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Corsica, “L’Île de Beauté,” is a natural treasure mingling beaches and mountains, architecture and craftsmanship.

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An ex-voto is a work of art or small object that is hung within a church as an offering given in fulfillment of a vow or in thanks for an act of grace. The Notre Dame de Lavasina sanctuary in Brando possesses an impressive collection that believers have offered over the centuries. They have accumulated on the walls of the former Franciscan convent that is now home to this museum. It is now open to the public on Thursdays, with two tours organized in the afternoon. It is strongly recommended to reserve by calling +33(0)6 03 89 27 03. A 25-minute drive from Mercure Hôtel & Spa Bastia Biguglia. For more information, please consult <https://www.astratella.com>. ©Pierre Bona/Wikimedia Commons

Musée des Ex-voto

For some thirty years, Distillerie Astratella has been producing essential oils and floral waters using wild plants. In the 2010s, they installed a cosmetics laboratory and expanded their product range to include some twenty massage oils made using organically grown ingredients. The distillery is open year-round and throughout the week except on Sundays.  The distilling operations get underway in late September. An hour-and-a-half drive from Mercure Hôtel & Spa Bastia Biguglia. For more information, please consult <https://www.astratella.com/> or call +33(0)7 85 13 91 98 / +33(0)6 87 28 32 45. ©Istock by Gettyimages

L'Astratella distillery

Located 53 miles south of Bastia, the Gorges de la Restonica meander along the eponymous river. The waterway originates in Lake Melo, at 5,614 feet of altitude, and flows into the Tavignano, in Corte, 11 miles downstream. Listed as a Great National Site since 1985, the valley is a protected site despite being very popular, particularly for its many swimming spots. It is best to head out very early in the morning to avoid the crowds and crushing heat. Surrounded by forests, the Gorges de la Restonica are also a departure point for hiking trails that take you throughout this magnificent high-altitude valley. An hour-and-twenty-minutes drive from Mercure Hôtel & Spa Bastia Biguglia. ©Istock by Gettyimages

Gorges de la Restonica

His forge stands among ancient oak and chestnut trees in the commune of Cagnano in Cap Corse about 17 miles from Bastia. In this peaceful natural setting, Gaël Mayeur designs all his knives (fixed-blade and folding knives), forges them, and assembles each one onto a handle in a carefully selected type of wood. Each one is unique. The knife craftsman shares his workshop with another blacksmith and a potter. A 55-minute drive from Mercure Hôtel & Spa Bastia Biguglia. It is recommended to call before visiting. For more information, please consult <https://gael-mayeur-coutelier-forgeron.fr/> or call +33 (0)6 27 27 41 23. ©Istock by Gettyimages

Gaël Mayeur

If you love history, you’re in for a treat! Aléria is the ancient Roman capital of Corsica. The ancient city, spanning 27 acres, is located 45 miles south of Bastia, and its southeastern limit is still marked by a rampart. Admission tickets are available at the archaeological museum located in the former fort of Matra, built by the Genoese beginning in the 14th century. It features collections of objects found in archaeological digs. A one-hour drive from Mercure Hôtel & Spa Bastia Biguglia. For more information, please consult <https://www.isula.corsica/patrimoine/attachment/1843240/> or call +33 (0)4 95 57 00 92. ©Istock by Gettyimages

Aleria Museum and archaeological site

Every sweet tooth in Bastia swears by one local institution: Leoncini. This pastry shop, located just off the port of Bastia, first opened in 1893. Since then, each generation of the family has inherited the ancestral savoir-faire in turn, continuing to delight Corsicans and tourists alike. This is the ideal place to enjoy an ice cream, chocolates, and any of the typical specialties of the region, such as the crustless cheesecake, fiadone, and the local biscotti, canistrelli. For more information, please consult <https://www.patisserie-leoncini.fr/> or call +33 (0)9 70 35 20 21. ©Pexels/Pixabay

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Gaël Mayeur

Pâtisserie Chocolaterie Leoncini

L'Astratella distillery

Gorges de la Restonica

Musée des Ex-voto

Aleria Museum and archaeological site