Sicily Bike.com

Noto’s Baroue Dome - credit: fazen

This is the review of the bike tour named “Bike tour in Eastern Sicily The secrets of Sicily“. It will take you around the immense landscape of the Noto valley and the Iblei mounts.

Natural reserves, ancient archaeological sites, Greek atmospheres will accompany your adventure trip through the moust ancient and famous island of the Mediterranean sea.

Land of past conquests, Sicily preserves the influence of different cultures met during the history, giving you the feeling of living a eclectic cultural union.

N days: One week

Skill level:: Middle-high

Itinerary

1. On the arrival day from Catania airport to Palazzolo Acreide
2. From Palazzolo Acreide-Cavagrande-Noto antica-Return to Plazzolo Acreide - Route length: about on 58 Km
3. From Palazzolo Acreide to Modica - Route lenght: about on 40 Km
4. From Modica to Ragusa Ibla along the Iminio river’s Valley and return to Modica - Route lenght: about on 30 Km
5. From Modica-Marzamemi-to Noto - Route lenght: about on 43 Km
6. From Noto-along the Vendicari Natural Reserve-return to Noto - Route lenght: about on 60 Km
7. From Noto to Syracuse - Route lenght: 45 Km
8. Departure day: transfer from Syracuse to Catania airport

Attractions

Palazzolo Acreide Dome - credit: pallotron

Palazzolo Acreide, an important village on Iblei Mounts because its San Paolo and San Sebastiano Churches are included in Unesco World Heritage list.

Cavagrande Canyon. Here the Cassibile river has created canyon and splendid waterfall where you can have a relaxing bath after hard biking.

Noto Antica ruins, an archaeological site of the ancient village of Noto destroyed by an earthquake in 1693. Here you can see necropolis and the rests of the old village.

credit: pallotron

Modica. The best thing after a long biking is tasting the Modica Chocolate. It is made with an old secret Aztecan recipe arrived here during Spanish domination.

Visit the centre of this beautiful village. Here you can enjoy the beautifulness of the great village visiting the Dome and the Churches of an ancient atmosphere.

Ragusa Ibla, another site included in Unesco. Here visit the centre of the city.

Marzamemi, famous for its tuna fisheries.

Vendicari - credit: senìd

Vendicari Natural Reserve, where you can admire the beautifulness of a rare beach and different types of birds.

Syracuse. In this site you will find another ancient scenario: Apollo temple, Greek theatre where have place INDA shows (National Institute for Ancient Drama) and Roman Amphitheatre used for gladiators fights. Visit Ortigia, the island in centre of the City where there is Aretusa Source.

Irminio river’s Valley

Who can do this type of trip?

You have to consider:

• if you really like to bike
• if you haven’t health problem at your heart or legs
• if you are ready to long bike rides, because the long distances of the trip

Enjoy level: High

This trip will offer you the possibility to live a variegated vacation experience, because you will join your prefered sport to the visit of natural and historic places.

Relax level: Low-medium

Benefits Sicily offers to you:

• Breathtaking panoramas;
• History, memories of Greek and Arabic culture;
• Easy biking land;
• Folkloristic attractions;
• Mild climate;
• Fabulous beaches and mountains

Drawbacks

• Very high temperatures and high humidity in summer months
• High thermal range, specially if you across different altitude
• Roads condition are not easy in the mounts as they’re good in the coast
• Absence of cycling tracks

Suggestions

• Choose spring or autumnal months
• Be careful to roads condition, specially in inland places
• Take with you a topographic map

You’ll need of this type of equipment:

• Bike (you can rent it or carry yours)
• Water proof jacket and trousers
• Sun Cream
• All you need to repair your bike
• All you need for first aid

Draw out your trip

Sea Coast near Catania - credit: letneo

You can prolong your trip visiting Catania and Taormina or the Etna villages

What other tourists say

• “Ragusa and Modica are two amazing Baroque towns, steeped in history and culture.”
• “April weather was great. Mid summer — pretty hot by all reports.”
• “The area around Siracusa is flat and very conducive to cycling. There’s also flat coastal areas around Ognina and Arenella that are good for cycling.”