CRAZY ABOUT I
f you like the idea of venturing somewhere with amazing beaches and dramatic countryside that has escaped
mass tourism then the island of Corsica might appeal. Although it is technically one of the 26 regions of France, the birthplace of Napolean next to Sardinia is very much its own entity, more Mediterranean in character than the French Riviera – and it will host part of the Tour de France for the fi rst time next year. It’s got 800 beaches, dramatic peaks
topped with citadels surrounded by pine-scanted hillsides and chestnut forests full of wild boars - even ski resorts – and a fantastic cuisine which means some great restaurants. Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and Kylie Minogue have visted, Alicia Keys chose to get married there two years ago, but as far as celebrity owners, Frank Muir and Doris Lessing have been perhaps the most notable. You won’t fi nd hordes of less stellar British tourists or home owners either, due to lack of direct fl ights from the UK (choose between Easyjet or
CORSICA
It’s rugged yet chic but defi nitely off the beaten track, so what does it offer home buyers, asks Liz Rowlinson
charters) and a sleepy little property market but then that seems to be part of the appeal for those that have been drawn there.
“Corsica is unique because despite it being an extremely attractive island with amazing sandy beaches, beautiful forests and countryside, tourism has been constrained,” says Niclas Dowlatshahi of Leapfrog Properties (
www.leapfrog-properties.com). “Corsicans prefer to keep the identity of their island and not ‘sell out’.
“It is not a very big market for the British because Corsicans don’t seem to make any effort to attract them, plus lack of direct fl ights from the UK and France mean that most people take the boat from Marseille.” Logistics did not deter Janet Rankin
who started going on holiday there in the late sixties - preferring it to the south of France - and ended up buying two homes there, and establishing the largest specialist tour operator on the island. “It was very undeveloped and fairly primitive then, but incredibly beautiful and we fell in love with it,” says Janet,
Main: Calanches de Piana, Corsica Below: Calvi, Corsica
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