Exploring Bonifacio, Corsica

It's time to explore Bonifacio and we start by heading down to the the marina and up into the old town.  The Bonifacio area was inhabited in pre-historic times, one young woman's skeleton was carbon dated to 6570 BC.  It is also believed that there are references to this area in Homer's Odyssey in the 7th century BC.  The name Bonifacio is believed to have come from Count Bonifacio, who officially founded the town in 828 AD and built the castle on the peninsula.  There is a lot of history here!

Heading up from the marina

On top, we're outside the town walls and initially head away from the old town, walking along the edge of the cliff, with beautiful views of the sea and with Sardinia in the distance across the channel.

Walking along the cliff

After half an hour or so, we turn and head back into town, entering through the main gate and wandering the narrow streets of the old town.

 Streets of old town

 Restaurants, shops, and churches

Emerging on the other side of old town, we find the more modern city administrative buildings and schools alongside the cemetery and the old fortifications.  We wander into one building near the city hall and find art from the Bonifacio Tango festival, complete with the artist at a table discussing her work.

 Bonifacio Tango festival

We enjoy our short art diversion and move on to the much-older fortress and landscape.

 Guarding the entrance to the port

 Up the coast

 Into the harbor

Walking back toward the marina, we pass by the ancient cemetery, next to the school playground (or, going by dates, the playground was built next to the cemetery).

 Cemetery and playground

Descending to the marina through the castle walls

 Back in the harbor/marina

We've seen a lot in our wander up into and around the old town and are now thinking of a swim in the hotel pool looking over at the city from across the harbor.

Driving down to Bonifacio, Corsica

After our late arrival and dinner, we stay near the port in Bastia and pick up a car the next morning to drive down to Bonifacio, in southern Corsica, just across the channel from Sardinia.  The trip is about 175 km (110 miles) and follows the eastern coast of Corsica, with beautiful views of the sea and the mountains along the way.  We pass through several intriguing small towns and stop once or twice for essentials (water, Diet Coke, admire the local specialties).

 Sea on the left, mountains on the right

 We're back in France!

Too bad it's not lunchtime!

We arrive in Bonifacio and find our hotel, Cala Di Greco, across the water from town, with great panoramic views, check in, and head into town for our introductory wander.

 Hotel Cala Di Greco, Bonifacio across the way

In town, we find a charming contrast of modern marina life at sea level and the old town and shops/quarters up above.

Marina below 

 Old town above

But first, lunch.  It's been a long drive and we're hungry.  We settle in at the marina for three paninis, frite, and wine.

 Lunch in the marina

After lunch, we explore the marina, pop into some of the shops, and admire the local food and wine for sale in the grocery store.

 Shops on one side, restaurants and docks on the other

 Local offerings in the grocery store at the marina

We enjoy, purchase a bottle of local wine, and head back to our hotel to ponder our next move.