CALVI
Area: Corsica
Country: France


Location:
On the NW coast of Corsica, 60 miles W of Bastia. 4 miles N of airport.

Telephone code from UK:
33

Website:
http://www.corsica.net/corsica/uk/regcalv/calvi/calvtop.htm

Position:
Coastal town ringed by tall mountains.

Description:
Dominated by the dramatic intact walls of its elevated 13th-century citadel, Calvi today is still a garrison town but lives almost entirely from tourism. This is a colourful resort, with typical Mediterranean cafes and restaurants and people strolling from the modest commercial port at the foot of the citadel to the animated yacht marina; from here a sandy beach extends in a graceful curve for more than 3 miles. Along the beach are numerous establishments with cafe and restaurant terraces, as well as umbrellas, mattresses and deck chairs for hire. Behind the port, narrow streets lead to a church square and the main commercial streets of the little town with their profusion of boutiques, souvenir and gift shops, banks, bars, restaurants and snack bars. The resort has a carefree atmosphere from morning until late at night, and panoramic views of the bay and hillside villages, and beyond, a range of jagged mountain peaks culminating at 9,000 feet and displaying patches of snow until late July. Most of the hotels and apartment blocks and a couple of medium-sized supermarkets are on the outskirts. Summer heat waves are rare in Calvi, with temperatures moderated by a gentle prevailing SW breeze.

Suitability:
Upmarket and middlemarket; for families and couples. Could pose a challenge to those with walking difficulties.

Accommodation:
Wide choice, from 1- to 4-star. A car is not always necessary.

Shopping:
Numerous small souvenir shops, boutiques and shops selling local produce. Branches of French banks. A couple of larger supermarkets on the edge of town; a simple morning fruit and vegetable market. Local specialities are pottery, wood and leatherwork.

Beach:
The main beach, sandy and gently shelving, is suitable for small children. On the other side of town is magnificent rock bathing _ for swimmers only _ and top-quality snorkelling territory.

Entertainments:
Daytime: strolling past the yachts moored in the marina. Tennis courts. Horse riding. Water sports; hang-gliding. Nightlife: watching the world go by in evening cafes on the port; a couple of discos. A limited "casino" just out of town.

Eating:
An amazing number of small restaurants with reasonable prices; several expensive ones. "Langouste", "bouillabaisse" and fresh local fish are in the latter category.

Public-transport:
Daily train to Bastia and Ajaccio, daily bus to Bastia. Inconvenient services to St Florent, Galeria and Porto. Regular "tramway" between Calvi and Ile Rousse in summer only.

Local-excursions:
Inexpensive and good quality: air-conditioned coaches with careful drivers and polyglot guides. The emphasis is on scenery and almost the whole island can be covered. Spectacular day/half-day trip to nature reserve.