Charming break in Alta Rocca +Added to my favoriteItem already present

1/Cucuruzzu, an enchanting walk

The weekend begins with a visit to Cucuruzzu, an archaeological site classified as a historical monument. The woodland area is good for walking in September, away from the crowds. It seems to be a magical place to me… A fairy or an elf could well appear out of nowhere! The shaded path through pines, olive trees and oaks is like a step back in time, millennia back, with caves, stone walls, gigantic pines, as well as the "casteddu", a kind of stone building constructed by the country folk of the time. The odours of lichen and moss mixed with those of various essences add to the wonder of the place. It is an awakening for all the senses.

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2/Levie, a village like no other!

The journey continues with an exploration of the village of Levie, with 700 inhabitantsin winter, almost double in summer! The imposing, almost austere, stone housesof the Aiguilles de Bavella seem towatch over this unspoiled authenticvillage of Alta Rocca.

At a bend in the road we find a stone fountain, a small square bordered by mulberry trees, a vegetable garden, the old quartersthat were used for meetings in the past, and then a second-hand shop that we couldn't resist entering... The objectsset out seem to have come straight from another time: old engravings, a 60spram, porcelain crockery, rocking chairs, mirrors yellowed by time, ancestraltools and a multitude of curiosities! Jean, the owner immediately engages us inconversation "I have had so much pleasure running this shop fordecades". We hear the hint of nostalgia in his voice, but the pleasure isstill the same! The summer tourist flow having abated some, the villagersare slowly preparing for autumn toarrive. They enjoy all seasons with equal pleasure here.

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3/musée de Levie : a journey through time

End your visit to the village with an essential stop at the Departmental Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum! A modern and nice place to visit where you can learn without realising it, where history is presented in a fun way, adapted to everyone. The "highlight" of the Museum is the skeleton of the Dame de Bonifacio (Lady of Bonifacio) alias Lucie, 7500 years old! First Mesolithic testimony. This is a rather unique encounter with this very old lady since investigations carried out on her skeleton suggest that Lucie, who died somewhere between 30 and 40 years old... died from a dental abscess! Another room and another ambience that will thrill the youngest of visitors is a life-size recreation of an archaeological excavation scene, complete with shovel, wheelbarrow, brushes, bones and everything needed to titillate our imagination.

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4/Authentic character and well-being at the A PIGNATA***FARMSTEAD

To extend this fabulous day, head for the A Pignata farmstead with chestnuts and oaks as far as the eye can see, green covered mountains, the smell of the vegetation and its particularly calm and relaxing atmosphere... The welcome in reception is warm, and our room most pleasant with its tasteful decor, wooden headboard, tiled floor, walk-in shower and ultra-comfortable bedding. Right next door is the heated swimming pool, XXL deckchairs and the hammam, a welcome sight to us! With a view of the mountains we take a dip to relax our muscles after our packed day, after which we head for the restaurant.

Here again we encounter a cosy atmosphere with delightfully dressed tables, soft diffused hanging lighting, old objects arranged around the place and lots of natural materials such as wood and stone. So on to dinner: typical Corsican dishes made with fresh products from the farm and garden of the owners, the De Rocca Serra brothers, including cold meats, farm soup, lamb preserve, white beans in sauce, cannelloni, sweet fritters, cheeses… Everything here is homemade and it shows. It leaves everyone delighted and amazed, the guests enjoying every morsel of the house specialties. Jean Baptiste and Antoine De Rocca Serra care for their visitors with professionalism and consideration. A word for everyone, and always the desire to make sure all feel welcome. After dinner we return to our nest for a well-deserved rest.

After a good night's sleep, the morning's backdrop is totally different from the day before… The sun illuminating the nature all around us, the birds singing and A Pignata slowly waking up. Everything is ready in the breakfast room: hot drinks, homemade cakes, pancakes, scrambled eggs, cereals, pastries, panzetta and toast!! A gargantuan gamut of flavours in the most beautiful setting… The temperature is still very mild in September, so we enjoy our breakfast on the outdoor terrace, looking towards the Alta Rocca mountains. We head out with a light heart and many treasured memories.  We will be back for sure!

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5/ A GOURMET STOP IN Sainte Lucie de Tallano

A few kilometres from Levie we come across Sainte Lucie de Tallano, a warm, friendly and lively village.  The atmosphere is set near the fountain in the plane tree lined plaza, where passing tourists and villagers chat over a drink! We decide to indulge in these moments of bonhomie set to the rhythm of the gurgling fountain. Our eyes are drawn to the colourful and informative tourist plaques, through which we discover useful information on crafts, history, heritage and gastronomy.

As dedicated epicureans, it is the olive oil that catches our attention. How can you resist sampling this culinary treasure of Alta Rocca in the shop of a village producer? The walk to the shop is a real pleasure, passing pretty stone houses along cobbled streets, flowers and plants adding a touch of colour, bed linens drying in the windows and the still warm autumnal sun flooding the summer terraces still decked out and waiting... 

On arrival in the small shop, we discover a festival of colours and odours to assail us: green olives, black olives, tapenade, toast especially for sampling the oil, an olfactory journey through Corsica's land of yellow gold! Jacques explains to us his passion for this small fruit and his love for his hundred-year-old orchards. The profession of olive grower brings with it a lifetime of happiness.  Two types of olive oils are presented to us: Fruity and sweet.  The first is strong in taste, a festival of flavour to pair with salads or cheeses. The second stands out when combined with heat, during cooking, or associated with certain foods such as cucumber or pepper. Exquisite flavours that party in the mouth bring this romantic getaway in Alta Rocca to an end!

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