Ride through the Unesco-listed Val di Noto and filming locations of Montalbano
Sicily is not only the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, but also one of the most fascinating. An incredibly diverse heritage of civilisations, including the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans and Spanish, have all left their mark.
8 Days with prices from $3,230 CAD per person
Palazzolo Acreide, Sicily
Syracuse, Sicily
On this exciting cycling tour, we explore the southeastern part of the island, pedalling through the baroque gems of Ragusa, Modica and Noto and many locations that provided the setting for the long-running television series Inspector Montalbano. We end in Syracuse, the ancient heart of Magna Graecia (Greater Greece). Along the route, we enjoy landscapes of farmlands, deep gorges and dramatic coastal scenery. Sicily has hosted sections of the Giro d’Italia over the years, making it the perfect setting for keen cyclists. No trip to Sicily is complete without sampling some of the regional cuisine, considered among the best in Italy.
We start in Palazzolo Acreide, a maze of narrow streets and baroque churches that was built following an earthquake in 1693 on the site of an ancient Greek colony.
The tour leader will give a welcome briefing and, if there’s time, we will do the bike fitting. Depending on the arrival time of the group, we may have the chance to explore Palazzolo Acreide. If not, we look around the town tomorrow morning.
Accommodation: Feudo Bauly
We start our adventure with a ride through the beautiful lower valleys of the Hyblaean Mountains, passing olive plantations and dry-stone walls that characterise this area. We then climb into the highlands to Ragusa Ibla, a town built over three hills separated by a deep valley, and home to beautiful baroque churches and buildings.
We then cycle to Modica, a Sicilian baroque town at the bottom of a gorge. After the ride, we recommend trying Modica chocolate, still prepared using the Aztec recipe brought over by Spaniards in the 1500s. We stay overnight in Modica.
Accommodation: Ferro Hotel
Distance covered: 33mi (53km)
Ascent: 2,566ft (782m); Descent: 3,527ft (1,075m)
Meals included: Breakfast
We leave Modica and ride along a ravine that slopes downhill until we reach another outstanding example of Sicilian baroque architecture, Scicli, where the popular Inspector Montalbano TV series was filmed. We continue further south until we meet the Mediterranean coast, where we stop for lunch and a swim. Getting back on the bikes, we cycle along the shore to the area of San Lorenzo, where our agriturismo (converted farmhouse) is located.
Accommodation: Agriturismo Tenuta Arangio
Distance covered: 37mi (59km)
Ascent: 1,010ft (308m); Descent: 1,959ft (597m)
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
A loop ride takes us through vineyards and past cherry tomato greenhouses (where the renowned Pomodoro di Pachino tomatoes are cultivated). If we are lucky, we may spot flamingos, herons and other migratory birds in marshes along the way. We then follow the coastline to Portopalo di Capo Passero, the southernmost village in Sicily (further south than Tunis). Here, we stop for coffee and a chance to swim where the Mediterranean and Ionian seas meet. We reach our lunch stop in Marzamemi, a picturesque fishing village of Arab origins, before returning to the agriturismo for a second night.
Accommodation: Agriturismo Tenuta Arangio
Distance covered: 28mi (45km)
Ascent: 971ft (296m); Descent: 984ft (300m)
Meals included: Breakfast
A short ride brings us to the beautiful Vendicari Nature Reserve. This narrow stretch of marshy coastline provides a rare and now completely protected habitat for migratory bird species and the local flora and fauna. A short walk will take us to beautiful sandy beaches, perfect for a swim in the Mediterranean Sea. As we leave the reserve behind, we head north to Noto, another Unesco World Heritage site. It’s a planned town in the Late Sicilian baroque style, all built in a beautiful honey-coloured stone. A must-try in Noto is the delicious cannoli alla ricotta and almond pastries. We stay overnight in Noto.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Sofia
Distance covered: 22mi (35km)
Ascent: 1,385ft (422m); Descent: 1,175ft (358m)
Meals included: Breakfast
We start our day with a challenging but rewarding 4mi (6km) climb to San Corrado di Fuori, where we stop for a well-deserved coffee. Continuing the cycle, we reach the archaeological site of Noto Antica, the original settlement of Noto, which was destroyed by the 1693 earthquake. Another ascent takes us to the viewpoint of Cavagrande del Cassibile (1,657ft/505m), one of the deepest canyons in Europe, where we enjoy a lunch stop with sweeping views of the gorge and the Cassibile river far below.
In the afternoon, we enjoy a magnificent descent with hairpin bends towards the coast, before returning to Noto for a second night in this wonderful city.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Sofia
Distance covered: 29mi (47km)
Ascent: 2,333ft (711m); Descent: 2,333ft (711m)
Meals included: Breakfast
Today’s gentle ride will lead us first to Avola for an espresso or cappuccino, then along the coast to Syracuse, passing beautiful beaches where we will stop for a refreshing sea dip. Once we arrive in Syracuse, described by Cicero as “the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of them all”, our tour leader will provide a short orientation tour of Ortigia, the island where the city was founded. In the afternoon, there is free time to explore at your own pace, do some shopping or visit the archaeological park with its spectacular hillside Greek theatre. We stay overnight in Syracuse.
Accommodation: Gran Bretagna Boutique Hotel Ortigia (or similar)
Distance covered: 27mi (43km)
Ascent: 587ft (179m); Descent: 807ft (246m)
Meals included: Breakfast
The trip ends in Syracuse after breakfast. If you’d like a bit more time to explore, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
Meals included: Breakfast
