Start location: Linguaglossa – Catania / Finish location: Noto – Siracusa / Day riding: 5 / Total distance: 400km / Total elevation: 5000m / Biggest climbing day: Tuesday, Etna climb, 1800m / Group size: 8 guest maximum / Luxury accommodations
From Taormina to Savoca, for a coffee at the Godfather’s bar… Then the vineyards hills of Randazzo and the climb to the majestic slopes of volcano Etna, and then down to the southernmost tip, among the sumptuous Baroque buildings of of Noto and Siracusa… But never forget every day a granita or an ice cream.
Experience the magic of Sicily, its long summer, enchanting beaches and cities with a thousand-year history. Roads with almost no traffic, which running along the crag above the sea, among immense plantations of orange and olive trees, or climb up to challenge the highest volcano in Europe.
The first stage of our Sicilian tour takes us straight to the sea and the beautiful Taormina. A visit to the town from whose square we enjoy a breathtaking view. A granita or an ice cream are mandatory. We pedal for a few kilometers northwards, then with a gentle climb we reach Savoca, a magnificent village where the film The Godfather was shot. From here on it is all ups and downs on deserted roads through small villages that seem timeless.
Today’s route immediately takes us to two of Italy’s most beautiful villages: Castiglione and Francavilla di Sicilia. A few kilometers on a road through the vineyards that runs along the Alcantara river, and then a bend to the right to climb up to Roccella Valdemone, where every bend gives us beautiful views of the valley. Then downhill, quickly to Randazzo and continue until we return to the hotel.
In the world of professional cycling, today’s stage would be called “il tappone”. Today, in fact, we face the Etna, climbing one of the slopes often chosen for Giro d’Italia finishes. But first, we pedal relaxed for about 40 kilometres through the Sicilian countryside. At Randazzo, after a cappuccino, we take the route back to the Strada Regionale Mare-Neve, the junction where our challenge to Etna begins. 15 kilometres of real climbing, at times gentle, at times hard; 1000 metres of altitude difference, which each of us will cover at the average speed we prefer. At the top we all meet at the bar. Weather permitting, we cycle back to the hotel.
The fourth stage of the Giro begins immediately uphill. We take provincial road 74 right in front of our hotel and with a gentle but continuous climb, which gives us beautiful views and panoramas, we reach Testa dell’Acqua. 600 metres above sea level. A few more kilometers in the middle of the countryside and we are in Avola, after an exciting fast serpentine. We head south and reach the famous little square of Marzamemi to have lunch by the sea. We return to the hotel pedaling along deserted roads in the Sicilian countryside.
The last route of our Sicilian tour takes us to Syracuse. We leave Noto and ride a long stretch of State Road 271 through extensive vegetable, olives and citrus groves. The road, also free of car traffic, climbs steadily but never extremely challenging, and allows us to breathe in some flat stretches. Having arrived at Canicattini, which is about 5oo metres above sea level, we begin the long descent that will take us to Syracuse. We enter this city rich in history and splendid views of the sea. After a break, we continue towards Fontane Bianche and Avola, and finally Noto, for the last few kilometers of cycling together, and also the last ice cream.
Not included: wine or other alcoholic beverages during dinners, any other extras ordered directly by guests.
Prices do NOT include:
