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Cycling Corsica

Cycling Corsica, France
  • Length 8 days
  • From USD$4450
  • Style/Level Classic 4.0
  • Countries France
  • Begin/End Bastia / Pinarello
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From the sea, Corsica appears as a large piece of Alpine Europe floating on a bed of cobalt blue. In fact, Corsica is geologically more closely related to the Alps than it is to its larger neighbor to the south, the Italian island of Sardinia. But culturally and linguistically this birthplace of Napoleon is all Mediterranean. Palm-lined streets bustle with colorful marketplaces and French, the island’s official language since 1768, mingles with a variety of exotic dialects brought here from northern Africa, Italy, and the rest of the Mediterranean basin. An island of beauty, Corsica is also an island of delightful surprises for the touring cyclist.

Extend this tour 3 more days join us on our Cycling Corsica Plus! Beaches and Bonifacio

Highlights

  • Mountain scenery, Extraordinary coastal scenery, French and Mediterranean food, Picturesque villages, Beautiful Pisan and Genoese churches, Fabulous beaches, Impressive watchtowers along the coast, Wine Tasting.

Includes

  • 8 days, 7 nights accommodation

  • meals as noted in itinerary, wine tasting

  • shuttle to Figari Sud-Corse Airport Day 8and the usual (see below).

  • All Classic tour inclusions

Date Price Private room fee Note

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Open all days
  • Total distance 297-355 km (183 – 219 miles)
  • Average daily distance 59 km (36 miles)
  • Tour style Classic
  • Tour level 4.0

Highlights: Historic capital of Corsica, sidewalk café, gourmet introductory dinner

Bright blue and white fishing boats and sidewalk cafés await you today as our tour begins near Bastia, Corsica’s historic capital and its most picturesque city. We recommend arriving a day early to soak in the charms of this centuries-old Mediterranean seaport. We’ll fit you with a bicycle this afternoon so you can ride to a viewpoint above the city, and then reconvene this evening for a traditional French gourmet dinner together.

Meals : Dinner
 Lodging : L’Alivi

Highlights: Scenic cycling in Corsica’s panhandle, Genoese history and settlements

After breakfast you’ll head north on an easy ride along the east side of Cap Corse, Corsica’s panhandle. You’ll want to stop for a snack or coffee in Erbalunga to see its Genoese coastal tower before cycling through the tiny port of Santa Severa. Stop for lunch and perhaps a swim in Macinaggio before heading inland to our hotel.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
 Lodging : U Sant’Agnellu

Highlights: Scenic cycling on Cap Corse, Mediterranean beaches

Today’s ride is one of the most spectacular bicycle rides in the Mediterranean basin. We suggest an early start as you’ll want to stop often for photographs. You can even take a swim during your lunch stop. Our route follows a chain of Genoese watchtowers, built along the coast in the late Medieval period to provide the local villagers early warning of impending attack by pirates. We’ll continue south along the west side of the Cap Corse to our hotel right on the water, located in the ancient Roman town of Saint-Florent.

Meals : Breakfast
 Lodging : Hotel Dolce Notte

Highlights: 11th-century Pisan cathedrals, enchanting bay of Saint-Florent with nearby beaches

A stop to our first 11th-century Pisan cathedral begins our day. Pisa ruled Corsica unchallenged until 1133 A.D. when the pope divided the island between Pisa and rival Genoa. Our optional ride continues on to the most famous Pisan cathedral in Corsica as we wind our way through hilltop villages and river gorges.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
 Lodging : Hotel Dolce Notte

Highlights: Beautiful coastal landscape with breathtaking vistas and Mediterranean beaches

You’ll head across the unique Désert des Agriates today. This stony landscape that was once rich with wheat fields is unlike any area on the island and offers some beautiful panoramas. After soaking up the views you’ll coast down to the beach for a refreshing swim if you wish. Our efforts today will be rewarded as we explore the coastal town of L’Ile Rousse with its charming center and beach. And if that’s not enough, we’ll watch the sunset into the sea.

Meals : Breakfast
 Lodging : Hotel L’Escale ‘ Côté Sud

Highlights: Coastal to mountain scenery, spectacular wildflowers in season, Genoese history

You’ll head into Corsica’s interior today. This is the main “mountain day” on the tour, so take your time and enjoy the spectacular scenery. Climbing over the pass of Saint Colombano you’ll enjoy a wonderful cruise down the Navaccia river valley to Ponte Leccia, named for the 17th-century Genoese bridge still in use. You’ll then have a steady long climb to be rewarded with a beautiful descent through chestnut forests as we head into one of Corsica’s most interesting regions.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
 Lodging : Le Refuge

Highlights: Ancient capital of Roman Corsica, luxurious beachfront hotel

The trend today is down though there are a few hills that will certainly get your attention before you reach the coast. Our destination, Aléria, was one of the principal Roman trading towns and capital of Roman Corsica by 170 B.C. From Aléria we’ll shuttle just under an hour to our luxurious beachfront hotel.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
 Lodging : Le Pinarello Hotel

Highlights: Tour ends in Pinarello shuttle to Figari Sud-Corse Airport

Enjoy breakfast together before you head home or for further exploration of Corsica.

Meals : Breakfast

Visit our Tour Level page to learn more about terrain levels and how we determine day and tour levels.

Pre-trip planning checklist

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  • The rides were great but the cultural and historical input from the guides made it all even better. Absolutely wonderful organization and experience from start to finish. We are already looking at our next trip with you and I have told many friends about your very unique approach to guided independent cycling and touring.

    Peter S., Fort Collins, CO – May 2018

  • Doing both Corsica and Sardinia back to back was the trip of a life time.

    Bruce T., Thornbury, Ontario

  • Corsica”s natural beauty was amazing. The riding routes were excellent. It””s a beautiful place to experience by bicycle because you get to fully experience the glory of the island.

    Mary Ann D., Pleasanton, CA
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