Instagrammed: Enchanted by Corsica

Flying into Corsica by Expat Edna

The moment Corsica came into view from our plane, I was mesmerized.

Snow-capped mountains appeared out of nowhere, its edges jutting into the sea, quickly followed by forests and fields; greens and blues blended together seamlessly and endlessly beneath the airplane wing.

From above it looked near uninhabited — I felt like an explorer who’d suddenly discovered a new land (an image immediately shattered by the Air France hostess telling me to stow my tray upright. Ponce de Léon probably didn’t have to deal with such micro-management).

This is Corsica: wild, rugged, sauvage.

Dramatic skies over Bastia, Corsica by Expat Edna

Corsica was never on my list of places to visit. But when some friends proposed the trip as a last hurrah before we all left Paris this summer, I agreed to give it a go. I had two weeks off anyway (bless working on the French school calendar), and the idea of staying in rainy, gray, freezing Paris was not appetizing in the least.

And thus, I ended up on my first (but let’s be honest, I’m far too much of a tomboy for this kind of thing, so probably also my last) ‘girls holiday’.

Vieux Port Bastia, Corsica by Expat Edna

I have a few stories to tell from Corsica — but first, a teaser via the instagram shots I snapped throughout the trip. Above is the Vieux Port (Old Port) in Bastia, Corsica’s second-largest town and our base for the week. Vieux Port harbors not only boats but also a bevy of restaurants with a view, and tourists clearly trying to take artsy reflection photos.

Dusk over the Old Port Bastia, Corsica by Expat Edna

Bastia’s a pretty town, if you’re into the chipped-paint, faded-windows, run-down kind of vibe. Which I totally am. Homey, rustic, colorful — you could definitely sense the Italian influence here. I could hardly put my camera down, the place was just so damn picturesque.

Miomo Beach, Bastia Corsica by Expat Edna

The beaches around Bastia were varied: from rocky Miomo, a tiny stretch of land just a ten-minute bus ride north of Bastia…

Expat Edna in Bastia, Corsica

…to the sandy Marana beach, a ten-minute taxi journey south of the town center. I’m not really a beach person, but judging by the locals relaxing, playing volleyball, and sunbathing for hours on end — not to mention my friends’ ecstatic reactions upon seeing La Marana — Corsican beaches aren’t too shabby.

Train ride through Corsica by Expat Edna

We also took a day trip to Ajaccio, the Corsican capital and Napoleon’s birthplace. The three-hour train ride through the rugged countryside played out like some kind of IMAX nature movie.

It was almost a surreal beauty, especially from high up in the mountains where snow-capped peaks were at eye-level and we could peer down into verdant valleys. I half expected David Attenborough’s voice to start streaming over the speakers.

Whoever planned the Corsican trains to have ceiling-to-almost-floor length windows, I salute you.

Ajaccio, Corsica by Expat Edna

For our few short hours in Ajaccio, we strolled through the Old City and the boardwalk, pictured above (where I kept thinking, Napoleon grew up with this?!) after which we took a tour through the Bonaparte home, picked up a few Corsican souvenirs, and went back to Bastia.

All in all, I’d say a day trip here is worth spending six hours on a train — but then again, with views like that, it’s not really a hardship.

La Marana beach - Bastia, Corsica by Expat Edna

While I enjoyed wandering around Corsica’s alleyways, soaking up some much-missed sun, and relaxing in general, the highlights of my week, without a doubt, were my encounters with the Corsican people.

They showed a special kindness you usually only find in innocent children. It was a hospitality I’ve never seen before, as if they lived in a land without strangers, but just friends you haven’t met yet.

But I’ll get to that.

Sunrise over Bastia, Corsica by Expat Edna

Follow me on instagram at @expatedna

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29 Comments

  • Reply
    Lauren @ roamingtheworld
    May 21, 2013 at 13:16

    Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful!
    Considering my plans aren’t finalized yet… for my last month in Europe, visiting Corsica is really tempting!

    • Reply
      edna
      June 1, 2013 at 00:40

      Thanks Lauren! If you like beaches and Italian/French influences I’d definitely recommend going to Corsica . It is a bit pricey though, so do keep that in mind!

  • Reply
    Melanie Fontaine
    May 21, 2013 at 13:39

    Corsica has never been on my travel list either (simply because I had no idea what there was!), but your pictures make me realize that I might have to change my mind! :)
    xx

    • Reply
      edna
      June 1, 2013 at 00:42

      I’ve still got plenty more photos to help change your mind!

  • Reply
    the lazy travelers
    May 22, 2013 at 16:02

    was basically drooling over your photos on instagram. have never really considered corsica, but now it’s definitely at the top of the heap once we’re living en francais!

    • Reply
      edna
      June 1, 2013 at 00:42

      It’s a pretty short flight from Paris. You should totally consider it.

  • Reply
    travellingmo
    May 22, 2013 at 21:48

    I love your photos! Especially the wine glass one. :) Corsica looks beautiful and charming, can’t wait to hear more about it!

    • Reply
      edna
      June 1, 2013 at 00:42

      Thanks Mo!

  • Reply
    Katherina
    May 22, 2013 at 22:34

    Amazing shots! I admit I was surprised to find out that Corsica has got snow-capped mountains. Somehow I always pictured it as a beach destination…
    I learned about it’s other side about a year ago as I was introduced to the GR20 – a long distance trail that crosses the island from north to south and is said to be the most difficult one in Europe! My mom is flying over to take the challenge in about a week from now… I’m really looking forward to your stories!

    • Reply
      edna
      June 1, 2013 at 00:43

      It still baffles me how there can be snow-capped mountains right next to the beach…crazy nature. I heard about the GR20 as well, someone asked if I was going to do it and I just laughed. Good luck to your mom!

  • Reply
    Laura
    May 23, 2013 at 04:08

    Corsica has never been on my list of places to visit either – but after seeing your photos, I’m thinking I need to reconsider!

    • Reply
      edna
      June 1, 2013 at 00:44

      Aw thanks, Laura!

  • Reply
    Danielle
    May 24, 2013 at 09:25

    Corsica is amazing, did a weekend there 8 years ago when I was a young fresh trainee living in Nice :) Utterly gorgeous place. Did you make it to Bonifacio down South? So beautiful. Here are my pictures:

    http://www.mylifeinsin.com/2012/11/trip-to-corsica.html

    • Reply
      edna
      June 1, 2013 at 00:44

      Didn’t get to Bonifacio unfortunately, but I can imagine it’s just as beautiful as the rest of the island!

  • Reply
    Danielle
    May 24, 2013 at 09:31

    Loved Corsica. So wild and beautiful. Went with a group of friends one cold long weekend in May in 2005 when we were all broke trainees in Nice. Rented a couple of flats, and cars, and drove around the island. Did you see Bonifacio? Amazing! My Corsica pictures are here:

    http://www.mylifeinsin.com/2012/11/trip-to-corsica.html

  • Reply
    Tom @ Waegook Tom
    May 24, 2013 at 17:22

    Corsica looks amazing! I’ve actually toyed with the idea of going before, but never been to sure. Glad there’s more to the island than beaches! Like you I’m not really a beach person – a few hours is fine, but I just can’t stay on the beach all day. I get bored.

    That second-to-last photo of the wine has me sold.

    • Reply
      edna
      June 1, 2013 at 00:45

      I gotta say, you’d probably really enjoy the people watching…the local beach-goers are not too shabby!

  • Reply
    Ashley
    May 26, 2013 at 01:25

    Love these, definitely whetting my appetite for Corsica-although I’m heading to Tenerife in a couple of weeks to escape the gloomy clouds and rain of England, so that’ll have to do for now!

    • Reply
      edna
      June 1, 2013 at 00:46

      Ah that sounds lovely, I miss the sun — Paris is just as gloomy as England at the moment and it’s just depressing.

  • Reply
    Heather
    May 27, 2013 at 04:24

    Wow, I had no idea Corsica was that lovely! Thanks for putting it on my radar!

    • Reply
      edna
      June 1, 2013 at 00:50

      Always happy to help another traveler Heather!

  • Reply
    Jay
    May 27, 2013 at 11:24

    Your instagrams are stunning, Edna and I can’t wait to see what you captured with your regular camera!

    Corsica isn’t on my ‘must’ list but you’re certainly starting to change that!

    • Reply
      edna
      June 1, 2013 at 00:51

      Thanks Jay! I can’t wait to post more about it…once I get through all the photos (I might have taken too many with my regular camera)!

  • Reply
    A wine tour of Corsica: top 10 guide | Travel | The Guardian « Dr Alf's Blog
    June 7, 2013 at 18:43

    […] Instagrammed: Enchanted by Corsica […]

  • Reply
    Ceri
    June 13, 2013 at 17:20

    Wow, wow and wow. I’ve never had Corsica on my list of places to visit either but I think you may have just changed my mind. I’m so glad you mentioned the Italian influence though. These pictures are exactly how I think of the Italian coast.

    • Reply
      edna
      July 2, 2013 at 11:24

      Thanks Ceri! I can’t wait to go to Italy and see how it actually compares.

  • Reply
    Emma
    October 26, 2013 at 11:23

    Awesome! We spent a week in Corsica last month and absolutely loved it! It’s a little unfortunate how it’s one of those places you don’t put on your ‘list’ until you’ve seen it! It really should be on everyone’s list, right?! :)

    • Reply
      edna
      November 3, 2013 at 13:00

      In retrospect I have mixed feelings about Corsica, but that’s for personal reasons — I think it’s a nice getaway for most people.

  • Reply
    Claire
    September 24, 2014 at 05:56

    Hi! I chanced across your site whilst looking up Corsica and was wondering if you could share your itinerary with me. I was thinking of doing Corsica next year.
    Your pictures look amazing!

    Thanks heaps!
    -Claire

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