WEST SICILY
This corner of Sicily offers a rich cultural heritage, that combined with a favourable climate and traffic-free roads, make it an ideal place for an exciting bike tour. You will visit the archaeological sites of Segesta, Mothia and Selinunte, discover the fascinating Sicilian interior, taste the world-famous Marsala wine in the local wineries and you will be conquered by the mouth-watering flavours of Sicilian cuisine.
Tour details
Tour code: LCS12
Starting point: Scopello
Finish: Segesta
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Departures: Every day of the week from 1st March to 15th July and from 1st September to 30th November
Price: € 830
Single room supplement: € 170 (€ 260 in case of a person travelling alone)
Bike rental: € 120 (€ 15 extra days)
Services included:
- 7 Night accommodation in 3 star hotels, all rooms with en suite bathroom
- 7 Breakfasts
- 2 Dinners (Contessa Entellina, Segesta)
- Incoming transfer Palermo - Scopello
- Welcome meeting (tour explanation and bike fitting)
- Baggage transportation from hotel to hotel
- Supply of road notes and maps
- 7 day telephone assistance
Not included:
- 5 dinners
- Drinks with evening meals
- Admission to museums and archaeological sites
Activity level
- Cycling days: 6
- 4 easy stages (mostly flat)
- 2 medium stages (undulating)
- 1 challenging stage (hilly)
Highlights
- The Zingaro natural reserve
- The medieval town of Erice
- Marsala Salt pan and wind mills
- The inland scenery of Sicily
- The ancient Greek settlement of Selinunte
Programme
Arrival day
Transfer to the fishermen village of Scopello and welcome meeting with local representative: explanation of the route and bike delivery. If you have time, you can take a pleasant walk in the Zingaro Natural Reserve, where you may see eagles and peregrine falcons flying.
1st day: Scopello - Nubia (66 km)
Ride through a rugged scenery of towering limestone peaks to reach the Salt pan Reserve in Nubia, close to Trapani.
2nd day: Erice (64 km)
A loop will take you to Erice, a charming medieval town with cobbled streets, 14th century churches and castles, splendidly located on a hill overlooking a large stretch of Sicilian coast. The climb to the town is challenging, but definetely worth it. Alternatively you can take a short boat trip to discover the remote and staggeringly beautiful Egadi Islands.
3rd day: Nubia - Marsala (46 km)
Along the way, you can visit charming island of Mothia, once home of a Phoenician settlement. A visit to a vineyard and a taste of marsala, the world famous local wine will help you to restore forces.
4th day: Marsala - Selinunte (67 km)
This hilly stage will give you the chance to discover the interior of the island and finish your day on the coast in Selinunte, home of a renowned Greek archaeological site.
5th day: Selinunte - Contessa Entellina (55 km)
Today you'll move inland to the ruins of Poggioreale where, tragically, time stopped in 1968, when a devastating earthquake struck throughout the Belice Valley. The desolation and emptiness of this ghost place are somehow intimidating. You'll spend a night in a charming and comfortable farmhouse in the countryside near Contessa Entellina.
6th day: Contessa Entellina - Segesta (67 km)
Another cycling day in the inland countryside of western Sicily. Your tour ends in Segesta, a large archaeological area, with its magnificent Doric temple, that ranks as one of the best-preserved Greek architectural sites to be found anywhere.
Departure day
After breakfast, end of services.