Tour of Sicily
Sicily is tucked away, the ball to the boot of Italy. It is the largest and most populated of the Mediterranean islands and is most famous for Mount Etna, its UNESCO heritage sites and the Mafia. We will be on the trail of the professional cyclists as we pick up the Giro d’Italia routes up Mount Etna and the Giro della Sicilia. Used in 1967 and then again in 1989 it was ignored for a while but since 2011 Mount Etna has returned 6 times to the Giro itinerary though not always from the same side or with the same finish.
This route offers plenty of flexibility and isn’t limited to the example shown here. There are many different ways to do this journey, and we can adapt it to your requirements. The options are endless, what you’ll find below is simply a typical itinerary.
Between Etna and the villages is stunning scenery, often dominated by a profile of Etna in the morning or shrouded in the build up of clouds that flow from the cone in the afternoons. From Etna you can look out across the coast and over the sea towards the rest of Italy, Greece and the Arab world, all of whom have left their mark on this island.
Tour of Sicily Itinerary
Day 1
Fly into Catania, or train travel. Transfer from Catania airport to night one accommodation on the northern slopes of Mount Etna, Il Picciolo Etna Golf Resort. Warm up loop available on the northern slopes of Etna with lovely riding around the lava flows.
Day 2 – Summiting Etna
As we have started our day at around 600m above sea level there is less height to gain to get to the top of Etna today.
Route option 1 will go round to the start of their climb at Lingualossa:
This climb averages 6.5%. The steepest quarter mile of this climb is 13.2% and steepest continuous mile is 10.3%. 1.6 miles of the climb is at or above 10% grade. The gradient on this climb is broken down as follows: 0.3 miles (2.2%) of descent; 3.2 miles (26.7%) at 0-5% grade; 6.9 miles (58.1%) at 5-10% grade; 1.5 miles (12.6%) at 10-15% grade; 0.06 miles (0.5%) at 15-20% grade.
Route option 2 will start their climb at Zaffereti:
This climb averages 7.2%. The steepest quarter mile of this climb is 11.7% and steepest continuous mile is 9.7%. 2.3 miles of the climb is at or above 10% grade. The gradient on this climb is broken down as follows: 0.2 miles (2%) of descent; 2.7 miles (23.6%) at 0-5% grade; 6.3 miles (54.6%) at 5-10% grade; 2.2 miles (19.3%) at 10-15% grade; 0.06 miles (0.5%) at 15-20% grade;
Route option 3 will start at Nicolosi:
This climb averages 6.5%. The steepest quarter mile of this climb is 13.3% and steepest continuous mile is 10.2%. 1.8 miles of the climb is at or above 10% grade. The gradient on this climb is broken down as follows: 0.2 miles (1.8%) of descent; 3.8 miles (33%) at 0-5% grade; 5.7 miles (49.4%) at 5-10% grade; 1.7 miles (14.8%) at 10-15% grade; 0.1 miles (0.9%) at 15-20% grade;
Example Accommodation:
In the evening we will have dinner and spend the night in the Brucoli Resort.
‘Simply the best. Brilliant routes, charming support staff, knowledgeable guides, great coffee stops, good lunches, spot on hotels.’ – Tim, Badgers
Day 3
Today will see us go from Catania, an ancient port city on Sicily’s east coast, to Syracuse, known for its ancient ruins.
Example Accommodation:
Il Monasteri – Dinner in our own private area, swimming pool, spa, bar, etc
Day 4
Today is our last day and it is a day where we savour the towns and villages of this stunning island. The classics are all here – Noto, Modica and we finish in the town of Ragusa, perhaps the jewel in the Baroque crown.
Example Accommodation:
At the end of the day we finish in the centre of Ragusa. We could stay in either – Villa del Lauro or the Hotel de Stefano Palace. The former has a garden and pool, the latter has a spa.
Day 5
Free time until the transfers to the airport. See below for flight details.
