Laura Fraser - Sicily Bike Tour
- Region: Italy
- Destination: Sicily
- Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights
- Level: Active Rider
- Price From: $4195
- Single Supplement: $ 900
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Join best-selling author Laura Fraser on a bike tour through Sicily exploring the late Baroque towns of the Val di Noto. Climb into the highland plateau and experience a panorama of breathtaking views of orchards, pastures, and olive groves. Cycle along small roads through the towns of Vinzzini and Siracusa that inspired Laura’s works: An Italian Affair and All Over the Map. Revel in the wealth of Baroque architecture. You’ll be amazed by the warm Sicilian welcome, the astounding cityscape of Ragusa, and the vista from Gulfi winery. Delight in fresh ricotta-filled cannoli, native Nero d’Avola wines, and unforgettable meals produced by the region’s highly regarded chefs.
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Tour by Day
Day One: Welcome to Sicily!
Your guides will meet you in Catania, and then we’re off to explore the Sicilian countryside. First we’ll cover the basics: bike fitting, safety talk, and map review. Start with a ride along the scenic ridgeline down to the coastal plain below. The route offers stunning views of the sea and provides for an evocative approach into Noto—often regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Stop in the main square for the best local granita before continuing your ride past the ruins of Noto Antica back to the hotel. Tonight, enjoy your first Sicilian dinner.
Meals: Light Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Catania, Noto, Noto Antica
Accomplished: 21 miles / 35 km
Day Two: Ride to the Sea
Begin the day cycling through the stone walls and carob trees of the Iblean plateau. A winding descent finds us surrounded by groves of orange and lemon trees as we pass through the hottest wine-growing region in Italy. Stop in Pachino for tasting of Nero d’Avolas at a local winery. Continue on to Marzamemi, the gorgeous fishing village where we’ll stop for lunch. Enjoy fresh seafood pasta at the local trattoria as you bask in the Sicilian sun. From here, choose to transfer back to the hotel or opt to ride back through Noto for an extra challenge.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Noto, Marzamemi
Accomplished: standard option: 29 miles / 47 km; longer option: 52 miles / 83 km
Day Three: The Baroque City of Ragusa
Start with a magical ride through the verdant Val di Noto. Descend past the prehistoric ruins of Castelluccio before climbing through terraced olive groves and orchards to our first stop. Enjoy lunch before making a final thrilling descent into the Irminio Valley where the new city of Ragusa spills over the edge of a cliff. Destroyed by the 1693 earthquake, the city was rebuilt on the plateau above the old city of Ragusa Ibla. We’ll spend the night here in the heart of the new town in a converted palace. Tonight you are free to explore Ragusa and select from many well-renowned restaurants.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Destinations: Val di Noto, Ragusa Ibla, Ragusa
Accomplished: 28 miles / 46 km
Day Four: Journey into the Iblei
Today we’ll climb up the Irminio Valley into Sicily’s wild interior. Along the way, we’ll pass the manmade lake of Santa Rosalia before arriving in the sleepy town Giarratana, deep in the heart of the Iblei Mountains. Climb into the precariously perched town of Monterosso Almo and sample some cannoli with the locals. Then it’s off to Vizzini, one of Sicily’s best-kept secrets. Cycling up the switchbacks, we’ll have plenty of time to admire its Baroque skyline. Enjoy lunch here in Vizzini at our favorite restaurant. Finish the day with a ride to our castle deep in the countryside.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Girratana, Montersso Almo, Vizzini
Accomplished: 30 miles / 50 km
Day Five: Gulfi Winery Visit
Our first stop along the ride today is with a ricottaro, a local ricotta producer, where we’ll learn how the roba genuina (real stuff) is produced. Leaving the sleepy village of Licodia Eubea, we’ll ride toward Lake Dirillo, passing through orchards of fruit trees, olive groves, and vineyards. We’ll stop at Gulfi winery for a tasting and wine-paired lunch. After lunch, opt to continue riding a loop back to the hotel or transfer back in the van. If cycling, you’ll be treated to a picturesque ride from the vineyards to the stunning fields of wheat. Tonight we’ll enjoy another delectable Sicilian meal.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Licodia Eubea, Gulfi Winery
Accomplished: 38 miles / 63 km
Day Six: Goodbye to Sicily
If you’re up for a final challenge, wake up early for a loop ride through the windmill-covered ridgelines around Vizzini. We’ll all regroup in the late morning for the transfer back the Catania airport.
Meals: Breakfast
