San Nicolao

Located on the beautiful sandy beaches of Corsica, holidays in San Nicolao are about relaxing, unwinding and immersing yourself in the beautiful natural surroundings. Spend your days relaxing on the warm golden sands of the beach and spreading out on the town's secluded stretch, before dipping into the clear waters of the sea to cool down. Enjoy the sound of the waves lapping the sands, with the gently shelving waters ideal for little ones. Behind the beach is a beautiful expanse of lush green landscape, filled with olive trees and woods, stretching up into the mountainous centre of the island. Children will love the many water sports on offer on the nearby beaches, with San Lucianu Beach offering a water sports centre where visitors can enjoy sailing, wind surfing, jet skiing and more. With this side of the island frequently receiving a hearty breeze, it's perfect for those who enjoy beach activities.

For more land-based activities, guests will find plenty to explore further inland. The centre of the island of Corsica is filled with mountains, and is home to the Parc Naturel Regional de Corse. Visitors will find some truly stunning sights, as well as activities and sports. Keen hikers can trek to the top of the mountains, through valleys, and forests, while those travelling with children will find easier trails ideal for picnics. Keen cyclists will also find a few tracks through the mountains, with most of the tourist centres offering maps and advice on the best places to go.

Hire a car and drive along the meandering coastline, stopping off in villages along the way for a delicious taste of fresh fish and Corsican cuisine. The coastal villages are home to idyllic little marinas with local fishing boats and fishermen hauling in the day's catch. Alternatively, pack a picnic filled with delicacies from the local area, drive until you find your own secluded cove or beach and spend the day simply relaxing in the sun. Further afield, Aleria is ideal for those wanting to enjoy a day trip, and offers ancient sights, a beautiful bridge and an archaeological museum. If you're looking to enjoy a horse ride, this is the ideal place, with Ecurie U Baladinu, the riding school, matching horses to riders and taking you through some of the most beautiful areas of the island.

For larger towns and cities bursting with history and culture, Bonifacio is just over a two hour drive away, on the very southern tip of island. Here guests can enjoy a bustling port filled with luxury yachts and a dramatic clifftop background. Its old town is home to historic sights around every corner, and visitors can while away the time wandering through the streets and taking in the views. Porto Vecchio is also a two hour drive away from San Nicolao and is one of the island's largest and most popular holiday resorts. Made up of sandy bays and a beautiful town, complete with historic buildings and a chic marina, this is the perfect place to enjoy restaurants and shopping during your stay.

The island of Corsica is the place for foodies, with locals enjoying a leisurely lunch with delicious fresh ingredients. The centre of the island is populated with fertile mountainous lands where delicious delicacies are grown. As well as delicious seafood dishes, Corsica is also home to a variety of meat products, including wild boar from the centre of the island, and lamb, as well as smoked meats. The island produces a delicious range of wines, with much of the land taken up by vineyards.

As such a foodie island, Corsica offers visitors a variety of restaurants serving tantalising homemade meals. In San Nicolai, Le Lido overlooks the sea, with everything from prawns and pasta to steak and charcuterie boards on offer. This restaurant serves smaller portions for children as well as options such as ice cream and Spaghetti Bolognese. U Cartagnu has been rated as one of the best restaurants on the island and offers a variety of options, ranging from a traditional Corsican cheese and meat board to burgers and pizza. For stunning vistas over the sea and large portions at reasonable prices, A Pota Marina is perfect, while Chic Burger and O'Bar A Pizza offer great prices.

The nightlife in San Nicolao is generally quiet, but most of the restaurants stay open after dinner, with many a cork being popped in the evenings. Le Lido becomes a bar at night and is the best place to find drinks and dancing, while most of the rest of the town is quiet after dinner.

Madame Vacances' Residence Sognu di Rena offers guests use of a separate children's pool, as well as their own playground, so parents can relax knowing the children are having fun. The tourist centre can also offer a list of good babysitters for both the daytime and the evening.

There is parking available near to our Residence Sognu di Rena, with car hire facilities available on the island, as well as at the airport. Visitors can also find free parking spaces within the town, although because it's so small there are plenty of options to simply walk to restaurants, bars and attractions during your stay here.