Sicily - Mt Etna, Taormina, and the Ionian Sea
Italy Bike Tours
Bike Sicily, the Land of Myths
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Tour Type
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Skill Level
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Length8 days
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Prices from€880 Rates
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Overview
The ancient stories are still alive on what the Greeks termed "Persephone's Island." A bike tour here, in Sicily, the land of myths and legends, is epic. Here, Dionysus discovered the vine and Hephaestus forged thunderbolts from Etna's molten lava. Though conquered and influenced by one invader after another, it has emerged with a unique and distinct culture, a blending of many, that sets it apart. To visit Sicily, is to visit the world.
Highlights
- Sleeping fishing villages
- Etna foothills lined with groves of lemons, oranges, and olives
- Taormina, peal of the Ionian coast
- Medieval towns of Randazzo and Castiglione
- Baroque city of Acireale renowed for art, archeology, history, and folklore
- Etna National Park
- Park of the Alcantara valley
- Nature reserve "Forre Laviche del Simeto
At the end of your cyling days, reward yourself with the tastes of the ancients, the renowed Sicilian cuisine and wine!
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Nicolosi
Day 2: Nicolosi, - Rifugio Sapienza - Etna Mountain - Nicolosi 13 mi. (20 km)
Day 3: Nicolosi - Bronte, 30 mi. (49 km)
Day 4: Bronte - Maniace - Randazzo, 19/22 mi. (30/36 km)
Day 5: Randazzo - Castiglione - Gole dell’Alcantara - Giardini Naxos, 29 mi. (46 km)
Day 6: Giardini Naxos - Taormina - Giardini Naxos, 13 mi. (20 km)
Day 7: Giardini Naxos - Acireale - Aci Trezza, 23 mi. (37 km)
Day 8: Aci Trezza - Catania*All distances are approximate.
Day 1: Arrival in Nicolosi
Individual arrival at Nicolosi, where you'll be fitted for your bikes and receive a roadbook and maps containing all the information you will need to complete each day of cycling.Day 2: Nicolosi, - Rifugio Sapienza - Etna Mountain - Nicolosi 13 mi. (20 km)
Either by public transportation (not included, approx. €6 per person), you will arrive in Rifugio Sapienza. Also available is a private transfer for a minimum of two participants. Cost is €15 per person/min. 2 persons and €12 per person for min. 3 persons.It is possible to go further up the Etna mountain with funicular, four-wheel-drive, and a guide and then continue to Nicolosi with the bikes. In case of unfavorable weather conditions, alternative itinerary would be a public bus transfer to Catania and possibility of a sightseeing-tour through the town center.
Day 3: Nicolosi - Bronte, 30 mi. (49 km)
You are leaving Nicolosi on quiet back roads, almost all the time downhill you arrive at the nature reserve "Forre laviche del Simeto" to see the famous Saracen bridge. From here you will pass through huge pistachio plantations that announce the near city of Bronte. Overnight in a country manor in the midst of a pistachio plantation.Day 4: Bronte - Maniace - Randazzo, 19/22 mi. (30/36 km)
Passing outside of Bronte you will soon arrive in Maniace, where you can visit the Castello Nelson and the ex-monastery of Santa Maria di Maniace. Continuing on secondary streets you will reach Randazzo, with it's rich and interesting medieval town center. Perhaps you will want to allot some time to visit the For day 4 there is also an option of visiting the Museo del Carretto
Siciliano (Sicilian cart museum). The ticket's price is 5€. This is their website: Museo del Carretto Siciliano (Sicilian cart museum). The ticket's price is €5.Option wine tasting: See OPTIONS for details.
Day 5: Randazzo - Castiglione - Gole dell’Alcantara - Giardini Naxos, 29 mi. (46 km)
Today will be an easy downhill trip along the "strada del vino dell’Etna” with many winemakers along the way. From the gracious town center of Castiglione, you will have a nice view over the Alcantara valley, which separates the Etna from the Nebrodi forests, which you will visit further down the road. Final destination will be Giardini Naxos, on the Ionian coast, where you might enjoy a refreshing swim in its splendid waters.Day 6: Giardini Naxos - Taormina - Giardini Naxos, 13 mi. (20 km)
After only a short uphill climb, you will reach Taormina, pearl of the Ionian coast. A stop in Castelmola, a picturesque medieval village located about 3 miles (5 km) uphill from Taormina, can be enjoyed. The breathtaking view over the whole bay and from Calabria to Mount Etna makes the climb totally worth it! Return this evening to Giardini Naxos.Option cooking class. You can bike or bus to Taormina and take part in a cooking class. See OPTIONS for details.
Day 7: Giardini Naxos - Acireale - Aci Trezza, 23 mi. (37 km)
This easy trip takes you along the Ionian coast, also known as "riviera of lemons". After a short uphill slope, you reach Acireale with its interesting baroque city center. You finish today in Aci Trezza.Day 8: Aci Trezza - Catania
After breakfast, end of tour and individual departure or extension with additional days.Be sure to check out our full list bicycle tours, specials, and news or look at our comprehensive offerings of bike tours in Europe.
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Accommodation
Accommodations are an eclectic mix ranging from from small bed and breakfast establishments, to boutique hotels, and 3 star hotels in standard rooms. In some hotels it is possible to upgrade room type. Supplement will apply. We can provide sample hotel list on request.
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Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodations for 7 nights including breakfast in 3 and 4 star hotels and B&Bs
- Fuji Alloy Fitness bike with rear pannier
- Luggage transfers
- Detailed maps and road book
- Phone assistance
What’s Not Included
- Airport transfers
- Lunches and dinners
- Helmet rental (payable locally)
- Wine tastings
- Entrance fees and excursions
- City taxes
- Gratuities
- Transfer to Nicolosi on Day 2 (bus ticket or private transportation)
- Bicycle protection
- Travel Insurance
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Dates & Pricing
Dates
2019
Departures every Saturday from March 2 to November 16, 2019
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
Price: $ 1590 £ 786 $ 1,449 € 880 Ft 346730 kr 132132 ₪ 3373 ¥ 165616 Mex$ 18936 NZ$ 1826 kr 10656 zł 3776 S$ 1359 kr 9745 CHF 836 $ 1,052
Single supplement: $ 524 £ 259 $ 478 € 290 Ft 114263 kr 43544 ₪ 1112 ¥ 54578 Mex$ 6240 NZ$ 602 kr 3511 zł 1244 S$ 448 kr 3211 CHF 276 $ 347
Supplement for solo traveler: $ 181 £ 89 $ 165 € 100 Ft 39401 kr 15015 ₪ 383 ¥ 18820 Mex$ 2152 NZ$ 208 kr 1211 zł 429 S$ 154 kr 1107 CHF 95 $ 120
High season supplement (arrivals in July and August): $ 163 £ 80 $ 148 € 90 Ft 35461 kr 13514 ₪ 345 ¥ 16938 Mex$ 1937 NZ$ 187 kr 1090 zł 386 S$ 139 kr 997 CHF 86 $ 108
Extra Options
Dinners included (excluding drinks): $ 352 £ 174 $ 321 € 195 Ft 76832 kr 29279 ₪ 747 ¥ 36699 Mex$ 4196 NZ$ 405 kr 2361 zł 837 S$ 301 kr 2159 CHF 185 $ 233 Wine tasting in cellar near Randazzo: $ 45 £ 22 $ 41 € 25 Ft 9850 kr 3754 ₪ 96 ¥ 4705 Mex$ 538 NZ$ 52 kr 303 zł 107 S$ 39 kr 277 CHF 24 $ 30 Wine tasting in local shop in Randazzo: $ 45 £ 22 $ 41 € 25 Ft 9850 kr 3754 ₪ 96 ¥ 4705 Mex$ 538 NZ$ 52 kr 303 zł 107 S$ 39 kr 277 CHF 24 $ 30 Cooking class in Taormina: $ 217 £ 107 $ 198 € 120 Ft 47281 kr 18018 ₪ 460 ¥ 22584 Mex$ 2582 NZ$ 249 kr 1453 zł 515 S$ 185 kr 1329 CHF 114 $ 143
Electric bicycle rental: $ 72 £ 36 $ 66 € 40 Ft 15760 kr 6006 ₪ 153 ¥ 7528 Mex$ 861 NZ$ 83 kr 484 zł 172 S$ 62 kr 443 CHF 38 $ 48
Tandem bicycle rental, discount: $ 27 £ 13 $ 25 € 15 Ft 5910 kr 2252 ₪ 57 ¥ 2823 Mex$ 323 NZ$ 31 kr 182 zł 64 S$ 23 kr 166 CHF 14 $ 18
Helmet rental, payable on arrival: $ 18 £ 9 $ 16 € 10 Ft 3940 kr 1502 ₪ 38 ¥ 1882 Mex$ 215 NZ$ 21 kr 121 zł 43 S$ 15 kr 111 CHF 10 $ 12
Child's trailers: $ 90 £ 45 $ 82 € 50 Ft 19701 kr 7508 ₪ 192 ¥ 9410 Mex$ 1076 NZ$ 104 kr 605 zł 215 S$ 77 kr 554 CHF 48 $ 60
Extra nights (price is per person)
Acitrezza
Double/twin: $ 72 £ 36 $ 66 € 40 Ft 15760 kr 6006 ₪ 153 ¥ 7528 Mex$ 861 NZ$ 83 kr 484 zł 172 S$ 62 kr 443 CHF 38 $ 48
Single: $ 108 £ 54 $ 99 € 60 Ft 23641 kr 9009 ₪ 230 ¥ 11292 Mex$ 1291 NZ$ 125 kr 727 zł 257 S$ 93 kr 664 CHF 57 $ 72
Nicolosi
Double/twin: $ 69 £ 34 $ 63 € 38 Ft 14972 kr 5706 ₪ 146 ¥ 7152 Mex$ 818 NZ$ 79 kr 460 zł 163 S$ 59 kr 421 CHF 36 $ 45
Single: $ 96 £ 47 $ 87 € 53 Ft 20883 kr 7958 ₪ 203 ¥ 9975 Mex$ 1140 NZ$ 110 kr 642 zł 227 S$ 82 kr 587 CHF 50 $ 63
Transfers (payable on site)
Catania Airport to Nicolosi: $ 45 £ 22 $ 41 € 25 Ft 9850 kr 3754 ₪ 96 ¥ 4705 Mex$ 538 NZ$ 52 kr 303 zł 107 S$ 39 kr 277 CHF 24 $ 30
Acireale to Catania Airport: $ 45 £ 22 $ 41 € 25 Ft 9850 kr 3754 ₪ 96 ¥ 4705 Mex$ 538 NZ$ 52 kr 303 zł 107 S$ 39 kr 277 CHF 24 $ 30
Optional wine tasting:
Price $ 45 £ 22 $ 41 € 25 Ft 9850 kr 3754 ₪ 96 ¥ 4705 Mex$ 538 NZ$ 52 kr 303 zł 107 S$ 39 kr 277 CHF 24 $ 30 Optional cooking class:
Price $ 217 £ 107 $ 198 € 120 Ft 47281 kr 18018 ₪ 460 ¥ 22584 Mex$ 2582 NZ$ 249 kr 1453 zł 515 S$ 185 kr 1329 CHF 114 $ 143 -
Extra Info
Skill Level — Moderate
This is a moderate, self guided bike tour with average daily distances ranging from 15 to 31 miles (23 to 50 km).
Airport Info
Fly to Catania (many connections from Rome).
Local Travel
Train travel in Italy is relatively inexpensive. You can check train schedules at www.trenitalia.com.
Please keep in mind, there are no direct trains to Nicolosi. If you are traveling from Catania, you’ll need to take the AST bus to Nicolosi. Departures are at 13:30/14:30/16:00. Please see the AST website for additional information (the website is only in Italian so we recommend using a browser such as Chrome that will translate for you).
If you are coming from Siracusa, you also need to take a bus.
Airport transfers are available from Catania on request at an additional cost. Please see pricing.
Climate
The average high/low temperature in °F for the area is: March 63º/44º, April 68º/48º, May 74º/54º, June 82º/61º, July & August 88º/67º, September 84º/64º, and October 76º/58º.
Day of Rest
Day 6 can be used as a day of rest.
Remarks
Tandem bicycle also available for this tour. Please ask us for details.
Please note:
-For the excursion with the alpine guides, cableway and Jeeps on Mt. Etna trekking shoes and warm clothes in spring and autumn are necessary.
-During high season (mid June until end of August) on the coastal stages more intense traffic is to be expected.
-Stage Nicolosi/Etna: if the public bus to Mt. Etna should be full, the owner of the B&B in Nicolosi can arrange a private transfer to Rifugio Sapienza: € 15 per person for min. 2 persons, € 12 per person for min. 3 persons.Important to know
OPTIONS:
There is opportunity to add a wine tasting or cooking class to enrich your experience.
Wine Tasting:
1. When you finish your ride in Randazzo on Day 4, you can visit a local wine shop for a tasing of 6 wines and typical products of the region like local meats and a variety of cheeses. You can do this between 5 pm and 6 pm. Cost is €25 per person.
or
2. Just two kilometers from Randazzo, there is a wine cellar "Cantina Terrazza dell'Etna", easily reachable with the bike. The price is €25 per person and includes the vineyard visit, four wine tastings and a selection of local products.
Cooking class:
On Day 6 (Giardini Naxos-Taormina-Giardini Naxos), you can opt to have a cooking class in Taormina, late morning and enjoy your meal for lunch or dinner. If you do not want to ride that day, you can take a bus to Taormina and return to Giardini Naxos the same way. Price is €120 per person
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Ciclofree.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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Photos
![View of Maniace in Sicily, Italy. Flickr:Fausto Schiliro' Rubino]()
![Pizza in Sicily to fuel the bike rides! Flickr:Ania Medrek]()
![Great foods and wines to be had in Sicily, Italy. Flickr:Fabio Ingrosso]()
![Ancient Greek Theatre in Taormina, Sicily, Italy. Flickr:Bart Hiddink]()
![Piazza del Duomo in Acireale at the foot of Mount Etna, Catania, Sicily, Italy. Photo via Flickr:Leandro's World Tour]()
![From bike to beach in Giardini Naxos, Sicily, Italy. Flickr:gnuckx CC0]()
![View of the Sea from Taormina, Sicily, Italy. Flickr:Marek Lenik]()
![Tasty biking fuel in Italy. Photo via Flickr:Toolmantim]()
![Sunbathing in Acireale, Sicily, Italy. Flickr:Photocapy]()
![Bike rest on the coast of Taormina, Sicily. Photo via Flickr:gnuckx CC0]()
![View of Mt Etna from Randazzo, the closest town to the summit. Catania, Sicily, Italy. Wikimedia Commons:Luca Sartoni]()
![Gorgeous ceramics for sale in all of Sicily. Photo via Flickr:Davide Restivo]()
![Harvesting the grapes at end-Summer in Sicily, Italy. Flickr:Fabio Ingrosso]()
![Taormina and Castelmola in Sicily, Italy. Photo via Wikimedia Commons:pjt56]()
![Age-old architecture in Acireale, Sicily, Italy. Flickr:Francesco Sgroi]()
![Great views from atop Castelmola in Sicily. Photo via Flickr:Leandro's World Tour]()
![Dining in Castelmola, Italy. Photo via Flickr:Ania Mendrek]()
![Main square in Taormina, Sicily, Italy. Flickr:gnuckx CC0]()
![Duomo in Taormina, Sicily, Italy. Wikimedia Commons:Berthold Werner]()
![View of Taormina and Mt Etna from ancient theatre in Sicily, Italy. Wikimedia Commons:John Menard]()
![Giardini Naxos, Sicily, Italy. Flickr:gnuckx CC0]()
![Carnaval in Acireale with the Duomo in the background. Sicily, Italy. Flickr:Leandro Neumann Ciuffo]()
![Ruins of the Greek Theatre overlooking the Sea in Taormina, Sicily, Italy. Wikimedia Commons:Evan Erickson CC0]()
![Sunset in Aci Trezza, Sicily, Italy. Flickr:andrea]()
![Planeta Wine in Sicily, Italy. Flickr:Anna & Michael]()
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