Kalliste
Tours owner, France-Marie Louvet Martikonis, grew up and lived
in Corsica where she has family. There, she has decades-long
connections with Corsican families, business owners, artisans
and artists, thus the tours being so unique. France-Marie knows
the island’s little back roads, the historical and cultural
hidden treasures, and is very familiar with the local mentalities,
which is paramount when it comes to a place like Corsica.
Geoffrey Martikonis, her husband, co-founder of Kalliste Tours,
joins most of the tours. Born in Wisconsin, world traveler,
and a former geologist, Geoffrey shares his fascination for
the unique landscape and the well preserved ancient living culture
of Corsica, as well as for the fabulous food.
France-Marie shares the island’s rich cultural heritage
with heart and expertise, and her bilingual and bicultural backgrounds
provide the distinct advantage of being able to provide an authentic
Corsican experience while making sure that her English speaking
guests feel “comme à la maison”,
at home, in style, with the kind of luxuries overseas cultural
travelers would expect.
A former naturopath, France-Marie adds a healthy touch to the
tours, from the organic food and wines to the local healing
plants. She is attentive to your well-being and to making the
tour unfold with balance and comfort.
She and her husband live on the beautiful Californian Coast
between San Francisco and Carmel, and enjoy Corsica part of
the year. They personally accompany each private tour. France-Marie
creates all the itineraries and reviews them in detail yearly.
Both invite you to appreciate the unspoiled authenticity of
rarely seen sites and to be part of local celebrations. During
your private visits, you receive focused attention and warm
authenticity. Their friends open their door and their heart,
and proudly share their traditional savoir-faire, explaining
their art or craft to you. Expect to be personally introduced
to local people and to centuries old traditions, and to catch
a glimpse of Corsican life that few travelers get to see.
“Experiencing Corsica with France-Marie and Geoffrey
has been like a refreshing vacation with good friends. We never
felt any tension, as we had experienced with other tour leaders.
They are truly caring people; we shared very interesting conversations
with them and enjoyed their uplifting energy.”
Monica and Jason F., Gladstone, Australia
Come wake up your senses and renew your spirit on the Magic
Isle of Corsica.
Kalliste Tours is based in California and
is a member of the The International Ecotourism Society,
based in Washington DC, including eco-professionals in 110 countries
and a Co-op America Business Network member,
a 20 year old organization that promotes sustainable, socially
and environmentally responsible business. Kalliste Tours is
recommended by Maison de La France, the Tourism
Agency of Corsica and Maison de la Corse a
Paris.
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