Corsica 2024

Saturday, 01 June 2024

We are on tour again. After an adventurous sailing week for Hans-Werner in Sardinia and an eventful holiday week for Rotraut with family and grandchildren in Poggio-Mezzana on Corsica, we meet in Bonifacio. Rotraut picks up the little piggy-pink Fiat from the car rental at the airport in Bastia. It is an electric car, very unusual. The journey from Poggio-Mezzana to Bonifacio takes over 2 hours, there is a lot of traffic on this Saturday morning. We arrived in Bonifacio and drove straight to the ferry port. There were so many vehicles waiting to be loaded onto the ferry that it was impossible to get through. So, ignoring all the rules and to the annoyance of the loading assistants, we turned around just before boarding the ferry and got out of here as quickly as possible. The old town of Bonifacio is on a rocky plateau and the city is organized in terms of traffic by a one-way street system. So the hotel we had booked was on the route. We parked in the hotel car park and checked in. We then walked to the old town and later to the harbor to pick up Hans-Werner at the ferry. Since he had disabled his smartphone when he accidentally went into the sea, it was a bit difficult to communicate. In the end, everything worked out well and we found each other again. We spent the afternoon and evening exploring the old or upper town culturally and gastronomically.

Sunday, 02 June 2024

After a restful night and a hearty breakfast, we decide to go on a coastal hike. It goes along the limestone coast to the lighthouse with a breathtaking view of the city. Of course, there is no shade, always following the sun. We continue our journey back. The next destination is the city of Porto Vecchio. This place is also beautifully situated on a hill. The old town is surrounded by the walls of a cooperative fortress built in the 16th century with a view of the marina. Many small alleys with their shops and restaurants are particularly charming. We prefer a restaurant with a view of the harbor for dinner.

Monday, 03 June 2024

Today we set off in the direction of Propriano. We choose the road through the mountains, very winding, sometimes very narrow but with impressive views. On the way there we want to look at the sites of the megalithic culture with the numerous menhirs (vertical stone pillars) and dolmens, which are said to be over 4000 years old. The parking lot is quickly found. Now we set off on the approximately one-hour circular route. What awaits us here is very impressive. How many there are, how different the arrangement is, is simply unbelievable. Now we need a break. We treat ourselves to one in the most Corsican of all Corsican towns, in Sartène. The old town consists of a labyrinth of stairs, dark backyards and winding alleys. The wooden cross and the chain for the Good Friday procession, in which Jesus' walk to Golgotha is reenacted, are kept in the Sainte Marie church. Now one last photo of the town. We move on to Propriano with Schweinchenrosa. However, he also wants to be fed, so we go to a charging station at the supermarket. We eat on the balcony of our hotel, then take a walk on the beach.

Tuesday, 04 June 2024

We leave the hotel and visit Propriano. Then we make our way to Ajaccio, the capital of Corsica. We go through the mountains again. The most famous Corsican, Napoleon Bonaparte, was born in Ajaccio; everything in the city indicates this. We take the bus into the city, 12 stops for one euro. The Place de Gaulle, the center of the city with the Napoleon monument, is currently a construction site. We look at the Cathedrale Santa Maria Assunta, then the citadel, before heading to the house where Napoleon Bonaparte was born. With an audio guide, we tour the rooms and hear about the eventful history. Afterwards, we visit the Fesch Museum, a palace museum founded by Napoleon's uncle Cardinal Joseph Fesch with an impressive chapel. After coffee and cake in a small bakery, we take the bus back to the hotel. At sunset, we drive to the Tour Genoise de la Parata with the offshore archipelago of the Sanguinais. On the largest island there is a lighthouse worth seeing, but unfortunately it can only be reached by boat. We settle for the Pointe de la Parata and enjoy the sunset.

Wednesday, 05 June 2024

Today we have the longest distance to cover, around 130 kilometers through the mountains to Galeria. We stop in Piana, which has been voted the most beautiful village in France several times. Here we also have to feed Piglet Rosa again. We use the time for a city tour and a coffee break. Then we continue up and down, winding and steep, sometimes very narrow and accompanied by many cyclists and motorcyclists, to Porto. Here we visit the harbor before continuing the journey to Galeria. Again through the narrow mountain range. But suddenly a German coach in front of us. What is it doing here? The road is too narrow even for a car. That is a challenge for the bus driver. He did well. We finally arrive in Galeria. The hotel is easy to find. During a short walk along the beach we notice that even the cows prefer the beach here, along with other bathers. I wonder if they go into the sea to swim too? For dinner we go to the Sole e Mare restaurant, where they serve wild boar ragout in Corsican style, very tasty, and rosé wine from Calvi.

Thursday, 06 June 2024

We get chatting to other French guests over breakfast in the guesthouse's dining room. A couple is from Strasbourg and has been coming to Galeria once a year for 10 years because it is so original here and the place with only 300 inhabitants is almost like family. The landlady hardly speaks any English and certainly not German. But she is good with her smartphone and so everything works out great. We then continue our journey to I'll Rousse. On the way there we visit the beautiful Ponte Vecciu (old Genoese stone bridge) over the Fango valley and take a hike along the river. There are many swimming holes with crystal clear water here. However, we head further north to the small port town of I'll Rousse, also known as the "red island". In the evening we enjoy a breathtaking sunset on the red rocks offshore.

Friday, 07 June 2024

Our next destination is the small town of Saint Florent, which has also been called "the Corsican Saint-Tropez" because of its Mediterranean flair. The journey there takes about 1 hour and takes us past beautiful bays and mountainous areas. This small town has a citadel that was built in 1440 by the Genoese. In the 18th century it was the seat of the Bishop of Nebbio. The small Pianese church from the 12th century was built as a cathedral for the then diocese of Nebbio. We visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. We enjoy dinner in the harbor and let ourselves be inspired by the hustle and bustle. Finally, we stroll through the alleys and watch the French playing boules.

Saturday, 08 June 2024

Today we go back to Bastia, because tomorrow our time is up and we fly back home.