European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 14, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse 1 it Ltd ss1 a m flu isl la a a <9bw& no is a. Cwt a of .,.�?~.,.v.,/t���.\.v.x. % s is a z $ is it is a so to. I. A amps map Ance s Island Paradiseby j. Kin Cruger Naples Bureau 1 he fairy tale Riviera of old is gone. Once France s classiest summer resort the overbuilt overpriced and Over hyped coastal strip along the Mediterranean is now threatened by tides of pollution and Concrete. Corsica has become France s latest Lotus land sitting in Pristine seas successfully battling greedy development it schemes. The Island s Savage natural Beauty and 600 Miles of stunning coastline draw two million visitors annually most in july and August. It Risica is a Paradise for lovers of the sea. The beaches facing Italy 50 Miles away stretch for Miles. The rugged. Vvitstornxoast7 clotted it Little fortresses and crumbling watchtowers is flecked with Bays and coves some Are deserted even at the height of the season. I lie Island s roads suffer Little congestion a even in August a though seemingly every third car tows an inflatable raft powered by big outboards although Corsica is a co parlement of France if you talk to a corsican it might seem the other Way around. Corsican Are ambivalent about their French connection and seek greater autonomy from the French whom they still see As colonizers 220 years after France bought the Island from the then Republic of Genoa. Corsica s 220,000 inhabitants intend to keep their Homeland largely a spoilt. Bombing raids by the 14-year-old corsican National liberation front have focused on foreign owned tourist Sites. The attacks mainly in the dead of Winter when tourists Aren t about warn speculators to keep their acquisitive hands off Corsica. The 50 by 113-mile Island was Quot discovered Quot As a resort Only about two decades ago. Corsican the most Clannish and parochial of islanders did Little to Aid the discovery process. Conditioned by Waves of invaders Over the centuries the natives responded by erecting enormous Stone citadels to guard its sea approaches. Entrance to the Southern port of Bonifacio Only 7 a. Miles from the italian Island of Sardinia is aspire Slit in. Towering Cliffs. Behind the near hidden opening is one of the Mediterranean a most Chic yacht basins. Corsica has been describe with Little exaggeration As Quot a Mountain in the More than 50 mountains 6,500 feet. The loftiest mount Cito tops out at 8,914 feet. The Trail from Bonifacio to the refreshingly Cool mountains cuts through forests of Beech and Chestnut. The Steep slopes Are carpeted with herbal Maquis shrubbery of Juniper Bay Myrtle and Heath. Quot by the fragrance of its soil alone Quot wrote Napoleon Bonaparte born on the Island in the port of Ajaccio Quot i would know Corsica with my eyes a train pulled by a Small red diesel makes a daily dizzying journey across the Island from Bastia in the North to Ajaccio in the Southwest. Southeast of Ajaccio and in the tar Valley is Corsica s stonehenge. There at the great Megah thic site known As Filitusa 15 statues of warriors display some of Europe s first portrait faces. Archaeologists say Torrens were the craftsmen Tio c carved the faces from Stone. Who were the Torrens that has remained a mystery. Motoring is the most exciting Way to travel on Corsica. The Island boasts one of Europe s sternest tests of driving nerve a a 115-mile sweaty Palm Rufi along the Western coast a a a a a a. /. The roller coaster Road passes through an other worldly landscape filled with red Brown Rock formations twisted into phantasmagoric Al shapes. It ends at the port of Calvi a heaven of a yacht Haven where a Citadel towers Over the Harbor and outdoor restaurants line the Quay. Corsica in t cheap. Expect to pay about $80 to $100 per. Night fora Detent double room and about $30 per person for dinner. Campgrounds Many of them Tor nudists allow those who Dpn t mind roughing it to explore the Island for a few francs. A a a. An automobile is almost essential for exploring the Island and Fly drive packages probably Offe the Best Deal for travellers from the United kingdom and Germany. There is frequent car Kerry sen ice from Many French and. Italian ports to various declinations on Corsica. Crossings irom italian clocks at Livorno and Piombino Are Short and relatively Inex pensive. The cheapest ferry hop is across the Strait of Bonifacio from ports on Northern Sardinia. Wise tourists use the Quick crossing to turn their vacation into a two Island. Exploration. Mfr a a. A six w a top car ferries from ports in France Italy and Sardinia take tourists to the Island. Above Calvi comes alive at night at outdoor cafes and restaurants. Right rollercoaster roads along the Cliffs of Corsica test the bravest of Drivers. 12 stripes Magazine february 14, 1991
