http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34425 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34425 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34345 Try the Corsican specialities served in most restaurants and enjoy the delicious ice cream while watching Corsican men play the “petanque” (Paoli Square, Ile-Rousse). Visit the Citadel (Calvi), cycle up the nearby mountains or simply relax on the heavenly Bodri beach. Sea, sun and fun guaranteed.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34345 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33733 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33733 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33514 Some people go out and do as much as they can of the route in a week. It can be completed in less than 2 weeks but give yourself 1 week more and you can take the 'alpine variations' and a few side trips. Treat yourself to some time in Corsica at the end of trek to enjoy beaches, good food and powerful cheese.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33514 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33095 Corsica's trekking has got popular through the world-renowned "GR20", a trail that crosses the island from north west to south east. However, it now gets extremely busy from June to September while a lot of other areas with fabulous settings for walks and more serious trekking remain totally unexplored.
The trails of the Taravo valley are among those. For those who will dare asking a local shepherd in the many small villages that populate the valley, lots of them will be happy to take you with them on the regular hike they take up the mountain to feed their cattle. You will follow the old donkey trails leading from one village to another, pick up thyme, rosemary or the corsican Nepita on the way... and enjoy scenic views and the mountain all for yourself.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33095 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32703 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32703 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24214
Add to this the dramatic Corsican landscape, a temperature which rarely dips below 25 degrees before the winter properly kicks in and the miles of unspoiled beaches where your only companions are a few wandering cows (nice brown and white ones with horns, not fellow tourists) and you've got a very pleasant adventure indeed.

Camping makes the whole thing affordable. Many camp sites have their own beaches for a quick dip before bed. They are littered along the main road that winds its way around Cap Corse and few cost more than 15 euro for the night for a couple with a tent.

There are signs along the roads advertising the different domains - the only choice you face is which one you fancy stopping off at and how much to buy (most don't take cards so you'll need to load up on cash). Each is very different, ranging from the very commercial to the ones where you ring a little bell and someone eventually saunters out and offers you some homegrown olives to go with your taster. An incredible range of wines is produced and every single place will have some unusual speciality to share with you alongside their big earners.

It's all so wonderfully relaxed: plenty of swimming in the remarkably clear sea, a little sunbathing perhaps, lunch from the excellent local market and an afternoon meandering between the domains discovering all of the wonderful wines that the Corsicans are smart enough to keep to themselves. It also makes great economic sense - even buying the wines in a Corsican supermarket will cost you upwards of 40% more than buying direct. Buying them outside Corsica becomes astronomical. At the domains you can expect to pay between 5 and 15 euro a bottle and end up with something really very special to take home with you.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24214 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23791 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23791 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23790 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23790 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23789 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23789 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23326
The refuge has basic catering facilities, and most importantly, a stock of cold Corsica Cola or Pietra beer after a hot morning's hike. A very peaceful site with little to disturb you except the occasional clanging of a cowbell or the yapping of the refuge's resident puppies.

It's a perfect spot to chill out for the day, lazing on riverside rocks and taking a dip in the mountain stream, before continuing towards the Lac de Nino and onto the GR20, or back towards Corte down a parallel valley.
Gorgeous.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23326 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22796 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22796 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22774 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22774