Just a couple of minutes from the sea, in the heart of the beautiful town of Calvi, Casa Paradis is situated within easy walking distance of the beach, restaurants, marina, citadel and shops. It’s the perfect base for a relaxing self-catering holiday for families, couples and groups of friends alike, and the extra expense of car hire is a choice, not a necessity. This stylish home is spacious and very well-equipped, comfortably sleeping up to 8 people (4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms). And, unusually for such a central location, it has a lovely private patio garden, perfect for relaxing outdoor dining. Casa Paradis is typical of the style of building to be found all over the island, with wooden shutters and tiled floors throughout. Recently refurbished, and with regular updating and improvements made every year, the interior is modern, contemporary and comfortable. Free WiFi included.

Corsica has superb beaches, lush unspoilt countryside and stunning mountain scenery, but is perhaps best-known for its famous son, Napoleon. The island combines the best of French culture and lifestyle with that of its close neighbour Italy, resulting in a unique fusion which is defiantly Corsican. Refreshingly, Corsica has somehow managed to avoid mass development. Calvi is on the north west coast, in the Balagne region which has rugged mountains, national parks, beautiful mountain villages and a stunning coastline. Calvi is situated on the southern tip of a crescent-shaped bay backed with snowcapped mountains. The 6km long sandy beach stretches around the bay, and offers a variety of watersports. Calvi has a chic waterfront and yacht marina lined with restaurants, cafes and bars, and charming cobbled streets and alleys boasting an array of boutiques and delicatessens. Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor spent not just one but two honeymoons here, and with very good reason!

Calvi’s main beach is only a 10 minute stroll from Casa Paradis, and beachlovers will not be disappointed. As it’s 6 km long, there’s plenty of room for everyone, and its fine sand and gently-shelving bottom make it ideal for children of all ages. Restaurants and cafe bars are dotted along the beach, and a variety of watersports, including hobie-cats and kayaking, are on offer. The beach is backed by shady pines and sand dunes, concealing an adventure playground and tennis courts. Only a couple of minutes from Casa Paradis is the secluded and little-known beach Plage Roncu, ideal for snorkelling and exploring. The marina is where you’ll find several dive schools, yachts offering sailing trips and boats for hire. Other activities available include horseriding, tennis, mini-golf, quad-bike safaris, an aerial assault course and mountain biking. There are some excellent walks, and nature lovers will enjoy the flora, fauna and bird-watching.