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: Monreale
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Departures: Every day from 01 March to 30 November
Price: € 820
Single room supplement: € 200 (€ 260 in case of a person travelling alone)
Bike rental: € 110 (€ 15 extra days)
Services included:
- 7 Night accommodation in 3 star hotels, all rooms with en suite bathroom
- 7 Breakfasts
- 4 Dinners
- 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:
- 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
- The inland part of Sicily
- The ancient Greek settlement of Selinunte
- The Monreale Cathedral
Programme
Arrival day
Transfer to the ancient town 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 - Erice (64 km)
The route takes you to 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. Then on 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. If you don't want to take on the challenge of the climb to the town, a transfer is available.
2nd day: Erice - Marsala (57 km)
The panoramic descent from Erice will lead you to Marsala along an almost flat road. Along the way, you can visit the Salt plant Reserve in Trapani and the 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.
3rd day: Marsala - Selinunte (70 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.
4th day: Mestre - Chioggia (25 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.
5th day: Contessa Entellina - Piana degli albanesi (64 km)(60 km)
Another cycling day in the inland countryside of western Sicily. Cycling close to Corleone, the village often associated to the mafia, you will reach a comfortable country lodge near Piana degli Albanesi
6th day: Piana degli albanesi - Monreale (34 km)
Following the track of an old railway you reach Conca d'Oro, an ancient valley once luscious and rich during the Arab period. Your tour ends in Monreale, a magnificent town just outside Palermo. Here you can visit the Norman town and the arab-norman Cathedral with its amazing mosaics.
Departure day
After breakfast, end of services.