Sicily bike tour

A tour in the south- eastern area of Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean. You will cycle through the Val di Noto, since 2003 a UNESCO World Heritage site, and discover the most fascinating cities of the region. You will visit Noto, the most important baroque city of Sicily and Siracusa, an ancient Greek colony. You will also pass through the coastal oasis of Vendicari, the sea village of Marzamemi, the islands of Capo Passero and Correnti.

TOUR PROFILE: Leisure to Moderate: some days the itinerary will be flat, others it will present some hills. Suitable for everyone in good physical condition and with some cycling experience.

Individual arrival. Caltagirone is one oft he Baroque towns oft he famous Val di Noto, a UNESCO world heritage site.

In the morning a transfer will bring you to Piazza Armerina with its Villa Romana del Casale, 5 km southwest of the town. First excavated in 1950, it was probably a hunting lodge and summer residence and is decorated with multicoloured mosaic floors that are unique throughout the Roman world in their quality and extension. After the visit you will cycle back to Caltagirone.

From Caltagirone you start cycling southwards until you reach Comiso, where a transfer will bring you to Modica. The upper town is watched over by the magnificent 18^th century façade of the church of San Giorgio.

Before leaving Modica do not miss the famous spicy chocolate! From Modica you will gradually descend alongside the characteristic caves of the Iblei mountains to Scicli, totally rebuilt in the Baroque style after the earthquake of 1693. Continue onwards through the marine centre of Pozzallo.

This day of cycling on an almost completely flat course will bring you to Portopalo di Capo Passero, continental Europe’s southernmost point. Before arriving to Marzamemi, the beautiful island of Correnti marks the meeting point of the Ionian and Mediterranean seas.

The route takes a turn to the north passing through the relatively untouched and pristine natural reserve of Vendicari, where you can relish the beauty of the countryside. The trip continues north, ending in the city of Noto, considered to be the finest Baroque town in Sicily. Completely devastated in the earthquake of 1693, the city was rebuilt in the style of that time with beautiful honey-coloured stone buildings, ornate churches and monuments surrounding attractive piazzas.

Heading north, the route continues towards Siracusa, the most important Sicilian town in Ancient Greece and home to Archimedes. With the Island of Ortigia in the background, the centre of Siracusa is a wonderful example of ancient city.

Individual departure or extension.

• 7x accomodation in 3*** hotels, B&Bs and agriturismos
  
• 7x breakfast buffet
  
• luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
  
• Transfer from Caltagirone to Piazza Armerina and from Comisa to Modica
  
• Detailed travel information material (maps, roadbook)
  
• Service-Hotline
  

• rental bikes (27-gears) - € 85,-
• rental helmet - € 15,-
• GPS data for free upon request
• Transfer from Catania to Caltagirone - € 60,- (has to be requested at the time of the reservation!)
  
• Transfer from Syracuse to Catania - € 70,- (has to be requested at the time of the reservation!)

You will stay in in 3*** hotels, B&B and „agriturismos“ (holiday farms). All rooms have en suite facilities and air conditioning. Tourist tax has to be paid on spot.

2 persons