From Siracusa through the Iblei Canyons to Mt. Etna
Overview
Itinerary
Services
Dates & Prices
Gallery
This challenging tour offers you millennial history and unspoilt nature. It guides you through the baroque Southeast of the island, then through the inland and finally to Mt. Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. You will see seven towns of UNESCO world heritage: Siracusa, Noto, Modica, Ragusa, Palazzolo Acreide with their numerous baroque Palazzi and churches, Caltagirone and Piazza Armerina, known for the “Villa Romana del Casale” with its colourful floor mosaics. The Nature Reserve “Cavagrande del Cassibile” and the regional nature park of Mt. Etna.
For every stage we have worked out a challenging and a shorter version, so you can choose day by day which one you are up to.
Individual arrival or transfer to Siracusa. Briefing and handover of the bikes.
Today you will cycle across the Iblei plateau with its numerous Canyons, called here „cave“. After having left Siracusa you will start a climb to the Climiti mountains and then along the ridge. Shortly before arriving in Sortino you will have a stunning view over the plain of Catania and in the background the volcano Mt. Etna, the goal of our tour. From Sortino you start the fast downhill with hairpins of the so-called „Fusco“ to the Anapo Valley. You a continuous up and down brings you to the coast, where you start the last challenging climb to the Cavagrande del Cassibile. The stage ends in Noto, the capital of the Sicilian Baroque.
Today’s stage shows you again the various landscape of the Iblei plateau and two true jewels of baroque architecture: Modica and Ragusa Ibla. After a first climb you arrive in Noto Antica, the original city of Noto, completely destroyed by the big earthquake of 1693. You continue to Castelluccio where you start the downhill to the valley. Uphill again to Modica and Ragusa, two master pieces of baroque architecture. Don’t forget to try the spicy chocolate in Modia. The stage finishes in Palazzolo Acreide.
Today the route leads from the Iblei to the Erei mountains. On a continuous up and down you cross a number of typical small mountain villages like Cassaro, Ferla, Sortino, Buccheri and Vizzini. The stages finishes in Caltagirone, the center of Sicilian pottery craft.
This stages continues to the center of Sicily that is of great agricultural importance and has already been described by the Romans as the granary of Italy. You will see vast plantations of prickly pears. (Fico d’India). Possibility to visit the „Villa Romana del Casale“ near Piazza Armerina with the well preserved polychromatic floor mosaics.
Today there is only one version. After leaving Caltagirone you first cycle downhill into the valley before you start the first climb of the day up to the village Mineo. From Mineo you continue to Milittello, a small town with an interesting baroque center. Then you cycle to the plain of Catania with its many citrus plantation always with view on the vulcano, Mt. Etna which you will see the whole day in front of you. With a little luck and good view, you can see smoke from the craters. From Paternò you climb until Nicolosi on the slopes of the Etna where the stage finishes.
This final stage – the circumnavigation of Mt. Etna – is the highlight of every road bike tour in Sicily and with two long and difficult climbs a challenge even for ambitious road cyclist. Passing by old lava flows you will arrive at 1900 m above sea level. We also offer a shorter version which still includes the most beautiful climb of the volcano. The choice is up to you.
Individual departure or extension.
The rate includes:
7 nights with breakfast in 3-4-star-hotels and B&B in Caltagirone and Nicolosi
Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
Maps and GPS-Tracks
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”
Transfer per person, min 2 pax (to be paid on site):
Catania airport- Siracusa € 50
Nicolosi – Catania airport € 35
For arrivals and transfers after 10PM a supplmenet of € 5 per person is applied.
Departures Individual-Tour
Every Saturday from February 10th to November 7th, 2024.
Minimum 2 participants.
Rates:
Base package per Person in double room € 860
Single room supplement € 210
Single participant supplement € 170
Half Board Supplement (drinks excluded) € 220
Supplement High Season (July and August) € 120
Bike rental Road bike alloy frame with Shimano Ultegra components € 140
Bike rental Road bike carbon frame with Shimano Ultegra components € 170
Supplement € 10 per way for transport of own bike
Group rates for transfers for more than four participants on request. The transfers are carried out by Ciclofree or persons/transport companies for Ciclofree.
Cancellation policy:
28 to 14 days prior to the beginning of the tour, 50% of the total amount*
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 *