CYCLING SICILY: from the Arabs to the Greeks

Technical Characteristics
Roads: paved
Terrain characteristics: hilly land alternated with some plain terrain
Bike: city bike
Grading: easy

Our Bicycle Characteristics
Our bikes are aluminum-framed with a shock-absorbing front fork, Shimano TX50 gears, EZ Fire Plus shifting 21 speed, Bravo Soft seats, a repair kit, V. Brake, mud-guards, a rear baggage carrier, trekking tires, anti-slip pedals, a robust padlock, bottle-carrier, and, of course, a bell and pump.


Day 1_Benvenuti in Sicilia!
Arrival at Palermo airport and private transfer to your hotel in Palermo. Accommodation in the reserved and relax. Welcome dinner IN HOTEL. Overnight stay.

Day 2_Palermo and Monreale
Breakfast in hotel. 9:00 a.m. Meeting with your local guide and bus in hotel. Half day excursion in Palermo and Monreale. You’ll be enchanted by Palermo’s wide boulevards, traditional Sicilian Old Quarter, and baroque palaces. You’ll see the city’s main sights, including Quattro Canti (the Four Corners), Palermo’s extravagant baroque square. The square is ringed by four buildings with baroque sculptures that depict the Four Seasons, Spanish kings, and the patron saints of Palermo’s four old quarters. See the twelfth-century Cathedral of Palermo, which houses a pantheon of royal tombs.
After you will be taken to Palermo’s food market “La Vucciria”, typical par excellence, full of colour and folkloric. Here you will taste typical street food such as pani ca meusa, panelle, arancini...
Then you’ll discover the Arab-Norman splendour of the Monreale Cathedral and the Cloister. This nearby treasure dates from the 12th century and shows the diverse architectural influences of both the Normans and the Arab population.
This afternoon briefing with your tour leader. Dinner at leisure. Overnight stay.

Day 3_Cycle through Vineyards and Orange Groves
Breakfast at hotel.
Departure by bike! Our route today takes us almost due west along the coast, past vineyards and orange groves to Castellammare del Golfo. Once the primary port for the ancient Greek towns of Segesta and Erice, Castellammare clusters around its small fishing port and medieval castle on the gulf of the same name.
Dinner at leisure in one of the restaurants along the port. Your escort will be happy to suggest you a nice restaurant. Overnight stay at Hotel Cerri in Castellammare del Golfo.
Distance: 65 km (41 miles).

Day 4_Bicycle to the Ruins of Segesta and on to NUBIA
Today’s Program
Highlights: Ancient Greek ruins and coastal riding
Breakfast at hotel. We follow a remote valley inland this morning to discover the ruins of ancient Segesta lost among the hills of western Sicily. Perhaps because of its isolated site, Segesta boasts one of the best-preserved temples from all of ancient Greece. The temple was built around 430 BC and together with the nearby theatre dating to the 3rd century BC, Segesta is one of the most evocative of ancient sites in Sicily.
You will visit with a local guide the site and then we'll head on along the hills and ridges of western Sicily to our hotel on the small fishing port of Bonagía. Accommodation AND DINNER at Relais Antiche Saline. Overnight stay in hotel.
Distance: 78 km (50 miles).

Day 5_NUBIA to FAVIGNANA ISLAND
Breakfast at hotel. As for today you can reach the wonderful Island of Favignana and cycling following the route. The island is famous for the charming coast and the “mattanza”, a dramatic spectacle of the collective fish hunt been repeated off Favignana year in year out with few interruptions since Arab times. Lunch at leisure.
The fresh fish is served grilled in the restaurants, while shops offer an array of flavoursome by-products, such as dried compressed tuna roe bottarga (from the Arab for 'salted fish'), conserved according to techniques believed to be a legacy of the Arab/Norman heritage. Return at your Relais dinner and overnight stay.
Distance: 25 km.

Day 6_NUBIA to Marsala
Breakfast at hotel.
We head inland from our mountain fortress this morning, pedalling by miles of wheat fields. We'll be back on the coast for a late lunch on your own, visit to the Phoenician ruins of Motya, dating to the 8th century BC, and a visit to the natural marine reserve and saline (salt pans).
This afternoon we'll be in Marsala where we visit the Florio Winery producing the famous, fortified Marsala wines. Visit at a winery and tasting of their best wines.
Accommodation at Hotel Villa Favorita in Marsala dinner and overnight stay.
Distance: 65 km (41 miles).

Day 7_Bicycle Marsala to Marinella
Breakfast at hotel.
Departure from the hotel. Our route takes us along the shore south of Marsala today, and by acres of vineyards producing the famous Sicilian wines. We'll suggest lunch in Mazara del Vallo or enjoy a picnic lunch (NOT INCLUDED) at Cusa Cave, site of the ancient limestone quarries for the temples of Selinunte.
At Cusa you'll see gigantic blocks of limestone columns abandoned, it seems, just as they were ready for shipping. We are in Marinella this evening, adjacent to the ruins of Selinunte. Accommodation at Hotel Admeto in Selinunte, dinner and overnight stay.
Distance: 65 km (41 miles).

Day 8_Bicycle Selinunte to Sciacca
Today’s Program
Highlights: Ruins of Selinunte, thermal spas of Sciacca
Breakfast at hotel. Our ride is short today, so we suggest first taking your bicycle to explore the vast ruins of Selinunte. The ruins are divided between two ridges, one with the temples and one with the ruins of the ancient city.
Once we get on the road it's a wonderful ride through citrus and olive groves to Sciacca. Go explore the beach at Porto Palo if you'd like a little extra mileage. We are in Sciacca this evening, a thermal spa and major fishing port. Accommodation at Hotel Villa Palocla in Sciacca where we suggest to have the dinner (not included) Overnights stay. End of the Bike Tour.
Distance: 46 km (29 miles).

Day 9_Etna Volcano and Taormina
Breakfast at hotel. Leaving by bus for Agrigento to see the Temples en route ( stopping just for take a photo). Arrive on Mount Etna for our FAREWELL LUNCH at Murgo Winery with tasting of their best wines.
The trip goes on to Taormina. The town rises on Mount Tauro with a beautiful landscape above the azure sea and above Etna. Visit of the Greek Theatre of III century b.C. where international shows still take place there. The Norman Cathedral and the Palazzo Corvaja of XV century which aspect seems to be of the Arabian age.
Accommodation in a three star hotel in Taormina. Farewell dinner in a local seafood restaurant.

Day 10_Arrivederci Sicilia!
This morning following we bid ARRIVEDERCI TO SICILY. Our private motor coach will transfer you to Catania Airport.