Review of holidaying in Corsica.
One of those locations that begs the question of why one ever bothered with city vacations in the first place is Corsica, a strangely rough piece of French land drifting somewhere between France and Italy. The local cuisine of the island will make you rethink every diet you've ever tried, its beaches look suspiciously like postcards, and its mountains rise sharply from the ocean. Truly, going to Corsica is like entering a really courteous version of a dream you had no knowledge you were experiencing.Let's first concentrate on the clear attraction of the surroundings. If you've ever wanted to feel little in a good way, Corsica's sheer cliffs, secret coves, and winding mountain routes will do the job. Driving along these roads, where every bend is either a cliff or a hairpin bend, offers you a perfect blend of terror and delight. You'll also be able to appreciate villages hanging on hillsides as though gravity were just a kind suggestion rather than a rule. Yes, indeed, everyone photographs. You too. Instagram is unavoidable; resist it not.
Then there is the food. Corsican cooking lacks understatement. As if the locals were urging you to complain, cheeses are strong, cured meats are plentiful, and desserts are very sweet. I tasted one piece of chestnut cake, and for the following hour, I questioned my decisions, but in the finest conceivable manner. And the wine, too? Whether you've never given a damn about wine before, let's simply say you'll be persuaded that anything less than a local red is somehow inferior.
Beaches are quite different, though. If you imagine the archetypal Mediterranean beach, Corsica will either validate your vision or gently shatter it in the most enjoyable way. Some are hidden treasures needing a little walk, some are packed, some will make you feel as though you have discovered a set from a travel commercial. Swimming in the turquoise water, knowing that the closest convenience store is kilometres away, is both humbling and a little courageous.
in Corsica, tourism also includes a low-key test of patience. Local drivers allegedly see speed limits as recommendations, goats can suddenly show up on roadways, and the language barrier will have you to gesture in ways you never thought essential. You might leave the island somewhat burned, somewhat disoriented, and much more calm than when you first arrived. Corsica is quite honest; it doesn't try to be something it isn't, and in exchange it rewards you with beauty, cuisine, and a sense of adventure unmatched anywhere else.
Therefore, Corsica is the place for you if your concept of a vacation involves a bit of work, a lot of walking, and maybe a few minutes of existential contemplation on the significance of life as you gaze at a cliff edge. Just don't count on it being regular or easy. It's an island where you laugh at yourself, fall in love with the simple things in life, and quietly promise to come back before you've even left.
