Calvi
Calvi life centres around Quai Landry, the harbour front, where there are many restaurants and quayside cafes – a perfect location for watching the yachts of the rich arrive at the marina. Dominating the port is Calvi Citadel; a fortress town built at the end of the 15th century by the Genoese to provide protection against attacks from the sea. When you pass through the ancient gateway, you find a different world steeped in atmosphere and history and it is well worth exploring. Amongst other historical legends, the citadel also plays host to the house widely thought to have been the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, little more than a collection of stones now.
Calvi Beach
Stretching north eastwards from Calvi is its sand fringed bay, which is backed by the Pinede – a forest of maritime pines (children will love the tree top walk). The beach stretches for 6km, so there’s room for all, even in the busy months of July and August. The hotel has its own stretch of beach with loungers so relax in comfort.
Off the beaten track - explore the Corsican maquis.
The landscape of Corsica is cloaked in maquis, a dense green vegetation. Why not get out into the Corsican maquis in a 4x4? The trip will take in unmade tracks generally inaccessible by other means and show you sites that few other tourists reach. For the more adventurous, a trip on horseback can also be arranged including a gallop through the surf on one of Corsica's more isolated beaches.
