It boasts the best beaches in the Mediterranean, mountains twice as high as Snowdon and its own language.

Until a few years ago, a holiday in Corsica was only for the relatively affluent, but now that no-frills airlines like easyJet and Ryanair offer rock-bottom fares to the South of France, a holiday in Corsica has become possible on even the tightest of budgets.

Language

The language you will hear most often in Corsica is French, but in the interior many of the people speak Corsican, a unique European language that borrows words from Italian, reflecting Corsica's turbulent history.  Before Napoleon (born in Ajaccio, a large town in the west of the island), the island was ruled by Genoa and Pisa. 

Children must now learn the Corsican language at school, and the local popular music - also sometimes in the Corsican language - can often be heard in bars and restaurants.   Road signs tend to be in French and Corsican.

The island is sometimes called "L'Ile de beauté" - a title which it richly deserves.  Go to one of Corsica's spotless beaches (see beaches page above) and you may find it possible to look at snow-capped mountains while sun-bathing or swimming in a warm sea.

Currency and shopping

Corsica’s currency is the Euro.  You can spend your euros in Corsica’s thousands of excellent shops and restaurants.  Most common credit cards are accepted, and as with most European holiday destinations, there are plenty of banks and ATMs in the major towns.