Corsica in October

[flightoftheconkers]

Has anyone been to Corsica in October? We don't want busy but we do want things operating like restaurants, public transport, shops (in resort areas). I think it should be pleasant but not hot with a chance of some rain. Longs as we can get out and about, we don't just want to 'fly and flop'!

Any general advice about Corsica is welcome. Flying into Bastia but don't want to actually stay there. Maybe head to La Balagne area.

Of course shops and everything else will still be open :).

It is very likely though that it won't be warm enough to swim in the sea unless you don't mind cold water swimming.

Bastia is not a 'pretty town', towns like Calvi & Ajaccio are much more interesting.

There is a train line that goes from Bastia to place like Corte and Ajaccio. Can't remember if it goes to Calvi too.

Bastia and nearby also tend to have more pebble beaches while Ajaccio, Bonifacio in the lower part of the island have beautiful sandy beaches.

It is a good place in general if you like walking and outdoor sports in general.

The food is more influenced by Italy than France. You still have the same chains of supermarkets that you can find in mainland France and they are usually much better than any supermarket you will find here.

Public transport is not that great as most people have cars so you might want to rent one.

Ajaccio, the capital, has a lot of Napoleon related tours and museums if that is your thing :).

Thanks for that, useful info. We like walking, cultural stuff, food so sounds right up our street.

I have stayed in tourist resorts at the other end of the season in April and the resort was mainly closed and was about to burst into life the day we left! Longs as there's one restaurant open we'll live.

I’d love to go. When is the best time and please recommend places to stay.

@Lushvegetation

It gets very hot in July/August/September and this is the height of the tourist season.

May and June are quite nice because it is quieter but already getting warm.

Very quiet in the winter as tourism is one of the island main industry.

Ajaccio, Calvi, Bonifacio, Porto Vecchio are all worth seeing. Porticcio is also a nice place to stay (lots of hotels and resorts) near Ajaccio and there is a ferry that gets you to Ajaccio from there.

You can do day boat trips during the tourist season from Ajaccio's port and probably in other town to see the coast, birds and so on.

If you interesting in walks then the inside of the island (Corte for example) is good for trails. But don't go in the summer as it is too hot!

It is quite expensive though. More expensive than many other Mediterranean islands but really beautiful.

We liked Bastia (in June just before the season started) the old town is nice and very walkable but you need a car to get anywhere.

Food is ok but not cheap, slightly more than you'd pay in France normally. I'd expect the weather to still be nice and the sea swimmable for a family from Northern climes!

Driving over the hills is really scary as the roads are basically single trackers on switchback mountains. Very much like being in your own personal James Bond car scene for hours when you decide the cross the island on what looks like a normal road on the map!

I'd go back though

Dh and I went to Corsica on our honeymoon twenty-four years ago (August 2001). We travelled around by train so we didn't see all of the island, unfortunately. The train line goes up through the middle of the island as far as Calvi.

We did a walking trail in the mountains that was described as suitable for families wuth an estimated time of three hours. It took us hours and hours and it was tough and very hot. Beautiful scenery. We had a dip in a pool.

We hadn't booked accommodation for every night and got stuck once, possibly in Calvi. We split up and stayed in separate dorms in a youth hostel. Fun times. I would like to go back but I wouldn't like to drive, although I would love to see the south.

I think if we go we need to hire a car but I'll leave the driving to DH. He can negotiate the hairpin bends and I'll enjoy the scenery!

Now wondering if going next spring would open up more destinations so will try to find out who flies where and when. In Oct. it seems to be Easyjet LGW to Bastia only.

@flightoftheconkers

You can always fly to Nice and then fly to Ajaccio from there.

A bit more complicated/time consuming but that is another option.

I have done that in the winter when I needed to travel there and there was no direct flights.

@summerskyblue

Thanks for that. I think there are ferries too. We were considering a cheapo break and trying to keep things simple but I think I've picked the wrong island!