A key to the harsh yet delicate Corsican soul

Its intoxicating fragrances are without doubt one of the most authentic appeals of Corsica, known as the "island of beauty". If you arrive by boat, the heady scent of the island's flora often reaches you before you even catch sight of the island itself, carried on the breeze blowing off the land. The same scents immediately greet you as you step out of the plane and make your way across the tarmac. This sun-drenched rich and delicate perfume is quite unforgettable.

It may at first seem paradoxical that these delicate, delightful fragrances are the fruit of one of nature's most arid creations, the maquis, whose dense, impenetrable slopes are a mystery to any who were not born within its boundaries to such an extent that it has ever provided safe refuge to the island's population fleeing their enemies. Some of the bushes grow so tightly together that you can walk on them without falling in!

Such is Corsica - harsh and delicate at the same time. This apparently contradictory character is also embodied by the landscapes whose beauty and violence take one's breath away and in the whiffs of subtle scents rising up from a landscape, sadly often devastated by fire. This unique character is equally present in its charcuterie which owes its legendary savour to the fruit and plants growing in the maquis that the semi wild boar regularly feast on.

The Best Western Premier Hotel Corsica can provide you with a few keys to the island's soul. Built a few kilometres inland, it commands a priceless view of the citadel of Calvi and the Mediterranean. This inland location is emblematic of that of many Corsican strongholds and villages, for whom the seashore primarily brought invaders, hence their lofty position keeping watch on the horizon. Corsica is a mountain in the middle of the Mediterranean and as well as being islanders, its inhabitants are also mountain dwellers. The hotel, surrounded for its part by a relatively accessible maquis, commands striking views of the jagged mountain range of the island's centre. A short drive from the island's winter ski resorts, the hotel is also very close to a host of irresistible beaches. The incomparably clear water is warm enough to suit even the most sensitive "souls", all of which bathed in the delicious scent of the pine grove that lines the shoreline.

The hotel's restaurant is a treasure trove of Mediterranean fare and dining on the terrace in the evenings is sheer bliss. Regional charcuterie and cheese feature prominently on the menu, as do locally grown fruit and vegetables, all of which full of an authentic flavour quite unlike any other. The talented Egyptian chef also enjoys inviting guests to sample tasty dishes from his native country.

The Best Western Premier Hotel Corsica is voluntarily open to the surrounding countryside and its charms. The generously proportioned swimming pool is designed like a balcony overlooking the sea below and all the guestrooms enjoy extensive views of the island's beautiful landscapes. Unusually furnished in an exuberant baroque style that is reminiscent of one Gianni Versace, even down to pink marble bathrooms, the decor in fact particularly suits the hotel's exceptional location. The overall impression is one of cosy comfort and well-being, all the better to appreciate the island's phenomenal beauty and unforgettable sensations. It is surely not a coincidence that the hotel's owner called upon Genoese craftsmen to decorate her hotel when one knows that according to popular local legend, Christopher Columbus was born within the walls of Calvi. However those that know better claim this cannot be true, because a man as wise as Christopher Columbus would never have left such a beautiful place to search for unlikely treasure so far from home! experience.

Best Western Premier Hotel Corsica

Route de Pietra-Maggiore, Calvi, France - FR-20260

Phone: +33 (0) 4 95 65 03 64 Fax: +33 (0) 4 95 65 00 54