Hello Guys,
since I have some spare time in 2006 I plan to visit Corse next year. What are the must sees in Corse, I have 1 week time.
Is there still a ferry which arrives in the morning in Bastia?
Does anyone have a recommendation for a camping or a nice hostal? I will be alone or maybe with a friend.

I will ride with my Varadero and I am able to ride easy off road as well as some difficult dirt roads (if tehy are not too long).

Thanks for all your infromation.
Greets
Burnout1

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fantastic island ... you can't really go wrong either on road or off road. the mountains, the beaches, the food, the wine ... last time I was there, there was a big bike rally in May/June.
one issue to check is that SNCM will continue its excellent service: they've been on strike of late. they took the company boss hostage on a ferry and the French military stormed the ship!

Definitely great biking there! Craggy landscape and millions of hairpin bends ;-)

If you prefer to stay in one place probably the best is in centrally situated Corte. There's a snug little campsite. But I would suggest you should rather travel around. Go north from Bastia, westcoast to Bonifacio and take any road leading through the central island bach north again.

Enjoy!

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The road along the west coast is very dramatic. It's unimproved in places but you shouldn't have a problem with your dual sport. The roads along the central mountain range are great fun on a bike.

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Hi guys,

I'm planning a trip to Corsica between May and June. I'll certainly take the ferry from Marseille as I'll be staying with friends. Which is the best port to go into and why ? really, as it such a small island ? Do I need any additional paperwork, I'm driving a Belgium plated bike. I'm looking to rent a self catering Gite or similar any recommendations for locations....... I would like to camp but luggage space is limited, anyone know of these erected tents you can rent ?

Anyone know more about the bike tour that's happened over the same period..

Sorry for all the questions

Many thanks
Matt
89 XT600z Tenere

Hello,
the most used port might be Bastia in the north eastern past of Corse. It is certainly not bad, but is there is a better one I do not know.

I also suppose you won`t need any additional paperwaork, since you the european union there is less to do then in the past. the only thing you might have to think of is, if you have a place on the ferry.

About the rentable tents I knownothing. But use the camping area in Corte. It is a well know campground and it is located in the middle of the island. i believe that might be the best place to go for daytrips.

Thats all at the moment.

have a nice trip!
Burnout1

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Thanks Burnout,

When do you plan on going ?

I've checked with my insurance and indeed being part of France, no special paperwork needed. I'll let you know what accomodation I find maybe its of interest.

Cheers
Matt

well I plan to go at the begin of September. Less tourists and lower temperatures.

Well, we will see, but it seems a good choice.

Yes, would be interessting to get your info refering to the accomodation. Thank you in advance for it.

All the best fro your trip
Burnout1

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Hi,

I 'studied' in Corté for 3 months, it's a lovely little town and I agree that it'd probably be a good base.
I doubt you'd be disappointed with any route you take, there are plenty of twisties.

Definitely visit Bonifaccio if you have time it's the southern point where you can get a ferry to Sardinia - it has a really nice atmosphere and great seafood.

If the weather's still nice and hot visit Sta Giulia on the SE coast - beautiful beach.
You've got some black sand beaches on the Northern tip above Bastia, and the beautiful red rocks around Ajaccio.

Mountains are spectacular. Get some walking in! There's the Restonica valley - flick through a guide book it should tell you about the beautiful lake and rock combinations.

It gets 'kin cold at night so I recommend a jumper in September.

Oh yes, there was a nice little restaurant just up a cobbled way off the "high street" looks a bit like a cave inside and serves tasty sanglier/cinghiale/wild boar - probably one of the more expensive places...

Little update. After plenty of surfing and checking the Retour / Lonely Planet found a great looking Gites north, near the village of Luri, budget in the months of May / June €230 +\- per week. Been advised from the owner to take the ferry from Toulon to Bastia as its normally cheaper than Marseille (budget €210 +\- 2 people plus bike, look out for the jackpot pricing on Corsica ferries website).

There are also plenty of camping locations offering huts / chalets but these are not available until June 1st ....Plenty of regular camping if you have your own equipment (prices vary but its something like €4 per person, per tent, per car / motorbike). Everyone says the same, avoid the island during the French school holidays....

Just need to sort out the luggage arrangement and are ready to go.......

Anyone need specific information just ask....


Cheers
Matt

Matt,

What's a "Gite"? Really didn't understand any of this....

"After plenty of surfing and checking the Retour / Lonely Planet found a great looking Gites north, near the village of Luri, budget in the months of May / June €230 +\- per week."

I'm heading there in May and would appreciate any info on camping and cheap accommodation.

Thanks, Mike

Sorry I should have explained better.

GITES is a French word (or name) for a holiday house for rent. To have an idea try www.gites-de-france.fr for me they represent very good value for money to rent, its self catering eg buy and prepare your own food, good excuse to go to the local markets. I'll be in Corsica end of May into June and the budgets I've found for Gites is starting around €250 per week. I was trying to offer people an idea of what this accommodation costs.

For camping try Google and search on camping+corsica you'll find lots of results. However I found camping would cost approximately €25 per night, over a week that's almost as expensive as renting a Gites !!! and you don't need to worry about tents, cooking and sleeping equipment. Problem if you riding X2 on a Yamaha Tenere !!

Lonely Planet and Retour are guide books http://www.lonelyplanet.com/ plenty of information to be found on their websites.

I've read its possible to free camp in the mountains but I don't know if this is legal or not...... (free camping is to put your tent anywhere you like !!)

I found a good website listing many of the islands campsites, if I find it back I'll post it here on the forum. You can also rent a bed in a Dorm (Dorm is a large room with several beds, shared bathroom etc) these can be found between €10 - €20 per night.

I hope this is a little clearer.....

Good luck
Matt

Some gites have bunk accommodation, some do food. I have never been disappointed there...

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Cheers,
Peter.

Europe to NZ 2006-10

hi,
we were there last summer and found nice little hostels everywhere. a very nice place about 7km ne of bastia, you should be able to find it as all b&b's in that area work together, have a website and charge the same prize. also a nice 'gite' near zicavo (below corte), and very nice rides in that area -col de la vaccia, coscione plateau-. however, the mountain roads take much longer than you expect, and there are not many shortcuts, so make sure your timing isn't too thigh... we had to drive down in the dark more then once. if you want to go hiking, the mountains and mountain lakes are stunning.

enjoy your trip
g (&t)

skip the east-coast except you are in in hurry to go to sardinia. center and east coast are great. reminded my in some parts of the croatian coast. a must is the northern part, cape corse. again the west coast is much more dramatatic than the eastern.
if you can manage, stay at "le relais du cap" (N42 45.581 E9 20.384), a b&b chambres de hote at olmeta du cap, one of the most spectacular places i have stayed and forward greeting from helmut&kaz.
p.s. consider to purchase the lonely planet guide: corsica.

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[This message has been edited by airhead (edited 28 March 2006).]

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