Cruise Diva Goes Ashore in Europe:
The Mediterranean
Sights to see & things to do
Ajaccio, Corsica
Greeks were the first to discover the area that is now Ajaccio, the renowned birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte. Set on a sunny bay surrounded by citrus groves, olive trees, and vineyards, Ajaccio is bursting with history and cultural diversity.
Diversions
The imposing hexagonal Citadel located on wide promontory over the city dominates cruisers’ first glimpse of Ajaccio. Visitors are often surprised by the ordinary outward appearance of Maison Bonaparte, Napolean’s home in Ajaccio; however, Francophiles enjoy the two sumptuous rooms that display his death mask and other memorabilia in the Town Hall’s Napoleon Museum.
Visitors to the Cathedral where Napolean was baptized find a beautiful Delacroix painting and time for reflection before encountering a huge bronze statue of Corsica’s favorite native son on the adjacent square.
At the heart of the city, Place Foch is a beautiful oblong square shaded by palm trees and surrounded by small restaurants. Travelers savor a bit of respite here in view of the cooling fountain.
Shopping
Local wines, olive oils, and French fashions top the lists of shoppers who head for stores and boutiques along Cours Napoleon and Rue Cardinal Fesch.
Beaches
Saint-François Beach is in the center of Ajaccio and cruisers find it a refreshing spot for a dip in the cool clear Mediterranean waters.
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