All The Essentials Lucia Took To Corsica
THE PLANNING
For me, every trip starts with finding somewhere that feels a little unexpected. I love discovering destinations before they become everyone's go-to recommendation, so when we started looking for a summer escape, Corsica kept coming up. It has all the beauty of the Mediterranean – think incredible beaches and amazing food – but without the crowds you'd find on the Amalfi Coast or the Côte d'Azur. French on paper but with a real Italian influence, it felt like somewhere we'd genuinely get to discover.
Travelling with a group also changes how I plan. I like to get the big bookings sorted early – flights, accommodation and one or two experiences I know we won't want to miss – so once we're there, everything else can happen more spontaneously. Having my BA Amex® Premium Plus Card as part of that process means I can also make those bigger holiday purchases work towards my next trip by collecting Avios on my Card.
One of my favourite benefits is the Companion Voucher. If you spend £15,000 in a Cardmembership year, you can unlock a Companion Voucher, which lets you take a friend or family member with you on a Reward Flight for no extra Avios, or, if you're travelling solo, use half the usual amount of Avios required. It can also be used in any cabin, including First or Business Class*** – making it a particularly useful benefit when you're planning a big trip with someone else and want to treat yourself to business class seats.
There's also a limited-time Welcome Bonus worth knowing about. Eligible new Cardmembers, who apply by 6 October, can collect 60,000 bonus Avios when they spend £6,000 in their first three months of Cardmembership**. That's enough for an off-peak return trip to New York or Toronto, or, if you want to travel in style, a Business Class trip to Mykonos****.
THE PACKING
I've become much better at packing over the years. Rather than throwing endless options into a suitcase, I really think about the kind of holiday I'm having. Corsica was all about swimwear, easy linen pieces, sandals and simple evening looks that worked for waterfront dinners.
I also try to do any holiday shopping well before I fly. Leaving everything until the last minute always leads to impulse purchases, whereas planning ahead means I only buy the pieces I know I'll actually wear. Whether I'm picking up a new suitcase, topping up my beauty essentials or investing in a few holiday outfits, I like knowing that some of the everyday spending that goes into preparing for a trip can bring me closer to the next one.
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THE HOLIDAY
If I could relive one day from our trip, it would start with coffee and pastries from a local bakery before heading straight onto the boat. We'd spend hours swimming in hidden coves and exploring the coastline before stopping for lunch at Le Casabianca on Plage d'Arone. Sharing fresh lobster and steak with our feet practically in the sand is exactly the kind of memory I always hope to come home with.
I'm always happy to spend a little more on experiences I'll remember for years – like the boat day – and save elsewhere by choosing a villa over a hotel. Travelling as a group made that balance even easier, because we could split costs while still making room in the budget for the things that really elevated the trip.
One thing Corsica taught me is that you don't have to see everything. The island is far bigger than people expect, so instead of racing around trying to tick off every corner, I'd recommend picking one area and really exploring it. That's when you find the quiet beaches, family-run restaurants and little moments that end up becoming your favourite memories.
For more information and to apply for the British Airways American Express® Premium Plus, search ‘BA Amex Prem Plus’. Representative 135.7% APR variable.
Your rate may vary depending on your circumstances. Annual fee applies. Terms apply. 18+. Subject to approval. Spend a minimum of £15,000 in a Cardmembership year to get a Companion Voucher. Voucher valid for 24 months, in any cabin. Rewards flights are paid for with a fixed Avios and Cash amount.
***Taxes, fees and carrier charges still apply.
**If you're an eligible new Cardmember, there's currently a limited time offer running until 6 October 2026 where you can collect 60,000 Avios when you spend £6,000 in the first three months of Cardmembership. T&Cs apply. 18+.
****Reward Flights are available to any British Airways Club Members with an Avios balance. In addition to your Avios, the only cash amount required for Reward Flights is a fixed cash amount. Your chosen date of travel will determine whether you pay a peak or off-peak Avios amount. When booking Reward Flights, you can choose all peak dates, all off-peak dates or a mixture of the two. For travel in First, a cash amount to cover taxes, fees and carrier charges will be payable. The taxes, fees and carrier charges will vary dependent on airline and destination and will be calculated when you book your flights. The final fee (i.e. Avios plus payable taxes, fees and carrier charges) will be displayed at the final stage of your booking. Find out more about Reward Flights. The British Airways Club Terms and Conditions and Conditions of Use apply.
The prices referenced in this article are for Reward Flights and based on an off-peak, return fare for 1 passenger from London to New York or Toronto travelling in World Traveller (Economy) and London to Mykonos travelling in Club Europe (Business). All prices and Avios amounts quoted are correct as of 28/08/2026.
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