Italy: Sicily Biking Adventure

DAY 1

Welcome to stunning Sicily! We meet in the city of Catania (home to one of Sicily’s major airports) at 10:00 AM and immediately shuttle to the Villa Romana del Casale, a fourth-century agricultural estate that houses one of the greatest collection of Roman mosaics in the world and is a UNESCO world heritage site. There we’ll have a short introductory chat about our trip, get introduced to our bikes, and head off on our first ride. Our destination is Caltagirone, a ceramics-crazy city that also features the famous Scalinata di Santa Maria del Monte, 142 steps connecting the lower town with the upper old town, each step with a ceramic backing. Distance: 36 Kilometers main route (other distances available)

DAY 2

Today we cycle under the slopes of the Iblei Mountains, through a beautiful valley full of farmers’ fields that has been populated for almost 2000 years. We will pass through the village of Grammichele with its hexagonal plan and its beautiful square then move to our destination, the Castello Camemi, a lovingly restored castle that is now a hotel. Long route option will include a challenging ride to the Monti Iblei with stunning views over the valleys below. Distance: 58 Kilometers main route (other distances available)

DAY 3

Our route today has a variety of scenery and includes route options up into the hills above the valley. We’ll cycle down a small road lined with prickly pear cactus and pass through the nice village of Vizzini, home to the famous Sicilian writer Giovanni Verga. We then have a climb through the olive groves to Monterosso Almo and Giarratana where you will see the beautiful terraced fields of the Ragusano Territory to the gorges below the old town of Ragusa Ibla to our hotel in the heart of the old town. Distance: 65 Kilometers main route (other distances available)

DAY 4

Today you are in a for a real treat! We only travel a short distance, from Ragusa to Modica, but our route does not take the direct path. Instead, we ride along the seaside to explore the fourteenth-century Castle of Donnafugata then descend to the coast on minor roads next to carob trees and through olive groves to the fishing village of Punta Secca (setting of Detective Montalbano TV series) and the wonderful Baroque village of Scicli (UNESCO World Heritage status). We finally reach another Baroque village with UNESCO World Heritage status, Modica, our home for the evening. Modica is considered Italy’s chocolate capital and in the evening we will have a chocolate tasting and aperitif. Our hotel in Modica is situated in the heart of town. Distance: 74 Kilometers main route (other distances available)

DAY 5

Today our destination is the small town of Noto, which is considered the apex of towns in the “Sicily Baroque” style, which came about because of the mammoth rebuilding required after an earthquake in 1693. On our ride there, we’ll participate in a tasty organic cheese sampling at a local farm. The ride is through the stunning Ragusana Countryside with lots of olive groves, stone walls, and terraced fields. In town that night, we’ll splurge on the famous local granitas, a sweet Sicilian dessert treat. Distance: 58 Kilometers main route (other distances available)

DAY 6

We’ll take a rest day from moving hotels, engaging in a loop route in the splendid countryside around Noto, much of it along the sea. We first visit the Riserva di Vendicari, a seaside preserve of ancient ruins including quarries from the 5th century BC. We’ll then pass through the fishing village of Marzamemi where we’ll have a refreshing picnic lunch on the beach. Tonight, you have time to walk the streets of this gorgeous small town and choose your own place for dinner. Distance: 81 Kilometers main route (other distances available)

DAY 7

We parallel the sea today with beautiful vistas the entire day on our way to our next stop, the city of Syracuse. The entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is famous for its 2,700 years of history and current structures from ancient times. The island of Ortygia, part of the city, is the central historic core and our hotel overlooks its stunning main piazza. Syracuse is a bit larger town, with a population of 118,000, and so offers plenty of sightseeing, shopping, and tempting gelaterias and wine bars. Distance: 40 Kilometers main route (other distances available)

DAY 8

On the last day of our tour, we’ll have breakfast and head out for a walking tour of the beautiful town of Syracuse. After checking out of our hotel, we'll shuttle you either to the Catania airport to catch your flight home, or to our Catania hotel if you are staying on to hike up Mt. Etna.

OPTIONAL 2-DAY MT ETNA ADD-ON

If you choose, you can extend your stay in Sicily (staying two nights in the thriving city of Catania at Palace Hotel Una) to hike on Mt. Etna, which has a number of claims to fame: a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the highest active volcano in Europe, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, and the tallest mountain in Italy south of the alps. Etna stands at 10,922 feet in altitude (depending on the current state of eruption, which can add lava flow or blow off rock) and offers lunar landscapes, sand trails and stunning views of the countryside below.

This (up to) 5-hour hike is of moderate difficulty (but does require good fitness) but is not technical and is assisted by a gondola ride much of the way up to avoid the less scenic parts.

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