Corsica, surprisingly, may not have the best food in the world. And it doesn’t have super luxe hotels. But even the French admit it’s one of the most beautiful spots in their country. Another surprise: Corsica’s not just a summer destination. For those looking for a chill detox and yoga wellness retreat, it’s good any time of the year. (Don’t worry, they still have wine.)
The Town of Calvi
If you’ve ever wondered what the marriage of France and Italy would yield, the answer is Corsica. Corsica is an island south of France and to the west of Sardinia. It’s geographically part of France, but its heart is Italian. It’s also one of the remaining European destinations that’s not overrun with tourists. The prime time is summer, of course, because Corsica is known for its beaches. However, La Villa, the most modern and full-service hotel in town, is keeping the isle a worthy destination throughout the fall and the holidays with its wellness retreat in Corsica.
Sometimes a place is hyped up so that when you go to experience it yourself, it falls short. Well, that’s not the case with Corsica, which may just be one of the most unspoiled, picturesque places in France. The town of Calvi is located in the northern part of Corsica, and is known for its cultural events, including the summer music festivals. The gem of Calvi is its 12th-century Genoese citadel. By day, it’s where you get some of the most stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and port of Calvi, which is a center of nightlife. Also of note is the Saint-Jean Baptiste Cathedral, where the scenic drive up to the church is one of the highlights of the region.
La Villa
La Villa is a Relais & Chateaux property set within the hills of Calvi. Its location means it has a prime view of the historic citadel and the Monte-Grosso mountain range. Translate this into layman’s terms and that means a killer sunset each evening. The hotel has been around for almost 30 years and is the most modern of the two five-star hotel options in town. And, La Villa really makes its mark with its art program, where the common spaces and reflection pool are modern art exhibits. For those who know their luxury travel, this may not be the most incredible hotel to stay in. But it is one of the top places in Corsica. Also, La Villa has one of the top wellness retreats in Corsica.
The Programs
For those of us who ate a lot of Round Swamp Farm’s pie this past summer in the Hamptons and are ready to hit it hard for the holidays, La Villa has a wellness retreat in Corsica for that. From Wednesday to Sunday, along with special retreats in between, La Villa has designed wellness light programs. This means you get a fair amount of exercise, along with simple spa treatments. But you don’t need to give up the wine.
A typical four-day program, under what’s called the Immortal Parenthesis wellness retreat, looks like this:
Day 1:
Arrival
Lunch break
Aqua biking
Free time to discover the area
Dinner
Day 2:
Pilates
Breakfast
Hiking
Lunch
Spa treatments and free time
Dinner
Day 3:
Pilates
Breakfast
Naturopathic workshop
Lunch
Spa treatments and free time
Dinner
Day 4:
Pilates
Breakfast
Hiking
Spa treatments and free time
Dinner
Day 5:
Breakfast
Cooking class
Brunch
Departure
During the fall, it’s perfect weather for tennis on La Villa’s clay courts, or a long walk on the beaches that Corsica is famous for, or a hike in the mountains. This is not SHA or Lanserhof, but it’s also much gentler on the pocketbook at around 2,100 euros per person. This wellness retreat in Corsica gives you a chance to explore the island into the fall.
Booking
Hit us up at [email protected], and we’ll set you up.
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