Corsica in 7 days

A medieval citadel on white limestone cliffs facing Sardinia; walk its lanes, descend the King of Aragon's Stairway, then see it from a boat.

A protected granite archipelago between Bonifacio and Sardinia, where rounded boulders enclose white-sand coves that are good for swimming and snorkelling.

A curve of white sand backed by umbrella pines and pink granite, facing the Cerbicale islands, with clear water that stays shallow far out.

Jagged granite peaks above pine forest; from the 1,218-metre pass, the Trou de la Bombe trail reaches a natural arch in about ninety minutes return.

Corsica's hardest long-distance trail runs 180 km along the ridges, but single sections work as day walks, such as Vizzavona to the Cascades des Anglais.

Red granite eroded into strange shapes above a deep blue gulf; drive the cliff road, then walk the Château Fort path for the best viewpoint.

Red volcanic cliffs, basalt columns and sea caves reached only by boat from Porto or Calvi, often with a stop at roadless Girolata.

The mountainous northern finger of the island, with fishing harbours and Genoese towers; Nonza clings to a cliff above a long grey pebble beach.