Separated by just a few kilometres, Corsica and Sardinia could, were it not for a geological whim, have been one. But history had other ideas. And although they are very different today, the two islands share a respect for tradition and a taste for discretion. They also boast dramatic landscapes with mountains which plunge straight into the sea and white sandy beaches which stretch for miles. 3 Seasons takes you on a voyage of discovery to these two captivatingly beautiful islands...

Corsican campsites

Throughout its history, Corsica has defined itself by its resistance to conquest. Since the Roman era, Corsica has never truly been conquered. And even today, the French Republic still has difficulty imposing its authority on some Corsicans. This refusal to lie down is embodied in the Corsican flag, which shows a black head wearing a white bandana. The head supposedly represents a Moor killed when the Saracens attempted to conquer the island. Corsica owes part of its charm to this wild desire for independence. Over the centuries, the island has preserved its traditions as well as its sumptuous wild landscapes. And the “Island of Beauty” wears its soubriquet well. Balzac described Corsica as a “French island warmed by the Italian sun”, and it is truly a small corner of paradise set in the heart of the Mediterranean. It is also a land of contrasts where the sea laps the bases of the mountains, and which seems to be home to all the landscapes typical of southern Europe. Its coasts are divided between endless sandy beaches which form the coastal section of the Plain of Aléria, inlets lapped by turquoise water and craggy wind-blown cliffs, while inland the mountains often rise to over 2,000 metres and form landscapes as surprising as they are varied, ranging from the scrub-covered high ground of the maquis to beech forests, and even the lunar landscapes of the Agriates desert. The whole island is dotted with fishing villages or villages perched high on the rocks. The main riches of the island are to be found in this magnificent natural landscape. No other Mediterranean island is as green as Corsica, which boasts some 2,000 plant species. As the seasons progress, the island explodes in a riot of colours and scents. The natural diversity is protected by five nature reserves which provide the hiker with a unique backdrop for the hiker with a unique backdrop for many a long walk.

Where to stay with Camping Cheque :
Campsite La pietra
Campsite Riva Bella Nature Resort & Spa
Campsite Arinella Bianca
Campsite Sagone Camping
Campsite U Farniente De Pertamina

Sardinian campsites

Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean (behind Sicily), and has long remained separate from the main thrust of Italy's development. Unlike the Corsicans and the Sicilians, the Sardinians, fleeing pirates, often preferred inland areas to coastal ones. Traditional fishing villages are a rarer site here than in Corsica and Sicily. This means that the coast has remained wild, despite the emergence of a number of coastal resorts, which boast some of the most beautiful Mediterranean beaches. The beaches are even more attractive away from the coastal resorts: the more remote beaches are less busy and the water is clear and rich in fish life, making them popular with divers. Inland Sardinia remains wild and mysterious. Although the peaks are lower than those in Corsica (the highest point is 1,800m), there are mountain landscapes dotted with gorges and valleys, with banks lined with olive groves and cork oaks shaped by the wind. Despite the austere nature of some of the ochre-tinted granite landscapes, it is easy to fall for the charms of these stark but fascinating regions which few tourists visit and where, under the hot Sardinian sun, life retains its traditional flavours. This is where the soul of the island lies. Unlike Sicily, where the culture is a melting pot of contributions from the civilisations which have occupied the island centuries, Sardinia has a specific culture over the which goes back to the 3rd millennium BC, and in which the Nuraghes, tall megalithic stone towers, are an essential element. Although the island's heritage has since added elements from other cultures (for instance its beautiful Romanesque churches), it has always preserved its very particular identity, which extends to its typical cuisine. Away from the swarms of tourists which have made Costa Smeralda a preferred destination for the international jet set, this Sardinia is one of the Mediterranean's best-kept secrets. So hurry before the rest of the world finds out about it...

Where to stay with Camping Cheque :
Campsite Bella Sardinia - Camping Europa
Campsite S'Ena Arrubia
Campsite Villaggio Nuragheruiu
Campsite Capo Ferrato
Campsite La Foce
Campsite Orrì
Campsite Spinnaker
Campsite Torre del Porticciolo

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