| Tour | Bike |
|---|---|
| Type | Self Guided |
| Skill | Easy–Moderate |
| Length | 7–8 days |
| From | €700 Rates |
| Client Reviews |
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Tour Dates
2017 Dates
Saturday departures from March 25 to June 10 and August 26 to October 21, 2017
*Special departure dates possible for groups of 5 or more.
Skill Level
This bike tour in Italy is classified as easy to moderate with average daily distances of 26 miles. The routes run over low traffic side roads except for the short part entering Siracusa. Most of the stretches are on lowlands with some slightly hilly passages.
Day-To-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Caltagirone
Day 2: Caltagirone - Piazza Armerina - Caltagirone, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 3: Caltagirone - Modica, 28 + 25 mi. (45 km + 40 km transfer)
Day 4: Modica - Pozzallo, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 5: Pozzallo - Marzamemi, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 6: Marzamemi - Noto, 16 mi. (25 km)
Day 7: Noto - Siracusa, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 8: Departure from Siracusa
Variation possible, with arrival in Caltagirone on Sunday and biking to Modica on Monday, making the tour 7 days / 6 nights.
DAY 1: Arrival in Caltagirone
Individual arrival in Caltagirone. Evening at your disposal to explore this intriguing little town. Perhaps take an evening stroll up the famous 142 decorative steps and browse in the many ceramic shops along the way.
DAY 2: Caltagirone - Piazza Armerina - Caltagirone, 22 mi. (35 km)
Organized transfer with bikes to Piazza Armerina with its famous Villa Romana del Casale, 5 km northwest of town. First excavated in 1950, it was probably a hunting lodge and summer home and is decorated with multicolored mosaic floors that are unique throughout the Roman world in their quality and extend. After a visit, you'll cycle back to Caltagirone! There's an excellent seafood restaurant Il Locandiere at 57 Via Luigi Sturzo.
Caltagirone's Baroque style dates back to the rebuilding of the entire city after the 1693 earthquake. Well before that, however, Caltagirone had acquired a reputation for the excellence of its ceramics. The Arabs introduced local craftsmen to the glazed colors, in particular blues and yellows, which have subsequently become typically Sicilian in execution.
DAY 3: Caltagirone - Modica, 28 + 25 mi. (45 km + 40 km transfer)
From Caltagirone, this bicycle tour in Italy takes you southward until reaching Comiso where a transfer will take you to Modica. On the train route, you'll ride via Ragusa. Ragusa Ibla, the older lower part of Ragusa, was also totally rebuilt into the side of a hill just a few years after the 1693 earthquake. Modica is an enjoyable place to spend half a day. The upper town is watched over by the magnificent 18th century façade of the church of San Giorgio. Modica is famous for its chocolate, and we highly recommend trying some!
DAY 4: Modica - Pozzallo, 22 mi. (35 km)
Before leaving Modica, one should at least try the famous spicy chocolate. From Modica you will gradually descend alongside the caves characteristic of the Iblei Mountains to Scicli, totally rebuilt in the Baroque style after the earthquake. Scicli is an amazing little town with beautiful architecture! Continue onwards to the coastal town of Pozzallo.
DAY 5: Pozzallo - Marzamemi, 35 mi. (55 km)
This day of cycling in Sicily is on an almost completely flat course along the coast and will bring you through Portopalo di Capo Passero, continental Europe's southernmost point where it is closest to Africa. Before arriving in Marzamemi, the beautiful island of Correnti marks where the Ionian and Mediterranean seas meet.
DAY 6: Marzamemi - Noto, 16 mi. (25 km)
Another day of flat terrain and easy cycling in Sicily, the route takes a turn to the north passing through the relatively untouched and pristine natural preserve of Vendicari, where you can relish the beauty of the countryside. The trip continues north, ending the day at the city of Noto, considered to be the finest Baroque town in Sicily, and it is quite a sight to see! Completely devastated in the earthquake of 1693, the city was rebuilt in the style of the day with beautiful honey-colored sandstone buildings with ornate churches and monuments surrounding attractive piazzas.
DAY 7: Noto - Siracusa, 22 mi. (35 km)
Heading north, the route continues through Avola towards Siracusa, the capital of Ancient Greece and home to Archimedes. The centre of Siracusa is a wonderful display of an ancient city that has endured the presence of various Mediterranean civilizations and accumulated the wealth and culture of their passing for over 3,000 years. The island of Ortigia is joined to the mainland of Siracusa by two bridges, and is a fascinating web of ancient buildings and narrow streets. There are 2 main piazzas that are well worth visiting either by bicycle or on foot.
DAY 8: Departure from Siracusa
Your Sicily cycling holiday will end after breakfast.
If you’re looking for a different flavor, check out our full list of bike tours in Europe or view all our featured bicycle tours, specials, and news.
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Pricing Information
Travel Details
Travel
Fly to Catania (many connections from Rome).
Local Travel
Train from Catania to Caltagirone takes approx. 90 min. Train travel in Italy is quite cheap.
Climate
The average high/low temperature in °F for the area is: 63/44 March, 68/48 April, 74/54 May, 82/61 June, 88/67 July & August, 84/64 September, & 76/58 October.
Recommended
Possibility of tasting the gastronomic specialties of Sicily like tuna and swordfish, and various types of olive oil and wine as well as the fabulous almond pastries and the cannoli.
Tour Operator
This tour is operated by Girolibero. We do not run these tours ourselves, we never have. We work on commission from our local partners plus a small administration fee of €20. We pride ourselves on the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
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