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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.
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Segesta, the Greek 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. You will then head towards Erice. The climb to the top is tough. Erice is one of the most ancient towns of Sicily. it has old cobbled streets and beautiful churches . After visiting the town (try some of the pastry shops!)
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Cycling along the west coast
Day 3 - Erice/Marsala/Selinunte - (97km ) Start downhill toward the sea. the road passes by the "Saline", where salt is extracted, you will see fishermen boats and wind mills. Continue on a completely flat road, among vineyards. Enjoy a wine tasting of Marsala wine, then come to a magical ending in Selinunte, a cluster of time old columns against the setting sun.
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The heart of Sicily
Day 4 - 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.
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A rugged landscape
Day 5 – Contessa Entellina/Piana degli Albanesi/Monreale ) - (83 km)
A day in the inland part of Sicily; mythical names, 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 Piana degli Albanesi where the best Cannoli are made. enjoy Monreale and the golden mosaics of its Duomo
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Agrigento and Piazza Amerina
Day 6 - non riding day with a visit to Agrigento, certainly the most famous of the "Magna Grecia" ancient temples complex. You will also visit the superb mosaic inside the Roman villa of Piazza Armerina. Night in Caltagirone well known for its ceramics
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Ragusa and Ibla
Day 7: Caltagirone - Ragusa /Ibla km 92,800
The tour starts from Caltagirone, town located in the interior of Sicily, famous for its ceramics. Uphill stretches (not very demanding) alternate with long descent stretches. Gentle slopes, in about 50 Km, will lead you to the coastline. This is the “Baroque Landscapes” entrance stage that, little by little, will introduce you to the beauty of the Iblei landscape. Overnight stay in Ibla (3 stars hotel).
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Reaching the southern shores
Day 8: Ibla/Portopalo di Capo Passero km 82,
Today you’ll reach the south east side of Sicily, passing through another gem of the Baroque architecture in Sicily: Scicli and passing through Modica, a town that conjugates the fascination of the Baroque style with the tradition of a delicious chocolate. Along the route you’ll be guided by the brightness of the sea, that will lead you to the little and quite fishermen village of Portopalo. Overnight stay in Portopalo
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Noto, the queen of Baroque art
Day 94: Capo Passero-Noto km 65,00
Today, leaving the sea, you are entering the hearth of the tour. For the most you’ll cycle through peaceful landscapes, with lots of uphill stretches, but it is worth your effort. White limestone walls surround the route and from the height it’ll be possible to observe the Sicilian quarries (canyons) excavated among these mountains by the intense activity of the rivers in this side of Sicily. At the end of the stage you’ll arrive in Noto, the Baroque par excellence.
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In the heart of Baroque land
Day 10 : Noto-Chiaramonte Gulfi km 70,00
This stage is set in the interior of Sicily and will give you lots of different emotions due to the magnificence of the landscape. Here you will see majestic trees called “Carrubbi”, precious because they represent part of a rural culture, now nearly lost. The stage ends in Chiaramonte Gulfii, one of the pearls of the interior of Sicily, rich in wonderful baroque architectures. Overnight stay in Chiaramonte Gulfi
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Prehistoric Remains
Day 11: Chiaramonte/Anapo valley km 70,600
From Chiaramonte Gulfi going through the heart of the Iblei landscape, you’ll pass through little towns in the province of Siracisa where you’ll be astonished by the architecture of churches and noble buildings.
Then you’ll reach the Anapo Valley Natural Reserve whose name is due to the homonymous River. Dinner and overnight stay in a farm
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Siracusa
Day 12: Anapo Valley/Siracusa/Ortigia km 28,850
The last stage of the tour will lead you to Ortigia, heart of Siracusa. Very short and relaxing, it will give you the chance to have a pleasant ride on the back of a donkey to the Anapo Valley before leaving towards Ortigia, or, if you prefer, you can leave early in the morning to go directly to Ortigia and dive into thousands of alley. Overnight stay in Ortigia-Siracusa
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The Etna slopes
No Bike day which include the transfer to the Etna slopes and a possible guided hike to the crater of the highest active volcano in Europe outside Island. At the end of the day transfer to Taormina. Enjoy the elegant look of this town and do your last shopping in its fashionable boutiques
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Day 15 - Transfer to Catania airport |
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