Nothing like trying to find a parking spot when there aren't any, the minutes are ticking by faster than they normal would, you usually drive an automatic on the other side of the road and just for kicks, your mother tongue is another language. Due biglietti per favore...tickets sorted, the world's best mumma bear and I boarded the Moby ferry to the island of Corsica...just!
This French Island north of Sardinia is approximately 50 minutes by ferry, across the crystal like, aqua blue Mediterranean Sea. Picture perfect weather provided the most wonderful opportunity to explore Bonifacio, France's answer to Italy's Portofino.
As the ferry glided into Bonifacio's port, the water glistened and sparkled as the sunlight touched the ripples, eddies and wash from the numerous water craft making their way mostly out into the Mediterranean. Like most of the ports in this part of the world, there is some seriously impressive craft in the Bonifacio port. Merely teasing the everyday passerby with material for potential pipe dreams. There was even one called "Mr. Brown".
The port area is a hustle and bustle of day trippers and holiday makers who mostly arrive by ferry, making their way around by either foot or car. There are numerous restaurants and bars along the port. And of course given it's France, fantastic boulangeries - bonjour baguettes and croissants! It wasn't too long before we were making out way thought the first of a couple of croissants - haha.
The incline to the main hilltop village is steep, in fact very steep. We well and truly earned our lunch of fresh dips (olive and coriander) and a rustic cob type loaf of bread. As we sat on the steps of a open hall type building, eating our fresh market produce, we watched the multitude of people walk, drive, even cycle past, as they explored this unique and stunning part of Europe. We weren't the only ones enjoying the fresh and fab offerings from the local producers on the steps.
Post lunch, we continued our foot tour of Bonifacio. A place of interest is the local cemetery - worth a visit for the architecture and stunning vista. The hilltop village part of Bonifacio is built precariously on the edge of the cliffs facing the Med. Very reminiscence of the unique, picturesque and famous Cinque Terre in Italy. After some more pics of the views, we ventured back down to the port area for a cleansing ale and Caprioska followed by a gelato chaser....yes, you read correctly. If you ever visiting Bonifacio, do visit B-52 - a cool yet laid back bar looking directly out to the never ending action in the port. Here we sat and chilled, people watching to the max and for something different, witnessed the delivery of a fresh tuna. It was as fresh as you get and hand delivered by the fisherman himself, wearing nothing but shorts. We found out later that day B-52 is the Bum Gumer's favourite place to dine and hang when in town.
As the sun continued its journey westward, over the Med and its clear, tranquil waters, we embarked on our return ferry trip. So peaceful sitting there reflecting on the day's adventures thus far. Once back on Sardinian soil, some further sightseeing thanks to day-light saving. Santa Teresa Di Gallura is the port town from which you catch the ferry across to Corsica. What a quaint, yet in parts touristy town. Here the suntans are very GC darling - bold, brassy and brown!
Stunning day. Grazie tanto Bonifacio, you're well worth a visit.
This French Island north of Sardinia is approximately 50 minutes by ferry, across the crystal like, aqua blue Mediterranean Sea. Picture perfect weather provided the most wonderful opportunity to explore Bonifacio, France's answer to Italy's Portofino.
As the ferry glided into Bonifacio's port, the water glistened and sparkled as the sunlight touched the ripples, eddies and wash from the numerous water craft making their way mostly out into the Mediterranean. Like most of the ports in this part of the world, there is some seriously impressive craft in the Bonifacio port. Merely teasing the everyday passerby with material for potential pipe dreams. There was even one called "Mr. Brown".
The port area is a hustle and bustle of day trippers and holiday makers who mostly arrive by ferry, making their way around by either foot or car. There are numerous restaurants and bars along the port. And of course given it's France, fantastic boulangeries - bonjour baguettes and croissants! It wasn't too long before we were making out way thought the first of a couple of croissants - haha.
The incline to the main hilltop village is steep, in fact very steep. We well and truly earned our lunch of fresh dips (olive and coriander) and a rustic cob type loaf of bread. As we sat on the steps of a open hall type building, eating our fresh market produce, we watched the multitude of people walk, drive, even cycle past, as they explored this unique and stunning part of Europe. We weren't the only ones enjoying the fresh and fab offerings from the local producers on the steps.
Post lunch, we continued our foot tour of Bonifacio. A place of interest is the local cemetery - worth a visit for the architecture and stunning vista. The hilltop village part of Bonifacio is built precariously on the edge of the cliffs facing the Med. Very reminiscence of the unique, picturesque and famous Cinque Terre in Italy. After some more pics of the views, we ventured back down to the port area for a cleansing ale and Caprioska followed by a gelato chaser....yes, you read correctly. If you ever visiting Bonifacio, do visit B-52 - a cool yet laid back bar looking directly out to the never ending action in the port. Here we sat and chilled, people watching to the max and for something different, witnessed the delivery of a fresh tuna. It was as fresh as you get and hand delivered by the fisherman himself, wearing nothing but shorts. We found out later that day B-52 is the Bum Gumer's favourite place to dine and hang when in town.
As the sun continued its journey westward, over the Med and its clear, tranquil waters, we embarked on our return ferry trip. So peaceful sitting there reflecting on the day's adventures thus far. Once back on Sardinian soil, some further sightseeing thanks to day-light saving. Santa Teresa Di Gallura is the port town from which you catch the ferry across to Corsica. What a quaint, yet in parts touristy town. Here the suntans are very GC darling - bold, brassy and brown!
Stunning day. Grazie tanto Bonifacio, you're well worth a visit.
