, menu Phone: +33 4 95 21 50 05 variety (diners are welcome to browse through and select from nearly the entire menu rather than just two or three options per course), and exceptional quality of the dishes served. Destination: Southern Corsica Publishing date: 2019-09-11

Photo: Romrodphoto/Shutterstock.com La Bodega (Bonifacio) Address: Les Candilelli, Porticcio Despite its very central Phone: +33 4 95 20 87 93 location, Bonifacio's La Internet: www.restaurant-piano.com Bodega is far from a tourist trap. Dishes Terra Cotta (Propriano) served here are honest If it's ne dining you are Corsican classics, with a looking for, look no sampling patter of meats, Bonifacio-style further than Terra Cotta, aubergine, lasagna, salad and bread ("assiette an excellent restaurant dégustation") enjoying a particular popularity. that serves spectacular set menus consisting of Photo: Natalia Van Doninck/Shutterstock.com multiple courses. The full experience might come Address: 1 Avenue de la Carotola, Bonifacio at a steep price, but is certainly worth the Opening hours: Thurs-Tue 12-10pm investment - fresh seafood is caught and Phone: +33 6 73 75 94 70 delivered daily by the owning family. L'An Faim (Bonifacio)

Photo: Kondor83/Shutterstock.com Set at the foot of Address: 31 avenue Napoleon III, Propriano Bonifacio's dramatic Opening hours: Open for lunch and dinner Citadel is L'An Faim, an Phone: +33 4 95 74 23 80 upscale restaurant whose pride lies in its Auberge San Ghjuvani (Propriano) locally-sourced, quality Set in the rolling hills ingredients. Meats such as veal, sh of the day, over Propriano, this lobster, and prime fresh vegetables all constitute family-run restaurant the bulk of L'An Faim's seasonally changing aords spectacular views menu. over the Corsican landscape. Choose from Photo: Golubovy/Shutterstock.com an extensive menu of home-style Corsican Address: 7 Montée Rastello, Bonifacio specialities. Produce is locally-sourced, and the Phone: +33 4 95 73 09 10 running family readily welcomes patrons in Internet: www.lanfaim.fr person.

Photo: Kondor83/Shutterstock.com Address: Route de baracci, Propriano Phone: +33 4 95 76 03 31 Internet: www.san-ghjuvani.com Destination: Southern Corsica Publishing date: 2019-09-11

CAFES La Marine (Propriano) The artisan ice cream parlour boasts a selection of avours that comprises several dozen varieties, and serves up those of your choice as part of decadent desserts and sundaes. Apart from ice creams, there are several other dessert variations to choose from, such as crepes. Pawel Kazmierczak/Shutterstock.com

Photo: Anna Mente/Shutterstock.com Cafe tables spill out onto palm-lined boulevards Address: 7 avenue Napoleon III, Propriano and squares of the capital, Ajaccio, and aren't tough to locate in most of the island's La Minute Moule (Bonifacio) settlements either. Cafe culture is very much The attractive, simple alive in Corsica, whose residents eagerly ll up concept of La Minute bars and cafes for coee or late afternoon Moule entails a choice of aperitif. your preferred serving size of mussels (S, M, or L'Eternisula (Zonza) XL) and a selection of a An unexpected nd in the sauce (the white wine and cheese "Bonifacienne" heart of Corsican comes highly recommended). The (very highlands, the hip moderate) price includes a non-alcoholic drink L'Eternisula serves up and a serving of french fries. snacks and desserts

worthy of an upcoming Photo: Lerner Vadim/Shutterstock.com neighbourhood in any mainland metropolis. Address: Rue des Moulins, Bonifacio Phone: +33 4 95 50 55 67 Pizzas, sandwiches, salads, delightful desserts and ice cream are all options to count upon. Glaces Geronimi (Sagone)

Photo: Yulia Grigoryeva/Shutterstock.com The distinguished Address: Zonza Corsican artisan ice Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11am-10pm, Mon 11am-5pm cream maker, Glaces Phone: +33 4 95 27 44 71 Geronimi, is based in a village not too far from the island's capital. Apart from the usual avours one would well expect to nd, the menu features peculiar varieties like anchovy, fresh herbs, mustard, and others.

Photo: Tyler Olson/Shutterstock.com Address: Sagone Destination: Southern Corsica Publishing date: 2019-09-11

Phone: +33 4 95 28 04 13 Le Grand Cafe Napoleon (Ajaccio) Internet: www.glacespierregeronimi.com Despite being located on one of the capital's main Cafe de la Plage (Piana) thoroughfares, Le Grand This breezy cafe, Cafe Napoleon is a restaurant and beach bar genuine cafe serving up is a great spot any time of excellent home-cooked day, one that serves meals in its imperious interior. For cake and everything from dessert or an evening cocktail, take seat outside breakfasts and and indulge in some people-watching. cheese/charcuterie platters to full, multi-course dinners. Facilities include beach beds and Photo: wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock.com shaded gazebos, along with a seafront dining Address: 10 Cours Napoléon, Ajaccio Phone: +33 4 95 21 42 54 area.

Casa Pasta (Ajaccio) Photo: Olesya Kuznetsova/Shutterstock.com Address: Plage d'arone, Piana The Casa Pasta family Opening hours: Daily 8am-11.30pm restaurant reveals its Phone: +33 4 95 20 17 27 primary culinary focus Internet: www.lecafedelaplage.com already through its name - apart from dishes of the Cafe de La Marine (Porto-Vecchio) Italian cuisine, it also This Porto-Vecchio serves universally favoured burgers, and a location serves snacks number of other dish options. Prices are and meals, with sushi and reasonable, and set menus come with a choice of pizza being a special three dishes per course. menu highlight. The menu oerings extend to Photo: Yulia Grigoryeva/Shutterstock.com include dishes of local and international cuisine, Address: Espace Santa Lina, Ajaccio as well as delightful desserts. Seating available Phone: +33 4 95 50 16 82 on the outdoor terrace.

Photo: progressman/Shutterstock.com Address: Quai Pascal Paoli, Porto-Vecchio Opening hours: Tue-Sun 7am-2am Phone: +33 4 95 70 35 24 Internet: www.cafelamarine.fr Destination: Southern Corsica Publishing date: 2019-09-11

BARS & NIGHTLIFE Via Notte (Porto-Vecchio) The hottest club in Corsica and one of the best party haunts of the region, Via Notte is an impressive open-air night club that attracts a crowd of stylish merrymakers, especially so in the summer, when big-name DJs grace the place with their presence. oneinchpunch/Shutterstock.com

Photo: DisobeyArt/Shuitterstock.com Porto-Vecchio is the nightlife magnet of Corsican Address: Route de Porra, Porto-Vecchio south. It is here that La Via Notte, reportedly Phone: +33 4 95 72 02 12 Europe's largest club of its kind, is based. Internet: www.vianotte.com Celebrity appearances aren't uncommon, and world-renowned DJs are invited to host parties - Le Glacier de la Place (Porto-Vecchio) especially during high season. For those rather Many are drawn to the interested in low-key evening drinks there are place for its promise of bars, serving Corsica's own wines (there are 4 ice cream in a central wine regions in the south alone) and beer locations during daytime; (Pietra, the island's own brand, brews beloved it's evening appeal is beers from chestnut). secured by the incredible variety of beers on oer (over 100 international La Taverne du Roi (Porto-Vecchio) varieties), and a pleasant outdoor terrace to Upholding the island's savour them on. cultural tradition by playing host to frequent Photo: Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com Address: 4 Place de la République, Porto-Vecchio performances of Phone: +33 4 95 70 21 42 traditional Corsican polyphonic music, La Le Point de Vue (Porto-Vecchio) Taverne du Roi is the place to go and familiarise With a direct view of the oneself with music that originates from the area, Gulf of Porto-Vecchio, and enjoy a pleasant evening in Porto-Vecchio. Hotel Alcyon's 6th-oor bar is, perhaps, one of the Photo: DGLimages/Shutterstock.com island's most scenic Address: 43 Rue U Borgo, Porto-Vecchio Phone: +33 4 95 70 41 31 evening drink locations. A professional sommelier is in charge of the wine selection, and Corsican charcuterie plates are a readily available side.

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Address: Rue du Maréchal Leclerc Haute Ville, Porto-Vecchio Vino Del Diablo (Ajaccio) Phone: +33 4 95 70 50 50 The elegant waterside Internet: locale welcomes visitors www.hotel-alcyon.com/rooftop-bar-a-vin-porto-vecchio to an evening of wine and More Info: Hotel Alcyon tapas. As the night Le Cellier de la Caravelle (Bonifacio) progresses, delectable With a unique ambience tapas get increasingly forged by its setting replaced by all manner of drinks. Live music inside a 13th-century plays some nights, while others see DJs spin chapel, Le Cellier is an tunes and festive moods materialise. exquisite wine and Photo: naito29/Shutterstock.com whiskey bar of the elite Address: Boulevard Charles Bonaparte, Ajaccio variety. The adjacent La Caravelle restaurant Phone: +33 4 95 22 70 10 serves excellent seafood on its elegant outdoor terrace. Blue Moon (Porticcio) The breezy Blue Moon is Photo: Werner Heiber/Shutterstock.com a popular Porticcio night Address: Quai Jérôme Comparetti, Bonifacio club that has seen the Opening hours: Daily from 6pm, October-April Phone: +33 4 95 73 03 18 likes of David Guetta and Major Lazer play on its B'52 (Bonifacio) stage. Various parties are The hot spot on hosted all through the summer. Attire is casual, Bonifacio's nightlife and parties often go on untill the early morning scene, B'52 is the only hours. establishment of its kind in the area, a locale that Photo: krit66/Shutterstock.com Phone: +33 6 76 59 11 64 hosts live DJs and keeps More Info: Centre Comercial Les Marines Porticcio the party going well past midnight. A place to see and be seen, B'52 tends to get rather packed as the night progresses.

Photo: Pressmaster/Shutterstock.com Address: 37 Quai Jérôme Comparetti, Bonifacio Phone: +33 6 32 82 18 69 Destination: Southern Corsica Publishing date: 2019-09-11

SHOPPING Farmers' Market (Ajaccio) The Ajaccio Farmers' Market takes place daily during the summer, bringing together the best of local producers selling deli foods Corsica is famous for: charcuterie, cheeses, olives and olive oil, tapenade, home-made jams as well as fresh fruit and vegetables. Alberto Cozza/Shutterstock.com

Photo: Eric Valenne geostory/Shutterstock.com Farmers' markets are held in most larger More Info: Across from the Tourist Oice settlements, but Corsican deli shops do well in lieu of those. The array of quintessentially local Casa Napoleon (Ajaccio) edibles is impressive: charcuterie (meats and Not to be confused with sausages that rank among the world's nest), Napoleon's ancestral cheeses, jams and marmalade made from organic home, casa Napoleon is a fruit and berries, olives and olive oil, and sweet deli boutique that stocks treats. The island's north is famous for its a wide array of Corsican wineries, whose products are readily available in specialities, from jars of the shops of the south. Traditional handicrafts, organic jams to olive oils, charcuterie (meats and such as pottery, basket-weaving and sausages), tapenade, confectionery and local knife-making, are kept alive by local artisans. organic wines.

U Stazzu (Ajaccio) Photo: Eric Valenne geostory/Shutterstock.com To pick up some of that Address: 3 Rue Cardinal Fesch, Ajaccio celebrated Corsican Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9am-12.30pm & 2.30-7pm Phone: +33 4 95 21 47 88 charcuterie, try and make

your way to this shop run Les Pierres de Corse (Ajaccio) by the island's best This artisan jewellery charcutier (once also shop is the place to go for named best in all of ). There are multiple bracelets, earrings, varieties of meats to choose from, as well as pendants (and more) other deli items sourced from small independent featuring Corsica's producers from across Corsica. well-known "L’œil de Sainte Lucie" (a specic part of a mollusc's Photo: GoncharukMaks/Shutterstock.com Address: 1 Rue Bonaparte, Ajaccio shell), as well as other precious stones polished Phone: +33 6 60 39 72 02 and processed, turned into wearable pieces of Internet: www.ustazzu.com local art.

Photo: Milles Studio/Shutterstock.com Destination: Southern Corsica Publishing date: 2019-09-11

Address: 23 Rue Cardinal Fesch, Ajaccio U Cintu (Porticcio) Phone: +33 4 95 10 45 57 The number one address Internet: www.lespierresdecorse.com for local goodies in Porticcio, U Cintu is a La Marge (Ajaccio) genuine deli run by a For a jaunt into literary welcoming sta. It stocks Corsica, check out the La Corsican favourites, from Marge bookshop located artisan charcuterie, cheeses, olives, and dried in downtown Ajaccio. The fruits to wines and Italian specialities. shop stocks local and

international literature, Photo: Elena Dijour/Shutterstock.com music, periodicals and various paraphernalia, Opening hours: Daily 9am-6pm and occasionally hosts literary readings and Phone: +33 4 95 51 20 06 Internet: www.viacorse.mobi/ucintu.html events. More Info: Centre Commercial des Marines de Porticcio

Photo: luminaimages/Shutterstock.com La Cave Sartenaise (Sartène) Address: 4 Rue Emmanuel Arène, Ajaccio Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9am-7.30pm The obligatory address Phone: +33 4 95 51 23 67 for local specialities in Sartène, La Cave La Taillerie du Corail (Porto-Vecchio) Sartenaise stocks all A product of the Masson manner of local produce, family long-term from the island's dedication, La Taillerie du celebrated charcuterie to various kinds of Corail is a workshop, cheeses from Corsican farms, olive oil and show room and store tapenade, marmalade, jams and canistrelli showcasing the nest biscuits. coral-cutting products. The old town store does not operate outside of high season, and visitors Photo: jean schweitzer/Shutterstock.com are welcome to the headquarters at 42 rue Address: 2 Rue des Frères Bartoli, Sartène Phone: +33 4 95 77 12 01 Marechal Juin instead. Internet: www.lacavesartenaise.com

Photo: Rido/Shutterstock.com Address: 10 Rue de la Porte Génoise, Porto-Vecchio Phone: +33 4 95 70 21 21 Internet: www.lataillerieducorail.com Destination: Southern Corsica Publishing date: 2019-09-11

TOURIST INFORMATION Photo: Juan Garces

Ferry Ferries run from French Nice, Marseille and Toulon to Ajaccio, Propriano and Porto-Vecchio (along with several destinations in the island's north). There is also ferry service Eugenie Photography/Shutterstock.com from nearby Sardinia to Bonifacio.

Photo: M-O Vector/Shutterstock.com Internet: www.corsica-ferries.co.uk Airport The island's main air hub Passport/Visa is Napoleon Bonaparte France can be visited Airport, located a mere 5 visa-free for up to 90 days km away from Ajaccio by citizens of Australia, city. The airport is served New Zealand, Japan, by multiple airlines, with South Korea, Taiwan, connections to multiple destinations on mainland Malaysia, Israel, UAE and France and seasonal routes to cities all across most countries in America. If you are unsure Europe. whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we Bus 8 connects the airport to the city centre, and recommend contacting the embassy or consulate runs every hour between 6.30am and 11.20pm. in your country. International (non-Schengen) The fare is paid to the driver directly. Another travelers need a passport that is valid for at least bus, number 12, departs from the P+R Campo 3 months after the end of their intended trip in dell’Oro bus stop (a 15 minute walk from the order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of airport) and is the absolute cheapest option. Schengen countries can travel without a Car rentals and oicial taxis are also readily passport, but must have a valid ID with them available at the airport. during their stay.

The Figari–Sud Corse Airport serves the fas Photo: TukTuk Design/Shutterstock.com south of the island. Most ight connections are Best Time to Visit seasonal. Taxis and car rentals are available at arrival, but pre-arranged shuttle is the most Peak tourist season falls reasonable means of transport. on the months of July and There is a bus service from the airport to August, when the Porto-Vecchio, timetables change depending on weather is hottest. Late the season (www.corsicabus.org/busPVecchio). spring (May - June) and early fall (September - Destination: Southern Corsica Publishing date: 2019-09-11

October) are much more pleasant in terms of Post weather, and better t for hiking and active Post oices can be found outdoor pursuits. in most Corsican settlements. In larger Photo: VectorA/Shutterstock.com cities, these work Monday through Friday, with a Public Transport short day on Saturday. It is notoriously diicult Stamps may also be purchased at press and to keep track of Corsican tobacco shops. public bus schedules, as

these may change Main Post Oice: without notice or not 13 Cours Napoleon, Ajaccio always be reliable. There +33 4 95 51 84 75 is, however, a frequently updated website Mon-Fri 8am-6.30pm, Sat 8am-12pm containing all available information on island

transport: www.corsicabus.org Photo: Andy Fuchs Internet: www.laposte.fr There are also three railroad routes on Corsica, one of which connects the capital of Ajaccio to Pharmacy inland Corte. There are multiple pharmacies in larger Renting a car is the best way of getting around settlements. Pharmacie and is recommended for convenience if you plan Principale 65 Cours to explore the island. Napoléon, Ajaccio +33 4 95 23 36 Photo: Pierre-Luc Auclair 61 Internet: www.corsicabus.org www.materiel-medical-parapharmacie-ajaccio.fr Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 8am-12.30pm & 2.30-8pm Taxi

There are multiple Photo: Gemma Garner companies that operate all across the island. For Telephone long-distance transfers, +33 + 9-digit number book a spot in a shuttle. without 0 Central Taxis Ajaccio +33 4 27 04 00 07

Ollandini Autocars de Tourisme +33 4 95 23 92 90 Photo: Jardson Almeida Photo: ArrivalGuides Destination: Southern Corsica Publishing date: 2019-09-11

Electricity 230 Volts, 50 Hertz

Photo: Stirling Tschan

Population 149,234

Currency 1 euro = 100 cents

Opening hours Although business hours may vary, there is often a lunch break at most shops and small businesses, making the customary working hours from 8.30 or 9am to 1 or 1.30pm & 2 or 2.30 to 6 or 7pm. Most businesses close on Sundays.

Emergency numbers Medical: 15 Police: 17 Fire: 18 Mobile emergency number: 112

Tourist information Ajaccio Tourist Office +33 4 95 51 53 03 Mon-Sat 8am-7pm, Sun 9am-1pm www.ajaccio-tourisme.com