Cycling Tour in Sicily

If you prefer to arrive the day before please let us know and we will help you organize your pre night at hotel in Catania that you can easily reach via 15-mins taxi ride from airport at your convenience. This is recommended just to allow you more time to settle in and get ready for the tour.

Cycling Route Info on day 1: Main Route: 15mi/1000ft of elevation gain | Extra loop adds: 5mi/670ft

Cycling Route Info on day 2: Main Route 31mi/3100ft | Extra loop adds: 9mi350ft

Fly to Catania Fontanarossa Airport (or meet us at hotel in Catania) and join us for a 1.5-hrs group transfer to our accommodation for the next two nights in an albergo diffuso or “dispersed hotel” in Scicli. The term references the determination to rescue semi-deserted towns by constructed new hotels in a manner that scatters the services across existent, historic buildings. In other words, rather than tear everything down in order to construct a single typical new hotel, the developer renovates the old structures, and places various hotel services within them. For example, guest rooms might be across the way from the breakfast room, which is a few doors down from the concierge.

Rides here include a warm-up to the sea to stretch our legs, take in the salty, restorative air, and enjoy a gelato in cheerful seaside Donnalucata, and
a full-day ride to Ragusa Ibla, making the exhilarating climb to the Monti Iblei on the way. In Ragusa, we enjoy its Baroque architecture, best displayed in Ibla, as the historic section of town is called. From Ibla, we ride on to Modica to visit the oldest pastry shop of Sicily and a heritage chocolate maker. The artisans show us how chocolate is made following an ancient Aztec recipe, originally carried here by the Spanish Aragonese.

We visit also a cheesemaker and then enjoy dinner with a Sicilian family for a meal featuring traditional recipes prepared by chef Angela and cherry tomatoes locally grown by her hubby Bartolo. Other activities off the bike include a visit to the town hall, site of the fictional commissioner-detective’s office. Reading one of the novels or watching the show ahead of time makes a nice introduction into Sicilian manners, town life, and culture.

Cycling Route Info on day 3: Main Route: 37mi/1830ft | Extra loop adds: 6mi/500ft

Cycling Route Info on day 4: Main Route: 22mi/2050ft | Extra loop adds: 24mi/1230ft  

Our third day sees us out of Scicli riding east toward Noto. We make our first stop in Ispica to visit its fascinating prehistoric cave dating to Neolithic times. The hollows studding the walls of this gorge occurred naturally before humans modified and adapted them into dwellings, small sanctuaries, and necropolises. From Ispica, we pedal on to Lido di Noto for lunch by the beach.

Our base for the next two nights is a masseria (historic Sicilian farmhouse) located near Noto, and run by the family that will show us around their almond orchard. Today you can relax by the pool with spectacular views of Noto while sipping a nice Nero d’Avola and savor local delicacies over a buffer dinner at this estate.

Exhilarating rides over these days include a loop inland and towards the ruins of Noto antica to see what remains here after the earthquake that destroyed part of eastern Sicily in 1693. This area is also famous for cherry tomatoes called Pomodori di Pachino, named for a nearby town.

Off the bike, we visit a local winery centered on the distinctive red grape Nero d'Avola and white grapes Moscato and Grecanico. In charming Noto, we stroll through the historic center, and let’s be sure to stop in at the historic Caffé Sicilia, considered by many to be the best gelateria in Sicily (some say the world). Like their parents and grandparents before them, the current owners expertly handle local nuts and citrus. In terms of gelato flavors, consider trying the Montezuma. The New York Times called it “a heady mix of chocolate, cinnamon and orange-and lemon-candy peel”.

Cycling Route Info on day 5: Main Route: 35mi/2650ft | Extra loop adds: 10mi/20ft  

Cycling Route Info on day 6: Main Route: 29mi/2430ft | Extra loop adds: 10mi/1300ft 

On our fifth day, we set out from Noto on a spectacular ride that leaves the coast and bends inland to afford us a scenic climb along the Cavagrande (Grand Canyon of Sicily) on the Cassibile River. From the top, we admire the views before continuing on to an agriturismo for lunch. Here, we meet the owner and enjoy an olive-oil tasting and walk in the garden to learn about carob, olive, and pomegranate trees and the local wheat production.   

Our destination is Siracusa Ortigia. Like Ragusa, Siracusa is a UNESCO site with an additional name for its historic district. Siracusa’s is called Ortigia, and this is where we stay tonight. Siracusa boasts a beautiful situation right along the sea and more stunning Baroque architecture and piazze (town squares). We have the chance to explore its incredible preserved history among the Greek remnants with a local guide.

This morning, we transfer to the north side of Mount Etna for a scenic ride in the Alcàntara Valley. The landscape was formed by waters running off Mount Etna and the southern peaks of the Nebrodi Mountains. The name is Arabic in origin: al qantara meaning “the bridge” and here it references a Roman river-crossing discovered by the Arabs. After a visit to a bike shop, we lunch in Castiglione di Sicilia, a village boasting the superlative designation of Borghi più belli d’Italia, an association celebrating the most beautiful and historically significant villages in Italy.

Back at our hotel on the slopes of Etna, those who wish can take in a final extra loop. Then join us for a visit at local winery to learn more about Etna wines and their unique “terroir” with grapes growing on a volcano!

We close our journey over a celebratory dinner feast of abundant Sicilian flavors and share memories of our time together. 

After breakfast, catch one 1-hour private group transfer to Catania Fontanarossa airport, or feel free to extend your stay for an extra night and tackle Etna volcano climb on the scenic road called “mareneve” (sea and snow).

Minimum of 6 participants, maximum of 16, with a maximum guide-to-guest ratio of 1 to 8

DATES (1 night following our Cycling Tour in Sicily Tour)  
For more info, dates and availability please contact us.

TOUR PRICE 

Per person in double occupancy: from $400 to $600 (tour price will vary depending on type of accommodations and group size) 

Single Supplement: from $100

In addition, we pledge to donate more than 1% of your trip price to food literacy and environmental non profit organizations

Cycling Route Info on day 7: Main Route: 30mi/4100ft of elevation gain | Extra loop adds: 4mi/1000ft

Your extension begins on a rolling and slightly uphill road on the slope of the volcano Etna to warm up and then tackle the climb on the scenic road called “mareneve” (sea and snow). This climb is 8mi long with an elevation gain of 2600ft at ~6% average grade, and it includes some 10+% sections.

Reach the top and feel free to add an extra 2 miles to reach a local restaurant in Piano Provenzana area for a well-deserved meal and a breathtaking view. The group will meet here and today, as always, you can surely take the van to shorten your route as much as you like: even in the van the view is spectacular and worth-enjoying!

Enjoy the long descent and return to your hotel for some relaxation. Then share another dinner to celebrate another exciting day on the highest active volcano of Europe, and your journey through the heart of the Mediterranean.

After breakfast catch our 1-hour group transfer to Catania airport. If you have more time consider to extend your stay in the region. Buon viaggio (“Safe travels” in Italian) and see you soon!