3 Islands - Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily

Ride and Seek's 3 Islands Epic takes riders across three sun-kissed islands at the crossroads of the Mediterranean: French Corsica and Italy's Sardinia and Sicily. Split into three week-long stages, the tour is a journey through the history, food, architecture and traditions of each island, shaped by Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Arab, Norman and Aragonese influences. Rugged mountain interiors meet coastlines of white beaches and emerald water, and the locals have a fierce sense of place.

The route runs north to south. In Corsica, Napoleon's birthplace, riders loop Cap Corse from Bastia, then follow the quieter, more scenic west coast past the red granite of the Calanche di Piana and the prehistoric statues of Filitosa to clifftop Bonifacio. A short ferry crossing leads to Sardinia, where the route traces the Gallura coast and the Phoenician-rich west coast via Catalan Alghero, the Nuraghi and the islands of Carloforte and Sant'Antioco, finishing in Cagliari. An overnight ferry then delivers riders to Palermo for the final stage across southern Sicily, taking in Selinunte, the Valley of the Temples and the Baroque towns of Ragusa and Siracusa.

Each stage can be booked on its own or combined into the full 26-day Island Hopper. Graded 3 Espresso Cups, it suits fit riders who enjoy long days and regular climbing, rewarded by Corsican charcuterie and wine, Sardinian culurgiones and Sicilian cassata. Accommodation ranges from converted monasteries to a family-run agriturismo, many with sea views, and the guiding team brings deep local knowledge to every day.

Highlights

• Cycle the Cap Corse loop and Corsica's west coast, including the Calanche di Piana and the UNESCO-listed Scandola Reserve
• Explore the prehistoric site of Filitosa and finish Corsica in clifftop Bonifacio
• Discover Catalan Alghero, a well-preserved Nuraghe and the Genoese islands of Carloforte and Sant'Antioco
• Visit the archaeological site of Nora and spend a free day in Cagliari
• Guided visit to the Valley of the Temples, plus the ruins of Selinunte
• Baroque Ragusa and Siracusa, and outstanding island food and wine throughout

Surface and terrain
Mostly good sealed roads, riding bay to bay along the coast with occasional inland mountain passes. Undulating to mountainous; the operator's 3-cup grading indicates climbs averaging 3-4 km and up to 10 km.

Weather
September is late summer in the Mediterranean: warm to hot days of around 24-30°C, mostly dry and sunny, with the sea at its warmest. Coastal winds can be strong, and the odd thunderstorm is possible later in the month.

Suitable for
Fit, regular riders comfortable with 70-115 km days and 1,000-2,000 m of climbing at a strong tempo (operator's 3 Espresso Cups). Ideal for those who value history, food and culture as much as the riding. Single stages offer a shorter commitment.