Italy: Sicily, the Noto Valley & Syracuse

7 days
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
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Group Tour
A banquet of sensory delights awaits you in Sicily. Your trip includes the sounds of pounding surf, dramatic vistas as far as the eye can see, delightful jasmine-scented breezes, and the delicious bounty of land and sea. you’ll sample it all on an artfully crafted itinerary that features exhilarating riding through olive groves, past Roman mosaics, and into a...
From$3,595
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Extreme
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Explore baroque Scicli with a local guide, and venture outside the city to the lovely Noto Valley.
    • Tour an organic winery and olive maker in the canyons of the Iblean upland.
    • Join your hotel chef for a hands-on demonstration of Sicilian cooking.
    • Discover the fishing village of Marzamemi, recently restored to its 17th-century glory.
    • Complement your cycling with basking in the sun or swimming at the beach.

What's this trip about?

    A banquet of sensory delights awaits you in Sicily. Your trip includes the sounds of pounding surf, dramatic vistas as far as the eye can see, delightful jasmine-scented breezes, and the delicious bounty of land and sea. you’ll sample it all on an artfully crafted itinerary that features exhilarating riding through olive groves, past Roman mosaics, and into ancient villages that capture the spirit of the past. Work up an appetite for cheese and honey, and savor the harvest of hotel gardens—even learning secrets of Sicilian cuisine from a local chef. Road cycling in Sicily has never been this good!

Details

Itinerary focusActive and Outdoor Sports
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range13 to 80 years
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityScicli
End CitySyracuse

Travel Themes

  • Culinary & Wine
  • Cycling & Biking
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Italy

Attractions

  • Sicily
  • Syracuse
  • Taormina

Activities

  • Cooking
  • Culture
  • Cycling
  • History
  • Mountain Biking
  • Nature
  • Photography
  • Swimming
  • Guided Group

Trip includes

    • Custom VBT Bike and Helmet
    • Two Local, Bilingual Trip Leaders
    • Support Vehicle
    • Luggage Transportation
    • Ride with GPS and Daily Route Notes
    • Welcome Reception
    • Facilitated Cultural Experiences
    • Your Choice of VBT Branded Gear for Your Adventure

Itinerary

Travel Map
DAY 1: VBT Bicycling Vacation begins / Travel to Scicli / Walking tour of Scicli / Welcome reception and dinner

Meet your VBT representative and the rest of the group at 8:00 a.m. in the lobby of our Taormina hotel.

From Taormina, you’ll travel to Scicli by private motor coach (transportation time is approximately three hours with a short stop on the way). The city is li...

DAY 2: Cycle to Sampieri / Picnic by the beach / Explore Scicli at night

After breakfast, cycle the rolling countryside in the Province of Ragusa toward the sea, surrounded by miles of stone walls, cattle grazing in the shade of stately carob and olive trees, and vegetable greenhouses that supply markets both local and all over Europe.

...
DAY 3: Cycle the Noto Valley / Lunch at an organic farm

Today pedal in the peaceful and rolling countryside of Modica and Val di Noto, past rural areas and through little hamlets to San Giacomo, the lunch stop. At lunchtime, you are welcomed by the owner (mama Nella) who oversees the many activities of her 20-acre farm whi...

DAY 4: Admire the Mosaics of Villa del Tellaro / Explore the ancient fishing village and tuna fishery of Marzamemi / Porto Palo / Explore Baroque Noto

After a hearty breakfast, pedal along quiet, mostly easy country roads, toward the sea. On the way, you’ll want to stop to admire the fourth-century Roman villa mosaics.

Your destination is the recently restored, ancient fishing village of Marzamemi, nestled on...

DAY 5: Truffle hunt / Bike on the crest of a scenic plateau near Palazzolo Acreide

A short shuttle takes you up a plateau called the Belvedere di Noto, from where you will pedal a panoramic route ending at your lunch stop, the Feudo Bauly. Acquired at the end of the 18th century for the noble family of the baron Judica, this property belonged to the...

DAY 6: Bike along a canyon / Honey tasting in Floridia / Sicilian cooking class

Your ride crosses a scenic region that was inhabited in prehistoric times, and where archeologists have found cave tombs carved in the steep limestone cliffs. As you bike the quiet roads and a long canyon, you will admire the countryside dotted with farms and typical ...

DAY 7: Travel to Syracuse / VBT Bicycling Vacation ends / Free time

After an included breakfast, complimentary transportation is provided to our Syracuse hotel located in Ortigia. You will arrive at approximately 10:15 a.m. Follow a VBT local guide on a private two-hour walk of Ortigia, if you like. The rest of the day you are free to...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,595
Price per day$514
Last Updated: 5/3/2024
Start Date
End Date
Shared Room
Single Supplement
Availability
23 May 2024
29 May 2024
$4,545
+$395
Private Group
13 Jun 2024
19 Jun 2024
$4,545
+$395
Limited Spaces Left
05 Sep 2024
11 Sep 2024
$4,645
+$395
Available
12 Sep 2024
18 Sep 2024
$4,645
+$395
Available
19 Sep 2024
25 Sep 2024
$4,645
+$395
Private Group
26 Sep 2024
02 Oct 2024
$4,645
+$395
Limited Spaces Left
03 Oct 2024
09 Oct 2024
$4,645
+$395
Private Group
10 Oct 2024
16 Oct 2024
$4,145
+$395
Available
17 Oct 2024
23 Oct 2024
$3,995
+$395
Available
24 Oct 2024
30 Oct 2024
$3,745
+$395
Available

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with VBT Bicycling Vacations.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

VBT Bicycling Vacations Reviews & Ratings

4.9/5  Excellent
Excellent
579
Great
42
Average
11
Disappointing
4
Terrible
3
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Other VBT Bicycling Vacations Reviews

G

Ginger

Nov 2023

Written on

The best vacation ever

This was the first organized tour my husband and I have ever joined, so we were not sure what to expect , but it turned out to be the best vacation we've ever had. T...

D

DonaandConnie

Nov 2023

Written on

Absolutely stunning scenery with relatively easy cycling.

This tour was one of our favorites. The tour leaders (Claudio and Tiziana) were great. The Dolomites and Italian Alps were breathtaking and the bike paths and towns ...

B

Barbnjim

Nov 2023

Written on

life at its fullest

Unlike tours where you gaze at world class natural and historic wonders in another culture, this tour put us in intimate touch with them through cycling, eating, dri...

Write a Review

Tour Operator

VBT Bicycling Vacations

premier
View Profile

Since 1971, VBT has crafted immersive and authentic biking vacations for active travelers. When you travel with VBT, you’re not just another tourist—you’re a traveler. With us, you’ll experience your destination with the help of a local, bilingual trip leader with a passion for sharing their home with you. You’ll eat in local restaurants, stay in accommodations that have been family-owned for generations and cycle through vineyards, olive groves, and medieval villages. 


With VBT, you won’t just visit a place—you’ll immerse yourself in it. You might follow a centuries-old pasta recipe while taking a cooking class in Rome—or learn a folk dance in Croatia, followed by sharing a bottle of locally-produced Grk wine with your new friends. Exploring the world on two wheels lets you experience your surroundings on a deeper level.

 

VBT offers exceptional value without compromising on quality. Simply put, no other US-based active travel company offers an experience this rich for such a reasonable price. On our tours, you can see more sights, have more local experiences, and enjoy more delicious, authentic meals—all while staying in high-quality, boutique hotels and charming, family-run inns.

 

All you have to do is show up at the airport—we’ll handle the rest! From tour consultants who help you find the perfect vacation to expert local trip leaders who show you the best place for gelato, we take care of all the little details that make your trip memorable. We book your flights, arrange all your transportation and accommodations, and move your luggage between hotels. Our support vans are available to give you a lift up a hill or quickly fix a flat tire. VBT takes care of your travel details and creates unique itineraries so you can relax and enjoy your small-group vacation from start to finish.

 

Friendly camaraderie, cultural immersion, and casual comforts are the hallmarks of our vacations. Discover delightful people, beautiful hotels, foreign cultures, and fascinating lifestyles that will enrich your life and provide memories for years to come.

Why we love this operator
Their unique emphasis on immersive cultural experiences combined with active exploration with personalized cycling experiences.
What they’re known for
VBT Cycling are renowned for offering exceptional guided and self-guided bicycle tours worldwide.

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Logistics

Accommodation

,6 nights in 4-star hotels and country estates
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

13 meals: 6 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners

Age Requirements
13 to 80 years
Additional Information

This tour is rated Easy/Moderate. The rides are on paved country roads, mostly rolling, with little car traffic. On two days, a short shuttle takes guests up a hill, allowing them to ride along a crest and then downhill. The roads are good but in some rural areas, the terrain is uneven with a few potholes.

Daily Mileage: 9 - 40 miles| Biking: 1 - 5 hours| Group Size: 20

Trip ID
vbt-vbt-ItSi

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