Crossing the coast coming into land at Nice Airport, there are the Alps still with the last of the winter snow on the peaks glistening in the sunlight. And then, the Côte d’Azur appears sparkling below with boats skimming the brilliantly blue sea leaving trails of white wake – a picture.
The view along this coast of the French Riviera only gets better flying low in a helicopter transfer to Monte Carlo to join the ‘Silver Whisper’ for a seven-day Mediterranean cruise.
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We climb up a slippery rocky path into a seemingly lifeless and colourless medieval hilltop town of St Antinunu to get our own views out to the sea. Jobs in the area are drying up and inhabitants leave to get work in the larger towns. Coming down, we sample the local lemon drink – enough to make a grown man pucker.
I could never drive a rental car on these treacherously narrow mountain roads with steep drops over the side. Our motor coach passes other vehicles with only millimetres to spare and seemingly teetering on the edge. Corsica boasts a beautiful coastline and I can only imagine what it would be like on a sunny day.
I’m glad to get back to the port in Calvi, Rain doesn’t stop us enjoying centuries of history as we climb up into the old citadel strategically built on a promontory of rock at the enrance to the harbour. But the rain does make our choice for lunch for us. It’s back to the ship, foregoing what smells like wonderful lasagne in one of the small cafes looking down over the colourful port town.
Calvi Citadel at its brightest in the early morn - before the rain set in
A grey day sharpens the detail of the grass and thistles against the black Corsican sheep (even though my sheep farmer friend James in the Souther Highlands has written and told me it 's a goat!)
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