Sicily Bike Tour

Warmth, Personality, and the Essence of the Old World

6 days / 5 nights Level: 3Price From: $4,795Collection: Classic

Tour Highlights

  • Stay in five-star boutique hotels, including a romantic retreat in Taormina and a luxurious estate in Noto
  • Come to understand Sicily’s unique culinary identity during a cooking class and over lunch at our friend Giuseppe’s organic, family-run farm
  • Discover Mount Etna’s distinctive wine region both on the bike and in the glass at two paired tasting meals
  • Visit the picturesque town of Vizzini, birthplace of Giovanni Verga—one of Italy’s most beloved realist writers, famous for his depictions of rural life
  • Taste Sicily’s famous granita at one of the best shops in the main square of Noto

Eat

A wealth of unique ingredients and dishes thanks to Sicily’s location in the center of the Mediterranean: cannoli, granita, arancini, pistachios, almonds, blood oranges, fresh seafood, heirloom Giarratana onions, pasta alla Norma, and farm-fresh ricotta

Drink

An entire world of wines, from strong, spicy Nero d’Avola, to elegant Nerello Mascalese and lesser-known whites like Grillo and late-ripening Carricante

Print Itinerary
  • Day 1

    Welcome to Sicily

    Your guides will meet you in Siracusa, and then we’re off to the ancient Pantalica Valley. Get fitted on the bikes and warm up your legs on the way into Baroque Ferla—named one of Italy’s borghi piu belli, or most beautiful villages. Your first few glimpses of Sicily are overwhelming, with views of Etna and the eastern island dominating the ride to lunch. Arrive at a restaurant in the village of Buccheri that’s owned by a pair of brothers who have devoted their lives to preserving local culinary traditions, foraging for wild ingredients, and generally serving one of the best meals you’ll ever have. After, pedal across the Iblean plateau through Buscemi and Palazzolo, finally reaching our boutique hotel. The up-and-coming resident chef welcomes us with a memorable first dinner that showcases the flavors of this special island.

    Meals: Lunch / Dinner
    Destinations: Ferla, Buccheri, Buscemi
    Accomplished: 30 miles / 48 km, elevation gain: 2,716 feet / 828 meters
    Shorter Option: 20 miles / 32 km, elevation gain: 2,125 feet / 648 meters
    Accommodations: Dimora delle Balze or Il San Corrado di Noto

  • Day 2

    The Two Notos

    Depart right from the hotel this morning, warming up our legs on the rolling terrain of the Iblean plateau. We’ll stop for a look at the deserted city of Noto Antica, a once-mighty Sicilian stronghold leveled by the earthquake of 1693. Take in sweeping views of the Mediterranean on the descent to modern Noto, built to Baroque perfection on the coastal plains in the 1700s. Olive and almond trees flourish here, which makes an almond granita at an iconic pastry shop extra sweet. Back on the bikes, round out the day’s ride with a switchback climb and some jaw-dropping scenery all the way back to our hotel. Tonight, we head to nearby Palazzolo for a convivial evening of cooking, eating, and drinking with our friend Turi.

    Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
    Destinations: Noto Antica, Testa dell’Acqua, Noto
    Accomplished: 41 miles / 66 km, elevation gain: 3,270 feet / 997 meters
    Shorter Option: 23 miles / 37 km, elevation gain: 1,227 feet / 374 meters
    Accommodations: Dimora delle Balze or Il San Corrado di Noto

  • Day 3

    The Journey North

    Set out on a scenic journey across the open pastures of the Val di Noto, through Giarratana—known for its heirloom sweet onions—and into Monterosso. Stop for a Sicilian pastry and coffee among the locals just before a climb up to Vizzini, birthplace of Sicily’s greatest realist writer, Giovanni Verga. Here we’re welcomed onto a family-run farm for a home-cooked meal with our friend Giuseppe. Lunch is long on true Sicilian hospitality, and we’ll take our warm and fuzzy feelings with us across the plains of Catania where our next hotel is located on the slopes of Mount Etna. This evening is an introduction to the elegant vintages of this unique winegrowing region during our paired tasting dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
    Destinations: Giarratana, Monterosso Almo, Vizzini, Linguaglossa
    Accomplished: 35 miles / 56 km, elevation gain: 3,287 feet / 649 meters
    Shorter Option: 27 miles / 43 km, elevation gain: 2,234 feet / 541 meters
    Accommodations: Villa Neri

  • Day 4

    Etna to the Sea

    Today we see an entirely new side of Sicily as we pedal through a region defined by Etna. With grapes growing out of black volcanic soil next to farmhouses built from basalt rock, it’s hard to believe this is the same island we’ve been cycling all week. Medieval Norman castles peer down on us from the heights of Castiglione and Francavilla as we wind our way through the wild Alcantara Valley. After a tasting lunch at one of the region’s top wineries, settle in for a long and gradual downhill to the coast. Hop in the van or finish with one last push up to our five-star hotel in Taormina. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish: wind down with a swim in the hotel pool, watch the sunset over Etna, admire the craftsmanship of the Greek amphitheater, or plunge headfirst into the city’s bustling restaurant scene.

    Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
    Destinations: Linguaglossa, Francavilla, Taormina
    Accomplished: 35 miles / 57 km, elevation gain: 2,129 feet / 649 meters
    Shorter Option: 19 miles / 31 km, elevation gain: 1,774 feet / 541 meters
    Accommodations: The Ashbee Hotel

  • Day 5

    The Godfather Ride

    Right out of Taormina we’re met with a scenic descent to the coast. Warm up on a road beside the Mediterranean, then turn inland to tackle a series of challenging climbs that wind deep into the coastal mountain range. If you find the string of improbably-perched mountain villages captivating, you’re not alone—Francis Ford Coppola chose this area to film some of the most iconic scenes from The Godfather. The coastal vistas and ancient landscape of Savoca are indeed cinematic as we approach the town from above. Here, in his tiny ristorante, a passionate emerging chef will wow us with lunch. Choose to complete the loop ride this afternoon, or transfer directly back to Taormina. We’ll regroup for tonight’s farewell dinner and raise a glass to our week on this island unlike any other.

    Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
    Destinations: Letojanni, Roccafiorita, Savoca
    Accomplished: 27 miles / 43 km, elevation gain: 3,785 feet / 1,154 meters
    Longer Option: 42 miles / 64 km, elevation gain: 4,871 feet / 1,485 meters
    Accommodations: The Ashbee Hotel

  • Day 6

    Ciao, Sicily

    Bid farewell to Taormina with a last leisurely breakfast or a final stroll around town. Your guides will transfer you to the Catania airport and see you off for your journey home.

    Meals: Breakfast

DuVine itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications.



Arrival Details

Airport City: Catania, Italy Pick-Up Location: Siracusa Algila Ortigia Hotel Pick-Up Time: 10:00 am
Departure Details

Airport City: Catania, Italy Drop-Off Location: Catania Fontanarossa Airport Drop-Off Time: 10:30 am

Any scheduled tour can be made private. Your group, your dates. Go Private

Travel dates for this tour are not yet available. Check back soon or contact us for more details.

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Weather by Month
Average Temperature + Precipitation

Average Temperature + Precipitation

Month
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
High (°F)
60°
60°
64°
68°
75°
84°
89°
89°
83°
77°
69°
63°
Low (°F)
49°
48°
51°
54°
60°
67°
71°
73°
69°
64°
58°
52°
Rain (in)
251
251
251
125
125
00
00
00
251
251
376
376

Accommodations

  • Thoughtfully selected accommodations that reveal the true character of the region
  • Luggage transfers

Meals

  • Daily breakfasts, all lunches, nutritious snacks, and après velo cocktails
  • 4 gourmet dinners at our favorite local restaurants and renowned culinary establishments
  • Carefully selected local wine, beer, or spirits with every meal

Activities

  • Wine tastings and activities as outlined in the tour itinerary
  • Entrance fees to historic sites, museums, parks, and all other exclusive events
  • Gratuities for baggage, porters, and hotel service

Gear

  • Top-of-the-line bicycle selection
  • Bike helmet
  • Complimentary DuVine gear including a custom cycling jersey, DuVine t-shirt, water bottle, and drawstring bag
  • GPS in most destinations

Support

  • Expert bilingual guides with extensive local knowledge
  • Support vehicle that follows the day’s route, distributes refreshments, and offers lifts
  • Pick-up and drop-off before and after your tour from predetermined meeting points
  • Daily bike maintenance to ensure optimal performance
NOT INCLUDED:
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Synapse 2 RLE

Manufacturer: Cannondale

Type: Road

Included in trip price

Quick 1 Disc

Manufacturer: Cannondale

Type: Hybrid

Included in trip price

Roadmachine AMP TWO

Manufacturer: BMC

Type: Road E-Bike

$400 supplement

Turbo Vado SL 4.0

Manufacturer: Specialized

Type: Hybrid E-Bike

Included in trip price