Sicily

Day 2

This morning we climb high above the orange and olive trees, up Mt Etna with magnificent views back over the ocean and our town of Taormina. Effort equals reward and our reward is almost 30km's of downhill back to the ocean road and back to our hotel before a walking tour of the town, focusing on the Roman theatre with its famous view of the coastline and Etna.

With Mt Etna climbed and the sights walked your appetite is sure to be ready for a feast of local dishes for dinner and finsh our stay in Taormina.

Day 3

Today we depart from the stunning town of Taormina and head south, with pristine waters on our left and with Mt Etna on our right. A flat ride past the port of Catania to Syracuse. Syracusa, for two centuries was the greatest of ancient Greek cities. With the world’s only surviving ancient Greek fort and its lovely overlook of the coast, makes this destination a must see town.

Non riders will depart with one of our guides in the second support bus directly to Syracuse giving time for a sighting walk around the incredible island-peninsula of Ortigia, where its palaces, narrow lanes, unique cathedral built within a Greek temple, will loose you making you think you have gone back in time but giving you the knowledge to know what you want to visit tomorrow.

Day 4

With so many attractions within walking distance including cafes and restaurants, today's main ride is a short recovery loop to keep the legs turning but giving you the day to explore Syracusa with your partners. Of course there is always another option that will take you south through the town of Noto a Unesco world heritage site of honey-gold baroque. If you have the legs and the time its a rewarding ride that then heads into the hills after coffee, before descending back into Syracusa to explore.

Day 5

Today we leaving the coast and move into the hills. Non riders will depart at the same time as the riders, with one of our guides taking the second support bus directly to Ragusa. With only a one night stay there is plenty to look at in Ragusa as it is a hilltop town. The old town, is home to many baroque buildings, like the Duomo di San Giorgio, a grand church with paintings and stained-glass windows. There are sweeping views from the Giardino Ibleo, a public park with churches and fountains. In Ragusa Superiore, the city’s more modern part, is ornate Ragusa Cathedral, with a museum of religious art and relics.

Riders who missed Noto the day before will get their chance to stop for a coffee in the Unesco world heritage site of honey-gold baroque before climbing up to Ragusa.

Day 6

Our short visit to Ragusa will leave you wanting more but its time to leave and continue onto the hilltop town of Agrigento. It's known for the ruins of the ancient city of Akragas in the Valley of the Temples, a vast archaeological site with well-preserved Greek temples. A must see site in Sicily and worth the longest ride of our tour.

Again the non riders will depart at the same time as the riders, with one of our guides taking the second support bus directly to Agrigento giving you more time to soak up the history in this ancient city.

Day 7

Walking a row of temples in the "Valley of the Temples" is  equal to those in Greece itself and not to be missed. One might say that if you need a day off today would be the day! If you need a short ride we will take to Scala dei Turchi, a stepped white cliff overlooking sandy beaches and back for a coffee with the rest of the day to walk in the valley of the temples.

The long option takes you up into the mountains with views back over the landscape back to the ocean with plenty of elevation gain. Tonight is a date night leaving everyone to explore the town for themselves.

Day 8

Today we leave the coast and head inland to the town of Enna. Also the highest town in Sicily at 905 mt's.  Again non riders will depart at the same time as the riders, with one of our guides taking the second support bus directly to the town of Enna. There are many attractions and well worth researching before hand like The Cathedral of Enna, Church of San Marco, Lombardy Castle and the Tower of Federico.

Enna will give us a contrast of life in Sicily from the coastal towns we have already visited.

Day 9

Today we depart for our tours final destination of Catania. Again non riders will depart at the same time as the riders, with one of our guides taking the second support bus directly to the ancient port city of Catania. It sits at the foot of Mt. Etna, an active volcano with trails leading up to the summit. The city's wide central square, Piazza del Duomo, features the whimsical Fontana dell'Elefante statue and richly decorated Catania Cathedral. In the southwest corner of the square, La Pescheria weekday fish market is a rowdy spectacle surrounded by seafood restaurants. Our ride rolls over the hills before descending down onto the ocean with Mt Etna on our left.

Day 10

The last ride of our tour takes us to the other side of Mt Etna for magnificent views back over the ocean and the ancient port town we are visiting.  Non riders can enjoy the morning in seaside cafes and search the town for that magestic restaurant for dinner as tonight is date night. Have a drink before dinner in one of the many wine bars before your final dinner.

Travel Details

How to Get There

FLY INTO: Catania Airport CTA

MEETING LOCATION: Grand Hotel San Pietro

MEETING TIME: From 2pm

Arriving

Getting to Sicily is easier that you might think. Emirates flies direct to Catania every day arriving just after midday. Other options include an internal flight from any other major city like Milano, Rome, Florence or Venice.

Having arrived in Catania in order to get to Taormina, taxi is the easiest and most convenient way.  The taxis from the airport of Catania ask you for about 100 Euros. Alternatively you can use the inexpensive train from Catania to Taormina-Giardini.