July 17th, 2009
The East
Eastern Corsica isn’t as well travelled as its western counterpart and tourists tend to ignore it en route to more soi-disant magnetic destinations. It’s a shame (or a blessing, depending on your perspective), as there’s plenty to capture the imagination. Sure, the coastal plains that stretch from Bastia to Solenzara can seem numbingly monotonous to some, with a series of toy-town-like beach developments, but it’s definitely not to be sneezed at. There are cities that are steeped in history, such as Aléria, a former Roman capital, and miles of beach-luscious coastline.And the coastal plains are the best launching pad for exploring the mystifying hinterlands: the Morianincu, the Casinca, the Fiumorbu and the Castagniccia. Anyone wanting to get an intimate peek at a more traditional Corsica should visit these dauntingly beautiful microregions where the landscapes remain largely untouched and the people unaffected by the trappings of a fast lifestyle. In the countless valleys and spurs that slice up the spectacular scenery are discreet hamlets that retain a rough-diamond rural edge. This land is crisscrossed with tortuous roads that snake around mountain ridges, dramatically descending into thickly forested chestnut valleys and offering soul-stirring views. If that’s not enough, there are always epicurean indulgences: a robust cuisine scene and attractive chambres d’hôtes, all amazingly low-priced.