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Residence Cortaline. Appartment with swimmong pool for 4-5 persons. 50 sq. M.. 2 bedrooms, living room with sofa-bed, kitchen, shower room, separate WC, covered terrace. Ground floor of one of three small buildings containing 8 apartments. Shared private swimming pool (10 m. X 5 m., unheated, secure gate). Shared garden (1500 sq. M., old terraces with flowering shrubs, palms, cacti, etc). Altitude 400 m. Equipment. One double bed, two single beds, sofa bed, television, washing machine, dishwasher, ceramic hob, electric oven, fridge-freezer, microwave, cafetiere, kettle, iron, ironing table, electric barbecue, outside table and chairs, drying rack, electric room heaters. Village. The apartment is about 5 minutes' walk from the centre of the ancient village of Lama, perhaps one of the most charming villages in the whole of Corsica. Sited on a rocky ridge, it dominates the Ostriconi Valley leading down to the sea, with views across the valley to the high mountains, snow-capped for half the year. The network of flower-decked alleyways, flights of steps and ancient vaulted passageways allows exploration of the medieval quarter and grand 18th century ‘palazzi' built on the profits of fine olive oil. Paths lead to two ancient fountains. There are a couple of bars (one a pizzeria in the summer season), two good restaurants and a post office but otherwise no other commercial tourism to spoil the tranquil atmosphere of the place. Activities. Ancient paths lead directly from the village to the summit of Monte Astu (1535 m.), a steep climb to a superb viewpoint (C. 5-6 hours return) and to the neighbouring village of Urtaca, a fairly level walk with lots of historical interest (C. 2 hours return). There are many beautiful beaches within reach; the nearest is stunning Ostriconi Beach (15 minutes by car), approached by a steep path and (often) a wade across a shallow sandy-bottomed river, to a long beach of fine white sand with fairly shallow water backed by juniper-dotted dunes and a lagoon (a nature reserve) ; Lozari Beach (20 minutes: parking by the beach) has fine shingle shelving steeply into deep crystal-clear water (this can be unsafe in a big swell). There are fine big bathing pools in the River Ascu just below Pont de Mulindana (20 minutes by car), also in various places further up the Ascu gorge. Other attractions easily-reached in a day are: the beautiful villages and churches of the Balagne; the ‘Desert' of Agriates, St. Florent and the Nebbio; the villages and chestnut forests of the Castagniccia; the ancient capital of Corte; and the spectacular mountain valleys of the Ascu, Golu, Tavignanu and Restonica (all of these giving access to magnificent mountain scenery and some tough hiking). Lama is busy for just one week at the beginning of August for the grandly-titled ‘European Festival of Cinema of the Rural World'. Services. Bakeries at Pietralba and Urtaca (each less than 10 minutes' drive, though at least one of them, usually both, deliver in the village every morning if you can catch the van!) - Supermarket, pharmacy, doctor, filling station, restaurants, etc. in Ponte Leccia (15 minutes). Ile Rousse (30 minutes) has all the services of a sizeable town. Access. Airports: Bastia (50 min.), Calvi (1 hour), Ajaccio (2 hours). Ports: Ile Rousse (35 min.), Bastia (1 hour), Calvi (1 hour), Ajaccio (2 hours). By car: From bastia follow signs to ponte leccia then take the RN 197 towards ile rousse and calvi; lama is signed to the right 17 km. From Ponte Leccia. From calvi and ile rousse follow the RN 197 direction bastia. Lama is on the left 25 km. from Ile Rousse. Drive up to the village, watching out for a badly-signed turn to the right, immediately after the T-junction. After several sharp bends Residence Cortaline (wooden sign) is on the left just below the village, as you reach a long parking area on the right-hand side of the road. There is space to unload by the apartments (reverse up through the gate). Please note: Animals are not allowed. The apartment must be fully cleaned at the end of your stay ready for the next residents (standard practice in France). A car is strongly recommended as there is no public transport to the village. Bedding and towels are not provided (though it may be possible for you to hire them en route).
Cortaline Residence with swimming pool. In the distance, the
Sliding scale rates according to duration, Bank transfer accepted, Service charges included in rates, Cleaning charge in addition, Tourist tax included in rates, Down payment of 25% of the rent50 € per week reduction for rentals of 2 or 3 weeks.
