Corsica has a special place for history and traditions, but nature prevails, as it has for centuries. Apeksha Bhateja discovers a thumb-shaped French island on the cusp of the past and future.
The rays of the sun are slicing through the water coloured blue skies. It’s a warm morning in Corsica and the breakfast table is set on the terrace: Crisp slices of baguette, fresh goat-cheese from a local farm, Corsican fruit jams in tiny jars, strawberries, plums, and cherries, freshly squeezed juice, tea, and coffee. The hilltop villa faces the rugged peaks of Porto Vecchio. A short drive away is the glittering coastline that runs parallel to the hills. The landscape is new to a city-girl like me, especially on the day when Henri plans a picnic along the river and we walk barefoot on slippery stones. But the tales of the island’s bloody battles, family feuds, and belonging resound in my mind most of all.
CORTE
Corsica is the birthplace of Napoleon, who admired the unforgettable hero of the island, Pasquale Paoli. Interestingly, Corsica reflects more Italian culture than French and the main reason is that since the 11th century, the Mediterranean island was ruled by Italy. Paoli, who led the independence movement in the 18th century, gained liberation for the island and Corte became the capital (until it was annexed again). Even today, the national symbol of the independent nation, The Moor’s Head (a black head with a white bandana) appears everywhere—souvenirs, flags, and clothes.
This story is from the December 2017 edition of Travel+Leisure India.
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This story is from the December 2017 edition of Travel+Leisure India.
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