| Summer may feel like a distant dream this time of | | | | from France (Marseille, Toulon and Nice) and Italy |
| year, but before we know it, the days will be long | | | | (Genoa and Livomo). Of course, if you charter a |
| and the sunshine strong again. And what better way | | | | yacht in France or Italy, you'll be arriving on your own |
| to get through the long, dreary winter months than | | | | boat. Corsica is about a day's sail, or 3-4 hours by |
| to dream about and plan your next vacation? | | | | motor yacht, from the French Riviera. |
| The French island of Corsica, 110 miles south of the | | | | Port towns on the island include Ajaccio, birthplace of |
| Riviera and just north of Sardinia is an exceptional | | | | Napoleon Bonaparte and the capital of Corsica. It is |
| choice for a luxury yacht charter vacation. With a | | | | located on the west coast and home to the both the |
| mountainous, dramatic landscape featuring rivers, | | | | largest airport and harbor on the island. Bastia, on the |
| gorges, waterfalls, lush valleys, rocky cliffs, vineyards, | | | | northeastern coast, is Corsica's largest. The old town |
| picturesque towns, 16 ports, and 620 miles of | | | | was built around the harbor and it is the most |
| coastline surrounded by clear water in all shades of | | | | picturesque port on the island. Bastia is also known |
| blue, the surprisingly uncrowded Corsica has it all. The | | | | for its wines. Porto Vecchio on the south coast is the |
| rugged coastline, with more than 200 beaches, is | | | | most sophisticated resort on Corsica and sees many |
| especially alluring to those of us traveling by boat - | | | | Italian tourists in the summer months. It is known for |
| there are many areas you can't get to any other | | | | its quaint, Genoese walled old town and its many, |
| way and you may find a beach you can have all to | | | | beautiful beaches. Calvi (rumored to be the birthplace |
| yourself. Because of its geography, rising from sea | | | | of Christopher Columbus) on the east coast is simply |
| level to almost 9,000 feet, Corsica's climate is quite | | | | stunning with its beautiful port (lined with bars and |
| varied. The island is divided into three major ecological | | | | restaurants), towering citadel and 4-mile sandy beach |
| zones: the coastline and valleys enjoy a maritime | | | | where jet skiing, windsurfing, waterskiing and |
| Mediterranean climate (hot summers and mild | | | | paragliding are popular pastimes. There are also plenty |
| winters); in the lower mountains, at 2,000 - 6,000 | | | | of private little coves if you are looking for |
| feet, you will find the cooler and wetter mountain | | | | something a bit more intimate. Bonifacio, just 7.4 |
| Mediterranean climate; and at 6,000 feet and above, | | | | miles north of Sardinia, sits high on a limestone |
| the climate is alpine, with snowcapped mountains and | | | | peninsula at the southernmost tip of Corsica, and |
| even small glaciers at the highest altitudes. | | | | absolutely has to be approached from the sea in |
| Corsica's average of 250-300 days of sunshine per | | | | order to fully appreciate its jawdropping setting. |
| year (April - October being the sunniest) is the | | | | There are plenty of sandy beaches, grottoes and |
| highest in France, and as a general rule, the northern | | | | caves in this area, and don't miss the opportunity to |
| part of the island is warmer than the south. You can | | | | explore the Lavezzi islands, which are part of the |
| find all types of yachts to charter on Corsica - | | | | nature reserve "Bouches de Bonifacio". |
| bareboat, skippered, crewed, catamaran, sailboat, | | | | There are of course many, many more ports, towns |
| motoryacht and luxury yachts. The island is easy to | | | | and villages to explore all over the island, but these |
| get to. There are 4 airports - the Campo dell Oro | | | | will give you a starting point, and hopefully inspiration |
| Airport in Ajaccio, Poretta Airport in Bastia, Calvi (in | | | | to start planning your next chartered yacht trip to |
| Calvi), and Figari (in Figari) - as well as ferry service | | | | Corsica. |