Corsica

[MissingMoominMamma]

Hi, I’d like to go to Corsica during October half term but I can’t find any direct flights from the U.K.

Does anyone have any experience of the island and how to get there? I was thinking of staying in the south. I like hiking, water (beach), food, photography.

All tips gratefully received 😊.

I thought BA flew into Bastia?

We flew into Calvi from LGW but that was years ago and I can't remember which airline.

We stayed in Algajola which was gorgeous - the most beautiful beach - and there was a train that ran between Calvi, Bastia and inland. It was a lovely trip. I'd happily go again.

(All that was in the north of the island though. So this info may be completely useless to you 😄)

It is a hidden gem alright. Very French and you might need to speak a bit of the lingo too. I haven't been myself but know friends who made the journey from Nice to Bastia on the ferry. I think they found it very unspoilt and mysterious (that's a word they used!) AFAIR they got a car for a couple of days then cycled around.

There appear to be flights from UK but maybe not outside the main tourist season. You could check with the airlines mentioned here...

Direct Flights To Corsica | Corsican Places

Otherwise it looks like a ferry from either France or Genoa/Livorno. I wonder if it is worth it if you only have a week let's say. Although I would love to visit myself, it does look challenging outside the Summer season, and I won't travel in school holidays anymore, because I don't HAVE to!

Very French and you might need to speak a bit of the lingo too.

Yes, one of the few places where I've had to speak a lot of French.

Ajaccio is one of my favourite places.

I've not been to Corsica for a few decades, but used to fly there in either May or October for holidays (usually a fly-drive/walking holiday).

The Co we used to use is probably long gone, but talk to Corsican Places.

My distant memory is that lots of things started to close down from about mid October (so maybe that's your problem).

It might be easier to look at "destinations" from Ajaccio and Bastia airports to get an idea? I have a hunch that we used to fly from Gatwick, but I do remember going via Paris during a bin strike one year.

You will be able to get a ferry from south of France. You’ll need to speak a minimum of french as well.

We usually holiday in France, so the language isn’t too much of a problem.

I’ll look into all of those places. I’m a complete Corsican beginner, so all recommendations are appreciated! Thanks! 😊

We've been a few times. One of the few places we've returned to as it was so nice.
We preferred the north of the island and stayed nr St Florent.

Oh I loved Corsica! We flew into Bastia from Birmingham with FlyBe (2019...have they gone under since then) and we stayed in St Florent which is in the north but I would highly recommend if you enjoy staying in a small town that has a good variety of eateries and drinkeries and if you enjoy watching yachts in the marina whilst sipping a drink. We did hire a car and drive to a few other places such as l'Ile Rousse which was fun but those mountain roads are not for the faint hearted!

We love Corsica too! I am wondering if October half term is a little late in the year though?

We have flown direct but also via CDG.

In 2018 we flew direct from Stansted to Bastia with air Corsica. The flights were very reasonably priced. Don’t know whether they’re still going?

it’s lovely and unspoilt, but as others have said you will need to speak French. It was also pretty expensive for eating out etc even then and I expect it’s even more expensive now.

I could some see some Easyjet flights to Corsica from LGW at the end of October when I looked.

We used to visit in October for the Autumn colours up in the Mountains, with relatively mild days on the coast. The sea was still quite warm (though that is a relative term). We definitely booked DBB in places away from tourist centres.

In May I remember going for a walk up in the mountains with snow still on the ground and then driving down to the coast for a swim.

We went to Corsica last summer- flew direct with EasyJet from Gatwick to Figari. It’s one of the most unspoilt scenic places I’ve visited in Europe and with wonderful beaches and hiking (although the summer heat made that tricky). Bonifacio is a beautiful city too.

Thank you all- I’m even more determined to go now!

I might see whether we can go twice- October and May next year, just to compare!