France

Famous for her historical attractions, cuisine and unique culture, France offers a variety of facets. The south coast of France stretches from Spain in the west to the Italian border in the east. Here you can enjoy fancy and luxurious port cities such as Cannes and St. Tropez, and also visit small fishing villages or even the volcanic, mountainous island of Corsica, where you’ll discover unspoiled Mediterranean nature.

The best know area for cruising is the Côte d’Azur: the sky-blue coast. A Mecca for artists, actors and actresses, and the jet-set since the 1950s, the French Riviera encompasses very different panoramas as well as lifestyles in its 300-kilometer-long shoreline. While Cannes, Nice, St. Tropez and Monaco offer a luxurious life, it is also possible to discover small fishing villages, and enjoy the spectacular view of the rocky coasts both from the sea and the land.

La Croisette Boulevard, acclaimed with its palm trees, and of course Monaco, the second smallest country in the world after Vatican, are among the best places to experience the luxury of Côte d’Azur. The sharp shores carved out of limestone in Calanques and the famous ‘golden island’, Ile d’Or, a symbol of the French Riviera with its castle and amazing waters, are among the places you mustn’t miss.

Côte d’Azur also host some of the most important events in the world, such as the Monaco Grand Prix, Cannes Film Festival, Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters and Top Marques Monaco. If your holiday coincides with one, get ready to have another experience you’ll remember for a lifetime.

Situated to the southeast of mainland France, Corsica is the fourth largest island of the Mediterranean, and also the most mountainous place in the region, as it was formed through strong volcanic eruptions. Described as ‘a mountain in the sea’ by French writer Guy de Maupassant, the island is also called the ‘scented isle’ because of the herbal fragrances created by its extraordinarily rich flora. Another nick name of the island is ‘kalliste,’ coined by the Greek –themselves famous with the beauty of their islands-, this name means ‘the beautiful island.’

Corsica is separated from the Sardinia island through the Bonifacio Strait in the south. The island’s capital Ajaccio is Napoleon’s hometown. Corsica is a good destination for cultural and historical tourism, in addition to its natural beauty with about 200 stunning bays and beaches. Corsica’s highest point is the 2,706-meter-high Mount Sinto and most of the other mountains also higher than 2,000 meters. Corsica’s mountainous terrain is covered with thick forests, clear rivers run through them, and panoramic walking and climbing routes add to the appeal of the island.

You can’t miss La Scandola Natural Reserve lying on the western shores – this is a place you can only reach by boat. La Scandola has many cliffs and caves, islets, bays, crimson rocks and sandy beaches – a truly extraordinary terrain. And then there is Bonifacio… Its limestone rocks are worn away by the waves and winds, forming sharp façade. The city rests on top of this and as you would expect, it has an astonishing view.