Sicily E-Bike Tour - 13 Days

Welcome to Sicily. Please make your own way to the hotel in Palermo.

The rest of the day is yours, so take some time to explore and admire the beauty of this Sicilian capital as tomorrow we will be leaving. You may like to visit some of the city’s most famous attractions such as the Politeama Theatre, the Massimino Theatre, the Ballarò market, the archaeological museum and Monte Pellegrino with the shrine of Santa Rosalia.

Tonight we’ll get together at a local restaurant and ready ourselves for our first bike ride.

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Cycling Distance: 0km

Meals: None

Accommodation: Hotel

Our day starts with a 65 km transfer to a sandy stretch of the Sicilian coast near Castellammare del Golfo. After being fitted to our bikes we’ll cycle inland through the mountains to Segesta - a well- preserved historical site with a most impressive Doric Temple and Greek Amphitheatre. You can choose to finish the ride here and join a 2.5 hour tour of the temple (cost approx € 20). Or continue cycling for another two hours to the hotel.

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Cycling Distance: 19km to 55km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel

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This morning we’ll cycle to the Salt Pans of Trapani in the Paceco Nature Reserve and visit the Salt Museum to learn about the "white gold" that has driven the local economy for hundreds of years. Then you have the option to be driven to the inner-city cable car for a ride up to the medieval village of Erice. Alternatively take the slow “hard” route and ride up.

Perched on a mountain, Erice is described as one of Italy’s most beautiful villages. At an altitude of 700m above sea level, it overlooks Trapani and the Egadi Islands. Although Erice was founded by the Phoenicians, it developed a structure much more like Greek towns. We’ll visit the town, taste one of the famous Genovesi (a typical sweet of Erice) and admire the view. Then a beautiful descent awaits as we’ll all hop on our bikes and ride back to the hotel.

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Cycling Distance: 28km to 48km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel

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It will take us about two hours to cycle through olive groves and vineyards to the small seaside town of San Vito Lo Capo, known for its beautiful 3 km sandy beach. Sitting in a valley between mountains and sheltered by Mount Monaco, this little village has many restaurant options for lunch. Then relax at the beach before being transferred back to the hotel later this afternoon. If you don't want to bike today you may choose to relax at the pool in the morning and then partake in a lunchtime cooking class (extra cost) at the hotel. Your holiday - your way

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Cycling Distance: 42km

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel

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Today we’ll pass through the middle of Sicily during our 4.5 hour transfer from the West Coast to beautiful Noto on the East Coast  - considered to be the island’s Baroque capital. Completely destroyed by the terrible earthquake of 1693, Noto was rebuilt on a new site about 10 km from the old centre. It’s now a showcase of massive churches and public buildings with stylish architectural details. Many of these are located on the main thoroughfare of Corso Vittorio Emanuele including the public gardens, Monastero del Santissimo Salvatore with its graceful tower, the inspired Palazzo Ducrezio, the Cathedral, the Church of San Francesco, the Jesuit Church and College, and Palazzo Nicolaci di Villadorata. As are so many other places on the island, Noto is not only an open-air museum, but also an area where local delicacies are produced. There will be plenty of time to explore as we will be staying in Noto for three nights.

Cycling Distance: 0km

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel

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We’ll begin by cycling to the highest point in the Noto valley, Testa dell' Acqua, a small and old village that is now populated by only a few people. Here we’ll have a coffee break before a descent (with hairpin bends) leads us to the remains of ancient Noto which was destroyed in 1693. From Noto Antica, we’ll continue our ride on small country roads that will take us to one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the area. Then its downhill to Noto where there will be time to explore the two Basilicas and have lunch at a local food stall before cycling back to our accommodation.

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Cycling Distance: 52km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (cooking class)

Accommodation: Hotel

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Today’s ride begins along quiet country roads where we’ll pass many olive plantations until we reach the beautiful historic fishing village of Marzamemi. The main square is an ideal spot to stop for a coffee or ice cream where you can also admire the traditional architecture. Next, we follow the coastal road to the beach of Lido Isola Portopalo. There will be time for a swim before lunch at a local restaurant.

Later we will transfer back to our accommodation.

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Cycling Distance: 43km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel

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It’s an hour’s drive to Syracuse where we'll go on a guided tuk tuk tour through the small alleyways and hidden corners of Ortigia. Then we’ll have some time to explore the local food market. If you are looking to go back in time to when the ancient Greeks ruled the world, Syracuse is undoubtedly the place to begin your journey as more than 2,700 years of art and history are concentrated in this extraordinary city. When the Greeks landed here in the 8th century BC, they established their colony on the small but strategically important island of Ortigia which became the central core of Syracuse. Over the centuries its buildings have been influenced by the styles of the time, not only by the ancient Greeks, but also by the Romans, Arabs and Normans. After our stop in Syracuse we’ll transfer to our accommodation .

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Cycling Distance: 0km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel

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Today we’ll cycle along the coastline that connects Giardini Naxos to Taormina. It’s a beautiful ride, passing numerous caves, coves and bays until we head inland on a mostly quiet country road. After 22km we’ll stop for coffee and ice-cream in Mongiuffi. There will be a few more climbs and some nice descents before we arrive in the beautiful village of Savoca. Here we’ll visit the famous and quaint Bar Vitelli, straight out of Francis Ford Coppola’s movie “The Godfather”. After lunch we’ll transfer back to our hotel for an afternoon at the pool, beach or in one of the tranquil spots waiting to be experienced.

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‍Cycling Distance: 49km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel

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Have a relaxing morning before we drop you off in Taormina around midday, either at the famous beach of Isola Bella or at the cable car which connects the upper part of Taormina with the coast. Spend the afternoon exploring at your leisure. We recommend a visit to the Greco-Roman Theatre from where you have great views towards the Calabrian Coast, the Ionian Sea and the spectacular cone of Etna. Stroll through the historic centre with its many shops, cafes and restaurants. An optional cooking class will also be on offer in Taormina.

Cycling Distance: 0km

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel

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The long-awaited day has arrived where we’ll take on the highest active volcano in Europe.

You have three activity options today:

1. After a short drive to the charming town of Linguaglossa, founded on a lava stream in 1566, we start our bike ride. It’s a gradual climb through beautiful forest which you can easily manage on your e-bike. We’ll notice how the landscape changes from a tree forest to one best described as lunar, with volcanic rocks and black sand.

2. Transfer to the top in the van and experience a 2.5 hour crater excursion by 4 wheel drive. Then regroup with the other cyclists for an amazing descent back to the hotel.

3. Later this afternoon you may like to participate in an optional traditional cooking class making fresh pasta (extra cost).

Cycling Distance: 34km to 54km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel

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We’ll transfer again to Linguaglossa before riding along Quota Mille Road on the northern slopes of Mount Etna. There will be evidence of the volcano's last major eruption in 2002, indicating how powerful nature can be. Then we’ll head to Maletto, the highest town in the Etna circle at 1,000m above sea level, before descending to Randazzo, a small village built with black lava stone and consequently known as “black city”. Our final cycling destination is the Tornatore Winery surrounded by the beautiful Etna landscape. Francesco Tornatore founded this winery in 2012 on the original family farm where he’d previously built a state-of-the-art winemaking facility. The estate is one of the largest and works exclusively with the native varieties of the region. A guided tour with wine tasting and lunch is included before we drive back to our hotel.

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Cycling Distance: 40km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel

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Time to say "arrivederci". Our fascinating tour of Sicily finishes after breakfast. Please make your own onward travel arrangements.

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‍Cycling Distance: 0km

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

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