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Three Awesome Things to See in Brittany, the French region for Explorers

Three Awesome Things to See in Brittany, the French region for Explorers

There's far more to Brittany than delicious crêpes and homemade cider. The hilly peninsula that stretches towards the Atlantic Ocean is filled with a dramatic coastline, medieval towns, and lush forests. Once you go beyond world-famous sights such as stunning St-Malo, you will be charmed by the wild, varied landscapes including prehistoric menhirs and even an unusual blush-hued beach. Discover what Brittany has to offer the Brittany Travel Guide and Offline Map.

1.     St-Malo

With one of the world's greatest tidal ranges here you'll witness waves lash the top of the ramparts of the city. But don't let that discourage you from visiting, just mere hours after a storm the blue sky becomes one with the cobalt sea and as the tides recede they expose broad sandy beaches the surround granite outcrop islands. The beautiful walled city's fortifications began in the 12th century and during the 17th and 18th century it soon became a base for merchants and pirates alike.

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2.      Carnac

Beyond its enticing beaches and stunning town center, Carnac holds a collection of magnificent megalith sites making it a must-see while in Brittany. Predating the Stonehenge by a century, the town is also home to a sheer number of ancient sites found in its vicinity. The collection contains more than 3,000 upright stones erected between 5000 and 3500 B.C. making it the world's greatest concentration of megalith sites.

3.     Château de Josselin

Upon your first glimpse of the château, you will be greeted by its three round towers. It is an incredible sight and remains the home of the Rohan family today. The castle flamboyant Gothic facade is accentuated by the central courtyard's tree-filled grounds and a great view of the river below. Although you will need a guide to enter the castle, here you will see a medieval-style dining room, a 3000-tome library, and a grand salon filled with Sèvres porcelain, Gobelins carpets, and an astronomical clock.

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Corsica, the French Island of City Breakers

Corsica, the French Island of City Breakers

Dubbed as one of the pearls of the Mediterranean, Corsica Island has quite an animated history. Known to be "often conquered, never subdued" the island has been successively Pisan and Genovese and now French since 1768. The diversity of the island's scenery is outstanding and contributes to the multitudes of activities you can do. You can go sunbathing by the beach, scuba diving, and even sailing at sea or if you're the mountain adventurer type you can also go hiking on the infamous G20. Download the Corsica Island Travel Guide and Offline Map to help you map out your Corsica trip.

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1.     G20

Infamously known as the toughest long distance trail in Europe, the G20 is not for the faint hearted. It traverses Corsica diagonally from north to south and is also one of the most beautiful mountain trails. It's 180 kilometers long with variations in heights of about 10,000 meters and can be walked in a whopping 15 days. The GR20 doesn't necessarily require any climbing techniques or perfect fitness level, but it does require a whole lot of confidence to walk over a variety of rugged terrain.

2.      The Ruins of Aleria

The capital of ancient Corsica was established in the 6th century B.C. by the Phocians after they were chased from the homeland by the Persians. They were subsequently conquered by the Romans in 259 B.C.; an easy feat considering the site is directly across the sea from Rome itself. In 1730 the city was captured by the troops of Pascal Paoli, who landed here in 1936 and crowned himself King of Corsica. The city was then lost and would only be rediscovered again between 1920 and 1951; archaeological digs continue to this day and have led to the discovery of a great many everyday objects: weapons, crockery, Etruscan vases, and money.

3.     Pinia

Known for its calm seas all year-long, Pinia is a famous spot for families to relax and enjoy the sun without much worry for their younger children frolicking by the beach. Surrounded by pine trees of the forest that is also named Pinia, the fine sandy beach stretches out over several kilometers. When you find the beach all too crowded for your liking during high season it's easy to escape by disappearing into the neighboring forest and taking a walk over to the lake.

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