My first time on Corsica

My first trip to Corsica didn't start out perfectly. A sweltering arrival in Bastia, some hassle along the way, and even a flat tyre. But it was precisely those little setbacks, the encounters with locals, the food, the nature, and the unhurried pace that left such a deep impression. It was the trip that made me fall in love with Corsica for good.

The first time I set foot on Corsica was on a motorcycle. No tight plan, no detailed itinerary — just a ferry ticket, a map, and a handful of loose ideas. I arrived in Bastia early in the morning. The sun was already high, the tarmac was warm, and the air smelled of sea, petrol, and a hint of wild herbs. It felt instantly different from the mainland.

The first few kilometres were a bit awkward. Busy streets, lots of traffic, and that typical island pace you need a moment to adjust to. Nothing moved fast, but nobody seemed to mind.

On to Saint-Florent, in no rush

From Bastia I rode towards Saint-Florent. The road along Cap Corse served up the first views of sea and mountains right away. Sometimes narrow, sometimes bumpy, but always beautiful. It was the kind of road where you don't want to ride fast, because you'd miss half of it.

When I reached Saint-Florent, I parked the bike by the harbour. A simple lunch on a terrace: bread, cheese, some local ham, and a glass of wine. Nothing complicated, but everything tasted as if it had just come from the land or straight out of the sea.

That's when it slowly dawned on me that Corsica is not an island you rush through.

Insider tip Don't just stick to the harbour in Saint-Florent. Take a stroll into the old centre and find a small terrace on a side street. It's usually quieter and more authentic there.

The Agriates and the first setback

After Saint-Florent I wanted to head into the Agriates — that rugged area between Saint-Florent and the Balagne. Not quite a desert, but a vast, rocky landscape of dusty tracks, low scrub, and the occasional herd of goats.

It was hot, dust hung in the air, and the bike was struggling on the rough stretches. And then, somewhere on a deserted section, I noticed the steering felt different. Soft, a bit wobbly.

Flat tyre.

Not in a handy spot, not near a village — just somewhere among stones, dust, and heat. One of those moments when you think: why did I start this again? It was hot, and now I didn't even have the riding breeze to cool me down. I wished I'd packed a cooling vest for this trip.

But things turned out differently than expected. A pickup truck stopped. Two men got out, barely spoke English or French, but immediately understood what was going on. With hand gestures, pointing, and plenty of laughter, something was arranged. Within a couple of hours I was at a small garage in a nearby village.

No stress, no rush. Just: "On va voir." We'll see — and we'll sort it out!

Insider tip On Corsica it helps to always bring a bit of extra time and patience. Problems usually get solved, but rarely quickly. And most of the time, that's perfectly fine.

Onwards to Calvi

With a new tyre I rode on towards Calvi. The road improved, the landscape turned greener, and the sea came back into view. When I rode into the bay of Calvi, with the citadel perched on its rock and the long beach stretching below, I knew the effort had been worth it.

I found a simple campsite, pitched my tent, and walked into town that evening. Narrow lanes, soft lighting, people on terraces, children still playing in the square late into the night. No rush, no crowds — just a relaxed atmosphere.

At a small terrace I had a plate of pasta with local sausage and herbs. Nothing fancy, but packed with flavour. Then another glass of wine, a walk along the harbour, and back to the campsite.

It was a simple evening, but one I can still recall vividly. I slept wonderfully in my little tent that night.

What stayed with me the most

It wasn't one place or one view that made the trip special. It was the combination of everything:

• The rugged nature and the quiet roads
• The small villages where little seemed to change
• The food that was simple but good
• The people who were calm and helpful
• The feeling that nobody was in a hurry about anything

Corsica didn't feel like a destination you visit. It felt like a place where you blend in for a while, at the island's own pace.

Insider tip Don't try to chase a new highlight every day. Pick a beautiful spot, stay a bit longer, and discover what's around you. That often leads to the best memories.

The trip that changed everything

That first motorcycle trip wasn't perfect. There were small setbacks, unexpected situations, and moments when things went a bit less smoothly than planned.

But that's exactly why it stuck. The rides through the mountains, the light at the end of the day, the scent of herbs along the road, the quiet evenings on a terrace.

It was the trip that made me fall in love with Corsica. And ever since, it's an island I keep wanting to return to.

Next time, do better

• Bring a cooling vest because of the rising heat