Cycling Southwestern Sicily's Ancient Mediterranean Cities
Cycling Southwestern Sicily's Ancient Mediterranean Cities
This bicycle tour of western Sicily will show you the best of traditional southern Italy. Beginning in Agrigento, you'll ride to the coastal town of Trapani known for its seaport and tuna fishing. Explore the medieval village of Erice with its narrow stone alleyways, and the hilltop town of Caltabellotta. Along the way you'll also visit Marsala and sample its fortified wines, and discover some of the finest classical Greek temples still in existence at Selinunte and Agrigento. The diverse terrain offers a rewarding cycling journey through beautiful regions rich in vineyards and agriculture, and picture perfect coastal views.
***Continue your exploration of Sicily and join us to for the Grand Cycling Tour of Sicily which includes Bicycle the Baroque Towns of Southeastern Sicily trip!***
* 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 private room charge. This charge will be collected at the time of the final payment. If a roommate assignment is available it will be refunded at the conclusion of the tour.
Agrigento, Lunch at Caltabellotta, Guided walk of Selinunte, Castelvetrano, Marsala wines, Erice, Trapani
Includes
7 days, 6 nights' accommodation; meals as noted in itinerary; guided walk of Valle dei Templi and Selinunte; Marsala wine tasting; and the usual (see below).
Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your Classic tour at the Classic Tour Style page.
Arrive / Depart
Catania Vincenzo Bellini/Fontanarossa (CTA) / Palermo Falcone Borsellino Airport (PMO) or Vincenzo Florio Airport Trapani-Birgi (TPS)
Highlights: Agrigento, guided visit Valle dei Templi
Agrigento features one of the finest collections of ancient Greek temples anywhere in the Mediterranean basin. Our hotel is not far from the ruins and we'll take a guided visit at the Valle dei Templi as the setting sun turns the limestone columns a golden color. We celebrate with an inaugural dinner together this evening.
Your ride today offers a lovely combination of terrain as you head inland through wheat fields, and vineyards towards the village of Cattolica Eraclea. When the sweet scent of oranges envelopes you, you will know that you are approaching the town of Ribera famed for - you guessed it - orange (and olive) groves! The landscape changes again as you enter a magical area filled with whimsical geologic formations just before you enter Ribera. Our destination today is Sciacca.
Highlights: Extraordinary lunch at Caltabellotta, swimming pool
Today you'll enjoy a gorgeous and challenging ride (or shuttle in the van) to Caltabellotta where you'll feast on a lunch of Sicilian specialties. This hilltop village is nestled on a limestone perch three thousand feet above Sciacca. After lunch the rest of the ride is a feast for the senses as you spin through aromatic citrus and olive groves on your way to our elegant lodge tonight. Enjoy a refreshing dip in the swimming pool, and the spectacular views.
Enjoy a ride to Selinunte where we'll have a guided walk through some of the most spectacular ruins in Sicily. The Greek ruins are divided between two ridges, one features temples and the other the remnants of the ancient city. Take an optional ride to the beach at Porto Palo if you'd like a little extra mileage and the chance for a swim. Tonight we’ll enjoy a special dinner in a local winery, wine tasting and visit.
Highlights: Castelvetrano, vineyard landscapes, Marsala and its wines
A beautiful ride is on tap for today. Fall in love with typical Sicilian landscapes that feature rolling hills covered in vineyards. This spectacular ride leads you to Castelvetrano and stop to admire its beautiful square. Next up is Mazara del Vallo where you'll have the chance to explore examples of Muslim architecture and enjoy fresh fish from one of the largest fishing ports in Italy before riding back along the shore to Marsala. This afternoon we'll sample the famous, fortified Marsala wines.
You ride west today, partially along the coast and then up to the hilltop village of Erice. Erice was a Greek town and important medieval fortress that maintains its original ambiance. The end of the bike ride takes you to the coastal town of Trapani for a celebratory dinner together.
There is plenty of history in Trapani 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. If you spend a few days here we recommend a boat excursion and head off to the nearby island of Favignana. Join us again sometime soon!
Meeting time 2 p.m. (don't be late or you'll miss the excellent guided visit of the Temples!) - on Day 1, meet your fellow cyclists and Tour Leaders at the Day 1 Hotel specified on the itinerary.
Note:
As you are planning, remember that the hotels listed in our itineraries are our primary hotels and are - in rare cases - subject to change. Before you make arrangements, check with us if your tour departure is guaranteed. If your tour departure is out further than 6 months, please also check with us as there might be slight changes to the itinerary.
The below information will help you plan your arrival. For more tips or other routes, you might like Rome2Rio. The fare and timing information listed below is approximate.
We recommend flying into the Catania Airport (CTA).
Taxi to Catania Centrale train station (20 min/EUR 25 (for 2 people))
Train from Catania to Agrigento Centrale (4.5 hours/Fares vary, no advance booking necessary)
Taxi from the Agrigento train station to the Day 1 hotel. (10 min/EUR 10-15)
Or hotel transfer from the Catania Airport to the Day 1 Hotel (2.5-3 hours/fare varies by number of passengers and time of day)
Note: Sicily is not an entirely train-friendly region and on some routes train travel can take several hours with various changes, so it's not as convenient as in other Italian regions. However, for the route above, the bus service has been suspended, so the train is the best options to get from Catania to Agrigento at this time.
Day 7: Departure Information
Cycling tour ends today in Trapani
Your trip ends on the final day after breakfast.
The below information will help you plan your departure. For more tips or other routes, you might like Rome2Rio.
Flying out of the Trapani Airport (TPS):
Taxi from the ending hotel to the Trapani Airport (30 min/EUR 30)
Or AST Bus from Trapani Porto (Tour Leaders or hotel staff can assist) (40 min/EUR 5)
If you choose to fly out of Palermo (PMO):
Taxi from the ending hotel to the Palermo Airport (1 hour/EUR 110 for 1 to max. 4 persons)
Or Segesta Autolinee Bus from Trapani Porto to Palermo Airport (Tour Leaders or hotel staff can assist) (1 hour 10 min/EUR 9)
Pre-Trip Planning Checklist
To Do Today!
Read through your Reservation Confirmation Email, it has important information to help you plan your trip!
Check the date on your passport. The expiration date should extend three months past your date of return to your home country
Reserve your flights after you know you have a confirmed tour departure. Please check with our office if you do not know if your trip is confirmed. As you make your plans refer to the Getting To and Away sent to you in your booking confirmation email it provides meeting times and the starting and ending hotels and shuttle information when applicable.
Book your pre and post-tour hotel nights. Please refer to the Getting To and Away sheet you received in your Reservation Confirmation Email.
12 weeks before your tour begin your training program found on this page.
Final payment is due 90 days prior to the tour start. Please refer to your Deposit Payment Invoice and the Final Payment Reminder e-mail you have received for detailed instructions.
6 Weeks–2 Weeks Prior to Departure
Start reading one of the books or watching one of the movies from our Suggested Reading and Movie List which you'll find on the country page linked from the www.experienceplus.com/travelinfo page.
Culturally rich, loved the diversity of accommodations and meals.
Bonnie W., Severna Park, MD - Sept 2019
Loved it all--had never been on a bike trip before and had never traveled with a group before--I loved the new experience of traveling and exploring with a bike and of course the physical activity and "let" us eat even more awesome Italian food. The guides were excellent, hotels all terrific, and the group dynamics were great.
Gentle terrain includes mostly undulating/flat sections and a rare longer climb (less than 3 km - 2 miles) with an average grade less than 3%.
Rolling Hills
Rolling hills featuring multiple gentle slopes (average grade of 3-4%) usually less than 3 km (2 miles). There may also be an occasional shorter (less than 2 km -1 mile) but steeper climb. Or a longer climb where the average grade is less than 3%.
Hilly
Hilly terrain has climbs up to 3 km (2 miles) with an average grade between 4% and 6%. There may also be climbs longer than 3 km (2 miles), but with an average grade less than 4%.
Very Hilly
Very hilly terrain includes one or more climbs, some of which maintain an average grade (meaning you will have short sections both steeper and less steep in the same climb) of 7% and 8% for no more than 3 km (2 miles). There will also be some longer climbs, but with a lower average grade.
Mountainous
Mountainous terrain includes one or more climbs with an average grade over 8%. Mountainous rides can also include longer climbs (more than 5 km - 3 miles) with an average grade up to 6%.
Level 1 - 1.5
For those desiring gentle rides with a limited amount of climbing.
Level 5, also known as our Expeditions, are multi-week tours designed for strong riders looking for the challenge of riding across countries or continents.
Gentle terrain includes mostly undulating/flat sections and a rare longer climb (less than 3 km - 2 miles) with an average grade less than 3%.
Hilly
Hilly terrain has climbs up to 3 km (2 miles) with an average grade between 4% and 6%. There may also be climbs longer than 3 km (2 miles), but with an average grade less than 4%.
Very Hilly
Very hilly terrain includes one or more climbs, some of which maintain an average grade (meaning you will have short sections both steeper and less steep in the same climb) of 7% and 8% for no more than 3 km (2 miles). There will also be some longer climbs, but with a lower average grade.
Mountainous
Mountainous terrain includes one or more climbs with an average grade over 8%. Mountainous rides can also include longer climbs (more than 5 km - 3 miles) with an average grade up to 6%.
Tour Levels
Level 1 - 1.5
For those desiring gentle rides with a limited amount of climbing.
Level 5, also known as our Expeditions, are multi-week tours designed for strong riders looking for the challenge of riding across countries or continents.
Gentle
Grand Cycling Tour of Sicily
