Ajaccio

Ajaccio is the capital of the French island of Corsica, which lies 390km southeast of Marseille.

Places of interest to visit include the Palais Fesch Museum, with its impressive art collection, Ajaccio Cathedral and the main market area which is opposite the Tourist Information Office (just past the Gare Maritime).

Visit Bastelica (40km west of Ajaccio) which is a traditional Corsican mountain village set 2,500ft up in the foothills of Monte Renoso or take a boat trip to Iles Sanguinaires (Blood Islands) which are 11km west of Ajaccio.

Souvenirs include fragrant handmade soaps and bath products and locally produced honey.

There are plenty of beaches in and around Ajaccio, St Francois Beach being only a 10 minute walk from the tender drop-off.

Local dishes include wild boar, blackbird and thrush pate and Brocciu, the local pungent cheese.

This is a tender port, which brings you in next to the Gare Maritime, a building which has car hire and ferry enquiry desks. It also has toilets and telephones. Turning left outside the tender pier and walking straight along the road will bring you to the pretty market square, Town Hall and shopping area.

There are taxis at the port but many aren't metered. Please note Ajaccio has very heavy traffic.