This tour explores southeastern Sicily and the famous baroque towns of the Val di Noto. The Spanish occupied this area in the late 17th century when 45 towns were destroyed by a single earthquake in 1693. In rebuilding the cities in the region they left a legacy of the most significant collection of baroque churches anywhere. Add to this the culinary delicacies (like the famous chocolate from Modica and local seafood) of the region, the famous red wine "Nero d'Avola" and the "Moscato di Noto" and you have an unforgettable bicycle ride.

The ride takes you along the coast of southeastern Sicily to the southernmost point of the island. This is a perfect tour in the Spring and Fall. Add mileage to the easy day rides if you want more exercise or just take it easy and enjoy Sicily!

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• Day 1

  Arrive in Syracusa

  Highlights: Welcome to Sicily!

  Individual arrival in Siracusa, followed by welcome meeting, bike fitting and the roadbook and maps handover.
  
  Accommodation: Hotel Gargallo, Hotel Gutkowski, Ortigia Boutique Hotel, or similar.

• Day 2

  Siracusa – Palazzolo Acreide

  Highlights: Syracuse, Palazzo Acreide

  Leaving the bustle of Siracusa behind, your cycling holiday in Sicily begins. You will first gradually cycle up through a beautiful landscape: these quiet country roads take you past orange, lemon and olive groves. Then cycle through Solarino, where you can stop for a coffee before heading to Palazzolo. When the weather is clear, you can catch a glimpse of Siracusa and Mount Etna on your way, together with breathtaking panoramic views.
  
  Daily distance: 53km (33 miles)
  Elevation gain: +1082 m (3550 ft); -490 m (1608 ft)
  
  Accommodation: Hotel Feudo Bauly, Agriturismo Il Melograno, or similar.

• Day 3

  Bicycle from Palazzolo Acreide to Modica

  Highlights: Palazzolo Acreide, Ragusa Ibla, Greek ruins at Akrai, the world famous chocolate of Modica, World Heritage towns of Palazzolo and Modica

  Your ride today takes you first through the unique landscape of Monti Iblei; next, the stage stops in Ragusa Ibla, one of the most beautiful Sicilia Baroque towns, picturesquely located on a hilltop. Your final destination is Modica, famous throughout Sicily and Italy for its chocolate! Modica chocolate seems to be a residual treasure from the Aztec world brought to Modica by the Spanish in the 16th century. For some reason, Modica artisans picked up and preserved the craft of making traditional Aztec chocolate while that skill has disappeared everywhere else. So chocolate tasting should be on your list for this afternoon and tomorrow morning.
  
  Short option: 56km (35 miles)
  Long option: 60km (37 miles)
  Elevation gain: +660 m (2165 feet); -1004 m (3294 ft)
  
  Accommodation: Ferro Hotel, Hotel Le Magnolie, or similar.
  

• Day 4

  Bicycle from Modica to Scicli and Pozzallo

  Highlights: Scicli and bicycling along the coast

  Before leaving Modica you might want to stock up on chocolate! There are something like twenty producers in town! The most famous flavors are the vanilla and cinnamon flavoured chocolates. Most unique is the chocolate with the hot peppers said to be derived from the Aztec chocolatiers in the 16th century. So be sure and pick some up for the road. Your route today takes you across the limestone plateau to Scicli and on to the coastal town of Pozzallo. Pozzallo has some of the best beaches in Sicily and is also a departure point for ferries to Malta.
  
  Daily distance: 42 km (26 miles)
  Elevation gain: + 317 m (1040 ft); -611 m (2005 ft)
  
  Accommodation: Hotel 1921, or similar.
  

• Day 5

  Bicycle the coast from Pozzallo to Marzamemi

  Highlights: The southernmost point in Sicily, coastal rides, flamingos and wetlands, fishing villages

  Take time to enjoy an extra morning coffee in the square of Palazzolo or return to the ruins of Akrai to enjoy the site of this ancient Greek colony. Over the centuries Palazzolo absorbed the influence of the Arabs, Normans, and the Spanish Baroque architecture in its 16th-18th century churches.
  You'll reach the Southernmost point in Sicily today as you pedal along the coast from Pozzallo to Marzamemi. The British contingent of the allied invasion of Sicily occurred along this coast in July and August of 1943. Near Marzamemi you ride by the coastal marshes of Longarini and Cuba, important stopping points for pink flamingoes and herons among other waterfowl. At Capo Passero you can look North to the Ionian Sea and South to the broad Mediterranean Sea extending South to Libya and Southwest to Tunisia. Stop for a delicious seafood lunch along here. Your ride ends just north of Marzamemi on the San Lorenzo Beach.
  
  Daily distance: 57 km (36 miles)
  Elevation gain: +241 m (791 ft); -233 m (764 ft)
  
  Accommodation: Agriturismo Tenuta Arangio, Agriturismo La Vignazza, or similar.

• Day 6

  Bicycle from Marzamemi to Noto

  Highlights: Coastal cycling and Noto, the "capital" of Italian baroque cities

  Spend a little time on the beach today if you wish as we have a short and easy ride to Noto later this morning. We continue past more coastal marshes, including the natural reserve of Vendicari. Our destination is Noto, famous in Italy as one of the principal baroque towns of Italy. Noto harbors a number of baroque churches built by the Spanish after the 1693 earthquake (that destroyed something on the order of 45 towns and cities in Southeastern Sicily).
  
  Daily mileage: 35km (22 miles)
  Elevation gain: + 360 m (1180 ft); -267 m (876 ft)
  
  Accommodation: Grand Hotel Sofia, or similar.
  

• Day 7

  Bicycle from Noto to Syracuse

  Highlights: An easy ride along the coast; the ancient city of Syracuse

  Today you have two options that will take you both to the capital of Magna Grecia and the famous Greek colonial town of Syracuse. Choose between cycling along the coast up North or pedaling through the inland to the panoramic point of the Cavagrande del Cassible gorge and then downhill to the coast.
  
  Get an early start so you can take time to explore the archeological ruins of Neapolis with the large Greek theater. In the center of old Syracuse is the island of Ortygia where the Greek goddess Leto is said to have given birth to Artemis, the twin sister of Apollo.
  
  Short option: 38km (23.6 miles) with +157/-254 m (+515/-833 ft) elevation gain.
  Long option: 57km (35 miles) with +600/-700 m (+1969/-2297 ft) elevation gain.
  
  Accommodation: Hotel Gargallo, Hotel Gutkowski, Ortigia Boutique Hotel, or similar.

• Day 8

  Tour ends today

  Highlights: Syracuse and the Greek ruins

  The tour ends this morning after breakfast. Take more time to explore this beautiful city.
  Thank you for coming with us. Buon viaggio!
  
  
  PLEASE NOTE: The final itinerary, including hotels and/or activities described here, are subject to changes according to availability. City hotel taxes are not included.