Corse-du-Sud - the south of Corsica

Bonifacio, Figari, Porto-Vecchio

Bonifacio, perched dramatically atop cliffs of white chalk on Corsica's southernmost tip, looks out over the straits to Sardinia. Famous landmarks of the upper town are the citadel, now occupied by the Foreign Legion, and the lovely 13th-century church, Ste Marie Majeure, which can only be visited with an official guide. Below lies a bustling port, lined with quayside bistros and restaurant grills sizzling with the day's catch. From here, boat trips operate to the tiny Lavezzi islands, just offshore.

Further up the coast, the attractive hill town of Porto-Vecchio dominates a beautiful bay. This former Genoese port boasts many cafés, restaurants and trendy boutiques, as well as an attractive main square shaded by ancient plane trees. It is particularly lively in the peak of summer and, from its lovely Genoese tower, spectacular views extend over the sheltered gulf and salt marshes. To the north and south lie a series of glorious beaches of fine white sand, some of the finest in Europe, lapped by the translucent blue waters of the Mediterranean. Here a wide variety of water sports, including windsurfing, sailing, water-skiing and scuba diving are practised during the peak summer season, whilst other activities such as riding, tennis and golf are also available nearby.

To the west, the valley of the Loreto is dominated by Sartène, the island's ancient hilltop capital, with its old cobbled streets, open market square and stone buildings. The Musée de la Préhistoire Corse houses the largest collection of prehistoric archeological finds. In fact, the area is dotted with megalithic sites. At Palaggiu, there are 258 impressive menhirs dating from around 1800 BC while Filitosa, the main centre for the ancient megalithic culture situated between Propriano and Ajaccio, is without doubt the most fascinating and spectacular of all. The majestic high mountains of the interior, dominated by the awe-inspiring Col de Bavella, are less than one hour's drive from Porto-Vecchio. A walk in the mountains or a dip in one of the many rockpools is a great way to escape the heat of the coast. Here too, villages such as Zonza and Quenza are very picturesque and enjoy wonderful panoramas over the finest pine and chestnut groves.

The Balagne region; the north of Corsica

The Balagne, Calvi, St Florent, Cap Corse

Calvi is the capital of la Balagne, the 'Garden of Corsica', famed for its orchards, olive groves and small enchanting villages such as Monticello, Belgodère, Corbara and San Antonino, with their cobbled streets, archways and bell towers. The choice of walks here is endless but those not to be missed are the shaded paths of the forests of Bonifato and Calenzana, amid the magnificent scenery to the south-east of Calvi.

Jutting northwards from Bastia and the chic coastal resort of St Florent (known as le petit St Tropez) is the mysterious peninsula of Cap Corse, mostly deserted mountain country with a few tiny communities clinging to its hillsides, looking sharply down onto the sea. At the northernmost tip is charming Centuri, with its stone houses grouped around a picturesque little harbour, and popular Nonza, perched on a rocky spur above a shingle beach.

The Nebbio is a flourishing yet largely undiscovered region, one of the most fertile parts of Corsica. It includes the Désert des Agriates, the valleys behind St Florent and picturesque Patrimonio, which are home to some of the best Corsican wines and guarded by an impressive church dating back to 1570. Heavenly beaches like Saleccia and Loto are nearby but are only accessible by sea. Boat trips depart from the harbour in St Florent.