Gravel Bike tour in the East of Sicily
Spectacular scenery, relaxed island lifestyle and sample delicious Sicilian food and wine
A journey into the most authentic Sicily among the baroque jewels of Noto, Ragusa, Modica, and Palazzolo Acreide. You will be enraptured walking between sumptuous palaces and churches with rich inlaid facades. The tour will pass through the Iblei plateau and the Anapo valley and the lush reserve of Pantalica, where streams of water have carved, over the centuries, the soft limestone rock, forming high canyons from the magnificent panorama and creating a unique environment. The tour will end with the ascent of the highest active volcano in Europe: Mount Etna.
Highlights:
- Stunning baroque villages and fantastic landscape
- Enjoy the famous food and wines of the region
- Etna: the biggest active volcano in Europe
Highlights:
- Stunning baroque villages and fantastic landscape
- Enjoy the famous food and wines of the region
- Etna: the biggest active volcano in Europe
Day 1 Arrival in Sicily
Arrival in Catania and group transfer to Buccheri where you will stay in a delightful farmhouse. Meeting with the guide who will accompany you for the entire week. Dinner and overnight stay. Meal (D)
Day 2 Giorno Riserva di Pantalica - Giarratana
We will begin our tour through the amazing reserve of Pantalica, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, the comfortable white road winds through a canyon carved into the rock by the river Calcinara and Anapo, you will be surprised and enraptured by the rich vegetation and watercourse that forms the puddles and natural pools where you can bathe. The reserve is famous for its large necropolis dating back to the Paleolithic. Leaving the reserve, we will continue to Palazzolo Acreide, a treasure chest to discover in the heart of the Iblei. In the afternoon we will reach
the small village of Giarratana where we will spend the night. Dinner and overnight stay in a farmhouse. Meal (B-D)
Km:45
Height difference +/- :1000mt, 800mt
Type of ground: dirt road and a few stretches of asphalt
Difficulty: medium/easy
Day 3: Giarratana-Modica
After breakfast, ready for another excursion. We will enter the heart of the Iblei Park along an ancient path that was used by monks and pilgrims to reach the convents scattered throughout the territory. We will ride on small white roads surrounded by fields of wheat, olive trees and abandoned mills. We will cross the picturesque villages of Chiaramonte Gulfi and Monterosso Almo and then arrive in the heart of Sicilian Baroque: Ragusa, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. We will continue along secondary roads to Modica, a beautiful city crib nestled between the rocks of the Monti Iblei and famous, among other things, for culinary delights including chocolate known
throughout Italy. Overnight stay in Modica. Meal (B)
Km: 50
Difference in height +/-:800mt, 1400 mt
Type of ground: asphalt, dirt road
Difficulty: medium/easy
Day 4: Modica-Noto
On this day we will leave the mountains and enter the countryside Iblee, along secondary roads between dry stone walls and beautiful olive trees carob we will arrive at the southernmost tip of Europe, Portopalo di Capo Passero, a small fishing village nestled between two seas. Leaving Portopalo, we will continue to Marzamemi where we will stop in the picturesque square Regina Margherita located in an old tuna fishery to taste the local fish delicacies. After lunch
we will visit the reserve of Vendicari where there are some of the most beautiful and "wild" beaches of Sicily. Our final destination of the day will be Noto, symbol of Sicilian Baroque. Destroyed by the great earthquake of 1693, was entirely rebuilt by the most famous architects of the time and for this reason declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Night in Noto. Meal (B)
Km.75
Difference in height +/-:650mt,1000mt
Type of ground: asphalt, dirt road
Difficulty: medium/easy
Day 5: Noto-Siracusa-Etna
On our last day by bike we will discover the coast of the Ionian Sea that will take us from Noto to Syracuse, crossing beautiful beaches along small paths surrounded by lemon and almond trees to finish in beauty in one of the most important cities of the Greek period: Syracuse. At the end of the excursion, private transfer to Nicolosi, a small town at the foot of Etna. Free time for dinner and overnight stay. Meal (B)
Km:50
Difference in height +/-:200mt,350mt.
Type of ground: asphalt, dirt road
Difficulty: medium/easy
Day 6: Hiking up Mt Etna
Our tour will end in beauty with the ascent of the highest active volcano in Europe. With a bus transfer we will reach Rifugio Sapienza (1900mt), from here in the company of a Volcanological Guide we will take the cable car and 4x4 minibuses that will take us up to 2900mt, from here in about 1.5 hours of climbing we will reach the edge of the Crater of Bocca Nuova and Central Crater, we can feel the "breath" of Etna and enjoy a 360 ° view that sweeps from the Aeolian Islands, the Gulf of Taormina and the bay of Catania. From the top we will descend on foot through the majestic Valle del Bove. At the end of the excursion, private transfer to Catania. Farewell dinner and overnight in hotel. Meal (B-D)
Duration: 5h
Difference in height +/-:500mt, 800mt
Day 7: Departure
After breakfast, end of our service. Meal (B)
Arrival in Catania and group transfer to Buccheri where you will stay in a delightful farmhouse. Meeting with the guide who will accompany you for the entire week. Dinner and overnight stay. Meal (D)
Day 2 Giorno Riserva di Pantalica - Giarratana
We will begin our tour through the amazing reserve of Pantalica, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, the comfortable white road winds through a canyon carved into the rock by the river Calcinara and Anapo, you will be surprised and enraptured by the rich vegetation and watercourse that forms the puddles and natural pools where you can bathe. The reserve is famous for its large necropolis dating back to the Paleolithic. Leaving the reserve, we will continue to Palazzolo Acreide, a treasure chest to discover in the heart of the Iblei. In the afternoon we will reach
the small village of Giarratana where we will spend the night. Dinner and overnight stay in a farmhouse. Meal (B-D)
Km:45
Height difference +/- :1000mt, 800mt
Type of ground: dirt road and a few stretches of asphalt
Difficulty: medium/easy
Day 3: Giarratana-Modica
After breakfast, ready for another excursion. We will enter the heart of the Iblei Park along an ancient path that was used by monks and pilgrims to reach the convents scattered throughout the territory. We will ride on small white roads surrounded by fields of wheat, olive trees and abandoned mills. We will cross the picturesque villages of Chiaramonte Gulfi and Monterosso Almo and then arrive in the heart of Sicilian Baroque: Ragusa, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. We will continue along secondary roads to Modica, a beautiful city crib nestled between the rocks of the Monti Iblei and famous, among other things, for culinary delights including chocolate known
throughout Italy. Overnight stay in Modica. Meal (B)
Km: 50
Difference in height +/-:800mt, 1400 mt
Type of ground: asphalt, dirt road
Difficulty: medium/easy
Day 4: Modica-Noto
On this day we will leave the mountains and enter the countryside Iblee, along secondary roads between dry stone walls and beautiful olive trees carob we will arrive at the southernmost tip of Europe, Portopalo di Capo Passero, a small fishing village nestled between two seas. Leaving Portopalo, we will continue to Marzamemi where we will stop in the picturesque square Regina Margherita located in an old tuna fishery to taste the local fish delicacies. After lunch
we will visit the reserve of Vendicari where there are some of the most beautiful and "wild" beaches of Sicily. Our final destination of the day will be Noto, symbol of Sicilian Baroque. Destroyed by the great earthquake of 1693, was entirely rebuilt by the most famous architects of the time and for this reason declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Night in Noto. Meal (B)
Km.75
Difference in height +/-:650mt,1000mt
Type of ground: asphalt, dirt road
Difficulty: medium/easy
Day 5: Noto-Siracusa-Etna
On our last day by bike we will discover the coast of the Ionian Sea that will take us from Noto to Syracuse, crossing beautiful beaches along small paths surrounded by lemon and almond trees to finish in beauty in one of the most important cities of the Greek period: Syracuse. At the end of the excursion, private transfer to Nicolosi, a small town at the foot of Etna. Free time for dinner and overnight stay. Meal (B)
Km:50
Difference in height +/-:200mt,350mt.
Type of ground: asphalt, dirt road
Difficulty: medium/easy
Day 6: Hiking up Mt Etna
Our tour will end in beauty with the ascent of the highest active volcano in Europe. With a bus transfer we will reach Rifugio Sapienza (1900mt), from here in the company of a Volcanological Guide we will take the cable car and 4x4 minibuses that will take us up to 2900mt, from here in about 1.5 hours of climbing we will reach the edge of the Crater of Bocca Nuova and Central Crater, we can feel the "breath" of Etna and enjoy a 360 ° view that sweeps from the Aeolian Islands, the Gulf of Taormina and the bay of Catania. From the top we will descend on foot through the majestic Valle del Bove. At the end of the excursion, private transfer to Catania. Farewell dinner and overnight in hotel. Meal (B-D)
Duration: 5h
Difference in height +/-:500mt, 800mt
Day 7: Departure
After breakfast, end of our service. Meal (B)
Skill level: easy- moderate, suitable for most people in good health
Accommodation: In Farmhouses and hotel 3*
Luggage: we advise you to use one large bag with wheels where you put all your staff. A backpack (20-30 litres) during the excursions.
Equipment: bike clothing, trekking shoes, warm shell, wind and waterproof jacket, hat, bathing suite, sun glasses andsun screen cream, daily backpack, helmet, gloves
Price per person: 1490 euro
Supplement in single room : + 130 euro
Included:
- 6 nights accommodation as described in the program based in ensuite twin rooms
- Breakfasts
- Dinners on days 1-2-6
- Private transfer from the airport to the first hotel on day 1
- Private transfer from Syracuse to Mt Eta on day 5
- Private transfer from Mt Etna to Catania on day 6
- Etna hiking excursion with private volcanic guides and ticket for cable car
- Electric bike rental Bianchi Impulso allroad
- Mountain bike guide/instructor assistance
- Luggage transfer with assistance
Not included:
- Lunches
- Extra Beverage
- Dinners except on day 1-2-6
- All extra excursions or supplements
- All the transfers not included
- Monuments, museums entrance fees
- All not mentioned under the heading “included”
Accommodation: In Farmhouses and hotel 3*
Luggage: we advise you to use one large bag with wheels where you put all your staff. A backpack (20-30 litres) during the excursions.
Equipment: bike clothing, trekking shoes, warm shell, wind and waterproof jacket, hat, bathing suite, sun glasses andsun screen cream, daily backpack, helmet, gloves
Price per person: 1490 euro
Supplement in single room : + 130 euro
Included:
- 6 nights accommodation as described in the program based in ensuite twin rooms
- Breakfasts
- Dinners on days 1-2-6
- Private transfer from the airport to the first hotel on day 1
- Private transfer from Syracuse to Mt Eta on day 5
- Private transfer from Mt Etna to Catania on day 6
- Etna hiking excursion with private volcanic guides and ticket for cable car
- Electric bike rental Bianchi Impulso allroad
- Mountain bike guide/instructor assistance
- Luggage transfer with assistance
Not included:
- Lunches
- Extra Beverage
- Dinners except on day 1-2-6
- All extra excursions or supplements
- All the transfers not included
- Monuments, museums entrance fees
- All not mentioned under the heading “included”
E-IMPULSE GRAVEL
The Gravel bike can be considered an adaptation on two wheels of a new idea of travel and discovery: more comfortable than a road bike and not as specialized as a mountain bike, the gravel bike allows you to tackle mixed routes, from the city to the hills, up to the mountains.
In gravel it is better, but in e-gravel more! Thanks to the assisted pedaling generated by the latest generation engine, now everyone, with any type of athletic training, can enjoy the proposed routes in comfort and serenity.
Technical specifications
FRAMEE-Impulso, PressFit BB, 1.1 / 8 “steering, Disc brake, flat mount caliper, QR system, OLD 135mm, sizes XS-SM-MD-LG-XL
FORK
Bianchi Full carbon 1.1 / 8 “, 12x100mm, Flat Mount
HEADSET
Fsa NO.8B / ZS4D
SHIFTERS
Shimano GRX 600 ST-RX600 1x11s
Trips Note
Destination: Sicily
Travel Style: Gravel bike tour
Interest: Nature and History and Culture
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
Departures: Mar Apr May Jun Jul Sep Oct Nov
Group size: from 4 to 8 people
Airport: Catania
