|
THE
DEEP BLUE SEA AND THE FIRE OF ETNA
A
group cycling tour on Sicily
Sicily
is the biggest and most fascinating island of the Mediterranean Sea, a
true paradise. Cycling on this beautiful island you will find all
the ingredients for an unforgettable holiday: sun, sea of a thousand
shades of blue, rich culture, splendid nature, delicious Sicilian dishes,
excellent wines and ... not to be forgotten... the impressive volcano of
Mount Etna.
|
Programme
|
|
|
Day
1
|
Arrival
at Acitrezza (B&B)
|
|
Day
2
|
Acitrezza-Acireale-Riposto-Randazzo
(35 km / 22 miles; HB)
Today's route takes in the
beautiful nature reserve of Timpa di Acireale and the
characteristic little fishing villages of the 'Riviera dei
Limoni'. In Riposto, also known as the harbour of Etna, you will
take the 'Circumetnea' train (circumnavigating Etna) to Randazzo
(754 a.s.l.), which is situated on the northern slopes of Etna,
dominating the 'Valle dell'Alcantara' valley. History has left
its mark in Randazzo, with its many churches and old buildings.
|
|
Day
3
|
Trekking on mount Etna (HB) Today
you will leave your bike and climb Mount Etna on foot. You will
be walking along an easy track throughout the woods. The track
is along a solidified lava stream from the eruption of 1981. In
the afternoon you will have a guided tour of the centre of
Randazzo.
|
|
Day
4
|
Randazzo-Bronte-Maniace-Randazzo
(42 km / 26 miles; HB)
The
ring route today will take you first of all to Bronte, renowned
for its Pistacchi (Pistachios). From there you will cycle to
Maniace to visit Horatio Nelson's castle and the Norman abbey of
S.Maria di Maniace (12th century). Your overnight stay is in
Randazzo once more
|
|
Day
5
|
Randazzo- Gole di Alcantara-
Giardini Naxos (44 km/ 27 miles; HB)
Today you will leave Randazzo
cycling along the 'strada del vino' (the wine route). You will,
of course, have the opportunity to taste some of the excellent
wines from the vineyards on the sunny slopes of Etna and to try
some local specialities at a winery. After this you will visit
the impressive gorges of Alcantara, which in some places reach a
depth of 25m. The widest parts of the gorge are only 4-5m wide,
narrowing to 2m at some points. The gorges mark the course of
the Alcantara river over the years. Your overnight stay is in
the town of Giardini Naxos, site of the first Greek colony on
Sicily. The town has a large archaeological site with an
adjacent museum.
|
|
Day
6
|
Giardini Naxos
-Taormina-Giardini Naxos (km 22 / 14 miles; HB)
The circular tour from Giardini
Naxos will take you to Taormina, where you will be free to
explore this beautiful town. There is a lot to see and you can
take a walk around the town to visit some of the fascinating
sites, such as the Cathedral dedicated to San Nicoḷ, the many
other churches and imposing historic buildings and of course the
well-known Greek theatre. On the other hand, you may choose to
just relax on the beach at Isolabella. You will return
independently to Giardini Naxos.
|
|
Day
7
|
Departure
|
The
tour includes:
-
6
overnight stays in *** hotels with breakfast
-
5
dinners (in Acitrezza only B&B)
-
luggage
transportation
-
bike
rental
-
Italian
speaking guide behind in the support van
-
guide
for the excursion on the Etna
-
a
guided tour of the centre of Randazzo
-
transfer
airport Catania -Acitrezza
-
medical
and luggage insurance
|
Dates
2012
|
Sunday
01 July, 2 September
|
|
Level
2/3
|
A
hilly landscape. The steeper climbs are short and the longer ones not
too steep. The daily distances
are restricted to between 35 km / 22 miles and 45 km / 28 miles
|
|
Participants
|
tour starts with
min.8 persons
|
|
Prices
2012 |
Per
person in a double room € 520,00
|
|
|
A
single room € 640,00
|
|
