Ajaccio, Mediterranean Cruises Port Profile
• Overview
The French city of Ajaccio is located on the Mediterranean island of Corsica. It is famous as
Napoleon’s birthplace. Ferry routes from various French and Italian cities make it one of the most popular vacation
zones for European travelers. Besides museums and historical sites, natural beauty and old France remain prime
attractions in the area. It can be a perfect place to spend a French honeymoon, and hotel settings rarely
disappoint.
The valleys around the city are known for their unique colors, and a Mediterranean essence that remains unseen
elsewhere. Ajaccio is everything you ever dreamed about; the perfect combination of serenity and style to add
different dimensions to your Mediterranean vacations.
• Arrival
 When traveling to Ajaccio by water, you may be arriving either from Marselle,
Toulon or Porto Torres in Italy. So get yourself to either one of these ports before traveling here on water.
At the sea port there are reservations for vehicles, various shops and restaurants available. Cafes, seafood
restaurants and the like are dotted all along the coastal areas. This means there is ample opportunity to
spend some quality time filling your tummy with local delicacies till you board a taxi or car to reach your
hotel. The port also has important facilities such as special services for the disabled, reservation offices
and yacht inspection zones for everyone.
• Transportation
Ajaccio city is mainly dependent on car rental services. Buses ply to and from the airport,
and getting to other ports of Corsica is all the more interesting if you travel by sea routes. Port buses ply
between 7 am and 7 pm.
Trains are also available and bookings can be made till 6 pm. However, due to great rush and a large number of
tourists in summer, reservations are open till 8pm. The available car rental companies include Hertz, Budget and
Europcar. You can also rely on local companies like Ceccaldi, Eurocorse and Autocars Ricci, and they are available
for less than 12 euros for executive pickups and drops twice a day.
• Telecommunication
Making a phone call or accessing internet through your hand device is easy in Ajaccio. Technically advanced
compared to most Mediterranean coast, the French city has remained a paradise for many multinational professionals
using air columns almost every second. You can use the economical French calling cards if you have an overseas
connection. Simple procedures can get you permanent connections and internet facilities, and that is if you are not
using one already. With an established telecommunication line, you may not have to go through procedures for
availing a new one. Internet phone calls are also a common way of communicating for citizens and travelers in
Corsica.
• Shopping
Ajaccio offers the best food and grocery products. Local stores offering dry fruits, local cheese and wine
products are marvelous and command every new visitor to check them out. Boulagerie Geleani, Farmer’s Market, Maison
de l’Amande Corse are brilliant locations to travel to for some breakfast shopping. While traveling in the city,
you will also come across jewelry stores in Opium, a famous shopping facility in Corsica. For general shopping, you
will be thrilled to know that Ajaccio offers a large number of interesting book stores, camera studios, auction
houses and garment stores. The city also finds access to essential services, hardware stores and appliance
repairmen in all local neighborhoods.
• Attractions
The Corsican city offers a great deal of vibrancy. Besides the esplanades housing cafes and shops, many scenic
places can shape and stretch your itinerary. Ajaccio was born in an area that lies slightly off the city limits
under Roman occupation. Ajaccio Origins, which happened to be an agricultural land and a resting place for Roman
soldiers, today sees visitors from around the world. Traveling to this place in a rental car from the city port can
cost about 18-20 euros. Napoleon’s museum at Place Austerlitz is one of the other important areas for visitors.
However, his birthplace is located a little away at a narrow street called Rue St. Charles. Also remember that you
can take tours around the various village areas, herd grounds and colorful cliffs. There are many travel packages
that let you do so. Exploring each of these magnetizing tourist getaways in private rental cars can also be an
economically viable idea.
• Dining
You can find a large number of restaurants in the southern regions of Ajaccio port. Restaurant des Halles,
Restaurant da Mamma and Le 20123 are some of the most popular restaurants in the port area. Moderately priced, they
can be excellent for regular meals, drinks and family outings. You can also find popular snack bars like Don
Quichottein in the same area. La tradition comme Autrefois is a classy little connoisseur’s corner that can be a
safe choice to try out local cuisines and some international favorites. Cafes and cozy restaurants such as Arts et
Placards Bar du Center can be perfect places to hangout while you are in the city. You can also try out pizza
specialties and other restaurants in the northern neighborhoods around Marechal Avenue.
• Tips
Ajaccio can be a great place to visit in summer, but the crowds can sometimes mess up the experience you are
looking for. However, if you plan well and book your hotels, ships and air tickets in advance, there is very little
to worry about. Moreover, plan to stay at a moderate distance from the port area because you can then avoid the
peak season bustle and yet have the best restaurants and shops at an easy distance. By staying in the northern
parts of the city, you can find easy access to the many valleys and sea cliffs people talk about endlessly.
Moreover, if you plan to catch a plane for your departure, lodging at those neighborhoods will keep you at a
comfortable distance from the city’s airport at Camp Dell’oro. Choose a location keeping these factors in mind, and
your trip in Corsica can be completed without any hiccups.
Original Article Written for www.mediterraneanfuncruises.com
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