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The ancient Greeks had a name for
Corsica, Kallilste, 'the most beautiful'.
Essentially a mountain rising out of the Mediterranean, it
surfaces as an island of 114 miles in length, 52 miles wide, and
over 600 miles of shore. No other Mediterranean island can
boast such a wealth of natural beauty.
 Certainly the beaches
are among the best in Europe; the water
is clear and warm, and where the soft white sand ends, the
majestic cliffs begin. Go inland, and you will find a very
different personality of Corsica. Here the towering mountains
run from one end of the island to the other, with over 20 peaks
over 6500 feet. Here we'll find deep beautiful gorges,
weird rock formations, lush green valleys, blue glacial lakes,
lonely mountain villages, and a latticework of small winding
roads.
Centuries of foreign occupation
by neighboring cultures have created a strong sense of identity
among the Corsicans, enduring to the present. Influences from
these outside cultures are present, yet the Corsicans remain
distinctively different from any of them. They are a warm and
friendly people, living a simple and happy lifestyle.
A major part of any lifestyle is
of course its cuisine. Corsica is a province of France, but has
a more Mediterranean flavor to it foods. There are Tuscan,
Provençal, and Spanish influences, but Corsica has maintained a
culinary individuality by using unique local products, spices
and seasoning. The many small restaurants will provide
wonderful lunches and dinners. There will be more fish and
seafood along the coast, and heartier meals, including soups,
stews, meats and cheeses, as you go inland. After a hard day of
cycling one can relax with one of the three very flavorful local
beers. The wine industry is quite sophisticated and the local
wines are more than up to the task of complimenting the best of
meals.
The best way
to enjoy this unique and wonderful island is by cycling. The
roads, and the scenery, make for some of the best cycling routes
in Europe. Corsica is blessed with a spectacular coastline and
we will be cycling most of the beautiful, winding 'corniche'
roads circling the island. And with its abundance of immensely
spectacular mountains, cycling through the interior will reward
us with some of the best days of the tour. There are many great
tourist destinations on the island that we will visit, however,
cycling on Corsica is more about the journey, as each pedal
stroke takes us to a new experience, and each bend in the road
presents constantly changing adventure. It is no wonder that
today Corsica is known as l'Ile de Beauté. This is
definitely one of the best (and still unrecognized) cycle tours
in Europe.
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