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Explore Sicily's south east, renowned for its unspoilt coastline, spectacular Baroque architecture and cuisine
Arrive at your luxury 4 star hotel in Ragusa. (Staying at the De Stefano Palace, Half Board)
We strongly recommend spending some time in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ragusa Ibla before setting off this morning. The simply stunning old town of Ragusa, rebuilt in 1693 after a huge earthquake, is full of enchanting Baroque architecture, along with a number of tempting cafes and restaurants for lunch. Follow your visit with a climb above Modica, skirting Modica Alta (the upper part of the city), before passing quaint, dry-stone-wall farms through a rich, fertile valley of cacti and pomegranate orchards as you weave your way to Cava d'Ispica - a verdant gorge full of thousands of caves and grottoes, stretching for 13 kilometres between Modica and Ispica! (Staying at the Ferro Hotel, Breakfast only)
Distance in Km: 41
Distance in Miles: 26
Often referred to as the Baroque capital of Sicily, the atmospheric city of Modica sits in a dramatic setting, perched between limestone cliffs. This UNESCO-listed city is home to an impressive 29 churches including two grand Baroque cathedrals, along with charming narrow streets peppered with cafes, restaurants and a number of tempting chocolate shops! Modica's chocolate is one of the Ragusa area's most famous products and to this day it's still made to ancient Aztec methods. Make sure you sample some at Antica Dolceria Bonajuto, the oldest chocolate factory in Sicily! (Staying at the Ferro Hotel, Breakfast only)
Start today with a feel-good freewheel through a valley rich in pomegranates, cacti and quaint little farmsteads, on your way to the unmissable little town of Scicli. Overlooked by an imposing rock on which sits the magnificent Church of San Matteo, Scicli, like the other towns in the area, has been totally rebuilt in a pure Sicilian Baroque style following the 1693 earthquake. Wander its atmospheric streets and you'll feel like you're on the set of Inspector Montalbano - Via Mormino Penna is where you'll find the fictional police station from the TV show! Be sure to check out the impressive, hilltop cemetery, just out of town, full of mausoleums and surrounded by magnificent pines and tall cypress trees. You reach the coast and continue to Cava d'Aliga and Sampieri, a picturesque fishing village with a lovely sandy beach and another of Montalbano's favoured locations. Continue along the coastline to Pozzallo, home to no less than four Blue Flag beaches. You stay at the Hotel Danieli (breakfast and evening meal included)
Distance in Km: 50
Distance in Miles: 31
Cutting inland you'll cycle through pantani, a series of saltwater lagoons rich in birdlife such as mallards, flamingos, herons and storks, on your way to today's highlight - the Isola delle Correnti (the 'Island of Currents'). The southernmost point of Sicily's mainland, this isolated, seemingly adrift island is also the point at which the Ionian and Mediterranean seas meet. It's quite a sight to behold! You stay at the Portopalo Suite (breakfast included)
Distance in Km: 43
Distance in Miles: 27
Today's cycle takes you to the beautiful old fishing village of Marzamemi - one of Sicily's prettiest - with its colourful wooden boats, fishermen's houses and charming buildings such as the Baroque church of San Francesco di Paola. Marzamemi became the centre of Sicily's tuna fishing industry under its Arab influence and it keeps the tradition alive today, using artisanal fishing methods to produce a number of delicacies including canned tuna, smoked swordfish and marinated anchovies! Making your way to Noto you'll head inland on a virtually traffic-free road that winds its way through olive groves, vineyards, almond trees, sugar cane and beautifully perfumed citrus orchards - idyllic surroundings for a picnic lunch. You stay at the Villa Favorita (breakfast and evening meal included)
Distance in Km: 47
Distance in Miles: 29
Your hotel is located in a lovely courtyard setting with an outdoor pool and superb views over Noto. If you can tear yourself away from the 4 star luxury, you could cycle to the nearby seaside resort of Lido di Noto for a lazy day on the beach, or opt for our recommended cycle ride into atmospheric Noto itself. Perhaps the most beautiful of all the cities you visit on this holiday, Noto's current centre was rebuilt after the 17th century earthquake and is considered a Baroque masterpiece as well as being an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander down the Corso Vittorio Emmanuele, overlooked by Noto's elegant cathedral, and explore the side streets filled with an array of fine architecture and cafes serving delicious local treats such as the savoury arancini and sweet cannoli. (Staying at the Villa Favorita, Half Board)
Distance in Km: 14
Distance in Miles: 8.5
What a final day! You'll follow the coast to the stunning city of Siracusa, built on an ancient Greek settlement and boasting a treasure trove of temples, amphitheatres and an ancient castle. On the way you'll cycle through Avola - home of the famous Nero D'Avola red wine grape. You'll also enjoy views of the majestic Mount Etna, and discover Plemmirio, an important area for flora and fauna and whose waters are home to a number of species including tuna, sea urchins, dolphins and sperm whales. After passing the Murro di Porco Cape, a striking landmark in the 1943 Conquest of Sicily, a final stretch takes you along the Bay of Siracusa and into the city itself. (Staying at the Grand Albergo Alfeo, Breakfast only)
Distance in Km: 53
Distance in Miles: 33
8 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation in 4 star hotelsAll buffet breakfasts
and 3 evening mealsManagement by your local Headwater-appointed
agentNavigation appHigh quality bikesLuggage transfers between hotels
Sicily's typically southern Italian cuisine is interspersed with many more
exotic dishes reflecting the island's jumbled cultural past. Italian dishes
like pasta alla norma (made with tomatoes, aubergine and grated ricotta) are
often found on menus along with couscous (a north African speciality), or
even pasta con le sarde (a pasta dish dating back to Phoenician times made
from sardines, raisins, pine nuts, fennel, saffron, parsley and capers).The
Arabs introduced citrus groves to the island and a popular drink today is
granita made with crushed ice and lemon. This was traditionally drunk with
sweet bread dipped in it as a lunchtime snack by Sicilian peasants.Fish is of
course also abundant. Local specialities include pesce spada alla ghiotta
(swordfish cooked with tomatoes, capers, onion, celery and potatoes) or tonno
fresco alla brace (grilled fresh tuna).Sicily is famed for its desserts. Why
not try cannolo, a crunchy pastry tube filled with ricotta cheese and studded
with candied fruits, pistachio and chocolate? Or cassata, the Arab influenced
cake made with ricotta cheese, candied fruit and chocolate pieces.Sicily is
not traditionally famous for its wines, so it is surprising to learn that the
island boasts one of the largest wine producing areas in the whole of Italy.
Look out for the Etna DOC label and Corvo di Salaparuta. One of Sicily's most
popular wines is Alcamo Bianco - a soft white which goes well with fish
dishes. Let's not forget the Marsala wine, a fortified wine made in Sicily
which takes its name after the town where it is mostly produced. Marsala is
most commonly used in cooking to create nutty, rich caramelised sauces.
8 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation in 4 star hotelsAll buffet breakfasts
and 3 evening mealsManagement by your local Headwater-appointed
agentNavigation appHigh quality bikesLuggage transfers between hotels
Cycling ConditionsClassification: Self-GuidedAverage daily distance: 44.4km
(28miles) No. of days cycling: 5Terrain and route: The majority of the route
is tarmac, with a couple of streches of gravel along the way. Most of the
rides are along quiet roads, with a couple of stretches of dedicated cycle
tracks. Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to
cycle independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the
logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodation, provide you with a map
and route notes so that you can cycle at your own pace, while your bags are
transported from one hotel to the next.It is important that you are happy
reading maps and following route notes, we make these as accurate as possible
and they are regularly checked.As this is a self-guided holiday there is no
group and no leader. There maybe others on the same departure date as you,
but you will not be organised together. The routes notes contain a 24-hour
emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies,
the hotels are normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves.
They may wish to charge for this service.When your bike is delivered you will
be asked to sign a disclaimer form for the hire of the bike. The agent will
also require your credit card details as a guarantee in the event of
damage/loss of the bike (caused by deliberate, negligent or reckless acts.)
HotelsYou'll stay in a wonderful mix of accommodation including a charming villa
hotel boasting fabulous views over Noto from its outdoor pool terrace and a
minimalist design hotel in the centre of bustling Portopalo. Given the
wonderful local cuisine on offer, including such Sicilian specialities as
Pasta alla Norma and Pasta con le Sarde, we've included three evening meals
on this holiday, leaving you free to dine out on the remaining nights.
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. A local
representative is on hand to assist you and will meet you at the beginning of
the week to go through the route notes and point out particular places of
interest. Your luggage is transferred and route notes and maps are provided.
The route notes contain an emergency telephone number. In an emergency, the
local representative is normally able to dispatch a taxi. They may wish to
charge for this service.
Sicily's typically southern Italian cuisine is interspersed with many more
exotic dishes reflecting the island's jumbled cultural past. Italian dishes
like pasta alla norma (made with tomatoes, aubergine and grated ricotta) are
often found on menus along with couscous (a north African speciality), or
even pasta con le sarde (a pasta dish dating back to Phoenician times made
from sardines, raisins, pine nuts, fennel, saffron, parsley and capers).The
Arabs introduced citrus groves to the island and a popular drink today is
granita made with crushed ice and lemon. This was traditionally drunk with
sweet bread dipped in it as a lunchtime snack by Sicilian peasants.Fish is of
course also abundant. Local specialities include pesce spada alla ghiotta
(swordfish cooked with tomatoes, capers, onion, celery and potatoes) or tonno
fresco alla brace (grilled fresh tuna).Sicily is famed for its desserts. Why
not try cannolo, a crunchy pastry tube filled with ricotta cheese and studded
with candied fruits, pistachio and chocolate? Or cassata, the Arab influenced
cake made with ricotta cheese, candied fruit and chocolate pieces.Sicily is
not traditionally famous for its wines, so it is surprising to learn that the
island boasts one of the largest wine producing areas in the whole of Italy.
Look out for the Etna DOC label and Corvo di Salaparuta. One of Sicily's most
popular wines is Alcamo Bianco - a soft white which goes well with fish
dishes. Let's not forget the Marsala wine, a fortified wine made in Sicily
which takes its name after the town where it is mostly produced. Marsala is
most commonly used in cooking to create nutty, rich caramelised sauces.
Alternative Air TravelAlternative flights, onward rail to your holiday area,
and connecting private transfers can be arranged from most UK airports. If
you would like to use one of the many 'low cost' airlines, we can book these
on your behalf (£30 admin fee per person). We can also book UK shuttles to
connect with your onward flight, please call for details and
prices.Alternative transfersIf you require alternative transfers (because you
will be arriving at a different time to our standard flights), then we can
usually arrange these for you (there may be an additional charge).
Air prices include our standard flights/transfersFlights from Gatwick to
Catania (Transfer included if a flight inclusive package - transfer to hotel
1 hour 40 minutes.) Return: Transfer to airport 45 minutes then flights from
Catania to Gatwick. ((Transfer included if a flight inclusive
package)Standard transfersTransfers included from Catania airport at 10:30,
and back to Catania airport at 13:30.
Sicily has a good all year round climate, with plenty of sunshine and
warm/hot temperatures. The summer departures ought to have daily hot sunshine
and temperatures can reach 30 to 35 degrees Celcius. The earlier and later
departures are likely to be cooler with a slightly higher chance of rain. In
late summer there is the possibility of heavy thunderstorms, but these are
usually short-lived.
Small daypack for camera, guidebook, etc.Water bottle to use when walking and
sightseeing (2 litre)Sun creamHatSunglassesWaterproofsWarm clothes
You will need money for lunches, dinners (where they are not included), local
taxes (€6), snacks and drinks and any sites you wish to visit. Lunches can
be inexpensive if you buy produce from local markets or shops and make a
picnic. However, if you stop at a café you can easily spend €15. We would
recommend budgeting for €5-15 for lunches and €15-40 for dinners
depending on what type of restaurant you eat in. Allow an additional €10 a
day for any extras.
Travel insuranceSingle accommodation (available on request) Compulsory single
supplement.Visas or vaccinationsReturn transfers unless booked as a flight
inclusive package.
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.