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A Timeless Journey through Ancient Sicily and the Aeolian Islands

The largest island in the Mediterranean is arguably the most beautiful and certainly the most dense with history and humanity. Sicily's complex culture is matched only by its stunning natural beauty and the incredible, diverse landscape: rolling hills and valleys swathed in grapevines, miles of aquamarine coastline and a series of archipelagos that can be reached via a quick boat ride. We will pedal back in time to a colorful and enigmatic past that has never left the island. With Tourissimo, you will see (and taste) the real Sicily. This seductive Mediterranean island has lured conquerors and visitors for centuries. Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, and Normans have all contributed to the many layers of its vibrant culture. Focusing on the most alluring sites on the eastern side of the island, we’ll swim in pristine waters, hike the highest volcano in Europe (Etna) and visit one of Italy’s best-kept secrets: the Aeolian Islands.

Sicily is a region renowned for its Baroque and Norman architecture, for its artistic importance (many poets, writers and intellectuals were born here), and of course, its excellent food! The cuisine in Sicily is different from the rest of Italy because of the various cultures it has been exposed to. In addition to its great wines, dinner in Sicily usually consists of vegetables (tomatoes, eggplants, artichokes), plenty of seafood, and yes, lots of pasta and olive oil. Its lemons, oranges, figs, almonds and apricots are among the best in the world.

Not sure if you can do it? Contact us to schedule a call about how demanding the rides and hikes are or about reserving and E-bike.

 

Relevant Blog: Italy’s Scattered Hotels, the Alberghi Diffusi

 

Highlights

• Experience charming Scicli, Ragusa, and Modica (UNESCO World Heritage Sites)

• Savor breathtaking views of the Mediterranean

• Explore the Aeolian Archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

• Hike the most unusual corners of the islands at a relaxing pace

• Travel by private boat with seafood lunch on board

• Enjoy an authentic Sicilian cooking class

• Etna volcano exploration

• Visit a wine producer on the island of Lipari, famous for Malvasia

• Ride the scenic farmland of the southern island dotted by historical sites

• Sample products from local producers, such as capers, fruits and vegetables

Dates:

Ask for custom dates

Prices:

2025

USD 5,995

Private room (single supplement) USD 695

Duration:

8 days (7 nights)

Level:

Active

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Customize this trip Sicily
AMAZING! Loved the riding, hotels, experiences etc. etc.
Cannot thank you enough!  

Kathy Burges Sicily East Private

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Day by Day

Day 1

Vendicari - Arrival and warm-up ride - 14 mls - Flat

This morning we will pick you up in Catania and drive to the countryside between Noto and Vendicari. Lunch upon arrival at Masseria Costanza and tour overview.

Masseria Costanza is an ancient farm nestled in an agricultural estate of more than 20 hectares, where citrus fruits, a fragrant lemon grove, and olives are grown. We are in a pristine protected area known as Vendicari. 

In the afternoon, we will go over bike fitting in preparation for some stunning rides in the days ahead that will include the Iblei Mountains and the so-called Baroque Triangle. The short ride will offer nice views and the chance the get acquainted with the bikes. 

In the evening, we dine at a typical Sicilian osteria in Marzamemi where we get our first taste of some mouth-watering seafood specialties. Marzamemi, a quintessential Sicilian fishing village with roots dating back to the Byzantine times (Eastern Roman Empire), captivates visitors. Sitting in the main piazza, one can easily fall in love with Sicily.

Day 2

Noto - Scicli - 30 or 37 miles  - Rolling

We start the ride after a short transfer to Noto, one of the jewels of the Baroque triangle.  

Enjoy the relaxed pace of the Sicilian countryside on this morning's beautiful route. Pace yourself and take your time when climbing a ridge road with expansive views direction the west.

We reach Modica, one of the most picturesque towns in Sicily. The approach to Modica becomes increasingly dramatic as we descend into the center filled with baroque architecture. During our time in Modica, we make a stop at the Bonaiuto chocolate shop, one of the oldest on the island. Modica's chocolate is distinguished by an ancient and original recipe involving manual grinding (rather than conching), imparting a unique grainy texture and aromatic flavor. It stands out as one of the island's specialties.

In just a few miles, we arrive in Scicli, another excellent example of baroque reconstruction (it was destroyed by the 1693 earthquake). A bit off the beaten path compared to Modica and Ragusa, Scicli holds a special place among our favorite spots on the island. We spend two nights there.

Day 3

Scicli - Punta Secca loop - 33 mls - Rolling

We start today’s ride with a pleasant downhill from the Altopiano Ibleo toward the coast where the landscape consists of tiny farms, pastures, and greenhouses. The economy here is all about agriculture (including winemaking). The lush vegetation is quintessentially Mediterranean and comprised of agave, eucalyptus, carob trees, and olive trees. After a stretch along the coast, we reach Punta Secca.

If you are familiar with the literary phenomenon that is Commissario Montalbano (Inspector Montalbano) by Camilleri (also a TV series), take note of Montalbano's home facing the water. His meditative swims were made legendary by the pen of the author. Did you bring your swimming gear? We climb back up the valley with great views of the Irminio River Canyon until we reach our lunch spot.

In the evening you can enjoy a stroll through Scicli with a local guide and dinner on your own possibly featuring an Italian staple no matter the latitude: pizza!

Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8

 

What's Included

INFINITO CV

Bianchi Via Nirone SBianchi Via Nirone S

Hotels

Villa Enrica Pool-web

VILLA ENRICA

Palazzo Favacchio Patane 2

PALAZZO FAVACCHIO PATANE'

Masseria Costanza

MASSERIA COSTANZA

More Info

Food and Wine

Sicilian cuisine shows traces of all of the cultures which established themselves on the island over the last two millennia. Although its cuisine has a lot in common with mainland Italian cuisine, Sicilian food also has Greek, Spanish, French and Arab influences. The use of apricots, sugar, citrus, sweet melons, rice, saffron, raisins, nutmeg, clove, pepper, pine nuts, cinnamon (along with fried preparations) is a sign of Arab influences from the Arab domination of Sicily in the 10th and 11th centuries. Norman influences are also found, such as in the fondness for meat dishes. Later, the Spanish introduced numerous items from the New World, including cocoa, corn, peppers, and tomatoes. In Catania, on the east coast, initially settled by Greek colonists, fish, olives, broad beans, pistachio and fresh vegetables are preferred instead. Much of the island's cuisine encourages the use of fresh vegetables such as eggplant, peppers, and tomatoes, and fish such as tuna, cuttlefish, and swordfish. In Trapani, in the extreme western corner of the island, North African influences are clear in the use of couscous. Sicily is a wine-lover's paradise; such is the variety, complexity and abundance of Bacchus' unique gift! There are 23 DOC zones in Sicily: Alcamo,Contea di Sclafani, Contessa Entellina, Delia Nivolelli, Eloro, Erice, Etna, Faro, Malvasia delle Lipari, Mamertino di Milazzo, Marsala, Menfi, Monreale, Moscato di Noto, Moscato di Pantelleria, Passito di Pantelleria, Moscato di Siracusa, Riesi, Salaparuta, Sambuca di Sicilia, Santa Margherita di Belice, Sciacca and Vittoria. Many grape types are grown, used either in purezza (single grape variety wines), or blended. Some have been around for centuries while others are more recent imports. The following are some of the main varieties: red grapes - Nero D’Avola, Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Mantellato, Perricone, Frappato, Calabrese and the more recently introduced Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Shiraz (Syrah); white grapes - Cataratto, Grecanico, Grillo, Inzolia, Zibibbo, Damaschino, Trebbiano, Ausonica, Moscato Bianco, Carricante, Corinto Nero and the more recently introduced Chardonnay, Viognier and Fiano. Sicily has the most Slow Food Presidia (local projects) of all of the Italian regions. That means that the island has lots to offer in terms of gastronomical discoveries ranging from greens and vegetables to cheese and artisanal bread. 
 

Mount Etna

Etna, also known by Sicilians as ‘Mongibello’ (The Beautiful Mountain), is located on the east coast of Sicily, in the province of Catania. It is the highest volcano in Europe at more than 11,000 feet (3,350 meters). It erupts from the four main summit craters, and has an activity which is both effusive (with liquid magma flows) and explosive: not infrequently, it can "spit" dense columns of ash and gas visible even from space satellites, launching the rocks produced by its eruptions into the surrounding areas. For this reason the region is particularly fertile and the cheeses and wines we will savor will confirm that Sicily is a small piece of paradise.

 

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