THE WESTERN COAST

Travelling along the western coast from Marciana to Campo nell’Elba, the terraced vineyards, many of which overhang the sea, are the most characteristic features of the landscape in this area.

The excellent position of Sant’Andrea and La Zanca, small but well-known tourist resorts, ensures that they are visited by scores of holiday-makers, particularly those who like sunbathing on the rocks and spending a relaxing and peaceful holiday. This spot is ideal for scuba-divers who take advantage of the underwater resources and alternate sunbathing with diving.

The stretch of sea that extends from Sant’Andrea to Fetovaia offers many interesting areas for underwater diving: the submerged shoals and landslides that plunge into the blue sea create a marine habitat where an abundance of fish find shelter. Continuing through picturesque valleys with enchanting villas and magical little inlets, you come to two small villages with terraced vineyards affording a superb view of sunsets over Corsica: Patresi, where a steep road leads to Punta Polveraia, a splendid corner of nature that opens up amidst sheer cliffs rising out of the crystal-clear sea.

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At Colle d’Orano, the long wild beach below, is the famous “Napoleon’s chair”, a small smooth square-shaped rock, where legend has it the exiled French Emperor liked to stop to admire his native Corsica.

At the end of one of the island’s most picturesque and luxuriant valleys stand Pomonte, Chiessi and Seccheto; while still preserving the appearance of small villages, they offer numerous tourist amenities: hotels, apartments, restaurants and shops; the sea nearby, with pretty little beaches and easily accessible rocks together with the mountains, which are a departure point for numerous trails, offer the possibility of indulging in a wide variety of sports: surfing, diving, sailing, trekking etc.

Fetovaia, protected by a narrow, verdant promontory, is considered one of the island’s most beautiful and enchanting beaches. Here, besides being able to stretch out on the very fine sand, one can sunbathe on the smooth granite rocks, known as “le piscine”(swimming pools), on account of their natural basin-like structure, which the waves first hollowed out and later filled in.

This is the ideal place for an all-over suntan. Close to Fetovaia is another delightful beach: Cavoli. Enclosed by the crystal-clear waters of the Gulf of Cavoli, this beach has always been frequented by young people. Both localities offer good tourist facilities, thanks to the presence of bathing establishments, restaurants, bars and hotels.

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