Our second destination in Corsica was Hotel Ruesco, a boutique hotel on Olmeto beach, about two hours from Cargese. Again we braved the winding mountain roads with mile long drops on the side of the road and on top if it, we got lost a few times, even using our GPS.
Hotel Ruesco was down a rocky, steep road and when we pulled in, it looked more like a motel than hotel, with a two-story pink stucco building. Our room was decorated like a 60s mod California hotel, with a geometric print bedspread and white stucco walls, much like The Standard Hotel in Los Angeles. The grounds leading to the pool area were lush and tropical with palm trees and grass. The pool area was raised on dark wood plank boards and the long, enticing swimming pool said “jump in now”. There were lounging areas with pillows and cushions, which looked on to a stunning beach and view of the sea and mountains.
It was a Sunday and the hotel was quite lively, as there was a wedding celebration going on. We sat outside to have lunch and discovered that September was yellow jacket bees month, and they quickly invaded our food, so we moved to the glass enclosed part of the restaurant. The food was quite good and fresh and we took most of our meals at the hotel for the next 3 days. Again we mostly lazed at the pool and beach with perfect weather, an I spent hours in the heated pool and even did some of my yoga poses in the pool. Early every morning when no one was at the pool, I placed my mat facing the ocean and did yoga. It was heaven. Our biggest decision in the three days we spent at Hotel Ruesco was weather to lounge on a chaise by the pool or lie on the beach, both equally delightful.
At night we sat for dinner and took in the breathtaking sunsets and when it was twilight, the pool was lit a mesmerizing aqua color.
We decided to leave paradise for one morning and went to Bonifacio, a small city about 90 minutes south of the hotel. Bonifacio is known for amazing high cliffs of stone and its busy port. Even though it was September and a Tuesday and supposedly off-season, the town was packed. Like a typical small port town, there were rows of restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops along the marina. It was a bit of a shock from our last few days of relative calm and serenity.
We asked a shopkeeper who had a smart soap and fragrance shop for a non-tourist restaurant and she told us of one off the main street. The restaurant had mainly seafood but it also had a local stuffed eggplant dish with tomato sauce. More sophisticated and delicate than eggplant parmesan, it was scrumptious.
Although the cliffs and the view below of the sea were stupendously beautiful, I found Bonifacio a little too commercial and touristy and lacking a bit in charm.
We headed back to paradise and the last day was overcast but the landscape looked even more dramatic against the gray sky and I took some great photos.
Rested, tanned, and relaxed, and having the supreme satisfaction of finishing three fantastic books, it was the perfect vacation before diving into the busy fall season in Paris.
Hotel Ruesco
Route de Porto Pollo, 20113
Olmeto Plage
http://www.hotel-ruesco.com/
Photos below are photos of Bonifacio
Our eggplant lunch
Sampling the local pastries, of course
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