Camping Ernella

If ever a patch was destined to be pictured on a postcard, it's Corte (25 minutes' drive). Set in the geographical centre of the island, this fortress town was once run by Pascal Paoli, the wartime leader of the Corsican independence movement in the 18th century. Things are a fair bit calmer here nowadays, with the dramatic granite cliffs and rocky outcrops surrounding the town being prized for their scenic rather than military value… Aléria (25 minutes) – a town close to the coast with a well-presented archeological museum – is another one to prioritise on your itinerary. Kids not riveted by Roman remains? The town is also home to a quiet, sandy beach where they can paddle. Other seaside spots of note include Plage de l'Ostriconi beach (an hour) and L'Île-Rousse (an hour and 20 minutes), where you can also set out on scuba trips. Because of its sweet sea breezes, range of altitudes and rich volcanic soil, Corsica also has a lot of lovely wines to try. Particularly well-reviewed are the cellars at Clos Canereccia (15 minutes) and Domaine Costa Verde (50 minutes).