Mediterranean Island Hopping
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Photo Gallery: Med. Island Hopping
Mediterranean Island Hopping
Experience the Best of Northern Sardinia and Western Corsica - Named a "Tour of a Lifetime" for 2011 by National Geographic Traveler magazine!
Highlights
- Catalan-inspired coastal town of Alghero
- Island-hopping boat excursion
- Astonishing glittering red granite rock walls of Les Calanche
- French and Italian cultures back to back
- Superlative coastal cycling
- Dips in turquoise blue coves
- Local seafood cuisine
- Dine at Michelin-starred Ristorante Andreini in Alghero!
Description
Outdoor enthusiasts, photographers, nature and water lovers will be dazzled by this trip’s dramatic beauty. The route follows the coastline, allowing you to experience the best of northern Sardinia and western Corsica. Distinct and exotic, Italian-influenced Sardinia and French-flavored Corsica enchant all who visit their Mediterranean shores. In Sardinia, salty pastel houses fade into chestnut groves and cork forests; rolling hills take us to thousands of prehistoric Nuraghi towers; sculpted pink rock formations and dunes melt into the sea. In hilly Corsica, called “beautiful city” by the ancient Greeks, we’ll cycle by a dream of jagged purple-pink rock formations, dramatic white cliffs, and translucent blue coves.
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Price
Apr - May 3: $4,995
May 21: $5,095
Sep: $5,195 -
Single Supplement
$900
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Ability Level
Intermediate
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Terrain
Rolling
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Distance
316 miles Daily average: 35
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Departing
Calvi, France
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Arriving
Alghero, Italy
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Bike Rental
Included!
- View our Suggested Reading
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Other Trips You'll Like
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Dates
- April 16, 2012
- May 3, 2012
- May 21, 2012
- September 3, 2012
- September 29, 2012
Day 1: Alghero
Experience the Alghero's Spanish heritage on a warm-up ride along the coast with several short hills but truly amazing views that are similar to the coast of Northern California.
Day 2: Castelsardo
Experience the lifestyle of Sardegna's quiet inland villages during today's ride featuring vast, sweeping fields of wheat and seemingly undeveloped farmland framed by cactus, olive trees and maquis bush.
Day 3–4: Santa Teresa and boat ride to Archipelago of La Maddalena
Day 3 - We climb out of Castelsardo and descend finally back to the coast enjoying a gorgeous coastal route and the inland rugged landscape with miles of maquis covered landscape - literally a sea of green.
Day 4 - Today we take a much-deserved day off from cycling and enjoy a festive boat ride to the National Park of La Maddalena’s Archipelago and some of the most beautiful beaches on earth!
Day 5–6: Bonifacio
Day 5 - Discover Bonifacio with our local guide and enjoy a spectacular walk that starts in the old town of Bonifacio and continues along the cliffs.
Day 6 - Today is a gorgeous and peaceful ride to Corsica’s rugged interior. Cork trees line our routes that zig zag up to granite overlooks. There are few villages along the way, and lots of mules, sheep and a landscape that sings of an ancient past.
Day 7: Propriano
Today’s road is wide and hilly with views of the craggy coastline and its sea to your left. Distant coves are inviting and keep you focused on an afternoon dip at our hotel’s picturesque beach. After Sartene, a very typical Corsican town, it’s all downhill, unless you’ve got some steam left over for the highly recommended extra loop that takes you inland to visit a few charming Corsican villages.
Day 8: Ajaccio
The ride meanders through the beautiful countryside and coastline along the bay of Propriano. Take note of the deep rural aromas and pastoral terrain through a cool and lush forest with coastal views galore through the trees. Before dinner we visit the city of Ajaccio with a local guide who will tell us the story of Napoleon’s birthplace, the capital of Corsica.
Day 9: Porto
Today’s ride has an incredible variety of scenery. We ride along a wonderful coastal road with white sandy beaches and then start to climb inland gently towards Cargese and Porto. Have your camera ready as we pass through the astonishing coastal area of Les Calanche, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, enjoying red and pink granite spires that soar above the sea!
Day 10: Calvi
Possibly the most scenic ride of the trip and a fitting grand finale to our tour; many guests say that this ride is their all time favorite! Take your time and enjoy the dramatic and at times surreal landscape. In the late afternoon, the orange sun animates the cream-colored rocks - soak in the views!
Day 11: Au Revoir/ Arrivederci!
Au revoir and after breakfast you can reach the airport by taxi in 15 minutes or simply extend your stay in the area.
Guides for this trip
Related Testimonials
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Susan R. from Kirkland, WA had this to say about Mediterranean Island Hopping:
An excellent balance of challenege, education, and fun. -
Joe T. from Woodside, CA had this to say about Mediterranean Island Hopping:
I loved this trip! -
James K. from Sharon, MA had this to say about Mediterranean Island Hopping:
Great trip. The guides did a flawless job. -
Elaine E. from Sharon, MA had this to say about Mediterranean Island Hopping:
One of the best trips we have been on. -
Connie D., Cheshire, CT had this to say about Mediterranean Island Hopping:
Sardinia is truly 1,000 shades of blue.
