Cycling in Sicily

icily is not only the biggest island in the Mediterranean but also one of the most fascinating. Its incredibly diverse heritage of civilizations including the Phoenecians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans and Spanish have all left their mark. On this exciting cycling tour we explore the south-eastern part of the island, pedalling through the Baroque gems of Ragusa, Modica, Noto, as well as other locations that provided the setting for the well known and long running television series Inspector Montalbano, before ending in Syracuse, the ancient Greek capital. Along the route we enjoy landscapes of farmlands, deep gorges and dramatic coastal scenery. No trip to Sicily is complete without sampling some of the finest regional delights considered amongst the best examples of Italian cuisine.

On this cycling adventure in Sicily, we stay in comfortable hotels and an agriturismo, which were selected for their friendly atmosphere and character. Most are conveniently located near the UNESCO-listed historic centres we visit.



Below are the properties normally used:



Palazzolo Acreide: Feudo Bauly (night 1)







Our adventure begins in this historic hotel run by the Corsino family. The stone-walled restaurant serves traditional Sicilian cuisine made from local, seasonal produce – you might even see black truffles sourced from nearby Bauly Forest on the menu. There’s also a swimming pool when you’d like some downtime.



Modica: Ferro Hotel (night 2)







Within a renovated building once used for railway workers, the Ferro Hotel takes us to modern Sicily. The contemporary décor pays tribute to the locomotive history of the building and there’s a varied spread for breakfast. The hotel itself is within walking distance of the main town.



Marzamemi: Agriturismo Tenuta Arangio (nights 3-4)







Enjoy a rural idyll with a stay at this agriturismo (farm stay). It’s a traditional Sicilian estate, owned by the Arangio family since 1980, and they still grow produce here. There’s also a large swimming pool area in the courtyard, where you can relax under the shade of olive trees.



Noto: Grand Hotel Sofia (night 5-6)







Back to more conventional hotel comforts, the Grand Hotel Sofia has an outdoor swimming pool with a bar (and happy hour). There’s also a restaurant, Limoneto, which serves Sicilian and Mediterranean dishes made from local produce, plus a small bar area.



Syracuse: Hotel Centrale (night 7)







The majority of groups spend their final night at Hotel Centrale, though some stay at Hotel Posta, Grande Albergo Alfeo or Hotel Gargallo, depending on availability. Centrale is one of the oldest hotels in Syracuse and close to local attractions including the Archaeological Park of Neapolis. When you're not out exploring, the hotel has a garden and reading room.