Self-guided cycling
8 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 2
Moderate
Flights
available
15.0Kg CO2e
Headwater
Navigation App
Optional
e-bike hire
This 8-night, self-guided cycling holiday provides a wonderful introduction to Sicily's south-east, a part of the island renowned for its beautiful, unspoilt coastline, spectacular Baroque architecture and sumptuous regional cuisine. Your journey takes you along a mix of inland and coastal routes, starting amidst the Baroque splendour of Ragusa and Modica and ending in stunning Siracusa on the east coast. You'll cycle through lush valleys filled with olive trees, almond groves, vineyards and citrus orchards and patchwork puzzles of dry-stone-wall farms, as you cycle between UNESCO World Heritage Sites rebuilt in the typical late Baroque style after the famous 1693 earthquake.
You'll take in plenty of Inspector Montalbano country - a treat for fans of the fictional detective series - including Scicli with its atmospheric streets and hilltop mausoleum as well as the charming fishing villages of Punta Secca and Sampieri. Following the scenic Mediterranean Route cycleway you'll head towards the sea, taking in sublime coastline, punctuated by golden sandy beaches and picturesque fishing villages such as Portopalo di Capo Passero and pretty Marzamemi with its Arab history. After passing through Nero D'Avola wine country your holiday finishes in beautiful Siracusa, an ancient Greek city whose 'historical heart' is the island of Ortigia, accessed by a bridge from the mainland. Ortigia's grand squares, narrow medieval streets and romantic palaces and castles are a delight to behold.
You'll stay in a wonderful mix of accommodation including a charming villa hotel boasting fabulous views over Noto from its outdoor pool terrace and a minimalist design hotel in the centre of bustling Portopalo. Given the wonderful local cuisine on offer, including such Sicilian specialities as Pasta alla Norma and Pasta con le Sarde, we've included three evening meals on this holiday, leaving you free to dine out on the remaining nights.
Routes are predominately on asphalt, using quieter secondary roads, with limited, small sections on main roads on cycling day 1. You should expect more traffic in and approaching the towns. There are ascents and descents but routes become more gentle along the coastline.
Arrive at your luxury 4 star hotel in Ragusa.
You stay at Hotel Di Stefano.
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The Hotel de Stefano Palace, located in Ragusa's historic town centre and just a short walk from the path up to Ragusa Ibla, is a wonderful example of Baroque, neo classical and art nouveau architecture, housed within a 19th century nobleman's house. Rooms here are beautifully decorated in a modern style but with the original stunning tiled floors, and many still retain some features from the building's illustrious past including stone vaults and frescoed ceilings. The hotel also comes with a wellness centre with indoor pool and hammam as well as a bar. Guests staying at the Hotel de Stefano are able to use the outdoor pool at the sister hotel, Villa del Lauro.
Room upgrades: Superior, prestige and suite
Superior rooms are larger than classic rooms.
Prestige rooms are larger again with balcony and come either with vaulted ceiling or with frescoes on the ceiling.
The suites are the same size as the prestige rooms and have 2 separate bedrooms
We strongly recommend spending some time in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ragusa Ibla before setting off this morning. The simply stunning old town of Ragusa, rebuilt in 1693 after a huge earthquake, is full of enchanting Baroque architecture, along with a number of tempting cafes and restaurants for lunch. Follow your visit with a climb above Modica, skirting Modica Alta (the upper part of the city), before passing quaint, dry-stone-wall farms through a rich, fertile valley of cacti and pomegranate orchards as you weave your way to Cava d'Ispica - a verdant gorge full of thousands of caves and grottoes, stretching for 13 kilometres between Modica and Ispica!
You stay at Hotel San Giorgio.
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Situated in the historic centre of Modica, the Hotel San Giorgio is only a few steps away from the wonderful Cathedral of San Giorgio and from Corso Umberto I, the main street of the city from where you can observe the other historical beauties of Modica and enjoy a walk among shops and restaurants. The unique rooms are all different with a boutique style.
Often referred to as the Baroque capital of Sicily, the atmospheric city of Modica sits in a dramatic setting, perched between limestone cliffs. This UNESCO-listed city is home to an impressive 29 churches including two grand Baroque cathedrals, along with charming narrow streets peppered with cafes, restaurants and a number of tempting chocolate shops! Modica's chocolate is one of the Ragusa area's most famous products and to this day it's still made to ancient Aztec methods. Make sure you sample some at Antica Dolceria Bonajuto, the oldest chocolate factory in Sicily!
Start today with a feel-good freewheel through a valley rich in pomegranates, cacti and quaint little farmsteads, on your way to the unmissable little town of Scicli. Overlooked by an imposing rock on which sits the magnificent Church of San Matteo, Scicli, like the other towns in the area, has been totally rebuilt in a pure Sicilian Baroque style following the 1693 earthquake. Wander its atmospheric streets and you'll feel like you're on the set of Inspector Montalbano - Via Mormino Penna is where you'll find the fictional police station from the TV show! Be sure to check out the impressive, hilltop cemetery, just out of town, full of mausoleums and surrounded by magnificent pines and tall cypress trees. You reach the coast and continue to Cava d'Aliga and Sampieri, a picturesque fishing village with a lovely sandy beach and another of Montalbano's favoured locations. Continue along the coastline to Pozzallo, home to no less than four Blue Flag beaches.
You stay at Hotel Danieli.
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The Hotel Danieli is a modern and elegant 4 star hotel located just outside Pozzallo, a lively coastal town of about 19,000 inhabitants, just 8km from Marina di Modica. The rooms and suites are tastefully furnished, with a blend of Sicilian artistic handicraft and modern design, using woodwork, iron, fabrics and finishes to create an elegant atmosphere with a Mediterranean flavour. There is a veranda, a lovely garden and a swimming pool area where you can relax after your cycling day.
Cutting inland you'll cycle through pantani, a series of saltwater lagoons rich in birdlife such as mallards, flamingos, herons and storks, on your way to today's highlight - the Isola delle Correnti (the 'Island of Currents'). The southernmost point of Sicily's mainland, this isolated, seemingly adrift island is also the point at which the Ionian and Mediterranean seas meet. It's quite a sight to behold!
You stay at Portopalo Suite.
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This charming 10-room boutique hotel is located in the centre of Portopalo di Capo Passero. The rooms have been created to a high standard and have a modern quirky design. The hotel has used many environmental materials in the renovation of the old apartment block, and it has philosophy of mixing nature, culture and activity.
Room upgrades: Deluxe Room and Suite
Deluxe rooms are larger and come with jacuzzi bath
The suite is much larger with a lounge area
Today's cycle takes you to the beautiful old fishing village of Marzamemi - one of Sicily's prettiest - with its colourful wooden boats, fishermen's houses and charming buildings such as the Baroque church of San Francesco di Paola. Marzamemi became the centre of Sicily's tuna fishing industry under its Arab influence and it keeps the tradition alive today, using artisanal fishing methods to produce a number of delicacies including canned tuna, smoked swordfish and marinated anchovies! Making your way to Noto you'll head inland on a virtually traffic-free road that winds its way through olive groves, vineyards, almond trees, sugar cane and beautifully perfumed citrus orchards - idyllic surroundings for a picnic lunch.
You stay at Villa Favorita.
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Villa Favorita is an old grand villa on a hill looking over to the magnificent Baroque town of Noto. Once the grand house of an olive oil producer, it is now a grand hotel with its own pretty courtyard and lovely outdoor pool. The rooms retain an old elegance to them but have the right modern amenities to make your stay a comfortable one.
Your hotel is located in a lovely courtyard setting with an outdoor pool and superb views over Noto. If you can tear yourself away from the 4 star luxury, you could cycle to the nearby seaside resort of Lido di Noto for a lazy day on the beach, or opt for our recommended cycle ride into atmospheric Noto itself. Perhaps the most beautiful of all the cities you visit on this holiday, Noto's current centre was rebuilt after the 17th century earthquake and is considered a Baroque masterpiece as well as being an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander down the Corso Vittorio Emmanuele, overlooked by Noto's elegant cathedral and explore the side streets filled with an array of fine architecture and cafes serving delicious local treats such as the savoury arancini and sweet cannoli.
What a final day! You'll follow the coast to the stunning city of Siracusa, built on an ancient Greek settlement and boasting a treasure trove of temples, amphitheatres and an ancient castle. On the way you'll cycle through Avola - home of the famous Nero D'Avola red wine grape. You'll also enjoy views of the majestic Mount Etna, and discover Plemmirio, an important area for flora and fauna and whose waters are home to a number of species including tuna, sea urchins, dolphins and sperm whales. After passing the Murro di Porco Cape, a striking landmark in the 1943 Conquest of Sicily, a final stretch takes you along the Bay of Siracusa and into the city itself.
You stay at Gran Hotel Bretagna.
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The 3* Gran Hotel Bretagna is just a short stroll from the tree lined Porto Grande and the Temple of Apollo in Siracusa's Ortigia district. Housed in a historic building, it is traditional yet comfortable with Headwater customers being allocated the spacious deluxe rooms here. Please note that there is no lift at the Gran Hotel Bretagna.
Room upgrades: Please contact us for details.
Leave Siracusa or maybe spend extra nights in Sicily's second city, Catania
If you'd like to extend your trip with extra hotel nights we recommend: Il Principe, Catania.
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Located in the heart of historic Catania, Sicily's second biggest city which lies at the foot of Mt Etna. Catania's old town boasts one of the largest collections of baroque architecture in Italy and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Food is another forte here, don't miss the opportunity to try Sicily's iconic pasta alla Norma.
The Il Principe Hotel has elegantly furnished and comfortable rooms, all with air conditioning, satellite tv, wifi, minibar and safe.
These tour prices are per person, based on two people sharing. Single supplement from £369.
We can book your flights, protected by ATOL and ABTA. Please ask at time of enquiry.
If you choose a flight inclusive package with us, you will fly into Catania airport. We can provide transfers from the airport, please contact us for details and prices.
We hold an ATOL License and are fully ABTA bonded, so you can book your flights with us in confidence. We can book most airlines and will advise you of your most convenient airport and flight options.
Flight prices vary massively and change quickly. At Headwater we will sell you your flights at the same price you can buy them yourself. We simply add £35 per person to cover your flight protection, to learn more please click here.
Subject to availability and dependent on service provider, please ask at time of enquiry and book early to avoid disappointment.
Self-guided cycling
8 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 2
Moderate
Flights
available
15.0Kg CO2e
Headwater
Navigation App
Optional
e-bike hire
