Sep 30, 2009 - Corsica, France

We watched the sunset over Marseille as we said goodbye to the continent, and saw the rising sun as our ship docked 12 hours later, after a restful sleep, in Ajaccio, on the French island of Corsica. Corte Corte, in the center of the island, is a small mountain city divided into two parts by a river: one side dominated by the only university in Corsica and the other the historical center with the usual citadel and churches. ... Corte provided a two day respite for us; we were in a studio apartment with kitchenette so bought food at the local grocery giving us a break from restaurants; suprisingly for us, we actually enjoyed cooking. ... Bastia After the more relaxed atmosphere of the rest of Corsica, the buzz of Bastia was a bit of a surprise.We watched the sunset over Marseille as we said goodbye to the continent, and saw the rising sun as our ship docked 12 hours later, after a restful sleep, in Ajaccio, on the French island of Corsica. Corte Corte, in the center of the island, is a small mountain city divided into two parts by a river: one side dominated by the only university in Corsica and the other the historical center with the usual citadel and churches. ... Corte provided a two day respite for us; we were in a studio apartment with kitchenette so bought food at the local grocery giving us a break from restaurants; suprisingly for us, we actually enjoyed cooking. ... Bastia After the more relaxed atmosphere of the rest of Corsica, the buzz of Bastia was a bit of a surprise....

Aug 27, 2009 - 14 aug 09

14 08 09 – Well just when you thought it was safe. The laundry was due back from the company in Ajaccio but we were in Propriano – No problem, they are only a couple of towns over, so Mandy gave them a call and they told her it would cost 300 euro for a taxi to come, which both she and we were a little affronted at and we said that we would hire a car and come and get it for that. ... No no she would organise something.14 08 09 – Well just when you thought it was safe. The laundry was due back from the company in Ajaccio but we were in Propriano – No problem, they are only a couple of towns over, so Mandy gave them a call and they told her it would cost 300 euro for a taxi to come, which both she and we were a little affronted at and we said that we would hire a car and come and get it for that. ... No no she would organise something....

Sep 9, 2008 - La Corse: Terrifying Highs, Dizzying Lows, Creamy Middles

So I'm a little embarrassed that I have a travel journal at all, I feel like I should be doing something much more impressive while travelling to warrant an online journal. We also took an enormous boat, the Napoleon Bonaparte (of course), from Bastia to Marseilles to return to France (although NEVER use the term “return to France” in Corsica, because Corsica is France and it is an insult to suggest otherwise, and you will receive Hussard style death glares). ... Anyway, we returned to “the Continent” on a boat, and on the old Napoleon they had a huge stage with seventies lighting, and the entertainment was a man singing, impersonating some famous French singer, but actually reminded me of my neighbour Joey, while an attractive woman walked around the stage with a giant cape, occasionally crouching, and intoning “Boom! Swish!” Everyone watched with serious faces.So I'm a little embarrassed that I have a travel journal at all, I feel like I should be doing something much more impressive while travelling to warrant an online journal. We also took an enormous boat, the Napoleon Bonaparte (of course), from Bastia to Marseilles to return to France (although NEVER use the term “return to France” in Corsica, because Corsica is France and it is an insult to suggest otherwise, and you will receive Hussard style death glares). ... Anyway, we returned to “the Continent” on a boat, and on the old Napoleon they had a huge stage with seventies lighting, and the entertainment was a man singing, impersonating some famous French singer, but actually reminded me of my neighbour Joey, while an attractive woman walked around the stage with a giant cape, occasionally crouching, and intoning “Boom! Swish!” Everyone watched with serious faces....

Sep 20, 2007 - Corsica!

Hey All, So I really wanted to go to Greece after finishing up in Nice, I even found a cheap cruise where I would've gotten to go to turkey but the only slightly reasonable flights I could find had me training to Milan to fly to athens to fly back to milan to fly back to Lille which realistically weren't all that reasonable really.Hey All, So I really wanted to go to Greece after finishing up in Nice, I even found a cheap cruise where I would've gotten to go to turkey but the only slightly reasonable flights I could find had me training to Milan to fly to athens to fly back to milan to fly back to Lille which realistically weren't all that reasonable really....

Oct 3, 2006 - Day 6

Robert woke before me and took a stroll through Calvi. ... Finally, I dragged myself from bed and that beautiful view from bed and joined Robert strolling through Calvi. ... It was a little embarrassing, but didn't bar me from totally enjoying it! After lunch we went to the Calvi beach. ... After dinner, we walked to the hotel Robert wants to stay at next time we are in Calvi, the St. ... The Genoese went around building Citadels like the one Calvi and eventually gained control of the island, sort of. ...

Oct 2, 2006 - Day 5

Calvi, Calvi, Calvi.Calvi, Calvi, Calvi....

Oct 1, 2006 - Day 4

After the disappointments of last night, we woke up late (ok I did) and grumpy (both of us). But, not nearly as stunning as flying into the coast of Calvi, Corsica. ... The bay with mountains in the background was extraordinary! While Robert got our luggage, I went to get our rental car.After the disappointments of last night, we woke up late (ok I did) and grumpy (both of us). But, not nearly as stunning as flying into the coast of Calvi, Corsica. ... The bay with mountains in the background was extraordinary! While Robert got our luggage, I went to get our rental car....

Jul 17, 2006 - Barcelona to the French Riviera

Today we left Spain to go back to France (The French Riviera, Nice) the drive was ten hours long.Today we left Spain to go back to France (The French Riviera, Nice) the drive was ten hours long....

Jun 7, 2006 - Corsica: I Shall Return

After a day checking out Napoleon's antecedents, first home, and the stunning wooden boat show on the hugely protected harbor, gaping in awe at the prices in the brand name boutiques, and gazing carefully into the distance above topless matrons sunbathing on the city beach, I had hoped to hop a train to Corte, the capital of Corsican mountain adventure. ... Then there's Corte, the mountainous capital of Corsica, where I spent a week hiking its three intersecting gorges, the archetypal hill-town with a citadel on its tippy top and the church's campanile fingering skyward, dominated by surrounding pinnacles, peaks and other superlatives of pointy granite. ... I stayed at the HR Porette in Corte, two short blocks from the bus drop-off and the train station, and a block from the large Casino Supermarket, doubles en-suite $62, seventh night free. ...

Sep 17, 2005 - Cruising Corsica

Truly, we had no idea the natural beauty and rich history that awaited us on the Mediterranean island of Corsica. Bonifacio, on the southern tip of the island, was breathtaking. ... An ancient town perched high atop white cliffs, Bonifacio appears to be teetering on the edge of demise, but has existed there for centuries without incident. ... We hiked along the spectacular cliffs and down to the beaches, then enjoyed beers in the Old Town on a tiny, enclosed, café balcony high above the rocks and crashing waves.Truly, we had no idea the natural beauty and rich history that awaited us on the Mediterranean island of Corsica. Bonifacio, on the southern tip of the island, was breathtaking. ... An ancient town perched high atop white cliffs, Bonifacio appears to be teetering on the edge of demise, but has existed there for centuries without incident. ... We hiked along the spectacular cliffs and down to the beaches, then enjoyed beers in the Old Town on a tiny, enclosed, café balcony high above the rocks and crashing waves....

Mar 22, 2005 - Nice, France

I was on my way to Venice, Italy when I met a professional chess player, Slavisa, on the train.I was on my way to Venice, Italy when I met a professional chess player, Slavisa, on the train....