Lying 100 miles off the French coast, the island of Corsica is closer to Tuscany and the Tuscan islands than to Nice.
It is a part of France, and yet stands apart, a mountainous land of inaccessible villages, white sandy beaches and exposed coastlines. For the sailor arriving in Corsica, the mountains provide one of the most impressive backdrops to a coast in the western Mediterranean.
Throughout its history the island has been fought over by, at various times, Saracens, the Genoese, the Pisans and the Aragonese. The English even briefly claimed it as an Anglo-Corsican Kingdom thanks to an invasion led by the Corsican patriot Pasquale Paoli and a young captain Horatio Nelson. Corsicans only became French citizens in 1815.
Most charter yachts are based in Ajaccio or Propriano, on the western coast, allowing for a cruise to north or south, and there is a smaller base in Bastia at the north end of the island. The west coast is the favoured cruising area with rugged coasts lined with sandy beaches under pink granite cliffs. To the south is the gem of Bonifacio, and a short sail away is the Sardinian La Maddalena Archipelago National Park. From Bastia, most yachts will head across to the nearby Tuscan islands of Capraia, Elba and Giglio. Marinas around Corsica offer safe all-year round berths, but in summer rates can be eye-watering. It pays to do your research if you are planning on basing your boat here during the season.
Denne historien er fra Summer 2020-utgaven av Yachting Monthly.
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Denne historien er fra Summer 2020-utgaven av Yachting Monthly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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I WAS THE ONLY SAILOR ON OUR FAMILY CHARTER AND IT HAD TO GO WELL
Crystal waters, cliff tombs and sunken outboards lain Willis wanted to ensure plain sailing for his family’s first charter around Turkey's Lycian Coast
HOW IT WORKS SEAWATER PUMP
The water and oil seals on a water pump shaft will eventually wear with time, leading to pump-shaft corrosion or loss of engine oil.
THOUSANDS OF MILES ACROSS THE INDIAN OCEAN
Floris and Ivar battled severe weather and cross swell to sail from Australia to South Africa, but there were beautiful islands on the way
The secret of yachts with enduring appeal
Fashions come and go, but J-Boats remain a safe choice for great sailing boats, whether you want to own it for ever or sell it
Tragic sinking of Bayesian; Italian prosecutors investigate
The sinking of the Bayesian superyacht in reportedly only 16 minutes and the tragic loss of seven lives has sent a shudder through the sailing community and beyond.
THE ADVENT OF MARINE AI TECHNOLOGY
Fonathon Savill reports on the revolutionary impact artificial intelligence is about to have on all areas of life at sea
IMPROVING SINGLE-LINE REEFING
Martin Watts explains how to reduce the friction on the reefing lines of newer yachts
The secrets of skippering a successful cruise
Setting off on a cruise is easy, but planning a route that keeps your options open and ensures the enjoyment of all on board is more of an art
CRUISING THE KINGDOM OF THE ISLES
Joanna Martin and her husband Mark sail across the Irish Sea to the legendary sea kingdom and to draw the wonderful wildlife there
MOODY DS48
Can a boat built for long-term, long-distance cruising and offering one-level living still deliver an enjoyable sailing experience? Theo Stocker sets sail across the English Channel to find out
