A Mandria enjoys a spectacular location in a mountain village in the Balagne countryside, an incredible region of mountainous landscapes, delightful villages and rolling hills.
The heart of the village only a short walk away where you will find a bakery, small grocery shop and a couple of simple village restaurants. One of these little restaurants is part of the owner’s village hotel, a charming 19th-century palazzu – make sure you ask for a tour of the old chapel, the original kitchen with its grand chimney and the beautiful salon. You can also visit the family’s own winery in the village which produces highly regarded wines.
There’s a lovely walking trail from the village up to the ‘Falcunaghja’ (House of the Bandits), from where you can enjoy the marvellous views. Indeed, the Balagne countryside offers a wealth of marked walking trails, some of which connect some of the wonderful villages dotted across the region. There is also horse-riding, golf, rock-climbing and even para-gliding nearby.
Sant'Antonino (10km) is one of the villages which is featured on many walking routes, one of Corsica’s oldest villages and now classified as one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’. Wander along the steep lanes and find a restaurant where you can enjoy good Corsican food with mesmerising views. Pigna (12km) is also full of charm and features some lovely artisan shops selling local ceramics. There is a great community of artists and musicians across the village; look out for concerts in the village where you can listen to traditional Corsican chants.
Other incredibly beautiful Balagne villages include Speloncato (8km), Corbara (12km) and Lumio (16km) with its weekly market on a Wednesday morning. There is a walking path from Lumio leading to the abandoned village of Occi, yet another spot for panoramic vistas of the breathtaking scenery around you.
Drive along winding lanes, passing spectacular vistas, and within around 15km you will reach L'Île-Rousse, a charming seaside town. Visit the covered market, wander through the picturesque lanes filled with traditional restaurants and pretty shops, stop for a coffee on the main square as old men play boules then enjoy lunch in one of the beachside cafes. It’s not a huge town but there is always a lovely and relaxed ambience.
There are some wonderful beaches along this stretch of the Balagne coastline. Plage de Bodri is particularly beautiful or discover further coves and summer beach cafes all the way up to Algajola and Calvi. You will find a good range of watersports in both L'Île-Rousse and Calvi and you will also find scuba-diving, sea kayaks, windsurfing and snorkelling in Algajola (20km). In the other direction, Ostriconi beach (25km) is one of Corsica’s wildest beaches with white sands and grassy dunes, accessed via a remote and steep path.
There’s also the charming little train, U Trinichellu, which runs between Calvi and L'Île-Rousse via Algajola, stopping off at lovely beaches on the way.
Calvi is a very popular town to visit with its large sandy beach, historic citadel, atmospheric marina and a great choice of lovely restaurants and cafes with amazing sea or mountain views wherever you look. From Calvi you can take a boat trip out to the Scandola Reserve on Corsica’s west coast, now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Region
Known as the l'Île de Beauté, Corsica is the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean and home to some of the most breathtaking landscapes of Europe. Come across picture-perfect beaches, magnificent mountain peaks and dense forest as well as perched villages, historic towns and delicious island cuisine. With so many beachside activities and outdoor adventures, this captivating island appeals to every age from keen hikers and history enthusiasts to kids and teens seeking crystal-clear water for swimming, snorkelling and watersports.
Starting in northern Corsica, be mesmerised by the vistas of the sea from Calvi’s citadel where it’s said Christopher Columbus was born before relaxing on a restaurant terrace overlooking the baroque façade of Église Sainte Marie Majeure. From Calvi, U Trinichellu, a charming little train, chugs past beautiful sandy beaches as far as L'Île-Rousse. Watch locals play boules accompanied by a chilled chestnut beer, before dining in one of L'Île-Rousse’s characterful restaurants – tantalise your tastebuds as you try Corsican lamb with rosemary, wild boar or Cannelloni au brocciu. Meanwhile, be enchanted by the hilltop villages of the Balagne and follow old donkey trails on foot as you appreciate the glorious scenery and rich heritage of north-western Corsica.
Pass wild Plage de l'Ostriconi as you drive north-east, then follow the winding road towards the glistening bay of Saint-Florent, an attractive historic town sheltered by the dramatic mountains of the Cap Corse. From vibrant Bastia, drive around two and a half hours south until you reach the south-east of the island, perhaps detouring to explore the chestnut forests of the Castagniccia or the gorges and rock pools of the Solenzara River.
Now in southern Corsica, Porto Vecchio is one of the island’s most popular destinations, especially in the height of the summer when visitors flock to relax on the iconic beaches of Palombaggia, Santa Giulia and Saint Cyprien with a vast range watersports and scenic beachside restaurants. To escape the coastal jetsetters, venture inland to the hiking trails of the Ospedale forest or the stunning Col de Bavella – the landscapes are truly incredible.
Fall in love with Bonifacio’s citadel with its limestone cliffs, medieval lanes and spectacular sea views, before playing golf at one of the most famous courses in the world, Golf de Spérone. Appreciate the wild Figari coastline with more pristine beaches, try the wines of Sartène nestled in the mountains, then continue along the south-western coast to the very handsome town of Ajaccio, the birthplace of Napoleon.
Whether you choose to stay in one of our stylish abodes with private swimming pools, traditional bergeries with rural views or gorgeous retreats overlooking the sea, once you fall head over heels in love with Corsica you will yearn to return again and again.
