Plan a family holiday in Corsica for 2019 and you not only have a share of French and Italian culture in the mix, as well as incredible Mediterranean weather, Corsican Places are also offering free child flight places with all 2019 holidays booked by 31 October 2018.
If that isn’t tempting enough, have a look at another six great reasons to think about Corsica next year, all suggested by the experts at Corsican Places and each paired with a perfect family villa.
Best for family beaches
Corsica is famous for beaches. There are over 200 strung around the coastline and, despite regular appearances by one or two on the ‘Loveliest Beaches in Europe’ lists, many are delightfully peaceful, to the point of serene. Naturally there are some brilliantly lively ones too, and quite a few that boost Corsica’s activity-central reputation with outstanding water sports. For a good mix of family beaches, secret coves, town beaches and tranquil bays, try the north west coast around the historic Calvi.
Villa Delphine, Marine de Davia
This stunning seaside villa on the north west coast of Corsica is perfect for beach lovers, and lovers of absolute, no-holds-barred luxury. Apart from wonderful ocean views and masses of outdoor space to appreciate them, Delphine has a swimming pool and private gym, entertainment room, four large bedrooms, and daily housekeeping: just to add to the aura of carefree opulence.
- Four bedrooms, three en-suite bathrooms, sleeps up to eight.
- Private swimming pool with sun deck, outdoor dining terrace.
- Home entertainment room, fitness room, indoor plunge pool.
- Air conditioning, WIFI, iPod dock, TVs, DVD player.
- First floor master suite with private sun terrace.
- Overlooks peaceful cove with open sea views.
- 21km north of Calvi Airport, 5km from L’Île-Rousse.
Seven nights self-catering at Villa Delphine from £1339 per person, including return UK flights and car hire. Based on a family of four. Find out more about Villa Delphine with Corsican Places
Best for families with teens
Between the French and Italian culture mix, its undeniable Mediterranean cool and more than a fair share of independent spirit too, the west coast town of Calvi has just the right level of chill for teens. Calvi Beach is basically water sport and hang-out heaven and there’s always something happening along the seafront on Quai Landry. You can pretty much expect a festival-filled summer. And if teen soulfulness needs nurturing, catch a train along the coast: it’s vintage Corsica.
Casarella Cesarina, Calvi Town
This pretty two bedroom villa is only a 15 minute walk from Calvi Town, which will definitely appeal to independent minded teens. Although the large, private pool and sun terrace along with the pretty garden and dramatic mountain backdrop make a fairly good case for staying home occasionally too.
- Two bedrooms, two en-suite bathrooms, sleeps up to four.
- Private swimming pool, sun terrace, dining terrace, garden.
- Open plan living/dining room, family kitchen, laundry room.
- Air conditioning, WIFI, TV, DVD player.
- Elevated position, lovely sea views.
- 5 minutes drive, 15 minutes walk from Calvi Town and beaches.
- 7km from Calvi Airport, 96km from Bastia Airport.
Seven nights self-catering at Casarella Cesarina from £649 per person, including return UK flights and car hire. Based on a family of four. Find out more about Casarella Cesarina with Corsican Places
Best for families with younger kids
Give younger kids a big beach to play on and holiday happiness is pretty much a given. Calvi gets that right with six kilometres of powdery white sand, safe paddling waters, plus summer lifeguards. And off the beach, Calvi’s lively waterfront district and charming old town, along with a great choice of restaurants, cafés and shops, means parents don’t miss out on their share of holiday happiness here either.
Maison Bervily, Calvi Town
An exclusive collection of six terraced villas set in lovely Mediterranean gardens, complete with large swimming pool and kids playground, Maison Bervily is ideal for families with younger kids. It’s also an easy walk from Calvi Town and Calvi Beach, and the airport is less than 20 minutes by car.
- Each two bedroom villa sleeps up to four.
- Large gardens with shared pool, sun terraces and kids playground.
- All villas have their own outdoor dining terrace.
- Large living room, sun terrace, kitchen, bathroom, first floor balcony.
- Air conditioning, WIFI, TV, DVD player.
- Villas have views of the pool and gardens.
- 7km from Calvi Airport, 96km from Bastia Airport.
Seven nights self-catering at Maison Bervily from £608 per person, including return UK flights and car hire. Based on a family of four. Find out more about Maison Bervily with Corsican Places
Best for family adventure
Corsica is nothing if not diverse. It may be famous for beautiful beaches but its mountains kick-started the 100th anniversary of the Tour de France in 2013, and the GR20 trail from north to south across the island is known as the toughest, long-distance trek in Europe. Fortunately you don’t need to be an ultra-endurance athlete to get a slice of adventure on a family holiday here. Active comes in many forms on Corsica and the south east coast proves that brilliantly with everything from fantastic water sports and sailing to horse riding, ziplining, rock-climbing, hiking and – of course – cycling.
Villa Terra Vecchia, Porto Vecchio
Bright and airy Villa Terra Vecchi0 is surrounded by open countryside, which makes it perfect for catching a breath after days out adventuring on nearby beaches or up in the hills. There’s plenty of room for swimming in the private pool, sun terraces take complete advantage of southern Corsica’s wonderful weather, and the views from the garden and first floor balcony are incredible.
- Three bedrooms, two shower rooms, sleeps up to six.
- Private pool surrounded with wooden sun decks.
- Large family kitchen, outdoor dining terrace, BBQ.
- Open-plan living/dining room, first floor balcony off master bedroom.
- Air conditioning, WIFI, TV, DVD player.
- South facing garden, peaceful countryside setting.
- 21km from Figari Airport.
Seven nights self-catering at Villa Terra Vecchio from £658 per person, including return UK flights and car hire. Based on a family of six. Find out more about Villa Terra Vecchi0 with Corsican Places
Best for water sports
With more than 1000km of coast, Corsica can justifiably claim a place right up there with the best in Europe when it comes to water sports. And the combo of classic Mediterranean weather, fabulously clean seas, and just enough wind when you want it makes the west coast a particularly good choice for getting kids into everything from kitesurfing and SUP to sailing.
Villa Bumortu, Olmeto
This charming villa sits on an elevated site with incredible views right across the Gulf of Valinco on Corsica’s south west coast. It’s also bright and light-filled with a private pool and masses of space indoors and out. Plus, there are at least half a dozen very sporty beaches within ridiculously easy driving distance.
- Two bedrooms, two en-suite shower rooms, sleeps up to four.
- Private pool and sun terraces with views over the Gulf of Valinco.
- Open-plan living/dining room, well-equipped kitchen.
- Air conditioning, WIFI, TV, DVD and CD player.
- Outdoor dining terrace, BBQ.
- 63km from Figari Airport, 64km from Ajaccio Airport.
Seven nights self-catering at Villa Bumortu from £699 per person, including return UK flights and car hire. Based on a family of four. Find out more about Villa Bumortu with Corsican Places
Best for culture
It won’t come as too much of a surprise to find Corsica drenched in culture. It may be technically French, but there’s plenty of Italian in the mix here too, and that’s before any mention of its Napoleonic connections or even beginning to delve into the island’s archaeology, which dates back to at least 3000BC. Corsican Places highly recommend kicking off your explorations round about historic Figari in the sunny south of the island.
Casa Laricciu, Figari
A cosy house of logs nestled in pretty hills just west of the famous cliff-top town of Bonifacio, Casa Laricciu is an idyllic base for digging around in local culture. Rustic charm is well balanced by luxuries like a private pool, view-rich sun terraces, and a lovely master suite with a floor all to itself.
- Three bedrooms, shower room, en-suite bathroom, sleeps up to six.
- Private pool and sun terraces with open countryside views.
- Open-plan living/dining room, well-equipped kitchen.
- Air conditioning, WIFI, TV, DVD and CD player.
- Summer kitchen, outdoor dining terrace, BBQ.
- 5km from Figari Airport.