Calvi, Corsica

With growing popularity as a beach resort, this small town on the northwest coast of Corsica is a delight to visit. Walk along the lively beachside promenade where you’ll find restaurants, bars and shops. A 15th-century citadel built by the Genoese takes its place of prominence on the hilltop above the town, affording spectacular views of the harbor below. Visit Église Sainte-Marie, a charming pink church, and Notre Dame de la Serra, a 19th-century chapel. You’ll see a plaque that commemorates the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, but the claim is controversial. For natural wonders, take a boat tour of the beautiful rock formations of the Scandola Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site.