Between the scenic gorges of Monti Iblei and Baroque lines and curves
This itinerary winds its way among the archaeological sites and Baroque cathedrals of this island teeming with myths, where you will have the chance to explore both the South-Eastern coastline and the hinterland, between Monti Erei of the central highlands and Val di Noto area which has been declared Unesco heritage since 2003. You will be visiting Caltagirone, a Baroque town also famous for its colourful ceramics, Palazzolo Acreide, Modica, Scicli, Ragusa Ibla, Noto the ‘pearl of Baroque’, Piazza Armerina, the ancient Norman town known, worldwide, for its beautiful Villa Romana del Casale boasting the richest mosaics in the world from the Roman era, and finally Siracusa, the cultural capital of Magna Grecia with the wonderful old town of Ortigia. Coastal areas offer unmissable gems such as the Oasi Naturale di Vendicari, the fishing hamlet of Marzamemi and the Islands of Capo Passero and of the Currents.
Individual arrival in Caltagirone, bicycles and information pack handover
After leaving Caltagirone you will be riding on secondary roads with very little traffic, between Eastern and Central Sicily, where a wonderful hilly landscape after another will be a prelude to your next stop, Piazza Armerina, where it’s mandatory that you visit Villa Romana del Casale. Discovered in 1950, it is the richest and most spectacular example of multi-coloured mosaic floors from Romans time. After visiting it, by following an almost circular route, you will return to Caltagirone.
Today’s route is well-rounded offering the chance to explore places of historical, cultural and natural interest. A stop in Vizzini will allow you to move further into the genuine island’s Sicilianity, introducing you to the world of Giovanni Verga, one of the most acclaimed Sicilian writers, who was born in this village two centuries ago. From the North-Western slope of Monte Lauro, where Vizzini lies, you will continue towards the limestone plateau represented by the Hyblaean mountains, wonderfully carved by deep gorges locally known as cave. Among these, the most interesting one is the Anapo’s Valley where you can find the villages of Ferla, Cassaro and Palazzolo Acreide.
On a more technical level, this route involves several ups and downs.
After having explored Palazzolo Acreide’s rich historical centre, you will descend through one of the valleys of the Hyblaean mountains, within a landscape at times rugged and wild at others teeming with olive, almond and carob trees surrounded by ancient dry-stone walls which outline the border between one plot of land and the other. This itinerary, comparatively short, will also give you the opportunity to visit Ragusa Ibla with its Baroque heritage and Modica, famous both for its remarkable history and for its delicious chocolate.
Riding downhill through a typical gorge of the Hyblaean territory, and by following the course of an old river, you will reach Scicli, the smallest Baroque town with a lot of charm. After a brief tour of the town, you will be riding through the typical Ragusan countryside so very rich of carob trees and several different crops until you reach an enthralling stretch of Sicilian coastline: The Island of the Currents, which separates the Ionian from the Mediterranean Sea, Portopalo di Capo Passero, the Southernmost village of the Eastern coast, the old fishing hamlet of Marzamemi and Vendicari nature reserve, an uncontaminated area of great natural beauty because of the uniqueness of its fauna and flora. Noto, at the end of today’s ride, is poetically described as ‘the pearl of Baroque’ and ‘the garden of stones’ for very good reasons.
You will start your ride by pedalling uphill towards San Corrado hamlet along one of the most scenic roads of Eastern Sicily. On top of Monte Alveria, you will reach Noto Antica, the remains of the town that stood here, at this unassailable height, until the 1693 earthquake struck. From here you will continue riding along a stunning secondary road till you arrive at Cavagrande del Cassibile nature reserve’s viewpoint. At 505 m a.s.l., you will glance at the amazing panorama, looking down at one of the deepest canyons in Europe. The river Cassibile has carved, through thousands of years, a series of beautiful little lakes where you can swim.
You will then be heading North till you arrive at Siracusa, the cultural capital of Magna Grecia, rich with myths and legends.
The charming island of Ortigia, the historical and cultural old town centre of Siracusa, will soon reveal the allure of a place where thousands of years of foreign domination have left their marks onto the several layers of history which followed inevitably.
In Ortigia you will find Piazza Duomo, one of the most beautiful Italian piazza where the imposing cathedral stands and also the Temple of Apollo and Fontana Aretusa where papyrus still grows, the same way as it does along the Anapo’s riverbanks.
Individual departure or extension of our services
Private transfer per person, min. 2 pax (payable locally):
Catania Airport – Caltagirone € 65
Siracusa – Catania Airport € 50
For arrivals and transfers after 10 PM a supplement of € 5 per person is charged. Private transfer rates for groups of min. 4 pax upon request. Transfers are carried out by Ciclofree or people hired by Ciclofree.
The rate includes:
7 nights with breakfast in 3 or 4 star hotels, or B&B of equal standard
detailed maps of the route and roadbook with a detailed description of the route
luggage transport
assistance by telephone
Rate does not include:
transfer to/from airport
helmet rental
dinner and lunch
wine tasting, entrance fees, tips
city tax
anything not mentioned above, under “rate includes”
Individual departures
Departures every day from February to November 3rd 2024.
Minimum of 2 participants.
Rates per person:
Category Standard (3 or 4*-hotels, high quality B&B in Caltagirone)
base package in DBL € 800
single room suppl. € 260
extra night in Caltagirone in double room € 50
extra night Caltagirone in single room € 75
extra night in Siracusa in double room € 70
extra night in Siracusa in single room € 110
high season suppl. (July/August) € 120
half board supplement (drinks excluded) € 250
supplement for tour with single participant € 130
road bike rental alu frame Shimano Ultegra € 140
road bike rental carbon frame Shimano Ultegra € 170
e-bike rental 500wh € 200
Cancellation policy:
From 28 to 14 days prior to the beginning of the tour, 50% of the total amount
From 13 to 4 days prior to the beginning of the tour, 70% of the total amount
From the third day prior to the beginning or no-show day, 90% of the total amount
