Nature reserves and baroque e-bike tour

This tour will take you on an unforgettable ride through the scenic nature reserves and most beautiful baroque towns of southern Sicily. Along the way you can admire architectural beauties which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, have breath-taking views of unspoilt, natural environments, see the ruins of ancient history and taste authentic traditional Sicilian cuisine.

Pantalica, Val d’Anapo, Palazzolo Acreide, Ragusa Ibla, Modica, Vendicari and Noto, are just some of the beautiful towns and areas that you will visit on this tour. You will be enchanted by the authentic splendour of southern Sicily, which is even more beautiful when visited by bike!

Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Val d’Anapo

Arrival at the airport and transfer to farmhouse accommodation near Pantalica – Val D’Anapo. Briefing and welcome cocktail, bike set-up. Dinner and overnight stay.

Second day: The Necropolis of Pantalica and Val d’Anapo – 51km with 1,250 metres of elevation gain

Highlights: Necropolis of Pantalica, Val d’Anapo nature reserve, the Giarranauti forest and the baroque architecture of Ferla

We cycle along the old Val d’Anapo railway in the nature reserve of the same name. We cross the Giarranauti woods before a brief stop in Ferla to see its baroque churches in the historic centre. We continue in the direction of Cassaro and then cycle back into the Val d’Anapo towards Palazzolo Acreide. We stop outside the village for dinner and an overnight stay in a local agriturismo (farmhouse).

Day 3: Palazzolo Acreide and Noto Antica – 62km with 1,200 metres of elevation gain

Highlights: Archaeological park and baroque town of Palazzolo Acreide, Noto Antica

We set off by bike from the farmhouse in the direction of Palazzolo Acreide, A UNESCO World Heritage site, for a visit to the archaeological park and a ride through the town centre to admire the beautiful baroque buildings and churches. After that we head towards Noto Antica, for a ride through history, among the ruins of the ancient town destroyed by a powerful earthquake in 1693. We then return to the farmhouse through the beautiful Iblei hills for dinner and an overnight stay.

Fourth day: Ragusa Ibla – Modica – 46km with 900 metres of elevation gain

Highlights: Bambuseto and natural quarries – Ragusa Ibla – Modica

As soon as we leave the farmhouse we will be immersed in unspoilt nature as bamboo plantations and natural quarries are the main attractions of the first part of the route. After visiting the Cava dei Servi quarry, we head towards Ragusa Ibla, where we stop to admire the splendid historic centre with its 14 Baroque monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We then cycle onwards to Modica where we stop for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 5: Modica – Portopalo 58km with 500m of elevation gain

Highlights: The baroque town of Modica and the southern beaches

We start the day by visiting the beautiful historic centre of Modica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and then head for the sea. We cycle along the golden beaches of Sicily’s southern coast to Porto Palo, the tip of Sicily and of Europe. Dinner and an overnight stay in Portopalo.

Day 6: Marzamemi – Noto 45km with 400 metres of elevation gain

Highlights: Marzamemi – Vendicari nature reserve – the baroque town of Noto

We set off cycling northwards up the coast, past sandy cove beaches towards the delightful fishing village of Marzamemi where we can also stop for a delicious granite (flavoured ice) on the promenade. We then head on to the Vendicari nature reserve to admire the pink flamingos, before arriving in Noto, the capital of Sicilian baroque architecture, for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 7: Departure and transfer to Catania airport.