Tour Facts Sheet - Cycle Europe...temples Norman castles and Arab architectures all in one island, 2,700 years old city of Syracuse, the Baroque influence in Sicilian cuisine, the

Self-Guided Bicycle Tours in Italy:

Eastern Sicily: from Baroque Cities to the Capital of Magna Grecia

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Self-Guided Bicycle Tours in Italy: Eastern Sicily: from Baroque Cities to the Capital of Magna Grecia

Tour Facts Sheet

This tour explores southeastern Sicily and the famous baroque towns of the Val di Noto. The Spanish occupied this area in the late 17th century when 45 towns were destroyed by a single earthquake in 1693. In rebuilding the cities in the region they left a legacy of the most significant collection of baroque churches anywhere. Add to this the culinary delicacies (like the famous chocolate from Modica and local seafood) of the region, the famous red wine "Nero d'Avola" and the "Moscato di Noto" and you have an unforgettable bicycle ride. The ride takes you along the coast of southeastern Sicily to the southernmost point of the island. This is a perfect tour in the Spring and Fall. Add mileage to the easy day rides if you want more exercise or just take it easy and enjoy Sicily!

Visit our website for tour dates, price and full

itinerary description at Cycleeurope.com.

Do you need more information? Read our

Self Guided Tour FAQ Sheet here

Highlights

The secret recipes of Modica's Chocolate, Baroque masterpeices of Noto, Greek temples Norman castles and Arab architectures all in one island, 2,700 years old city of Syracuse, the Baroque influence in Sicilian cuisine, the homeland of Cannoli and Pistacchio pastry

Price

€1150 Single supplement: €200 Solo traveler supplement: €100 (in addition to single supplement)

Includes

7 days, 6 nights in 3-4 star hotels; 6 breakfasts; use of a quality 24-27 speed racing or hybrid bicycle; bike delivery and collection; bike fitting and briefing; detailed route descriptions; map; GPS with preloaded tracks; luggage transfers.

Countries Italy

Begin/End Palazzolo Acreide/Syracuse

Arrive/ Depart

Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (CTA)

Total Distance

216 to 243 km (135-152 miles)

Daily Distance

35-55 km (22-34 miles)

What to Expect

Easy rides with a few short, steep climbs to hilltop villages.

Rating 1-2 View Tour Rating Descriptions

Terms Terms & Conditions

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Tour’s Dates:

Every Saturday from January 16 to November 27; on-request departures on other days are possible.

Self-guided tours Collections Program:

This tour is part of our Self-Guided Collections program Great cycling experiences abound throughout Europe! Since we cannot directly operate self-guided tours everywhere, we have used our vast experience and network in the continent to curate and offer self-guided tours on our website that are operated by select partners that we know and trust. These tours are similar in quality to those we operate directly in many ways – for example, the tour begins with an in-person briefing (in English); bicycles are provided in optimal condition, and each customer goes through a personal bike fitting at the tour start; the roadbook and step-by-step navigation instructions, as well as lodging/accommodations are of similar quality. If you have any question regarding this type of tours, please feel free to ask us!

Your Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Palazzolo Acreide

Highlights: Fit bikes and take a warm-up ride as time allows

Arrive in Palazzolo Acreide today to begin your tour. We fit bicycles and will

provide you with your orientation materials for your tour. You can test your bicycles

on a short ride to the ruins of the ancient Greek site of Akrai, just outside of

Palazzolo. The small Greek theater is a beautiful remnant of this Greek colony

founded in 664 BC by the Greek colony of Syracuse.

Mileage:

optional

Accommodation:

Hotel Colle Acre

Day 2: Bicycle from Palazzolo Acreide to Ragusa Ibla to Modica

Highlights: Greek ruins at Akrai, the world famous chocolate of Modica,

World Heritage towns of Palazzolo and Modica

Take time to enjoy an extra morning coffee in the square of Palazzolo or return to

the ruins of Akrai to enjoy the site of this ancient Greek colony. Over the centuries

Palazzolo absorbed the influence of the Arabs, Normans, and the Spanish Baroque

architecture in its 16th-18th century churches. The stage stops in Ragusa Ibla, one of

the most beautiful baroque towns of the “Val di Noto”, picturesquely located on a

hilltop, and ends in Modica, famous throughout Sicily and Italy for its chocolate!

Modica chocolate seems to be a residual treasure from the Aztec world brought to

Modica by the Spanish in the 16th century. For some reason, Modica artisans picked

up and preserved the craft of making traditional Aztec chocolate while that skill has

Mileage: 50

km

(31 miles)

Accommodation:

San Giorgio

Hotel

http://www.hotelcolleacre.it/http://www.sangiorgiomodicahotel.it/http://www.sangiorgiomodicahotel.it/




disappeared everywhere else. So chocolate tasting should be on your list for this

afternoon and tomorrow morning.

Day 3: Bicycle from Modica to Scicli and Pozzallo

Highlights: Scicli and bicycling along the coast

Before leaving Modica you might want to stock up on chocolate! There are

something like twenty producers in town! The most famous flavors are the vanilla

and cinnamon flavoured chocolates. Most unique is the chocolate with the hot

peppers said to be derived from the Aztec chocolatiers in the 16th century. So be

sure and pick some up for the road. Your route today takes you across the

limestone plateau to Scicli and on to the coastal town of Pozzallo. Pozzallo has

some of the best beaches in Sicily and is also a departure point for ferries to Malta.

Mileage: 42

km

(26 miles),

depending on

your choice for

today.

Accommodation:

Hotel Villa Ada

Day 4: Bicycle the coast from Pozzallo to Marzamemi

Highlights: The southernmost point in Sicily, coastal rides,

flamingos and wetlands, fishing villages

You'll reach the southernmost point in Sicily today as you pedal along the coast from

Pozzallo to Marzamemi. The British contingent of the allied invasion of Sicily

occurred along this coast in July and August of 1943. Near Marzamemi you ride by

the coastal marshes of Longarini and Cuba, important stopping points for pink

flamingoes and herons among other waterfowl. At Capo Passero you can look north

to the Ionian Sea and south to the broad Mediterranean Sea extending south to Libya

and southwest to Tunisia. Stop for a delicious seafood lunch along here. Your ride

ends just north of Marzamemi on the San Lorenzo Beach.

Mileage: 57

km (36 miles)

Accommodation:

Agriturismo

Vendicari

Tenuta Arangio

https://hotelvillaada.it/http://www.vendicari-agriturismo.com/http://www.vendicari-agriturismo.com/http://www.vendicari-agriturismo.com/




Day 5: Bicycle from Marzamemi to Noto

Highlights: Coastal cycling and Noto - "capital" of Italian baroque cities

Spend a little time on the beach today if you wish as we have a short and easy ride

to Noto later this morning. We continue past more coastal marshes, including the

natural reserve of Vendicari. Our destination is Noto, famous in Italy as one of the

principal baroque towns of Italy. Noto harbors a number of baroque churches built

by the Spanish after the 1693 earthquake (that destroyed something on the order of

45 towns and cities in Southeastern Sicily).

Mileage: 35

km (22 miles)

Accommodation:

Hotel Netum

Day 6: Bicycle from Noto to Syracuse

Highlights: An easy ride along the coast; the ancient city of Syracuse

An easy coastal ride again takes us to the capital of Magna Grecia and the famous

Greek colonial town of Syracuse. Get an early start so you can take time to explore

the archeological ruins of Neapolis with the large Greek theater. In the center of old

Syracuse is the island of Ortygia where the Greek goddess Leto is said to have given

birth to Artemis, the twin sister of Apollo.

Short option:

Mileage: 38 or

55 km (24 or

34 miles)

depending on

your choice for

today.

Accommodation:

Hotel Gargallo

https://www.hotelnetumnoto.com/https://www.hotelssiracusa.com/hotel-gargallo/




NOTE: This hotel itinerary is subjected to changes according to availability. City taxes are not included

LODGING UPGRADE: Room upgrades are possible in some hotels. Ask for availability.

Long option:

Day 7: Tour ends today

Highlights: Syracuse and the Greek ruins

The tour ends this morning after breakfast. Take more time to explore this beautiful

city. Thank you for travelling with us. Buon viaggio!




GTA: How to get there and away

Starting point:

Hotel Colle Acre in Palazzolo Acreide

We recommend to fly into Catania (the closest airport to Syracuse).

We offer a private transfer from Catania Airport Fontanarossa to your hotel in Palazzolo Acreide (See

the “Services available at an additional cost” section for details).

Alternatively, you can take a bus from Catania airport Fontanarossa to Siracusa then change and take a

bus to Palazzolo Acreide.

Ending point:

Hotel Royal Maniace in Syracuse

We recommend to fly out from Catania.

We offer a private transfer from your hotel in Syracuse to Catania airport (See the “Services available at

an additional cost” section for details).

Alternatively, you can get a bus from Syracuse to Catania Fontanarossa Airport.

Once you book the tour we will send you detailed information and different options on how to get to

the starting point and away from the ending point of the tour.

Luggage Transfers

Luggage transfer is included in your package. Normally, the luggage is collected from 09.00 at the reception of the hotel and is delivered at the following hotel by 17.30. Every luggage must be marked with a visible luggage tag. Please make sure yours have correct tags. If your luggage is not ready by the time the driver comes to collect it, you may need to have to pay directly a local taxi for the service. Please consider that the luggage is not insured during the transport. You need to have your own insurance. Do not leave valuables or fragile items in your luggage. Normally you cannot use the luggage transport service to skip the stage. In case you need help to skip the stage, please contact our emergency number.




Services available at an additional cost (ask for prices and availability)

Additional days extension:

• Tour of the historical Old Town of Siracusa Visit the fascinating Ortigia island, the historical and cultural centre of the city. The Old Town of Siracusa captivates immediately with more than 3000 years of history and archaeological evidence of practically all great civilizations of the Mediterranean.

• Cycling to the natural preserve "Valle dell'Anapo" Leaving Siracusa on a less frequented road in direction of Sortino, you will reach the entrance of the natural preserve of Anapo Valley. Here you can admire the hills of Pantalica, which harbours the oldest European necropolis with more than 5000 tombs in caves. Extra nights:

- in Palazzolo Acreide (before the beginning of the tour) the price for a standard double room is 115€ per room per night.

- in Siracusa (after the end of the tour) the price for a standard double room is 140€ per room per night.

Bikes:

- Electric bikes are available for an extra charge of €50 for a standard (7-day) tour. - Tandems are available for no extra charge for a standard (7-day) tour. - Carbon road bikes are available for an extra charge of €60 for a standard (7-day) tour.

Private transfers are available at additional costs (to be paid cash to the driver):

• from Catania airport to Palazzolo Acreide : € 45 per person • from Siracusa center to Catania airport : € 35 per person

Bicycle Specification

• All bikes come with a, pump, lock, and an under-seat pack that contains a spare tube, tire irons, and patch kit. We can provide flat pedals, we don't provide clipless pedals as there are different kinds, so you'll have to bring your own pedals with you and we'll mount them on your rented bike. Hybrid bikes also come with a rear rack bag for carrying personal items, whereas road bikes don’t have a rear rack (but can still have a front bag).

• Helmets on request, 10 Euro for the trip, to be payed on the spot




Hybrid Bike

Components Model

Frame Fuji A2-SL alloy

Fork A2-SL alloy blade, crmo steerer

Handle bar Oval Concepts, 6° sweep, 10mm rise

Handle stem Oval Concepts, +/- 20°

Central motion Shimano Acera 48-36-26

Cassette Shimano Acera, 11-32T

Saddle Oval Concepts

Seat post Oval Concepts, micro-adjust

Shifter Shimano Alivio

Front derailleur Shimano EF65, EZ Fire, 3x9

Units Shimano 105 ST-5700 o 5703 | Ultegra ST-6800

Brake Shimano 105 BR-5700 | Shimano BR-R561

Brake Levers SHIMANO 105 o FAC MIC

Rims Vera Corsa DPM27

Tyres Vera CityWide 700 x 28c




Road Bike Please note: on this tour, road bikes come without a rear rack. You can still have a front bag to carry your

personal belongings during the ride.

Components Model

Frame Aluminum R-Lite | R-SL 2.0

Fork CARBON

Handle bar Control Tech ONE | Ritchey Comp Logic II

Handle stem Control Tech ONE | Ritchey Comp 4-axis

Central motion Shimano 105 FC-5700 o 5703 (50/34 o 52/39/30) | FC-

RS500 compact (50/34)

Cassette Shimano CS-5700F 2 | CS-5800

Saddle Selle Italia

Seat post Carbon | 6061 Alloy

Speed changer Shimano 105 RD-5700 2x10 o 3x10 | RD-6800 2x11

Front derailleur Shimano 105 RD-5700 2x o 3x | Ultegra RD-6800 2x

Units Shimano 105 ST-5700 o 5703 | Ultegra ST-6800

Brake Shimano 105 BR-5700 | Shimano BR-R561

Brake Levers SHIMANO 105 o FAC MIC

Rims Shimano 500 | Fulcrum Racing 5 | Fulcrum Racing 7

Tyres Schwalbe / Continental




Carbon Road Bike Please note: on this tour, carbon road bikes come with NO rear rack and NO front bag.

Frame Carbon

Fork Carbon

Groupset Shimano Ultegra

Double chainrings 2x11

Cassette 50/34 e 11/28 o 11/30

Saddle Prologo Kappa RS

Wheelset Shimano RS100




E-bikes

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Frame Trekking Alu triple butted

Fork Steel

Central motion FSA Metropolis Single 45T

Cog Set SRAM Powerglide 1030 10V 11 - 36T

Speed changer SRAM VIA Centro 10V

Engine 8FUN CST 250W

Battery Panasonic Li-Ion 36V 9Ah

Electrical system Mahitech Custom, LED Console & Brake Cut off

Rims Gipiemme Nisi 28" Custom

Tyres Schwalbe Nobby Nic 26x2.25 Performance faltbar / fold

Shifters SRAM VIA Centro - Trekking

Brakes Tektro V-Brakes

Accessories Mudguards, Kickstand, Rear Carrier, Water Bottle




Tandem

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Frame Alu double butted

Fork Aluminio - Aluminium

Central motion Truvativ Firex Tandem 26-36-48T

Cog Set Shimano XT CS-M770 11-32T 9-speed

Speed changer Shimano XT RD-M772 Shadow

Rims DT Swiss 533d 26"

Tyres Schwalbe Big Apple 26 x 2.35 Performance

Shifters Shimano XT SL-M770A

Brakes Magura MT5 4-Kolben - 203 mm

Accessories Mudguards, Kickstand, Rear Carrier, Water Bottle




Chariot

Single-seater with safety flag, stroller kit and walker kit (16” front wheel), double cover (against

insects and bad weather).

Innovative folding system, parking brake easily usable in order to lock the wheels.

Reflective materials for the marking of the height and width of the trailer.

TÜV certificate with Toxproof quality seal.

* Places: Single-seater

* Shoulders width: 44cm

* Leg length: 60cm

* Head Height: 61cm

* Seat: 5-point harness

* L x W x H: 106cm / 70cm / 81cm

* L x W x H folded 109cm / 70cm / 26cm H

* Handle height: 95-107cm

* Weight / load: 14kg / 35kg

* Frame: steel, aluminum body, bumpers

* Wheel size: 47- 406/20 x 1.75 steel wheels with spokes in zinc

* Helm attack Ø 28.6mm

* Suitable for a baby seat (bottle holder Weber)

Documents

Tour Facts Sheet - Cycle Europe...temples Norman castles and Arab architectures all in one island, 2,700 years old city of Syracuse, the Baroque influence in Sicilian cuisine, the