Arbitru

Arbitru is also fabulously placed for spending time on the beach. A drive of fewer than 10 minutes will take you to the lovely little sandy beach of Canettu, while just 15 minutes away are the gorgeous sandy beaches of Maora (Plage de Sant'Amanza) and Balistra. There are many more options, including the gorgeous Plage de Santa Giulia, within 20km.

After you've spent some time in Bonifacio, you might like to get out and explore some other towns and cities in the south of Corsica. There are several fascinating options, including Sartène, a panoramically positioned, medieval town whose pretty labyrinth of streets gives an idea of Corsican life away from the coastline, and Porto Vecchio, a charming, town with a good selection of shops, bars and restaurants, a daily morning market, and a lovely old town centre looking over the large natural harbour.

The south coast of Corsica, with its numerous sandy beaches, its coastal walking trails and its superb views, is also very much worth exploring.

Further afield on the west coast is the island's capital, Ajaccio, which is well worth a visit, not least so you can say that you've been to the birthplace of the great Napoleon.

For golf enthusiasts, the superbly sited coastal course of Sperone is just a 20-minute drive away.