A desert with a beach? That’s Agriates, lapped by turquoise waters. So rather than drive along the desert roads, take a boat trip to from St Lorent this wonderfully unspoilt beach. Agriates desert is now a protected nature reserve.

This nature-lover’s paradise has a rich variety of flora, fauna and wildlife. More than 3,500 square kilometres of this beautiful island and its surrounding sea enjoy National Park status.

A World Heritage Site from 1983, Scandola’s wildlife is legendary. You’ll see sea eagles and cormorants, while the clear water’s marine life includes dolphins, seals and rare fish. The coastline’s red cliffs soar to 900 metres high. Go by boat from the nearby towns of Calvi and Porto.