|
Scopello and the Zingaro park
Day 1: transfer from Palermo airport to Scopello, a tiny village at the entrance of the Zingaro park; you can take a short hike there visiting an old "Tonnara" which is the place where tuna fish used to be brought for canning. or you can go to the beach.
|
|
 |
Segesta, the most beautiful temple
Day 2 - Scopello /Segesta/Erice - (64km) Today you start with quite a challenge as the climb out of Scopello is tough. Once you reach Segesta, there is no describing the beauty of the place with the golden stone of the temple shining in the sun. After visiting the ruins, you head towards Erice. The climb to the top is tough.
|
|
|
Along the west coast
Day 3 - Erice/Marsala - (57km ) Erice is one of the most ancient towns of Sicily. Inhabited since the earliest times it has old cobbled streets, beautiful churches and fine examples of architectural buildings from different periods. After visiting the town (try some of the pastry shops!) Start your downhill trip toward the sea.
|
|
|
The road passes by the "Saline" the places where salt is extracted. With fishermen boats and wind mills which design a very characteristic landscape. Pass in front of Mozia and take the 10 minutes boat ride to this island with an ancient castle and palm trees. Spend the night in the old centre of Marsala enjoying a meal of the freshest fish.
|
 |
 |
Selinunte magic temple
Day 4 - Marsala/ Selinunte - (70km) - A completely flat day, partly among vineyards partly along a coastal road. Enjoy a wine tasting of Marsala wine, then stop at the Cusa caves where the columns of the temples were carved. come to a magical ending in Selinunte, a cluster of time old columns against the setting sun.
|
 |
 |
The heart of Sicily
Day 5 - Selinunte/Contessa Entellina (64km )- Today leave the coast to enter the secluded heart of the island; The landscape is rugged and you can go long stretches without seeing but a solitary heard of sheep. You cycle through Poggioreale ruins,the town destroyed by the 1968 earthquake and now a ghost town that Burri, an Italian artist, has frozen in a river of cement.
|
 |
 |
Day 6 – Contessa Entellina/Masseria Rossella(Piana degli Albanesi ) - (63 km)
A second day in the inland part of Sicily; mythical names, cradle of the Mafia such as the Godfather’s Corleone. You start by a car ride to a small village clinging to the mountain flank to continue with a winding descent to a fertile valley to reach a nice farmhouse with a swimming pool where you spend the night.
|
 |
 |
Lost in golden mosaics
Day 7 – Piana degli Albanesi/Monreale - (35km ) - Almost entirely descending, we come back to civilisation. The superb Monreale cathedral of pure shining gold will be the best ending to the day and of the tour.
|
|
| |
Day 8 - Transfer to Palermo airport
|
|
