Self-Guided Cycling through Baroque Sicily

Self-Guided Cycling through Baroque Sicily

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9 Days
From

$3200

$3112

Self-Guided Cycling through Baroque Sicily

9 Days Starting in Ragusa and ending in Siracusa

Visiting: Ragusa, Free municipal consortium of Ragusa, Modica, Pozzallo, Portopalo di Capo Passero, Marzamemi, Noto, Syracuse

Tour operator:

Exodus

Tour code:

C08BS

Group Type:

Independent

Guide Type:

Self Guided

Physical rating:

Leisurely / Moderate

Age range:

13 to 99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:
English
Activities:

Cycling, Fishing, Sightseeing

From:
$3200
$3112 (USD) The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$88
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Tour Overview

Your journey takes you along a mix of inland and coastal routes, starting amidst the Baroque splendour of Ragusa and Modica and ending in stunning Siracusa on the east coast. You'll cycle through lush valleys filled with olive trees, almond groves, vineyards and citrus orchards and patchwork puzzles of dry-stone-wall farms, as you cycle between UNESCO World Heritage Sites rebuilt in the typical late Baroque style after the famous 1693 earthquake.

Highlights

  • Inspector Montalbano country  - visit the haunts of the famous TV detective

  • Superb regional food and excellent Nero D'Avola wines

  • Authentic Baroque architecture and UNESCO World Heritage Sites

  • Beautiful, unspoilt, coastlines; charming fishing villages; rich fertile valleys

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Arrive In Ragusa
Location: Ragusa
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: the De Stefano Palace, Half Board
Meals Included: Breakfast

Arrive at your luxury 4 star hotel in Ragusa.

Day 2 : Ragusa To Modica 41Km/26Mi Or 32Km/19.5Mi
Location: Free municipal consortium of Ragusa, Modica
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Ferro Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast

We strongly recommend spending some time in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of

Ragusa Ibla before setting off this morning. The simply stunning old town of

Ragusa, rebuilt in 1693 after a huge earthquake, is full of enchanting

Baroque architecture, along with a number of tempting cafes and restaurants

for lunch. Follow your visit with a climb above Modica, skirting Modica Alta

(the upper part of the city), before passing quaint, dry-stone-wall farms

through a rich, fertile valley of cacti and pomegranate orchards as you weave

your way to Cava d'Ispica - a verdant gorge full of thousands of caves and

grottoes, stretching for 13 kilometres between Modica and Ispica! 

Day 3 : At Modica
Location: Modica
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Ferro Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast

Often referred to as the Baroque capital of Sicily, the atmospheric city of

Modica sits in a dramatic setting, perched between limestone cliffs. This

UNESCO-listed city is home to an impressive 29 churches including two grand

Baroque cathedrals, along with charming narrow streets peppered with cafes,

restaurants and a number of tempting chocolate shops! Modica's chocolate is

one of the Ragusa area's most famous products and to this day it's still made

to ancient Aztec methods. Make sure you sample some at Antica Dolceria

Bonajuto, the oldest chocolate factory in Sicily!

Day 4 : Modica To Marina Di Modica
Location: Modica, Pozzallo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Torre Dantona
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Start today with a feel-good freewheel through a valley rich in pomegranates,

cacti and quaint little farmsteads, on your way to the unmissable little town

of Scicli. Overlooked by an imposing rock on which sits the magnificent

Church of San Matteo, Scicli, like the other towns in the area, has been

totally rebuilt in a pure Sicilian Baroque style following the 1693

earthquake. Wander its atmospheric streets and you'll feel like you're on the

set of Inspector Montalbano - Via Mormino Penna is where you'll find the

fictional police station from the TV show! Be sure to check out the

impressive, hilltop cemetery, just out of town, full of mausoleums and

surrounded by magnificent pines and tall cypress trees. You reach the coast

Cava d'Aliga and Sampieri (one of Ragusa's most picturesque fishing villages

and another of Montalbano's favoured locations) all offer beautiful sandy

beaches where you can stop and take the weight off today. *(Staying at the

Torre Dantona, Half Board)*



Day 5 : Marina Di Modica To Portopalo Di Capo Passero
Location: Pozzallo, Portopalo di Capo Passero
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Portopalo Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast

Hugging the coastline again you head to Pozzallo this morning, home to no

less than four Blue Flag beaches - why not stop for a morning coffee and dip

your toes in the Ionian Sea? Cutting inland you'll cycle through pantani, a

series of saltwater lagoons rich in birdlife such as mallards, flamingos,

herons and storks, on your way to today's highlight - the Isola delle

Correnti (the 'Island of Stream'). The southernmost point of Sicily's

mainland, this isolated, seemingly adrift island is also the point at which

the Ionian and Mediterranean seas meet. It's quite a sight to behold!

*(Staying at the Portopalo Suite, Breakfast only) *



Day 6 : Portopalo Di Capo Passero To Noto
Location: Marzamemi, Noto
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Villa Favorita,
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today's cycle takes you to the beautiful old fishing village of Marzamemi -

one of Sicily's prettiest - with its colourful wooden boats, fishermen's

houses and charming buildings such as the Baroque church of San Francesco di

Paola. Marzamemi became the centre of Sicily's tuna fishing industry under

its Arab influence and it keeps the tradition alive today, using artisanal

fishing methods to produce a number of delicacies including canned tuna,

smoked swordfish and marinated anchovies! Making your way to Noto you'll head

inland on a virtually traffic-free road that winds its way through olive

groves, vineyards, almond trees, sugar cane and beautifully perfumed citrus

orchards - idyllic surroundings for a picnic lunch

Day 7 : At Noto
Location: Noto
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Villa Favorita, Half Board
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Your hotel is located in a lovely courtyard setting with an outdoor pool and

superb views over Noto. If you can tear yourself away from the 4 star luxury,

you could cycle to the nearby seaside resort of Lido di Noto for a lazy day

on the beach, or opt for our recommended cycle ride into atmospheric Noto

itself. Perhaps the most beautiful of all the cities you visit on this

holiday, Noto's current centre was rebuilt after the 17th century earthquake

and is considered a Baroque masterpiece as well as being an UNESCO World

Heritage Site. Wander down the Corso Vittorio Emmanuele, overlooked by Noto's

elegant cathedral, and explore the side streets filled with an array of fine

architecture and cafes serving delicious local treats such as the savoury

arancini and sweet cannoli. * (Staying at the Villa Favorita, Half Board)*



Day 8 : Noto To Siracusa
Location: Noto, Syracuse
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Grand Albergo Alfeo
Meals Included: Breakfast

What a final day! You'll follow the coast to the stunning city of Siracusa,

built on an ancient Greek settlement and boasting a treasure trove of

temples, amphitheatres and an ancient castle. On the way you'll cycle through

Avola - home of the famous Nero D'Avola red wine grape. You'll also enjoy

views of the majestic Mount Etna, and discover Plemmirio, an important area

for flora and fauna and whose waters are home to a number of species

including tuna, sea urchins, dolphins and sperm whales. After passing the

Murro di Porco Cape, a striking landmark in the 1943 Conquest of Sicily, a

final stretch takes you along the Bay of Siracusa and into the city itself.

*(Staying at the Grand Albergo Alfeo, Breakfast only)*



Day 9 : Leave Siracusa
Location: Syracuse
Meals Included: Breakfast

Leave Siracusa or maybe spend extra nights in the Island's second city.



What's Included

  • Meals
    9 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 3 dinners.


* All accomodation
* All continental breakfasts and 3 evening meals
* Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
* Route directions and maps
* High quality bikes
* Luggage transfers between hotels

What's Not Included

  • Visas or vaccinations

  • Travel insurance

  • Single accommodation (available on request) Compulsory single supplement.

Food


Sicily's typically southern Italian cuisine is interspersed with many more
exotic dishes reflecting the island's jumbled cultural past. Italian dishes
like pasta alla norma (made with tomatoes, aubergine and grated ricotta) are
often found on menus along with couscous (a north African speciality), or
even pasta con le sarde (a pasta dish dating back to Phoenician times made
from sardines, raisins, pine nuts, fennel, saffron, parsley and capers).
The Arabs introduced citrus groves to the island and a popular drink today is
granita made with crushed ice and lemon. This was traditionally drunk with
sweet bread dipped in it as a lunchtime snack by Sicilian peasants.
Fish is of course also abundant. Local specialities include pesce spada alla
ghiotta (swordfish cooked with tomatoes, capers, onion, celery and potatoes)
or tonno fresco alla brace (grilled fresh tuna).
Sicily is famed for its desserts. Why not try cannolo, a crunchy pastry tube
filled with ricotta cheese and studded with candied fruits, pistachio and
chocolate? Or cassata, the Arab influenced cake made with ricotta cheese,
candied fruit and chocolate pieces.
Sicily is not traditionally famous for its wines, so it is surprising to
learn that the island boasts one of the largest wine producing areas in the
whole of Italy. Look out for the Etna DOC label and Corvo di Salaparuta. One
of Sicily's most popular wines is Alcamo Bianco - a soft white which goes
well with fish dishes. Let's not forget the Marsala wine, a fortified wine
made in Sicily which takes its name after the town where it is mostly
produced. Marsala is most commonly used in cooking to create nutty, rich
caramelised sauces.

 

Accommodation

You'll stay in a wonderful mix of accommodation including a charming villa hotel boasting fabulous views over Noto from its outdoor pool terrace and a minimalist design hotel in the centre of bustling Portopalo. Given the wonderful local cuisine on offer, including such Sicilian specialities as Pasta alla Norma and Pasta con le Sarde, we've included three evening meals on this holiday, leaving you free to dine out on the remaining nights.

Check out our Q&As

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    Only Luggage transfers between hotels

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    13+ people can go on this tour

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews of this Operator

Gergana Racheva  

Very helpful and prompt service

06-Jan-2023

Very helpful and prompt service. I called to check for an already booked trip and once we sorted this, the agent was ready to help me with another booking as well. He actually waited for me to book my flight tickets, answered all my questions, informed me of all my options. Exodus is a tour company I am using regularly due to the quality of their trips, ease of booking and helpfulness of their customer service team

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Tim Hardy  

Stunning walking. Walking the Amalfi Coast

04-Nov-2021

This trip takes you through the most beautiful parts of the Mediterranean walking with a guide and also discovering the wonders of Pompeii and Vesuvius. The hotel had a nice feel as family run, spotless and comfortable rooms, we were well looked after for breakfasts and dinner each day, and the barmen fixed some mean cocktails for us.!

Paul Green  

It's amazing what you can do in a week! Cycling the Dalmatian Coast.

08-Oct-2021

This holiday was extremely enjoyable. The itinerary is well planned and the route takes you to a variety of destinations. Not having been to Croatia before I didn't know there were so many beautiful small islands and I loved the ferry and catarmaran rides. The coastal route we took was dramatic and the World Heritage sites in Split and Dubrovnik very interesting and worth visiting. The Adriatic Sea was warm, blue and inviting, good for swimming even in October. The hotels we stayed in varied in size from medium to large. I particularly liked the one just outside Dubrovnik as I had a sea view. Tourists were plentiful in Split and Dubrovnik but in the other places we stayed there was an end of season feel and it was quiet on the roads and in the resorts. The food was good and our guide was always able to recommend a nice restaurant for our evening meal. The weather in October was good for cycling - not hot, partly cloudy most days and one day it rained!

Mrs Y Morrison  

Fabulous company and trip

06-Jan-2023

We went overland from Cape Town to Zimbabwe through Botswana and Namibia. What a fantastic trip. Our first time with Exodus although we have travelled extensively around the world. We would highly recommend this company for such a brilliant trip - we got everything and more all at a good price. Thanks to everyone involved. We are looking at our next trip!

Trustpilot
John Edwards (Google Reviewer)  

I went cycling in Albania...

19-Aug-2023

I went cycling in Albania with exodus as my first holiday with them. Such a well organised and wonderful experience where I met multiple fellow travellers who have been advocates of them for many years. You can't argue with happy repeat customers and I'm planning my next adventure with them soon

Rob Burridge (Google Reviewer)  

I'v just come back from...

17-Jul-2022

I'v just come back from an amazing Wildlife & Wilderness trip in Botswana and I highly recommend Exodus Travels. Our guide Brian, was extremely knowledgeable on both the wildlife and history of Botswana and neighbouring countries. The other three staff, Abbis, Chief & Mr T, who accompanied us through out our 2 week trip, put in the hard work and made sure our camp was always prepared and that we we're well fed and looked after. The tour took us to some beautiful places and we saw some amazing wildlife, and on several occasions this was due to Brian's knowledge of the area and wildlife behaviour. Exodus have been very quick to respond to any queries I had, and the whole experience ran smoothly. I was also pleased to hear that during lockdown they provided staff with food packages 👍. I'd normally go on self organised trips, however, with this trip, the tour and guide Brian took us to places not possible otherwise and showed us things that we would'v missed out on. All of which were the highlights of the tour.

Daphne Partridge (Google Reviewer)  

After 14 roup adventure holidays...

26-Nov-2023

After 14 roup adventure holidays with Exofus we would not hesitate to recommend them as an excitingholiday company. They take you off the beaten track but offer great support and expertise :)

Alison Payton (Google Reviewer)  

I've done 8 trips in...

17-May-2023

I've done 8 trips in the last 14 years with Exodus, and have been rewarded with a 10% discount on all future bookings. I feel very confident that I'll receive pleasant, efficient service, and have the unusual holiday experience that I'm looking for each time. I've trekked to the top of snow-capped peaks, wild-camped in the desert, seen amazing spectacles of nature, visited 4 capital cities in a week, and learned about local culture and experienced local hospitality in a way that I simply wouldn't on a conventional holiday. The quality of the accommodation and guides can vary, but this is mainly down to cultural differences and things that Exodus can't control. I've only ever complained once, my complaint was taken seriously, and I was sent a discount voucher - you can't say fairer than that. I remain a loyal customer.

Jacquelyn Moore (Google Reviewer)  

Food came quickly. Staff very...

07-Mar-2024

Food came quickly. Staff very friendly and polite . However the chef or person preparing the food did not seem to read the menu! If it says a meal should come with vegetables, you should not have to ask for them. They served shepherds pie with garlic bread! The munchies ice cream sundae said it should come in a glass with a flake but came in a little bowl with just a few munchies! When asking the staff were happy to replace and correct but customer should get what they order and what menu says first time round!!

johanna leonor (Google Reviewer)  

If you like to be...

07-Sep-2023

If you like to be mistreated Exodus is perfect for you. If you enjoy terrible choices for hotels and pseudo restaurants Exodus is perfect for you. Careless about their clients and loveless about their propositions. Exodus has been a dissatisfaction and disappointment about every dealing i and my group have had with him. Especially a man called Simone who just cares about the money he can get from you couldn’t care less about service.

Dates & Availability

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Saturday - Sunday

Apr 27, 2024 - May 05, 2024
$3200 $3112 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$88 (USD)

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Apr 29, 2024 - May 07, 2024
$3240 $3151 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$89 (USD)

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May 04, 2024 - May 12, 2024
$3200 $3112 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$88 (USD)

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May 11, 2024 - May 19, 2024
$3200 $3112 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$88 (USD)

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May 18, 2024 - May 26, 2024
$3200 $3112 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$88 (USD)

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May 25, 2024 - Jun 02, 2024
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The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$88 (USD)

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Jun 01, 2024 - Jun 09, 2024
$3485 $3389 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$96 (USD)

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Sep 07, 2024 - Sep 15, 2024
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Sep 28, 2024 - Oct 06, 2024
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Oct 05, 2024 - Oct 13, 2024
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$3410 $3316 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$94 (USD)

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$3860 $3754 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$106 (USD)

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Oct 18, 2025 - Oct 26, 2025
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Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

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