Everyone should be ready to ride as we get fitted for our bikes and do an easy flat ride along the coast into Siracusa and end with a boat ride along the canals and into the papyrus groves that supplied the once-lucrative paper industry.

According to legend, Greek settlers from Corinth founded Siracusa in 734 BC. It was here where the legendary genius Archimedes used an array of mirrors to set a Roman fleet on fire.

Today Siracusa is a pleasant mix of late-Baroque and ancient classical architecture where colorful fishing boats lie in a little harbor as they have for thousands of years. The charm is endless; we enjoy the lively cafés within the ancient cobblestone piazzas and engage the exceptionally nice people for a stay to be remembered.

After settling in at our charming hotel, we gather for a private walking tour of the city through the pleasant labyrinth of alleyways past treasures from BC to the 18th century. We follow-up our walking tour, if time allows, with a visit of the archaeological park featuring a Roman sacrificial altar and a fantastic Greek Theater and Amphitheater carved from the bedrock.

Lodgings: 2 nights in a small and cozy 3-star inn situated in the ancient isand town of Siracusa and along the sea..

We ride within the hills above Siracusa and along spectacular quiet roads that leads one to wonder if there are any cars in Sicily. This peaceful route through the rural countryside offers a continual view as we pedal to Antica Noto, a lost ruinous city that has recently been given protection status by UNESCO. The journey ends with a 12-mile downhill ridge ride that leads into the stunning medieval baroque jewel of Noto. Here the tradition of granita and gelato has been one of the town’s well-known specialties for centuries and we are therefore obliged to try the gelato that is said to make grown men cry.

Seated on the balcony above the Pasticceria Costanzo is a bearded angels who keeps the secrets of such treasures as jasmine blossom gelato, an ancient, Arabic specialty. Neighboring Café Sicilia’s owner Corrado Assenza gave up a university teaching career in order to carry on the tradition of the Café. Just like Senore Costanzo, he too is internationally renowned as a gelato artist; honor his creamy creation which combines lemon and cinnamon. Or close your eyes for a moment over a fig granita.

Enjoy the juiciest, sweetest blood oranges in the world with freshly baked bread and local cheeses during our picnic lunch that awaits us. We continue our ride into a perfectly hexagon square of a 17th century town, then follow country roads that wind their way up to Caltagirone, one of Italy’s most important ceramic center.

As we approach this ornate town where some of the earliest ceramic works were produced 4,000 years ago, it starts to make sense why it was so described the “Queen of the Mountains”. 

The facades of palaces and churches are tastefully decorated with colorful tiles and the splendor of the many Villas, palaces and churches that line the streets of this Arab, Muslim and Norman influenced town never ceases to be impressive.

We walk up the 140 tiled-steps of Santa Maria del Monte, to a street and a flight of steps richly decorated with hand-painted ceramic tiles. Then there’s enough time to look at some of the town’s artisan stores before we enjoy the serene atmosphere around sunset from the cathedral.

Thanks to Arab influences, Caltagirone features some of the tastiest pastries ever made. How about nougat of chickpea seeds, candied oranges and honey called cubbaita for desert?

Lodgings: A 4 star hotel with views of the old town

We glide down from the hilltop town into a wild, rural countryside of abundant wild flowers and herds of sheep sure to block our way. This open, stunning landscape gives us our first distant glimpse of the dominant Mt Etna, “the column which supports the sky”—Pindar.

This picturesque town seems to fall from the hillside and leads us to the extraordinary remains of Villa Casale. This country estate of Roman Emperors was used from as early as 286 AD until a 12th century mudslide covered it until a 19th century archaeologist rediscovered it. The main feature of this 50 room estate is the superbly preserved quality mosaic floors. You will be amazed by the beauty and perfection of these famous works, such as the hunting scene or the women athletes in bikinis, two well-documented favorites.

Back on the bikes we ride along a ridge that rolls down through several tiny hamlets forever in the shadows of mighty Mt. Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano. Locally, referred to as “the Eye of the Cyclopes”, the continual gift of Etna is revealed along our route and around every bend of amazing vistas and landscapes. A short transfer brings us to Nicolosi.

Lodgings: A nice 3-star hotel in Nicolosi located close to the base of Mt. Etna.

We rise fairly early to climb to the top of Europe’s largest volcano, Mt. Etna. Some called it “the column which supports the sky” while others thought of it as “the Eye of the Cyclopes.”  A four-wheel drive & cable tram take us through a moon-like landscape up to 9,388’. The enthusiast can walk up to this point, but the day is less tiring by driving it. The views are something else from up here.

Depending on the conditions we may be able to walk up to 10,965’ and the spectacular view point of the gentle hills of Sicily’s interior, the deep blue Ionic coast, the Aeolian islands with Stromboli Volcano fuming in the sea with the shores of mainland Calabria & Campania in the background. On an extremely clear day, one can even catch a glimpse of Africa. Our guide, needless to say, is able to answer any question regarding Etna.  We soon head down a panoramic trail through a surrealistic landscape that takes us along the eastern face of Etna and back into the lush vegetation.

Lunch is atop Etna, then we either transfer or bike down along the base of Etna through the terraced hills of lemon groves. Here is an opportunity to stop at one of Sicily’s finest wine producers for a tour and tasting. Then onward to Taormina.

Lodgings: A 3 star hotel steps from the old town center.

Taormina is said to be the most beautiful city of Sicily where legend tells of how Neptune sunk a ship of Greek sailors. Only one man survived and because he could not believe how beautiful it was, he decided to stay and founded the town of Taormina.

Before our optional ride we enjoy a private city tour of Taormina and visit the archaeological site of the Greek Theater. Set on the edge of town above the Sea with Mt Etna as a backdrop this is one of the most impressive sites in Italy.

Guests can choose to relax by the hotel pool or venture down to the beach and explore more of Taormina in the afternoon. However, we offer two options; take a 2 hour walk through groves of lemon and orange trees past the many mansions and castles. We soon amble through the small streets and stairways past houses boasting flower-filled balconies (there is a contest each year on who best decorates the façade with flowers), and explore the many Romanesque and Gothic treasures, then up to the castle for a magnificent view of the acropolis.

For those who wish to ride, we start with a warm up stretch before the optional challenge of a mountain stage up to 3300 feet or shuttle up in the van. Then finish the ride high above Messina along a quiet lush path, splendid views open up to the port, Capo Peloro and mainland Calabria. We descend to the coastal town Sparta and on to the famous border between the Tyrrhenian and the Ionian Sea, the Straight of Messina. Here we visit the lighthouse Torre Faro where a study center has opened.

Either option finds us in Taormina before sunset where we gather on the panoramic terrace high above the sea for a five-star view and a toast to the great week we’ve enjoyed on this splendid island.