Porto Vecchio - who's been?

[willow]

Considering villa holiday in Corsica - going mid-August. Aware this area will be busy... but how busy and how chi-chi is it?

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We've only been to eastern side (propriano and roundabouts) so can't be much help except to say that August will be VERY hot!

Corsica is gorgeous lovely

ooops, so jealous I can't write coherently

Thanks - anyone else?

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Only been to Propriano(in south west, honestly porpoise) pre children...but yes Corsica is fab, very jealous but not sure about mid Aug.

Ah, yes, ConfusedMover, oops. Never quite got that NSEW thing sorted

Am going to go for it - and hope not too busy. going latter half of august so, IIRC, most of Italians should be heading back around then as big holiday push normally finishes around the 14th.

Never been in August but that area is lovely. Not chi-chi at all.

I'd go for it. A Mediterranean gem.

Stayed in various places on the island but that area around Porto Vecchio is my favourite, superb beaches, and easy access to Mountains if you want too.

oooh please advise on best beaches, restaurants, places to take an 8 year old ds etc!

I think realistically your holiday is going to be pretty beach-oriented and there are so many wonderful beaches (particularly if you are renting a car?). The more famous ones are just to the South of Porto Vecchio, such as Palombaggia, St Cyprien, Rondinara - all stunning bays with very safe shallow clear water and lovely shady places to eat at the back of the beach.

In August I imagine these places get pretty busy so I'd go early or late, and the heat in the middle of the day would be pretty intense anyway. There are many other bays that are nice that wouldnt be quite so busy though.

Bonifacio is a nice day trip, and you can go on boat rides along the famous cliffs there.

With 2 young children, we've never done much walking but if you head inland towards Ospedale (sp?) you are rapidly in mountainous areas.

Cheers adad - any restaurant tips, btw? Not that am greedy for advice (or food) btw.

I found a gorgeous looking villa in Corsica which I think we might rent for next summer.

Here it is the one I like is called Belvedere

OMG, that is gorgeous.

my favourite beach in the area is Santa Giulia which has beautiful clean shallow warm water, perfect for children with 2 quite good beach restaurants (pizza and the like), ask your rep for best way to the beach for the easy free parking.

It will be HOT, go to beaches early or late and stay in the a/c in middle of the day.

Also recommend Bonifacio for day trip, they have a little road train which my boys loved.

Also recommend trip into the mountains to cool off, if children are prone to carsickness then might want to give it a miss as constant hairpin turns! But it will be about 10 degrees cooler than sea level and beautiful scenery.

Am very envious as we are not going this year, maybe next year..........

We stayed at the Marina de Davia near Ile Rousse. Went early July and it was very hot. Far too hot for children on the beach most days apart from morning and evening (we are fair-skinned, burn easily folk though). Pool in villa was essential.
Most magical holiday we have been on. Children loved it and the island is a gem. Would go every year but, sadly, it is very expensive.

Jafina - we're staying five minutes away from SG. Hopefully we will be able to take the heat - used to Greece in mid-August when it's usually on fire.

PS thanks for all tips so far - am v excited now.

Like Jafina says Santa Giulia is another one of those perfect safe beaches.

Restaurants - we didn't often eat out in the evening but your average place even at the back of each beach will do fresh seafood, salads, steaks... quality mediterranean food basically. You're never usually far from a good pizzeria either for the children.

I'm very jealous. We were due to go again this year but DD1 was really ill about 3 hours before our departure so we had to cancel the whole thing at the last minute, bags packed and everything.

Thanks all x

Oh how jealous am I of you!!!

Corsica is an amazing place, the best place in the med by far. You can smell Corsica as you get off the plane. A mix of thyme, eucalyptus, lavender and myrtle - which make up the maquis, or shrub greenery that covers the island.

Have never been in August but have been there in September and May. Agree with yoyo that villa pool is a godsend - but not as hot as Greek islands. Fabulous snorkelling if DS is a proficient enough swimmer. Even if he isn't , the beaches shelve gently and you can see loads of fish in very shallow water so buy him a mask and snorkel so he can kneel and look under the water. We saw octupus in about 4 foot of water.
Mountains are stunning, food fabulous - langoustine and wild boar are specialities. There is also a myrtle liquer, called myrte, which I became addicted to!

Oh, love snorkeling so getting excited.