CORSE

Corsica, a beautiful Mediterranean island located between France and Italy, is known for its sandy beaches and crystal-clear blue waters, making it an ideal destination for a getaway in October. Despite being a French territory, Corsica enjoys its own autonomy within the French Republic. It is renowned for its rich history, culture, and the Corsican language, which has its roots in Italian.

The wild nature of Corsica is evident at a glance. Along the coast of the entire island, there are campsites where you can rent tents or campers and immerse yourself in the wilderness. Many regular visitors are still surprised by the fewer crowds compared to previous years. Hotel and restaurant owners report that July saw nearly one-third fewer visitors than usual. However, the cause of this is certainly not a decline in the island's attractiveness but rather the prices of airline tickets and overall inflation in countries.

Corsica receives around three million visitors annually. Many of them travel between Corsica and Sardinia, eager to explore some of the most beautiful corners of France and Italy. Along their route, they often come across cities like Ajaccio, Bonifacio, and Porto-Vecchio, among others.

The small town of Propriano stands out with its impressive coastline right next to the city center. And those colors... Porto Vecchio, for me, is primarily a charming old town full of sweet spots and French people lounging on terraces, usually Corsicans, who calmly sip coffee or some small beer while watching passersby. Dolce far niente. After all, it was an Italian island for a while. I find a difference between those who have lived here for a longer time and those visiting for a few days. Corsicans are very friendly, full of the energy that the sun gives them, but also a bit sharp in their disposition; they definitely have character. This seems to be confirmed even by their flag. Bonifacio. Ah, Bonifacio... It's probably my favorite city. Above all, the impressive white limestone cliffs surrounding the bay, where some of the most beautiful yachts in the entire Mediterranean are anchored. And of course, big parties until the morning. The whole street dances to the DJ's beats. When visiting this city, it sometimes happens that a resident, for example, a multimillionaire, will open the ramp to the deck of their big yacht and invite you to a party.

Bonifacio August 2023, Ach

I don't know why it is that this city attracts the majority of people willing to dance together to music classified as popular, you could say French pop. Throughout Corsica, concerts are held in the evenings, often featuring talented musicians. And by talented, I mean it, because even in a village like Solenzara, first-class concerts take place. Ajaccio offers a bit of everything.

Solenzara May 2023, Ach

Returning to the Corsican flag...

Corsica was an Italian island in the past, as one resident told me. In 1768, it was sold to the French king Louis XV as repayment for a debt. However, the strangest story concerns the Corsican flag. You can find some vague information about it on the internet. To investigate the matter firsthand, I went to the place where locals usually gather and party. The bar is called La Tanière... du lutin pinté. Its owner pours you a beer, and I recommend chatting with him to everyone.

Anyway, getting back to the Tête de Maure. The flag is controversial. It features the head of a black man with a white band on his forehead. It is displayed in every city, in cafes, and bars, and it appears to be adored by the inhabitants. According to stories, when the Moors conquered Corsica and abducted the daughter of the Corsican king (later holding her captive in France), Corsicans tried to rescue her, resulting in them returning with the head of the Moorish king on a white fabric. Hence, the flag's origin. However, there are at least a few or even a dozen (considering history and probability) different stories about its origin.

With time and getting new information, I'll keep the article updated. Bringing you the latest updates from the field, specially delivered by Anna Chajda