Last Summer, Corsican Places Product Manager, Char, had a wonderful family holiday in the Calvi and la Balagne region of Corsica, find out what she got up to!
Corsica always provides me with a sense of home. I know it so well; the minute I arrive I breathe in the warm air and the smell of the maquis and I feel instantly at peace! Last year I booked a holiday for my family and close friends, with two families and four teenage children, I knew Corsica would be the perfect destination for all of us. Our friends loved it so much, they are returning this year with their parents and brother! It is the perfect multigenerational holiday, in a place that we are now all in love with!
We stayed in Villa Belen, a four-bedroom villa just a 10-minute drive from Calvi. Boasting a private pool and plenty of outdoor space, it is perfect for a larger family. Our week in Calvi was filled with exciting day trips and evening explorations to sample some of the most mouthwatering food! We made sure to have a few lazy days at the villa, whilst there is plenty to do in the area, it felt right to spend time around our private pool, soaking up the surrounding views!
A visit to Fango River
Packed with natural rock pools, this spot is well worth a visit. Parking is available, as well as a restaurant in which you can buy refreshments and light lunches. Cross the bridge and climb down to the river to find a spot to base yourselves, then head for a refreshing dip! The kids loved finding places to jump down into the cool, crystal-clear pools below. It is easy to spend a whole day amidst the alluring backdrop of Corsica’s natural wonders. If you fancy a walk within the natural beauty, there is a 7km route of which you can do as little or as much as you want. Make sure to discover the nearby waterfalls too!
My tip: Take some non-slip shoes, as in parts, the rocks can be a little slippery.
Take a dip in refreshing rockpools!
A day on Calvi Beach
Calvi Beach offers a varied day out, opt for a range of water sports, or the kids can head out on the rock promontory and spend hours jumping into the azure sea. Calvi is on your doorstep with plenty of shops and restaurants for those who can’t sit still! There are plenty of brilliant beach bars to try, or pack a picnic to make it a fun, cost-free day. Or, why not push the boat out with a Bali bed and drinks service?
My tip: Eat early in the evening after your beach day, meaning that you can bag a table on the terrace of Via Marina Le Bistrot, with beautiful views overlooking the marina, it’s a very cool spot to dine at!
Calvi Beach
A boat trip from Calvi to Saleccia
Seeing Corsica by boat is incredible! We hired a private boat for our group of eight, setting our own pace and route. Seeing this region from the water is wonderful, there are so many amazing spots to stop at to swim and explore areas you wouldn’t otherwise be able to get to, Saleccia is one of these places, with such turquoise waters, you can snorkel and explore with ease. We took our own bottle of wine (soft drinks were included) and our captain set us up on the beach – it was just us! The adults enjoyed some time together in the sun, sipping great Corsican wine, whilst the kids explored the beach.
Saleccia Beach
Explore nearby towns and villages
One evening we headed east along the coast to the charming seaside village of Algajola. Here we had dinner on the beach at La Padula. We had a magical time watching the sunset and savouring delicious steaks, cooked to perfection!
One evening, we discovered a charming cocktail bar in L’Ile Rousse called Bodega. It is located on the Rue Napoleon, the adults enjoyed the best Moscow Mules I have ever tasted.
Café culture in Aglajola
Watch the sunset atop the Calvi Citadel
We managed to get the best seats in the house to admire the red and orange hues over Calvi, whilst enjoying Poke bowls and tapas, all rounded off with live music at Mi, a restaurant in the citadel itself.
We still have so many things we want to do, so another family holiday to Corsica will be booked soon! From snorkelling at Punta Spano, to a day trip to Corte to explore the natural rock pools and enjoy lunch at Auberge de la Restonica. And for an adventurous trip, I would love to venture up to one of the refuges on the famous GR20 route!
Calvi Citadel by night
The view over Calvi marina, atop the citadel walls.