Itinerary

Day 1: Tour begins in Monreale, Italy
The beach and colorful fishing port in Mondello where our tour begins
Highlights: Magnificent "duomo" of Monreale, bike fitting and introductory dinner
We'll gather today in Monreale, a town founded by the Germanic and Scandinavian Normans in the 12th Century and famous throughout the world since that time for its impressive cathedral blending Arabic with northern European architecture. Make sure to view the Romanesque bronze doors as well as the opulent mosaic interior before fitting bicycles this afternoon. Due to its perched position high above the region's capital of Palermo, we'll have limited opportunities for a test ride. We'll enjoy dinner together this evening after introductions.

Lodging: Palazzo Ducale Suites
Day 2: Cycle through vineyards and orange groves
Highlights: Castellammare del Golfo and its medieval castle
Our route today takes us toward the coast, beginning with some elevation loss as we leave Monreale's perch of 300+ meters above sea level. We'll wind through Palermo's fertile countryside before arriving at the coast to finish our ride along a coastal road, with great views over the Tyrrhenian Sea all the way to Castellammare del Golfo. Once the primary port for the ancient Greek towns of Segesta and Erice, Castellammare clusters around its small fishing port and medieval castle on the gulf of the same name. Dinner is on your own this evening in one of the restaurants along the port. Distance: 53 km (33 miles).

Lodging: Hotel Al Madarig and Hotel Cetarium
Day 3: Bicycle to the Ruins of Segesta and on to the beach of San Vito Lo Capo
The temple in Segesta is one of the best preserved Greek temples from the ancient world
Highlights: Ancient Greek ruins, coastal riding, the beach
We follow a remote valley inland this morning to discover the ruins of ancient Segesta lost among the hills of western Sicily. Perhaps because of its isolated site, Segesta boasts one of the best-preserved temples from all of ancient Greece. The temple was built around 430 BC and together with the nearby theater dating to the 3rd century BC, Segesta is one of the most evocative of ancient sites in Sicily. Take your time to visit, and then we'll head north along the hills and ridges of western Sicily to reach the bustling summer beach resort town of San Vito lo Capo. San Vito is one of the northern most capes in Sicily, so the Tyrrhenian Sea surrounds the town! Enjoy the beach before dinner together tonight. Distance: 73 km (45 miles).

Lodging: Hotel Capo San Vito
Day 4: Ride to Trapani
Highlights: Trapani, vibrant seaport, historic center hotel
We ride south today, partially along the coast and partially on hilltop ridges where we'll reach the bustling city of Trapani, one of the largest towns of this area. Our hotel is in the historic center, set on the main piazza, so you'll be able to enjoy an aperitivo in a local bar after a stroll around town! Trapani has historically been an important fishing and salt-commerce town. Still famous for its tuna fishing, we'll be able to visit a historic tuna processing plant before dinner together this evening. Distance: approximately 45 km. (28 miles).

Lodging: Residence La Gancia
Day 5: Trapani optional ride to Erice
A Sicilian farmer displays handpicked and home cured capers at a local market
Highlights: Explore historical Trapani and the fortress in Erice
Today is a rest day, so you can spend time in Trapani or take an optional bicycle (or funicular!) ride to the the hilltop village of Erice. Erice was a Greek town and important medieval fortress and still preserves its original ambiance. Anybody wanting to take a boat excursion can head off to the nearby island of Favignana (you can even take your bike and go on a short ride if you wish!). Or just spend time strolling the ancient streets of Trapani -- there is plenty of history here as its strategic position on a slip of land saw Carthaginians, Normans, Arabs, Spanish, and Bourbons walk its streets before the unified Republic of Italy was formed in 1861. Dinner is on your own. Distance: 0-30 km (20 miles).

Lodging: Residence La Gancia
Day 6: Trapani to Marsala
Highlights: Marsala wine tasting, 8th century BC Phoenician ruins
We continue south today pedaling by miles of wheat fields. We'll be back on the coast for a late lunch on your own, visit to the Phoenician ruins of Motya, dating to the 8th century BC, and a visit to the natural marine reserve and saline (salt pans). This afternoon we'll be in Marsala where we'll enjoy a wine tasting of the famous, fortified Marsala wines. Dinner together this evening. Distance: 45 km (28 miles).

Lodging: Hotel Carmine
Day 7: Bicycle Marsala's vineyards
The limestone quarries near Cusa provided building stone for the Greek temples of Selinunte
Highlights: Limestone quarries in Cusa, vineyard landscapes, rural country house hotel
Our route takes us along the shore south of Marsala today, and by acres of vineyards producing the famous wines of the region. We'll suggest lunch in Mazara del Vallo or enjoy a picnic lunch at Cusa, site of the ancient limestone quarries for the temples of Selinunte. At Cusa you'll see gigantic blocks of limestone columns abandoned, it seems, just as they were ready for shipping. Continue pedaling to reach our home for the evening, a country estate, or working farm (producing olives, olive oil and wine) that has been transformed into elegant lodging with a refreshing swimming pool, gracious hosts and spectacular views. A home cooked dinner with local produce delights us tonight. Distance: 73 km (44 miles).

Lodging: Agriturismo Baglio Vecchio
Day 8: Selinunte to Sciacca
The ruins of the Greek city of Selinunte are some of the best in Sicily
Highlights: Greek ruins of Selinunte, picnic lunch
We'll pedal to the nearby vast ruins of Selinunte for a guided walk of some of the most spectacular ruins in Sicily. The Greek ruins are divided between two ridges, one with the temples and one with the ruins of the ancient city. A light lunch will send us on our way to a wonderful ride through citrus and olive groves to Sciacca. Go explore the beach at Porto Palo if you'd like a little extra mileage. We are in Sciacca this evening. Dinner on your own. Distance: 60 km (37 miles).

Lodging: Hotel Locanda del Castello
Day 9: Rest day in Sciacca, lunch in Caltabellotta
Highlights: Special Sicilian lunch in Caltabellotta, optional ride
Enjoy a rest and a shuttle today if you'd like, or take a beautiful ride to Caltabellotta and back. We'll enjoy a lunch of Sicilian specialties together in Caltabellotta, a hilltop village dominating the interior from its limestone mountain three thousand feet above Sciacca. Dinner is on your own in Sciacca this evening. Distance: 0 - 50 km (0 - 31 miles).

Lodging: Hotel Locanda del Castello
Day 10: Bicycle Sciacca To Agrigento
The 'valley of the temples' in Agrigento, Sicily preserves the finest collection of classical Greek temples anywhere
Highlights: Greek Temples of Agrigento
Our ride today takes us inland through dry wheat lands, vineyards, the village of Ribera, famous for its oranges and olive groves, and through a tremendous variety of geologic formations as we wind our way to Agrigento. Agrigento has one of the finest collections of ancient Greek temples anywhere in the Mediterranean basin. Our hotel is not far from the ruins so you'll want to have a rest, then go exploring as the setting sun turns the limestone columns a golden color. We celebrate a final dinner together this evening. Distance: 71 km (44 miles).

Lodging: Dioscuri Bay Palace
Day 11: Tour ends in Agrigento
Highlights:
We say goodbye after breakfast this morning. Stay on to explore the ruins of Agrigento if you'd like, or for those headed home, we'll tell you how to get to the train or bus station for your transfer back to Palermo. You'll take with you a far better understanding of Magna Grecia now that you've pedaled between these ancient sites and wandered amid some of the finest ruins remaining from antiquity. Join us again sometime soon!

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