SARDINIA, CORSICA & FRANCE TRIP REPORT MAY 2023
A grand tour of islands, Alps and beaches.
Sardinia, Corsica and France Trip Report May 2023
Day 1
More of a field test day en route for the Sardinia, Corsica & France Grand Tour today. They think of everything at Magellan! After a swift chunnel crossing, we got to test and compare notes on water displacement theory and comparative tread design efficiency, hydrophilic polyether-ester copolymer textile performance, and other critical factors essential in safe and efficient all weather touring. Time to celebrate in Châlons-en-Champagne now! Any idea what the local brew is like?
Day 2
Hello sunshine! That’s more like it! Time for the splendid Sardinia, Corsica & France Grand Tour to enjoy the glorious countryside heading south through eastern France today, enjoying traditional delicacies on the way (has to be done), reaching the beautiful medieval citadel town of Besançon this afternoon.
Day 3
Acrobatic cows, a little structural welding, Magellan lifeguards, and mile upon glorious mile of sublime roads over the Jura mountains to Geneva, Annecy to Chambéry over the Bauges, and finally a real treat over the Massif de Chartreuse to Grenoble. That is just day 3 of the quite remarkable Sardinia, Corsica & France Grand Tour.
Day 4
We like la route Napoléon. Little known fact that he was an avid motorcyclist. Thank you Boney!
Day 5
Verdon Gorge. This is one ride you just HAVE to do.
Day 6
So in addition to our spectacular ride around the Gorges du Verdon yesterday, we added the cherry on top of the icing on top of the marzipan on top of the brandy soaked cake – the most beautiful balcony road that is the Route des Crêtes, which gave jaw dropping views into the precipitous gorge below, that were posted yesterday.
Then down to Toulon, to set sail for Sardinia! Where we disembarked in Porto Torres this morning to start our exploration of this Mediterranean idyll. Kicking off with a glorious ride down the north west coast, a corniche route of extraordinary beauty. Followed by an extremely exhilarating ride on what would make the most brilliant TT mountain course! Back to our lovely hotel in Alghero for a top notch dinner. All grinning like Cheshire cats on day 6 of the sublime Sardinia, Corsica & France Grand Tour.
Day 7
If you were with us today, day 7 of the Sublime Sardinia Corsica & France Grand Tour, you would have crossed the northern mountains of Sardinia from Alghero on the west coast to Santa Teresa Gallura on the north east tip. A day of glorious riding and fabulous scenery. You would now be sipping cocktails with us by the pool, looking forward to a splendid Sardinian Supper.
However, you’re not.
But you know what you can do about that!
Day 8
I was looking forward to today’s ride out in northern Sardinia, and it was a cracker combination of idyllic beach side roads, forest and mountain canyon carving, the spectacular Gallura rock formations, and a brilliant cliff top ride back up the north west coast with fantastic views over the enchanting Maddalena archipelago.
Others enjoyed some R&R in the beautiful coastal town of Santa Teresa, explored some great coastal trails, including some interesting megalithic sites. Day 8 of the Super Sardinia Corsica & France Grand Tour – thoroughly enjoyed by all!
Day 9
I found a new favourite road of the tour today. How many new favourite roads am I allowed?
This morning we hopped on the ferry to Bonifacio CORSICA! A zip up the east coast (including a lunch stop at a really lovely beach side pizza place), before crossing over the mountains that form the spine of Corsica “the mountain in the sea”. This gave me my new favourite road of the tour. It had everything! Soaring up and over the spine of the island, it gave us tight fast bends and stunning scenery. Shame there wasn’t enough light to go back up and do it all over again. Which I might just do tomorrow!
Day 10
Messing about in boats in Porto Ota, Corsica 
SS Sardinia Corsica & France Grand Tour day 10.
Day 11
Another ride out from Porto Ota, Corsica today, some headed south, some east, some north (we did west yesterday – that required a boat
). I don’t think it matters in Corsica, all the roads are fabulous! 
Stimulating Sardinia Corsica & France Grand Tour, day 11.
Day 12
What did you do after Breakfast today?
So long Corsica, it’s been a blast! You have the BEST roads.
I’ll be back.
Day 13
I knew today was going to be good but not this good! As a reward for getting up rather early when our ferry arrived in Toulon, we got to ride the brilliant cols of the Cévennes National Park, to our rather fabulous Chateaux for tonight.
Day 14
Yet another day of gorgeous roads on day 14 of the (sometimes) Sunny Sardinia, Corsica & France Grand Tour. Gorges du Tarn (nice little bridge over that at Millau) and Gorges du Lot. We gorged ourselves. Sorry. Fabulous canyon riding despite the odd drop of rain this afternoon (
).
Day 15
Making our way up to Chartres on day 15 of the scintillating Sardinia, Corsica & France Grand Tour. A day of crossing great expanses of glorious rolling countryside on those beautiful tree lined avenues that the French do so well. With a few cultural and culinary highlights thrown in, and a great gastronomic delight this evening to celebrate our time together on this great adventure.
Day 16
Today the Corsica gang returned to Calais. The circle is closed and our magnificent adventure completed, long to live on in the memories of the lucky intrepid Magellanites who conquered this Stunning Sardinia, Corsica & France Grand Tour. Thank you for following our big adventure, it’s been lovely sharing it with you. If it tickled your fancy, I believe Magellan may be running it again…?
If you’ve enjoyed following along with Andre and Tim on this fabulous visit to sun-soaked Mediterranean islands, why not have a look at the tour itself? There are always plenty of future dates to choose from!