Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Bastia, Corsica
Highlights: Historic capital of Corsica, sidewalk café, gourmet introductory dinner
Bright blue and white fishing boats and sidewalk café 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 explore town, and then reconvene this evening for a traditional French gourmet dinner together.    

Day 2: Bicycle to Rogliano
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 a lunch stop in the tiny port of Santa Severa. Stop for ice cream or a swim in Macinaggio before heading inland to our hotel. Dinner is together. Distance: 40 km (25 miles).    

Day 3: Bicycle to St. Florent
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 St. Florent. Distance: 69 km (43 miles).    

Day 4: Rest day in St. Florent
Highlights: 11th-century Pisan cathedrals, enchanting bay of St. Florent with nearby beaches and aquatic activities
A visit 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. We'll have dinner together this evening. Distance: 0 - 50 km (0 - 31 miles).    

Day 5: Bicycle to Monticello
Highlights: Beautiful coastal landscape with breathtaking vistas and Mediterranean beaches
You'll head across the unique Désert des Agriate 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 relax poolside on our hotel's terrace overlooking the Balagne valley. And if that's not enough, we'll watch the sun drop into the sea. Distance: 51 km (32 miles)    

Day 6: Bicycle to Piedicroce
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 extraordinary wildflowers. Climbing over the pass of Saint Colombano you'll enjoy a wonderful glide down the Navaccia River to Ponte Leccia, named for the 17th-century Genoese bridge still in use. Then you'll have a short ride up a long hill as we head into one of Corsica's most interesting regions, the Castagniccia. Dinner together. Distance: 81 km (50 miles).    

Day 7: Bicycle to Aléria
Highlights: Downhill ride to the coast, ancient capital of Roman Corsica
Continuing east today, you'll have a few short hills before enjoying a wonderful downhill ride to the coast. Our destination, Aléria, was one of the principal Roman trading towns and capital of Roman Corsica by 170 B.C. Dinner together tonight. Distance: 70 km (43 miles)    

Day 8: Bicycle to Sainte Lucie de Porto Vecchio
Highlights: Vineyards, orchards and coastal scenery, beachfront hotel
Vineyards and orchards mark the route today as you follow the coast through pine forests. If we have time this afternoon we'll enjoy a swim or just relax at the beach. Dinner is together tonight. Distance: 65 km (41 miles).    

Day 9: Rest day in Sainte Lucie de Porto Vecchio
Highlights: Visit Porto Vecchio, relax at the beach
Today is a rest day so you can either enjoy lounging at the hotel pool, take a walk down to the beach, or pedal into Porto Vecchio for some shopping and sight seeing. For those of you who want more cycling, we'll offer a beautiful loop ride into the countryside. Dinner on your own. Distance: your choice.    

Day 10: Bicycle to Bonifacio
Highlights: Seaside fortress of Bonifacio
This morning we'll ride to Bonifacio at the southern tip of Corsica. This magnificent village perched on limestone cliffs was the prize possession of both the Pisans and Genoese who fought over it for over 150 years. You'll have time to explore this fortress town before we celebrate our final dinner together this evening. Distance: 40-60 km (25-37 miles).    

Day 11: Tour ends in Bonifacio, Corsica
Highlights:
Our tour ends this morning after breakfast. Sardinia is just a few miles across the Strait of Bonifacio, so maybe you plan to explore more of the Mediterranean. Whatever your plans, bon voyage!

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