This challenging tour offers you millennial history and unspoilt nature. It guides you through the baroque Southeast of the island, then through the inland and finally to Mt. Etna, the highest active volcano of Europe.
You will see seven towns of UNESCO world heritage: Siracusa, Noto, Modica, Ragusa, Palazzolo Acreide with their numerous baroque Palazzi and churches, Caltagirone and Piazza Armerina, known for the “Villa Romana del Casale” with its colorful floor mosaics. The Nature Reserve “Cavagrande del Cassibile” and the regional nature park of Mt. Etna.
Included and Not Included Services
Accommodation in hotels of the 3*** or 4**** category, Bed & Breakfast in Caltagirone and Nicolosi
Breakfast buffet or full breakfast
Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
Well planned routes
Detailed documents (maps, places to visit, important telephone numbers), 1 per room
Telephone service hotline for the entire tour
Arrival to the starting point of the tour
Departure at the end of the tour
Drinks, tourist tax and all extras
Lunch, Dinner (if not booked halfboard)
Not mentioned entries
Rental bikes or helmet
Travel insurance
All not expressly mentioned under the item „Included services“
Day 1: Siracusa
Individual arrival or transfer to Siracusa. Briefing and handover of the bikes.
Day 2: Siracusa - Noto
(approx. 129 km / ascent approx. 2.215 or approx. 73 km / ascent approx. 1.200 m)
Today you will cycle across the Iblei plateau with its numerous Canyons, called here “cave”. After having left Siracusa you will start a climb to the Climiti mountains and then along the ridge. Shortly before arriving in Sortino you will have a stunning view over the plain of Catania and in the background the volcano Mt. Etna, the goal of our tour. From Sortino you start the fast downhill with hairpins of the so-called “Fusco” to the Anapo Valley. You a continuous up and down brings you to the coast, where you start the last challenging climb to the Cavagrande del Cassibile. The stage ends in Noto, the capital of the Sicilian Baroque.
Day 3: Noto - Palazzolo Acreide
(approx. 130 km / ascent approx. 2.550 m or approx. 96 km / 2.180 m)
Today’s stage shows you again the various landscape of the Iblei plateau and two true jewels of baroque architecture: Modica and Ragusa Ibla. After a first climb you arrive in Noto Antica, the original city of Noto, completely destroyed by the big earthquake of 1693. You continue to Castelluccio where you start the downhill to the valley. Uphill again to Modica and Ragusa, two master pieces of baroque architecture. Don’t forget to try the spicy chocolate in Modica. The stage finishes in Palazzolo Acreide.
Day 4: Palazzolo Acreide - Caltagirone
(approx. 137 km / ascent approx. 2.180 m or approx. 69 km / ascent approx. 920 m)
Today the route leads from the Iblei to the Erei mountains. On a continuous up and down you cross a number of typical small mountain villages like Cassaro, Ferla, Sortino, Buccheri and Vizzini. The stages ends in Caltagirone, the center of Sicilian pottery craft.
Day 5: Caltagirone - Caltagirone
(approx. 96 km / ascent approx. 1.650 m or approx. 61 km / ascent approx. 1.155 m)
This stage continues to the center of Sicily that is of great agricultural importance and has already been described by the Romans as the granary of Italy. You will see vast plantations of prickly pears. (Fico d’India). Possibility to visit the “Villa Romana del Casale” near Piazza Armerina with the well-preserved polychromatic floor mosaics.
Day 6: Caltagirone - Nicolosi
(approx. 110 km / ascent approx. 1.560 m)
Today there is only one version. After leaving Caltagirone you first cycle downhill into the valley before you start the first climb of the day up to the village Mineo. From Mineo you continue to Milittello, a small town with an interesting baroque center. Then you cycle to the plain of Catania with its many citrus plantation always with view on the vulcano, Mt. Etna which you will see the whole day in front of you. With a little luck and good view, you can see smoke from the craters. From Paternò you climb until Nicolosi on the slopes of the Etna where the stage finishes.
Day 7: Around Mt. Etna – from Nicolosi to Nicolosi
(approx. 152 km / ascent approx. 3.550 m or approx. 50 km / ascent approx. 1.535 m)
This final stage – the circumnavigation of Mt. Etna – is the highlight of every road bike tour in Sicily and with two long and difficult climbs a challenge even for ambitious road cyclist. Passing by old lava flows you will arrive at 1900 m above sea level. We also offer a shorter version which still includes the most beautiful climb of the volcano. The choice is up to you.
Day 8: Nicolosi
Individual departure or possibility to extension.
| Standard | ||
|---|---|---|
| Package | view calendar | |
| Half board supplement | 240 € | |
It is recommended to purchase an optional travel cancellation policy. Prices valid subject to changes in the offer, omissions, printing errors or arithmetic.
| Price per night in double room with breakfast | Caltagirone | 50 € | |
| Single room supplement per night | Caltagirone | 25 € | |
It is recommended to purchase an optional travel cancellation policy. Prices valid subject to changes in the offer, omissions, printing errors or arithmetic.
| road bike alu with Shimano Ultegra components (Sicily) | 140 € | |
| roadbike in carbon with Shimano Ultegra components (Sicily) | 170 € | |
It is recommended to purchase an optional travel cancellation policy. Prices valid subject to changes in the offer, omissions, printing errors or arithmetic.
By plain: Catania Airport.
On request, we arrange transfers from the airport to the start point of the tour.
Hotels of the 3*** or 4**** category, Bed & Breakfast in Caltagirone and Nicolosi
Tourist tax – if requested – has to be paid on the spot
Transfer from Catania airport to Syracuse: 50.00 € for person (min. 2 persons)
Transfer from Nicolosi to Catania airport: 35.00 € for person (min. 2 persons)
Supplement € 10.00 per way for transport of own bike.
For arrivals or transfers after 10 pm a supplement of € 10.00 per person is applied.
Reservation necessary, as there are limited places; transfers are payable on the spot: Special rates for more than four participants on request.
Road bike aluminium with Shimano Ultegra
Road bike carbon with Shimano Ultegra components
Tour information
- Duration 8 days
- Difficulty Level Difficult
- Distance 440 - 736 km