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Cycling the Coast of Sicily Plus! Ancient Mediterranean Cities
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Bicycle Tours in Italy: Cycling the Coast of Sicily Plus! Ancient Mediterranean Cities

This bicycle tour of western Sicily will show you the best of Magna Grecia, Norman Sicily, and traditional southern Italy. Beginning near Palermo, you'll ride to the coastal towns of San Vito lo Capo, Trapani and Marsala, explore the medieval village of Erice, and see some of the finest classical Greek temples anywhere in Segesta, Selinunte and Agrigento.

If this sounds great but you don't have time for the 11 days, check out our Cycling the Coast of Sicily tour, which features the first 7 days of this itinerary.

Day 1: Tour begins in Monreale, Italy

The beach and colorful fishing port in Mondello where our tour begins

Highlights: Magnificent "duomo" of Monreale, bike fitting and introductory dinner

We'll gather today in Monreale, a town founded by the Germanic and Scandinavian Normans in the 12th Century and famous throughout the world since that time for its impressive cathedral blending Arabic with northern European architecture. Make sure to view the Romanesque bronze doors as well as the opulent mosaic interior before fitting bicycles this afternoon. Due to its perched position high above the region's capital of Palermo, we'll have limited opportunities for a test ride. We'll enjoy dinner together this evening after introductions.

Lodging: Palazzo Ducale Suites

Day 2: Cycle through vineyards and orange groves

Highlights: Castellammare del Golfo and its medieval castle

Our route today takes us toward the coast, beginning with some elevation loss as we leave Monreale's perch of 300+ meters above sea level. We'll wind through Palermo's fertile countryside before arriving at the coast to finish our ride along a coastal road, with great views over the Tyrrhenian Sea all the way to Castellammare del Golfo. Once the primary port for the ancient Greek towns of Segesta and Erice, Castellammare clusters around its small fishing port and medieval castle on the gulf of the same name. Dinner is on your own this evening in one of the restaurants along the port. Distance: 53 km (33 miles).

Lodging: Hotel Al Madarig and Hotel Cetarium

Day 3: Bicycle to the Ruins of Segesta and the beach of San Vito Lo Capo

The temple in Segesta is one of the best preserved Greek temples from the ancient world

Highlights: Ancient Greek ruins, coastal riding, the beach

We follow a remote valley inland this morning to discover the ruins of ancient Segesta lost among the hills of western Sicily. Perhaps because of its isolated site, Segesta boasts one of the best-preserved temples from all of ancient Greece. The temple was built around 430 BC and together with the nearby theater dating to the 3rd century BC, Segesta is one of the most evocative of ancient sites in Sicily. Take your time to visit, and then we'll head north along the hills and ridges of western Sicily to reach the bustling summer beach resort town of San Vito lo Capo. San Vito is one of the northern most capes in Sicily, so the Tyrrhenian Sea surrounds the town! Enjoy the beach before dinner together tonight. Distance: 73 km (45 miles).

Lodging: Hotel Capo San Vito

Day 4: Ride to Trapani

Highlights: Trapani, vibrant seaport, historic center hotel

We ride south today, partially along the coast and partially on hilltop ridges where we'll reach the bustling city of Trapani, one of the largest towns of this area. Our hotel is in the historic center, set on the main piazza, so you'll be able to enjoy an aperitivo in a local bar after a stroll around town! Trapani has historically been an important fishing and salt-commerce town. Still famous for its tuna fishing, we'll be able to visit a historic tuna processing plant before dinner together this evening. Distance: approximately 45 km. (28 miles).

Lodging: Residence La Gancia

Day 5: Trapani optional ride to Erice

A Sicilian farmer displays handpicked and home cured capers at a local market

Highlights: Explore historical Trapani and the fortress in Erice

Today is a rest day, so you can spend time in Trapani or take an optional bicycle (or funicular!) ride to the the hilltop village of Erice. Erice was a Greek town and important medieval fortress and still preserves its original ambiance. Anybody wanting to take a boat excursion can head off to the nearby island of Favignana (you can even take your bike and go on a short ride if you wish!). Or just spend time strolling the ancient streets of Trapani -- there is plenty of history here as its strategic position on a slip of land saw Carthaginians, Normans, Arabs, Spanish, and Bourbons walk its streets before the unified Republic of Italy was formed in 1861. Dinner is on your own. Distance: 0-30 km (20 miles).

Lodging: Residence La Gancia

Day 6: Trapani to Marsala

Highlights: Marsala wine tasting, 8th century BC Phoenician ruins

We continue south today pedaling by miles of wheat fields. We'll be back on the coast for a late lunch on your own, visit to the Phoenician ruins of Motya, dating to the 8th century BC, and a visit to the natural marine reserve and saline (salt pans). This afternoon we'll be in Marsala where we'll enjoy a wine tasting of the famous, fortified Marsala wines. Dinner together this evening. Distance: 45 km (28 miles).

Lodging: Hotel Carmine

Day 7: Bicycle Marsala's vineyards

The limestone quarries near Cusa provided building stone for the Greek temples of Selinunte

Highlights: Limestone quarries in Cusa, vineyard landscapes, rural country house hotel

Our route takes us along the shore south of Marsala today, and by acres of vineyards producing the famous wines of the region. We'll suggest lunch in Mazara del Vallo or enjoy a picnic lunch at Cusa, site of the ancient limestone quarries for the temples of Selinunte. At Cusa you'll see gigantic blocks of limestone columns abandoned, it seems, just as they were ready for shipping. Continue pedaling to reach our home for the evening, a country estate, or working farm (producing olives, olive oil and wine) that has been transformed into elegant lodging with a refreshing swimming pool, gracious hosts and spectacular views. A home cooked dinner with local produce delights us tonight. Distance: 73 km (44 miles).

Lodging: Agriturismo Baglio Vecchio

Day 8: Selinunte to Sciacca

The ruins of the Greek city of Selinunte are some of the best in Sicily

Highlights: Greek ruins of Selinunte, picnic lunch

We'll pedal to the nearby vast ruins of Selinunte for a guided walk of some of the most spectacular ruins in Sicily. The Greek ruins are divided between two ridges, one with the temples and one with the ruins of the ancient city. A light lunch will send us on our way to a wonderful ride through citrus and olive groves to Sciacca. Go explore the beach at Porto Palo if you'd like a little extra mileage. We are in Sciacca this evening. Dinner on your own. Distance: 60 km (37 miles).

Lodging: Hotel Locanda del Castello

Day 9: Rest day in Sciacca, lunch in Caltabellotta

Highlights: Special Sicilian lunch in Caltabellotta, optional ride

Enjoy a rest and a shuttle today if you'd like, or take a beautiful ride to Caltabellotta and back. We'll enjoy a lunch of Sicilian specialties together in Caltabellotta, a hilltop village dominating the interior from its limestone mountain three thousand feet above Sciacca. Dinner is on your own in Sciacca this evening. Distance: 0 - 50 km (0 - 31 miles).

Lodging: Hotel Locanda del Castello

Day 10: Bicycle Sciacca To Agrigento

The 'valley of the temples' in Agrigento, Sicily preserves the finest collection of classical Greek temples anywhere

Highlights: Greek Temples of Agrigento

Our ride today takes us inland through dry wheat lands, vineyards, the village of Ribera, famous for its oranges and olive groves, and through a tremendous variety of geologic formations as we wind our way to Agrigento. Agrigento has one of the finest collections of ancient Greek temples anywhere in the Mediterranean basin. Our hotel is not far from the ruins so you'll want to have a rest, then go exploring as the setting sun turns the limestone columns a golden color. We celebrate a final dinner together this evening. Distance: 71 km (44 miles).

Lodging: Dioscuri Bay Palace

Day 11: Tour ends in Agrigento

Highlights:

We say goodbye after breakfast this morning. Stay on to explore the ruins of Agrigento if you'd like, or for those headed home, we'll tell you how to get to the train or bus station for your transfer back to Palermo. You'll take with you a far better understanding of Magna Grecia now that you've pedaled between these ancient sites and wandered amid some of the finest ruins remaining from antiquity. Join us again sometime soon!
  • Highlights
    Phoenician/Greek ruins of Motya, Medieval Erice, Trapani and Mondello, Marsala wines, Greek ruins in Selinunte, Segesta and Agrigento, Monreale and its imposing duomo, famous beach resort town of San Vito lo Capo, traditional rural farm house stay
  • Includes
    "The Usual" plus... Use of a quality 27-30 speed bicycle; 11 days, 10 nights' accommodation; 6 dinners with wine, 2 lunches, one wine tasting & 10 breakfasts; shuttle from Palermo (airport or train station)to tour start on Day 1; guided tour Selinunte
  • Countries
    Italy
  • Begin/End
    Palermo (Monreale)/ Agrigento
  • Arrive/Depart
    Palermo Falcone Borsellino Airport (PMO)
  • Total Distance
    420 - 500 km (259 - 309 miles)
  • Daily Distance
    Average 47 - 56 km (29 - 35 miles)
  • What to Expect
    A wonderful variety of terrain, classic Greek temples, fabulous food, beaches.
  • Rating
    301
    Easy first day leads to more challenging days with steep but short climbs. Two days with extended climbs of 8 to 10 miles. 3 optional rest days.
  • Notes
    If this sounds great but you don't have time for the 11 days, check out our Cycling the Coast of Sicily tour, which features the first 7 days of this itinerary.
  • Terms
    Terms & Conditions
Dates Price Single
Supplement*		 Notes Next
Step
Oct 11 - 21, 2012 $4375 $600 Confirmed Departure! Book It
*We are happy to match solo travelers who would like to share a room with someone of the same gender. If no match exists, due to hotel pricing, we will charge 50% of the single supplement rate. This fee will be collected at the time of the final payment. If a roommate assignment is available this fee will be refunded at the conclusion of the tour.
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Click on the "pins" for details about each day's highlights.

Map Key

Green pinStart
Yellow pinCity (on route)
Red pinEnd
Other city dotCity (not part of route, provided for reference)
I enjoyed all the hotels - each very different and that made it more enjoyable. They were well chosen and some in superb locations. A few highlights for me were the cycling, wonderful food & wine, the friendliness of the tour leaders, interesting sites ...Cannolo :) mmmmm. Going to some out of the way places like the lunch venue at Caltabellotta - superb food and it felt special to be able to have our meal there.
Glenn G., Hamilton, New Zealand
The guides had told us of a terrific place for canolis, but it closed at 2:00. At 1:00 we were pretty far away and were over an hour late when we pulled into the town. But there was our leader waiting by the side of the road with a platter of huge fresh canolis, which he had purchased and then brought back for us to consume. They were delicious!!
Dick S., Palo Alto, CA
What was your favorite experience on this trip? Too many to list: the other travelers, the guides, the sites, the routes. It was all very good.
Robert P., Bellvue, WA
It was a wonderful trip. All the participants were friendly and upbeat. ALSO, the dinners we ate together were outstanding! The guides did a great job of choosing the menu. Oh, those canoli!!!!!
Jerry S., Palo Alto, CA
We look forward to our next tour with Expus!
Ed and Carole R.
Palmyra, PA
[What I liked best was the]The fun we had with the guides. They thought of everything! For example, it was raining so hard one night, and even though it was Igor's and Stephania's night off, they insisted on driving us to their favorite pizza grotto. We could have never found the place in the dark stormy night - they were dears!
Wendy C.
Bothell, WA
[What I liked best was the ] relatively small group size, daily mileage, avoidance of "commercial experiences"
Lee H.
Escondido, CA
The tour leaders did it again! Magnificent people that you keep finding, or I guess they find each other ... I like young people and I am especially moved when I meet young people who are good, kind, smart and caring. They all have beautiful hearts and that was the best part of the trip getting to know them.
Barbara H.
Lexington, MA
This was our second ExperiencePlus! tour -- we had the pleasure to tour Sardinia with Rick and Paola a few years ago -- and surely you'll see us again. We wanted to express our appreciation for our guides ... highly organized but never anxious ... All 3 had amazing language skills, great attitudes, lots of information to share, and were the best of companions and guides. They worked so hard! We could not have asked for a better staff.We also appreciated the excellent and erudite guide at the breath-taking Selinunte ruins. And the unique and fabulous lunch we enjoyed in Caltabellotta was a great experience!
Beverlee & Lee H.
Escondido, CA
[My favorite experience was] riding. Loved the olive oil factory, marsala wine tour and incredible group lunch on top of the big hill ...The tour leader made the trip a wonderful experience.
Jan L.
Sun Valley, ID