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Sicily (Italy) - individually or guided

Around Mount Aetna
Short description – about 210 kilometres

A Sicilian song about the island says: "The Lord dropped the most beautiful diamond, which became an egg-shaped country". This cycling tour leads you through the most beautiful scenery of this island, all around the highest and still active volcano of Europe. You will travel along the coastline as well as through orchards of orange and lemon groves and through long plains where eucalyptus, agave and cactus grow.

Route
This tour is suitable for both trained and less trained cyclists. Differences in height are easy to cope with by taking small steps each day. On the 5th day you will reach the highest point of the tour; from there you are rewarded at the incline for your hard work by magnificent downhill runs. Occasionally it is necessary to ride your bike on busy roads.

Trail course
1st day
Make your own way to the start hotel in Acireale (airport about 15 kilometres – taxi 25 Euro). Then, dine with the group once you’ve booked the guided tour.
2nd day – about 45 kilometres
We start our tour along the ‘Zyklopenriviera’ passing Santa Tecla to the fishing village, Riposto with its lively market every Sunday. Here we will get to know the Sicilian way of life. The coastline of Lungomare with its long untouched volcano beaches and the protected area of the Fiume Freddo are part of our way to Giardini – Nacos.
3rd day
Resting day and time to relax, swimming, walking or do a bus trip to Taormina, Zaffrana and Aetna guided by local guides (depending on weather conditions and the number of participants –possibility of cancellation without alternative excursion).
4th day – about 35 kilometres
We leave the coast to go deeper into the country by cycling through the valley of the Alcantara River to Moio Alcantara. We see a Norman castle on our way as well as the Alcantara bridge and we also visit the Alcantara gorge. After our arrival in Francavilla, where we’ll stay overnight, we do a short trip to Castiglione de Sicilia, a small village known for its wine ( wine-tasting is possible).
5th day – about 40 kilometres
Today’s tour leads us along the "wine-route" of the Etna Rosso and huge peach groves to Randazzo (where you see the magnificent sakral buildings made from lava), then further on to Castello Nelson (a monastery building) and to Bronte.
6th day – about 50 kilometres
Today is a downhill run only, passing the bridge ‘Pronte dei Saraceni’ which was built by the Normans, from here you have an unbelievable view down into the gorge as well as far away to the huge Aetna. Then we move onto the medieval town, Regalbuto.
7th day – about 55 kilometres
We go further downhill through countryside of orange groves and wine-gardens to Paterno. From there we take the narrow-gauge railway "Circum Etnea" to Catania. Finally, passing more wine gardens and villa areas we reach the capital.
8th day
Departure: Make your own way back out to the airport (airport » 30 kms – taxi 35,00 Euro)

Service:
7 bed and breakfast, ***/ **** hotels or in the Hinterland simple Alberghi with shower and toilet
We would like to draw your attention to the point that we might change the hotel depending on the booked rooms to another hotel in a neighbouring town of destination but in the same category.
Transport of baggage
Transport mentioned in the program
One all day excursion to Aetna (possibility of cancellation without alternative excursion)
Accompanying bus (guided tour only)
Entrance fees (guided tour only)
Tour-meeting and information material

booking form, booking contions, more information .....

For more details just e-mail us, please: radreise@web.de