Benvenuti in Sicilia! The appointment is at Catania Fontanarossa airport, around noon. Luggage on the VAN and transfer to Patti, a splendid town on the Tyrrhenian coast.The first ride together is an easy and short journey. Without going too far from our hotel, we pedal leisurely along the sea. We need to make sure that your bike is in perfect working order and that your riding position is adapted to your usual needs. If something is wrong, we have time to fix it and are here to help.
Overnight at the Hotel Terre di Eolo.
The first stage of our tour immediately leads us to discover the sea and the Tyrrhenian coasts of Sicily. We ride toward to west on roads that offer gorgeous landscapes at every bend, with a succession of short but continuous ups and downs that often require a discreet but pleasant muscular effort. We pass one after the other beautiful beaches and corners where nature offers its best, reaching the lighthouse of Capo d’Orlando. A brief stop before resuming the way back, which includes a detour and a climb of a few kilometers which takes us to the Sanctuary of Tindari. A truly magnificent place.
Overnight at the Hotel Terre di Eolo.
Today we face the first slope of Etna, the mythical mountain that dominates eastern Sicily, which almost intimidates us with its 3357 metres. Leaving Tindari behind, a few kilometers later the road immediately begins to climb, but we know these areas well and our pace will be the right one to take us to the 1200m Portella Mandrazzi. After a well-deserved break, we prepare for a long descent which, in the greenery of this valley, takes us to Francavilla di Sicilia. There is still a short climb to do before reaching our hotel where you deserve to relax in a beautiful SPA.
Overnight at the Picciolo Golf Club.
In the world of professional cycling, today’s stage would be defined as “il tappone”. Today our tour takes us right to the summit of Etna, climbing from one of the sides often chosen for the arrivals of the Giro d’Italia. But first, we pedal for about 40 kilometers in the Sicilian countryside without altitude difficulties. In Randazzo we can make a brief stop for our usual espresso, to then start over the route that takes us back to the Mare-Neve Regional Road, the crossroads from which our challenge to Etna begins. 15 kilometers of real climbing, sometimes light, sometimes hard; 1000 meters difference in altitude, which each of us will do with own favorite average speed. At the top we all meet at the bar. If the weather permits, we back to our hotel on bike
Overnight at the Picciolo Golf Club.
Yesterday’s climb to Etna certainly left some toxins in our legs, and for this reason today will be a well-deserved rest day, which, after a good breakfast, we use to move to the southern part of the island. Once we have reached our destination and assigned the hotel rooms, a good fish lunch awaits us in a seaside restaurant. In the afternoon, visit of the historic center of the wonderful baroque city of Noto, to admire its squares, churches and palaces.
Overnight at Relais Terre di Romanello.
Today’s route takes us close to the southernmost point of Sicily with an overall non-demanding route, undulating in the first part and completely flat in the second. After about 25 kilometers we reach Ispica, then the road descends to the sea and we quickly reach the Pantano Longarini, a protected natural area where we will be able to spot numerous species of migratory birds, including pink flamingos. Along the sea we arrive at the characteristic village of Marzamemi, whose square is a destination for tourists from all over the globe. The stop here, which can be longer if we want, is practically mandatory. We ride on the border of the Vendicari Wildlife Oasis until we reach our hotel in Noto.
Overnight at Relais Terre di Romanello.
Today is the last “stage” of our Sicilian tour, which will lead us to discover the northernmost part of this area, and get to know Syracuse up close. Leaving the town of Noto, we ride along the state road 271 among extensive cultivations of vegetables and citrus fruits, which from here reach most of the Italian and even foreign markets. The route is undulating, with uphill sections that are never extremely demanding, alternating with descents and plains which instead allow us a good pace. We reach the Pantalica Nature Reserve; here magnificent panoramas open up, which we can often admire in the long descent that leads us to reach the walls of Syracuse. We enter this historic city to enjoy its beauties. After a break, continue to Fontane Bianche and Avola, and finally Noto, for the last kilometers to pedal together.
Overnight at Relais Terre di Romanello.
It’s our last day and after breakfast we say goodbye, hoping to see you soon to ride togheter again. If you have requested it, our staff will take care of the transfer to the airport.
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