{"id":5341,"date":"2013-10-16T11:57:27","date_gmt":"2013-10-16T15:57:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theprofessionalhobo.com\/?p=5341"},"modified":"2025-01-10T09:40:27","modified_gmt":"2025-01-10T14:40:27","slug":"love-in-corsica-with-globaltravelernora","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theprofessionalhobo.com\/love-in-corsica-with-globaltravelernora\/","title":{"rendered":"Love in Corsica"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I must. <\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I must, I must, I must: return to Corsica.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"My
Share this on Pinterest! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Whew! This is the last stop on my Club Carlson Global Traveler program; a 3-week, 8-country adventure through Europe, paid for and compensated by Club CarlsonSM (now Radisson Rewards<\/a>). During the trip, I’m exploring the world of hotel points and how to take advantage of accommodations and upgrades with various strategies. <\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In all cases, opinions expressed herein are my own; don’t worry – I haven’t sold my soul. <\/i>

This article was originally published in 2013, and has since been updated for accuracy of links and formatting.<\/em>

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I must return to Corsica.

It’s not because a driver was waiting for me at the airport, like a heavenly beacon of light after the most harrowing series of connecting flights from Kiev<\/a> that I’ve ever endured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And not because I arrived just in time for an awesome sunset after a VIP welcome from Radisson Blu Ajaccio Resort & Spa.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Nora<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

It’s certainly not because I had a chance to practice my French \u2013 which I actually impressed myself to speak almost in totality without reverting to English.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has nothing to do with the unexpected tour I received, which allowed me to see the capital city of Ajaccio (pronounced ah-shahxx-ee-oh<\/i>), the various incredible viewpoints (really no matter where you look the views are awesome), have lunch on the harbour, and even a peek at \u201cthe real Corsica\u201d in the old-world mountain village towns, with buildings made entirely of stone (no cement).<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"The<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Nor my two hours of treatments in the largest spa in Corsica (which just happened to be in my hotel) to unwind and rejuvenate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Corsica certainly didn’t lure me in with its  incredible gastronomy (I ate more things-\u201dtartare\u201d than you could imagine in 24 hours).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nor the props I got from people when I admitted to thinking of Corsica as its own country, which many of the residents would like. Some refer to the rest of France as \u201czee mainland<\/i>\u201d with a hint of distaste, given that they are working hard to preserve their own language (Corsican, similar to Italian) in addition to speaking French, and have a long history that has seen it as part of Italy, France, and a short stint as an independent nation.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Harbour<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

And I certainly mustn’t return to Corsica because of my unintentional love of \u201cisland life\u201d – be it Hawaii<\/a>, New Zealand<\/a>, Grenada<\/a>…and the many others I’ve spent time on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s not because the cost of living is surprisingly reasonable (way better than Oslo<\/a>, but not quite as good as Berlin<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, maybe my fierce desire to return to Corsica (as in to live, for a few months) has a little bit to do with all of the above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it’s also something more; something I can’t quite put my finger on (hence, my desire to return).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I had no intention of falling in love with Corsica. In fact, I had very few preconceived notions of the place; only a wicked sense of fatigue after this incredibly hectic 3-week, 8-country extravaganza<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I fell in love with Corsica, much to my own surprise – which is one of my favourite kinds of travel experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Corsica<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

And now, I must.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I must return….to Corsica.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 Minute Corsica<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Please enjoy this beautiful (intentionally over-sappy, before you think I’ve completely lost it) minute of pure, unadulterated, Corsica.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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