Guide

There will be a cycling leader with the group, plus a bicycle mechanic driving the support van.

Meals

All breakfasts and one dinner are included. Sicilian cuisine is a mix of the different cultures that have called this island home over the millennia: from the Greek and Arabs to the Normans and Spaniards. Soil here is incredibly fertile, with a perfect climate for the cultivation of fresh produce, such as olives, oranges, lemons, aubergines (eggplant), tomatoes, pistachios, almonds, grapes and more. Additionally, mussels, clams, tuna, swordfish and anchovies are fished right off the coast. This wide range of high-quality ingredients serves as a base for myriad dishes, resulting in a cuisine that’s fresh, varied and delicious. Sicilian wines are also superb: grillo and inzolia are excellent white wines, Cerasuolo di Vittoria and Nero d’Avola are both fabulous reds, and marsala, moscato and zibibbo are wonderful dessert wines. As nearly 90 percent of Italian lemons grow in Sicily, sampling the local limoncello is a must. On this trip there is the chance to join an optional picnic lunch, prepared by the support driver and your leader. Dinners are taken at the hotels or local restaurants recommended by your guide, according to your budget and preferences.

Others

Local bike hire

Transport

Transfers to/from the airport are by private vehicle. Your luggage is transported from hotel to hotel for you. The vehicle will be available with assistance on the later stages of rides. The tour leader cycles with the group.

Accommodation

We use comfortable hotels and an agriturismo, which have been carefully selected for their friendly atmosphere and character. All rooms have en suite facilities and most are conveniently located in proximity of the charming Unesco-listed historic centres we visit. List of properties normally used: Palazzolo Acreide: Feudo Bauly Modica: Ferro Hotel Marzamemi: Agriturismo Tenuta Arangio Noto: Grand Hotel Sofia Syracuse: Hotel Gran Bretagna Boutique Ortigia Or Hotel Posta

Not included:

Others

— Travel insurance — Single accommodation (available on request ) — Visas or vaccinations — Local city taxes (approximately €15) — E-bike hire

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Start In Palazzolo Acreide, Welcome Briefing And Bike Fitting
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Start In Palazzolo Acreide, Welcome Briefing And Bike Fitting

We start in Palazzolo Acreide, a maze of narrow streets and baroque churches that was built following an earthquake in 1693 on the site of an ancient Greek colony. The tour leader will give a welcome briefing and, if there’s time, we will do the bike fitting. Depending on the arrival time of the group, we may have the chance to explore Palazzolo Acreide. If not, we look around the town tomorrow morning. Accommodation: Feudo Bauly
Day 2 Day 2: Ride South To The Hilltop Baroque Town Of Ragusa Ibla; Cycle Scenic Roads To Modica (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Ride South To The Hilltop Baroque Town Of Ragusa Ibla; Cycle Scenic Roads To Modica (Breakfast)

We start our adventure with a ride through the beautiful lower valleys of the Hyblaean Mountains, passing olive plantations and dry-stone walls that characterise this area. We then climb into the highlands to Ragusa Ibla, a town built over three hills separated by a deep valley, and home to beautiful baroque churches and buildings. We then cycle to Modica, a Sicilian baroque town at the bottom of a gorge. After the ride, we recommend trying Modica chocolate, still prepared using the Aztec recipe brought over by Spaniards in the 1500s. We stay overnight in Modica. Accommodation: Ferro Hotel Total ascent: 2,566ft (782m); total descent: 3,527ft (1,075m)
Day 3 Day 3: Cycle To The Architectural Delight Of Scicli, The Filming Location Of ‘Inspector Montalbano’, Then On To Our ‘Agriturismo’ (Breakfast,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Cycle To The Architectural Delight Of Scicli, The Filming Location Of ‘Inspector Montalbano’, Then On To Our ‘Agriturismo’ (Breakfast,Dinner)

We leave Modica and ride along a ravine that slopes downhill until we reach another outstanding example of Sicilian baroque architecture, Scicli, where the popular Inspector Montalbano TV series was filmed. We continue further south until we meet the Mediterranean coast, where we stop for lunch and a swim. Getting back on the bikes, we cycle along the shore to the area of San Lorenzo, where our agriturismo (converted farmhouse) is located. Accommodation: Agriturismo Tenuta Arangio Total ascent: 1,011ft (308m); total descent: 1,959ft (597m)
Day 4 Day 4: Gentle Circular Route Through Vineyards, Along The Coast And Back To Marzamemi (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Gentle Circular Route Through Vineyards, Along The Coast And Back To Marzamemi (Breakfast)

A loop ride takes us through vineyards and past cherry tomato greenhouses (where the renowned Pomodoro di Pachino tomatoes are cultivated). If we are lucky, we may spot flamingos, herons and other migratory birds in marshes along the way. We then follow the coastline to Portopalo di Capo Passero, the southernmost village in Sicily (further south than Tunis). Here, we stop for coffee and a chance to swim where the Mediterranean and Ionian seas meet. We reach our lunch stop in Marzamemi, a picturesque fishing village of Arab origins, before returning to the agriturismo for a second night. Accommodation: Agriturismo Tenuta Arangio Total ascent: 971ft (296m); total descent: 984ft (300m)
Day 5 Day 5: Coastal Ride To Vendicari Nature Reserve, Continue To Noto, The Capital Of Sicilian Baroque Architecture (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Coastal Ride To Vendicari Nature Reserve, Continue To Noto, The Capital Of Sicilian Baroque Architecture (Breakfast)

A short ride brings us to the beautiful Vendicari Nature Reserve. This narrow stretch of marshy coastline provides a rare and now completely protected habitat for migratory bird species and the local flora and fauna. A short walk will take us to beautiful sandy beaches, perfect for a swim in the Mediterranean Sea. As we leave the reserve behind, we head north to Noto, another Unesco World Heritage site. It’s a planned town in the Late Sicilian baroque style, all built in a beautiful honey-coloured stone. A must-try in Noto is the delicious cannoli alla ricotta and almond pastries. We stay overnight in Noto. Accommodation: Grand Hotel Sofia Total ascent: 1,385ft (422m); total descent: 1,175ft (358m)
Day 6 Day 6: Circular Ride To Cavagrande National Reserve And The Deep Cassibile Canyon (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Circular Ride To Cavagrande National Reserve And The Deep Cassibile Canyon (Breakfast)

We start our day with a challenging but rewarding 4mi (6km) climb to San Corrado di Fuori, where we stop for a well-deserved coffee. Continuing the cycle, we reach the archaeological site of Noto Antica, the original settlement of Noto, which was destroyed by the 1693 earthquake. Another ascent takes us to the viewpoint of Cavagrande del Cassibile (1,657ft/505m), one of the deepest canyons in Europe, where we enjoy a lunch stop with sweeping views of the gorge and the Cassibile river far below. In the afternoon, we enjoy a magnificent descent with hairpin bends towards the coast, before returning to Noto for a second night in this wonderful city. Accommodation: Grand Hotel Sofia Total ascent: 2,333ft (711m); total descent: 2,333ft (711m)
Day 7 Day 7: Final Coastal Ride To Syracuse; Free Time To Discover The Historic Town (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Final Coastal Ride To Syracuse; Free Time To Discover The Historic Town (Breakfast)

Today's gentle ride will lead us first to Avola for an espresso or cappuccino, then along the coast to Syracuse, passing beautiful beaches where we will stop for a refreshing sea dip. Once we arrive in Syracuse, described by Cicero as "the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of them all", our tour leader will provide a short orientation tour of Ortigia, the island where the city was founded. In the afternoon, there is free time to explore at your own pace, do some shopping or visit the archaeological park with its spectacular hillside Greek theatre. We stay overnight in Syracuse. Accommodation: Gran Bretagna Boutique Hotel Ortigia Or Similar Total ascent: 587ft (179m); total descent: 807ft (246m)
Day 8 Day 8: End In Syracuse (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: End In Syracuse (Breakfast)

The trip ends in Syracuse after breakfast. If you’d like a bit more time to explore, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

8 days tour

Cycling In Sicily

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Cycling In Sicily

Day 1: Start In Palazzolo Acreide, Welcome Briefing And Bike Fitting

Day 2: Ride South To The Hilltop Baroque Town Of Ragusa Ibla; Cycle Scenic Roads To Modica (Breakfast)

Day 3: Cycle To The Architectural Delight Of Scicli, The Filming Location Of ‘Inspector Montalbano’, Then On To Our ‘Agriturismo’ (Breakfast,Dinner)

Day 4: Gentle Circular Route Through Vineyards, Along The Coast And Back To Marzamemi (Breakfast)

Day 5: Coastal Ride To Vendicari Nature Reserve, Continue To Noto, The Capital Of Sicilian Baroque Architecture (Breakfast)

Day 6: Circular Ride To Cavagrande National Reserve And The Deep Cassibile Canyon (Breakfast)

Day 7: Final Coastal Ride To Syracuse; Free Time To Discover The Historic Town (Breakfast)

Day 8: End In Syracuse (Breakfast)

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