Welcome to Corsica's Extreme South;
Porto Vecchio Rondinara Santa Giulia Palombaggia l'Ospedale Forest Bavella Bonifacio	If you know the area you want to visit, simply click the link on the left and it will take you straight there. Alternatively, simply read on...

Porto Vecchio
Porto Vecchio (Old Port) is Corsica's Premiere Ville Touristique, and surely the most sophisticated resort on the island. The main square is surrounded by a tangle of picturesque back streets where you can find a wealth of boutiques, restaurants and plane tree shaded cafes.

Once known as Salt City in reference to the salt marshes which still cater for most of Corsica's needs, these days Porto Vecchio prefers to refer to itself the 'Pearl of the South' - a claim which is hard to dispute. The old Genoese walled town still seduces visitors with its picturesque narrow streets and the austerity of its high stone houses that are set within the Citadel's ramparts. During the summer, the Italian visitors add a vibrant feel to the town, and the chic marina is the perfect place to watch the yachts of the rich and famous returning home whilst enjoying an early evening apéritif.

Nevertheless, it is the collection of superb beaches that are the main attraction of this area. The sheltered, shallow waters of Santa Giulia which are perfect for children have been likened to the Caribbean, and the stunning Palombaggia, Corsica's most well known is a sweep of white sand and crystal clear turquoise-blue waters, backed by pines and red-hued rocks.

Rondinara
Step onto the fine white sand of Rondinara beach, and you would be forgiven for thinking you were somewhere in the Pacific Islands. One of the most picturesque in the area, Rondinara Plage can be seen regularly on postcards, although surprisingly it is less well known and consequently quieter than Santa Giulia or Palombaggia.

Santa Giulia
Another popular and frequently photographed beach, Santa Giulia like many of the beaches in the area has fine white sand to contrast against the clear turquoise blue waters. Unlike at Rondinara, there are cafes and snack bars here, and a thriving water sports centre.

Palombaggia
The most famous beach on the island with white sand, shallow clear blue water, protected by pink granite rocks and backed with pine trees. The access road may seem long and windy and can be overcrowded in high season but at any other time of year is well worth a visit. As they are well known as Corsica's finest beaches they are often the most crowded during high season.

Above Porto Vecchio stands the superb l'Ospedale forest with roads and paths leading to the Alta Rocca where you can find some of Corsica's most breathtaking mountain beauty spots.

Bavella
Les Aiguilles de Bavella, or the Bavella Needles is an awe-inspiring area of granite spikes rising high above the ground. Made of the same granite as the Calanches de Piana, the unusual mineral composition gives them their warm glow, and accounts for the change of hues throughout the day. The top of the pass is marked with a statue 'Our Lady of the Snow'. The Forêt de Bavella extends either side of the pass (Col de Bavella), and has recently been replanted with maritime and Laricio pines following a forest fire in 1960. There are many sights in the forest, such as the Trou de la Bombe (bomb hole), so called because it looks as if someone has dropped a bomb into the rock, creating a hole 26ft in diameter. Although a walkers paradise, Bavella is worth a visit just for the scenery. The road from the Aiguilles de Bavella to Solenzara on the east coast is perhaps one of the most stunning on the island, but it does have a rather narrow section, where vehicles have to inch carefully past one another. Once you've dropped down through the hills and pines you find the road running alongside the Solenzara river, and there are numerous spots to bathe or picnic, or both. Some of the basins are quite sizeable with small beach type areas on the riverbanks alongside, but don't expect to have them to yourself.

Bonifacio
Perched high on a limestone peninsular at Corsica's southernmost tip, the ancient town of Bonifacio looks out across a narrow strait of water to the Italian island of Sardinia, just 12km away. With a rich and often turbulent history, Bonifacio is thought to have been founded in 828 by the Marquis de Toscane Boniface who gave the town it's name. In recent times, Bonifacio has been well restored, and the network of narrow lanes, twisting and turning up to the impressive Citadel now offers visitors a fascinating and bustling base from which to explore the south of Corsica. Here you can wander amongst the ramshackle medieval houses and boutiques selling handicrafts, jewellery and curiosities. A trip to the Citadel would not be complete without seeing the eerie maritime cemetery. Perched at the very edge of the town overlooking the sea, the silence is a stark contrast to the bustling atmosphere of the rest of the Citadel.

From the port, the boat excursions are a must - visit the Lavezzi islands or one of the many grottoes and caves - the view of Bonifacio from the sea is simply amazing. For beach lovers, there are many fine sandy beaches in the area, and the windsurfing at Santa Manza is reputed to be the best on the island. Close to Bonifacio is the spectacular Sperone golf course. Created by Robert Trent Jones and set at the edge of some of Corsica's most beautiful and wild terrain, it was recently voted one of the best courses in Europe.

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