Sicily Baroque Self-Guided main pictures
Sicily Baroque Self-Guided main pictures

Sicily Baroque Self-Guided

Cycling from the heart of the island to the charming island of Ortigia, among baroque architectures of rare beauty, gaudy ceramics, ancient autocton vines, and tasty foods. A concentrate on stories, races, and cultures that will touch your heart.
This tour has also a guided version, check here for dates and price

| Cycling | Relax | 7days/6nights | Self-Guided | From € 1560 € 1170* |

Highlights


The baroque architectures

The baroque architectures

Vines and tasty foods

Vines and tasty foods

The ceramics of Caltagirone

The ceramics of Caltagirone

Greek legacy of ortigia

Greek legacy of ortigia

Day to Day

B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner;
1Benvenuti in Sicilia!Warm up rideD
2From Piazza Armerina to CaltagironeCycling 30Km/500mB
3From Caltagirone to RagusaCycling 60Km/840mB D
4Modica loop tourCycling 36Km/590mB
5From Ragusa to NotoCycling 60Km/900mB
6From Noto to SiracusaCycling 65Km/750mB
7Arrivederci!B

Tour Map


Day 1: Benvenuti in Sicilia!

We welcome you at Catania airport and, after about one hour of transfer, we reach the elegant Villa Trigona Hotel, surrounded by greenery in the Sicilian countryside.

After the bike fitting and a tour explanation, you can go for a short bike ride and discover the enchanting mosaics of Villa Romana del Casale, considered the best-kept Roman mosaics in the world, a real must-see place.

You'll have dinner at the hotel. The host Emanuel, the last heir of the noble Trigona family, will introduce you to the amazing local cuisine, as well as tell you about the history of the place, of course.

Overnight: Piazza Armerina
Included: Dinner

Day 2: From Piazza Armerina to Caltagirone

We leave the lush gardens and orchards of Piazza Armerina to move the most typical landscapes of the interior of Sicily, made of bare hills drawn by fields and dry stone walls. For lunch we stop in the beautiful old town of Caltagirone where we visit the workshop of a local potter, in addition to making a stop on the wonderful staircase of Santa Maria del Monte. In the afternoon we continue through the countryside of Caltagirone where we spend the night in a cozy rural residence.

Overnight: Caltagirone
Included: Breakfast

Day 3: From Caltagirone to Ragusa

The first part of the day is across olive groves and vineyards as far as the eye can see, along an undulating route. After lunch we begin the climb to the Ibleo plateau through the characteristic white limestone walls, with breathtaking views over the surrounding valley. The stage ends in one of the most magical places in Sicily: Ragusa Ibla, a wonderful monumental city known throughout the world, as well as for its beauty, for the quality of its gastronomy, awarded with three-starred restaurants.

Ragusa combines two rather different city centers. Ragusa, the new town, was reconstructed from the ground up, in the new style, after the destructive earthquake occurred in 1693. Here you can make a wonderful itinerary among churches and palaces that are symbols of the late Sicilian Baroque, a renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Overnight: Ragusa
Included: Breakfast Dinner

Day 4: Modica loop tour

Today we allow ourselves an easier day, both to have more time to devote to the beauties of Ragusa, than to go to discover Modica, another casket of south-eastern Sicily, where we will taste the famous chocolate (ciucculatta muricana) still made according to the ancient Atzeca recipe, imported from the Spaniards in the Modica County in the 16th century.

Overnight: Ragusa
Included: Breakfast

Day 5: From Ragusa to Noto

Our ride starts on the Ragusa Countryside. An up and down on tiny roads till Castelluccio Necropolis, with over 200 tombs carved in the steep walls of the nearby quarry. The most monumental is the so-called "grave of the prince" with a statement consisting of four fake pillars. Then a long and gradual descent takes us to the perfumed citrus orchards of Noto Valley, preparing us for the last ascent of the day to the flamboyant baroque of Noto. Its Cathedral is one of the best symbols of baroque architecture in the world.

Overnight: Noto
Included: Breakfast

Day 6: From Noto to Siracusa

Magnificent Ortigia and its Cathedral

Today we'll conquer the sea bastions on the island of Ortigia, the ancient Greek settlement originating the most powerful Greek colony in the Mediterranean. Ortigia, in just a square kilometre, boasts a number of impressive buildings and monuments, here stands out the wonderful Cathedral of Syracuse (Cathedral of the Nativity of Mary Most Holy). It was a Greek temple dedicated to Athena, then converted in a church by the Normans. Its Doric columns along the walls closing the side aisles are still very evident both inside and outside. An aperitif on the ancient walls, in front of the sunset over the sea, and a dinner in one of the several good restaurants in town, will close the day through south-western Sicily.

Overnight: Siracusa
Included: Breakfast

Day 7: Arrivederci!

Sadly today we leave, but we are sure that we will meet again on the roads of the Mediterranean!

Included: Breakfast

The accomodations

Villa Trigona - Piazza Armerina
Villa Trigona - Piazza Armerina
Piazza Armerina

Villa Trigona is an ancient and elegant summer residence of the noble Trigona family, carefully recovered and restored.

Villa Jacona
Villa Jacona
Caltagirone

The villa is an historic residence with elegant and romantic rooms. Few steps from the historic centre, and with a beautiful garden.

Villa del Lauro - Ragusa
Villa del Lauro - Ragusa
Ragusa

A careful restoration makes Villa del Lauro an elegant hotel just a few steps from the historic center. It's equipped with garden and swimming pool with jacuzzi.

Grand Hotel Sofia - Noto
Grand Hotel Sofia - Noto
Noto

Just few steps away from Noto cathedral, with wellness area, an excellent restaurant and a splendid swimming pool.

Prometeo Mercure Siracusa - Accor Hotels
Prometeo Mercure Siracusa - Accor Hotels
Siracusa

In a strategic position, in front of the Archaeological Park, the Greek Theater, and a walking distance from Ortigia. Contemporary design, with panoramic swimming pool and solarium, SPA, fitness area.

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Bikes

You can bring your own bike or rent one from us, we offer great bikes from selected Italian and international brands: road bikes, leisure cycling, mountain bikes, e-bikes, all in perfect working conditions. You can book your bike on the Booking / Information form.


Price and Supplements

Tour Price: € 1170 per person
Deposit: 30%, Balance: 30 days before departure

This price includes:
 6 nights in nice hotels 4*
 6 breakfast + 2 dinners
 Welcome meeting and tour briefing
 Maps, route notes or GPS tracks
 Luggage transportation inn2inn
 Telephone assistance
 Transfer IN and OUT to Catania airport
 Peace of mind being with our experienced team

This price not includes:
  Local Taxes (approx. 10 €)
  Drinks at Dinner

Road Bike Carbon + Ultegra: € 190

E-bike: € 205

Trekking Bike: € 150

Single room supplement: € 200

High season supplement: € 150 (Jun 26 - Sep 04)

Solo Traveller:


Flex Rate

more than 60 days - 100% refund of deposit
60 days to 30 days - 70% refund of the trip price will be made
29 days to 15 days - 50% refund of the trip price will be made
14 days to 0 days - 100% cancellation fee


Self Guided Tour

This means you will pedal free at your pace following maps and tracks received during our pre tour briefing at your arrival. We will advise you where to have lunch and dinner, about sightseeings along the road and where to find technical assistance. You can start on any day of the year.

With just 4 people, this tour can be ride as a Guided Tour

In our Guided tours you have:

  • A cycling guide riding with you showing his region
  • Van support with water, electrolytes and snacks, available if you want to skip the hardest climbs
  • A daily picnic lunch featuring local and fresh products
  • Dinners at hotel or restaurants featuring traditional food
  • Shuttles from arrival airport and to departure airport
Ask for a quote and Go Guided


This tour is ready to book

Book now or ask for more information

Rich GundlachRich Gundlach
13:15 24 Sep 22
Great planning, exceptional guides. We enjoyed everything about our trip. We learned a great deal about the history and culture of Sardinia. Marcello at Mediterras made sure that everything was properly arranged and made adjustments when necessary. A great part of our enjoyment came from our interaction with our guides (Giovanni, Stefano and Danilo). They were all very knowledgeable and friendly. When it came time to part we felt like we were leaving old friends.
Doris ChapatteDoris Chapatte
11:53 12 Sep 22
We did the "big-loop" from the 20.08.2022.The big loop ist 12 days road bike around the island. We have booked the trip 1.5 weeks before (last minute) and everything has been organised perfectly. We had an extra break day every 4 days biking. And was great.Mediterras has answer to all our questions. On the day of departure, our bikes we ready, we got time to get full explanation of the tour. We got a navigation system with all the routes. Everything was very clear and very well organised. Our lugage was every evening delivered at the next hotels.The hotel has been wonderfully selected, and always at some nice location and not too far away from the center or the beach. Thank again to Mediterras team for the wonderful holidays.I would give more than a 5 Stars for this trip and the wonderful team.Doris & Jean-Luc - from Swizerland
Tadhg CookeTadhg Cooke
12:46 09 Jun 22
A fantastic introduction to cycling in Sardinia. I just rented the bike in Cagliari for a few days at the end of my holiday, with no particular routes in mind. Gian Mario kindly suggested two nice challenging routes, and sent the GPX files. I only had time for one of them - but it was an absolute gem. Starting in the city, cycling along Poetto, before turning towards the hills. After one tiny village, I didn't pass another café or shop for 40 or 50 km. Just me and the pain in my legs. Superb. The bike was a gem - a former Lotto Jumbo team bike which was ridden in the Paris Roubaix by Tom Leezer. I was a *bit* slower, but I probably enjoyed it more! Wonderful experience - lovely people - always available on whatsapp if I needed anything, which was very reassuring when I don't speak Italian or Sardu! I will definitely use them again if/when I return to Sardegna.Thanks again!
We did the Sicily Baroque tour with Mediterras. Self guided on bikes (el and manual). Gian and his team did adapt the tour for our needs and did all to make the tour enjoyable. Few problems surfaced but all were solved. The trail was interesting and added a lot to our understanding of Sicily, its landscape and life in the rural areas. Accommodations were all good, and the quality of the food in the restaurants Gian had arranged varied from good to excellent. At the end of our tour we did a walk in the hillsides of Etna arranged by Mediterras.The Etna tour was wonderful. We were lucky with weather given the circumstances. It was a bit foggy and a bit cold, but it did not rain. The guides did a good job of explaining the geology of Etna for us and the two geology-educated persons in the group! The hike was challenging, which suited the group well. The food and wine at Barbaras place was totally excellent! Six stars out of five.We were not as lucky in Taormina! It did rain cats and dogs. The drivers did adapt quite well. Did stop at several foto-ops and at the entry gate to the pedestrian street. We did wander through the Greek theatre and the pedestrian walk, did have a stop at a fancy coffe-shop/bar and then decided to skip the dinner and return early back to Syracusa.
W. B.W. B.
16:03 20 Oct 21
I found this company using google and right away Gian was very responsive. I told them what we were looking for, gave specific parameters for distance and elevation, and they put together an itinerary very quickly that completely matched what I asked for. The entire trip was seamless from the 1am pickup at airport to drop off after 10 days of cycling. The routes were on quiet wonderful roads and the hotels they chose were all great. A really good local company which does what they claim to do very well. Highly recommend.
Ilja WinkertIlja Winkert
11:14 17 Sep 21
I rented quite spontaneously a city bike for my whole stay here near Cagliari. The workshop is very well located. Grocery shopping, going to the beach and the city worked very well. Bike were in a good condition. I was properly advised. Fully recommend this place.
ZosiaZosia
14:46 23 Aug 21
We are so happy that we found this rental. Very nice, helpfull and professional customer service. We recommend to everyone!
juliet clarkejuliet clarke
17:20 15 Jun 21
Mediterras arranged a self guided cycling trip through South Eastern sicily stopping in beautiful baroque towns. They arranged everything with less than a weeks notice, keeping us up to date on accommodation, bikes equipment etc.My husband and I had a wonderful time. The ride was perfect, having both been off a bike for several months, the ride was the perfect combination of hills and flats for us to really enjoy it. The accommodation was far better than what we were expecting for the price and recommendations for dinner and stops spot on. We ate incredibly well and all the hosts in the villas and hotels very welcoming and helpful.I would certainly recommend them especially arranging it all with such little notice.
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