Today we took the awkwardly-named but otherwise fine Mega Express 4 ferry from Nice to the island of Corsica where we disembarked at the town of Bastia. This ferry is one of many that connect the island to continental France. It's one of the faster crossings at six hours whereas our return crossing, from Ajaccio to Toulon, will be an 11 hour overnight sailing.
And hello to Corsica ...
And hello to Corsica ...
And hello to Corsica ...
Bastia is a hilly Corsican town, squeezed between the Mediterranean and the Serra di Pignu, a 960 m (3,150 ft) mountain. Bastia has a charming and walk-able old town (assuming you don't mind stairs), with many blocks of fashionable stores and cafes. Though Ajaccio, our next stop, gets more attention in the guidebooks, I preferred Bastia. It is just as charming and is less touristy.
Two highlights were the Vieux Port and the Terra Nova neighborhood. The Vieux Port or old harbor is chock-a-block with boats. It is ringed by cafes. The Eglise St-Jean Baptiste towers overhead.
The Terra Nova neighborhood features a citadel, the Cathedrale Ste-Marie, and great views of the city and the blue sea. The citadel was built to satisfy the city's Genoese masters many centuries ago.
