Sicily E-Bike Tour - 10 Days

Welcome to Sicily.

There will be a group transfer from Catania Airport to our hotel in Taormina.

After you are fitted to your bikes we will take a warm up ride to familiarise you with them.

Tonight we’ll get together at a local restaurant to meet our guides and fellow cyclists and ready ourselves for our first bike ride.

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‍Cycling Distance: 0km

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Taormina

Today we’ll cycle along the coastline that connects Giardini Naxos to Taormina. It’s a beautiful ride, passing numerous caves, coves and bays until we head inland on a mostly quiet country road. After 22km we’ll stop for coffee and ice-cream in Mongiuffi. There will be a few more climbs and some nice descents before we arrive in the beautiful village of Savoca. Here we’ll visit the famous and quaint Bar Vitelli, straight out of Francis Ford Coppola’s movie “The Godfather”. After lunch in a local trattoria, we’ll transfer back to our hotel for an afternoon at the pool, beach or in one of the tranquil spots waiting to be experienced.

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‍Cycling Distance: 49km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Taormina

Have a relaxing morning before we drop you off in Taormina around midday, either at the famous beach of Isola Bella or at the cable car which connects the upper part of Taormina with the coast.

Spend the afternoon exploring at your leisure. We recommend a visit to the Greco-Roman Theatre from where you have great views towards the Calabrian Coast, the Ionian Sea and the spectacular cone of Etna. Stroll through the historic centre with its many shops, cafes and restaurants. An optional cooking class (extra cost) will also be on offer in Taormina.

Cycling Distance: 0km

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Taormina

Today we will cycle the highest active volcano in Europoe

You have two options today:

1. After a short drive to the charming town of Linguaglossa, founded on a lava stream in 1566, we start our bike ride. It’s a gradual climb through beautiful forest which you can easily manage on your e-bike. We’ll notice how the landscape changes from a tree forest to one best described as lunar, with volcanic rocks and black sand.

2. Miss the climb and transfer from  Linguaglossa to the top of the volcano in the van.

Once at the top you can choose to experience a 2.5 hour crater excursion by 4 wheel drive (extra cost) or spend some time exploring the area yourself. We will then regroup with the other cyclists for an amazing descent back to the hotel.

Later this afternoon you may like to participate in an optional traditional cooking class making fresh pasta (extra cost).

Cycling Distance: 34km to 54km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Taormina

We’ll transfer again to Linguaglossa before riding along Quota Mille Road on the northern slopes of Mount Etna. There will be evidence of the volcano's last major eruption in 2002, indicating how powerful nature can be. Then we’ll head to Maletto, the highest town in the Etna circle at 1,000m above sea level, before descending to Randazzo, a small village built with black lava stone and consequently known as “black city”. Our final cycling destination is the Tornatore Winery surrounded by the beautiful Etna landscape. Francesco Tornatore founded this winery in 2012 on the original family farm where he’d previously built a state-of-the-art winemaking facility. The estate is one of the largest and works exclusively with the native varieties of the region. A guided tour with wine tasting and lunch is included before we drive back to our hotel.

Tonight we will get together as a group for some drinks and tapas.

‍Cycling Distance: 40km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Taormina

After breakfast there will be a two hour transfer to the beautiful Unesco Heritage City of Noto on the East Coast -  considered to be the island’s Baroque capital. Completely destroyed by the terrible earthquake of 1693, Noto was rebuilt on a new site about 10km from the old centre. It’s now a showcase of massive churches and public buildings with stylish architectural details. Many of these are located on the main thoroughfare of Corso Vittorio Emanuele including the public gardens, Monastero del Santissimo Salvatore with its graceful tower, the inspired Palazzo Ducrezio, the Cathedral, the Church of San Francesco, the Jesuit Church and College, and Palazzo Nicolaci di Villadorata. As are so many other places on the island, Noto is not only an open-air museum, but also an area where local delicacies are produced. There will be plenty of time to explore as we will be staying in the Noto Valley for three nights.

‍Cycling Distance: 0 km

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Noto Valley

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We’ll begin by cycling to the highest point in the Noto valley, Testa dell' Acqua, a small and old village that is now populated by only a few people. Here we’ll have a coffee break before a descent (with hairpin bends) leads us to the remains of ancient Noto. From Noto Antica, we’ll continue our ride on small country roads that will take us to one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the area. Then it's downhill to Noto where there will be time to explore the two Basilicas and have lunch at a local food stall. You can choose to cycle back to our accommodation (extra 19 km) or transfer in the van.

‍Cycling Distance: 52km

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Noto Valley

Today we visit two more Unesco heritage cities - Modica and Ragusa Ibla.

We begin our ride heading southwest through Val di Noto with its picturesque landscapes and rolling hills to Modica - renowned for its Baroque architecture and rich history. We will have time to explore the charming streets and visit a local chocolatier to experience the city’s famous Modica chocolate. We will have lunch at a traditional Sicilian trattoria and savour the local specialities.

After lunch we'll climb southeast with stunning views of the Hyblaean Mountains before our descent into the historic center of Ragusa Ibla, characterised by its narrow winding streets and stunning Baroque buildings.

After spending time here we will take a short transfer back to our hotel in the Noto Valley.

‍Cycling Distance: 55km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Noto Valley

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After breakfast, we hop on the bikes for a scenic ride through the peaceful Iblean countryside along quiet roads and through groves of olive, almond, and carob trees. We will have plenty of opportunities to stop for rests and photos along the way.

Our destination is Masseria Magazzene, a traditional Sicilian farm nestled in the hills, where we’ll be welcomed for a unique mozzarella experience.  Here, you’ll witness the art of mozzarella making firsthand, followed by a delicious tasting session of fresh mozzarella and other local dairy products.

We then enjoy a farm-to-table lunch at the masseria, featuring seasonal ingredients and homemade dishes.

The rest of the afternoon is free to relax before we regroup for a farewell dinner.

‍Cycling Distance: 50km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Taormina

Time to say "arrivederci". There will be a comfortable two hour transfer back to Catania Airport for your onward travel or Taormina if you wish to extend your say in fascinating Sicily.

‍Cycling Distance: 0km

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: None