Jutting out from the foaming Mediterranean like an impregnable fortress, Corsica resembles a miniature continent, with astounding geographical diversity. Within just a 30-minute drive from the provincial capital city of Ajaccio, the landscape ranges from glittering bays, vibrant coastal cities, and fabulous beaches, sawtooth mountain ridges, verdant valleys, dense forests, and hilltop villages that time forgot. Though Corsica has been part of France for more than 200 years, it feels different from the mainland in everything from customs and cuisine to language and character. Locals love to explain their Corsican identity, so plenty of engaging evenings await tourists, especially if the holy trinity of food, wine and harmonious Corsican music is involved. A Little Bit of History: In 1769, not long after the island was annexed by France, the future Emperor of the French
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