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Start of the tour, drive to Trapani for overnight.
We take the ferry to Favignana, the largest of the Aegedian islands, featuring some lovely rolling hills, beautiful beaches and turquoise waters – ideal for a relaxed first cycling day and time to relax. Back to Trapani in the afternoon. A visit by cable car up to the ancient town Erice on top of a 750m high rock is very recommended. (17km cycling)
Today we cycle south and make our way around the western tip of Sicily. Close to Marsala we cycle through the salines or salts flats – a patchwork of shallow coastal lakes and salt pans lined with ancient windmills. Once reaching Marsala town itself there will be a chance for an tasting the typical and famous fortified, local wine. Our route continues after lunch, cycling along the coast to Mazara del Vallo, nowadays harbouring Italy’s largest fishing fleet. We spend the night here, taking in the atmosphere of a small town still very influenced by Arabic culture. (68km cycling)
After breakfast we leave Mazara and start cycling, along or close to the coast, to the vast archeological site of Selinunte, once the the most westerly of the Greek colonies. After a visit we drive to the laid-back port town of Sciacca for overnight stay. (45km cycling)
We leave town by bus this morning and our first visit is to Castello Incantato, a quirky sculpture garden, before we start cycling not far from here. After stopping for lunch at a wonderful beach near Eraclea Minoa we continue riding to our hotel in the small town of Porto Empedocle overlooking the Strait of Sicily and being ideal base to explore nearby Agrigento. (52km cycling)
Today has been left free to relax and explore the fascinating Greek ruins of Agrigento are just a short taxi ride away and can be visited today. In the afternoon you may go of for a walk along the beach to explore the nearby, impressive Scala dei Turchi white cliffs that have been eroded into curious layered forms. Its name means ‘Stair of the Turks’ and most likely derives from the frequent coastal raids carried out by the Saracens. No cycling today.
A longer transfer takes us into the Iblean high plateau in the interior. The small town Palazzolo Acreide, stunningly rebuilt in Sicilian Baroque style after the devastating earthquake of 1693, is the starting point of today’s ride through remote and beautiful countryside. Eventually we reach Ragusa – another gem stone of Baroque town. The oldest part, Ragusa Ibla, was rebuilt by the old aristocracy in the 18th century and upon arrival we will explore the narrow alleyways, baroque palaces and charming piazzas on foot before heading to our hotel for tonight. (35km cycling)
After breakfast we cycle from our hotel on scenic roads to another Sicilian Baroque gem in Modica, nestling at the foot of a deep gorge. Also famous for its Aztec-inspired chocolate introduced during the Spanish rule of the island, we can visit a traditional chocolatier. Our ride continues as we descend along a ravine to our next stop in Scicli, known for the Italian TV series featuring police inspector Montalbano. Later we reach the beaches of the Med at Pozzalo and drive to our night stop in Noto. (51km cycling)
