Corsica

Rating	Description	Picture
Riding **	Pretty roads but grades are steep for loaded touring, many narrow twisting roads with no shoulders. Major roads in the north are quite busy. Divers are much more careful with bikes than other cars. Train through the mountains provides a scenic alternative, just roll your bike on. Be in shape for short steep climbs or be ready to walk.
Camping ***	City camping is convenient in Bonficio but not pretty. Try camping in a vineyard with a restaurant, good wine and good food.
Food & Wine ****	French food and cafes at Corsican prices, that's hard to beat. Excellent bread and lots of outdoor dining. Try Chez Jo Blaise located high in the gritty streets of Bastia, no one in a tee shirt tries harder to make you feel welcome to his home, a Corsican experience. In Bonificio be ready to splurge, a fine French meal elegantly served, outdoors on the harbor promenade is a life experience.
Sights ****	Corsica is meant to be explored slowly, it is filled with stark beauty and soaring mountains Bonificio with it's high cliffs, elegant harbor, and high walled Castelo gets my vote for the most beautiful city in the world. This is a must see. Corte has a high brooding Citadel and an amazing feeling of mountain refuge. It is the heart of Corsica. Gritty Bastia has a friendly realness that will intrigue you as you wander its narrow streets. The essence of Corsica is its stubborn, toughness that has defeated all comers for centuries. It's still a backwater of Europe but that's a plus if you enjoy meeting people that have not yet been overwhelmed by tourists.
Overall ****	Great place to visit but be ready for some hard riding days even if you take the train through the mountains. The short steep climbs are hard with a loaded bike, so be ready to do some walking. Remember the time in Bonificio will make it worth the work. Just be careful not to burn your legs out the first few days, give them a chance to adjust to the hills. Article by Roland