Your holiday begins in the town of Marsala, the home of the famous Marsala wine. Spend the afternoon getting to know the locals and exploring the cobbled streets. Visit the different baroque churches and squares and eat out at one of the delightful, traditional Italian restaurants. Rest up this evening before the bike exploring begins tomorrow.
Your first day on the bike will see you head north along the coast to visit the iconic Inversa salt flats. Dotted with ancient windmills and as a haven for birds and wildlife, the shallow coastal lakes make up a unique cycling environment. We recommend visiting the small salt museum here during your trip.
Say goodbye to the lively seaside towns and begin your journey inland through wheat fields and pastures. During your time on the bike, you will observe the quietness and stillness of this region. You’ll likely see more old farmhouses than people on your ride today. Take in the contrasting colours that define the season as you ride towards Buseto Palizzolo, where your evening will be spent. Spring is one of our favourite times to visit the region as the wheat begins to turn to a golden colour and gradually into a brown as the fields are ploughed in the summer.
Your accommodation tonight is a small, family run farm. Serving traditional, home cooked meals and with a serene stillness to the area, you will feel right at home the minute you arrive and meet your friendly hosts.
Today’s ride is 41km but this can be extended to 52km if want to challenge yourself on the bike.
Today is only a short day on the bike as you ride to the ancient Elimian town of Segesta. Contrasting with the green rolling hills, the 5th Century temple sits gracefully on top of a hill overlooking a deep canyon. Leave the bike at the bottom of the hill as you walk up to visit the ancient Greek architecture. You can extend the day’s ride by visiting the local hot springs before returning to the farmhouse accommodation where you’ll enjoy another peaceful evening in the heart of the Sicilian countryside. Take advantage of the outdoor pool to cool down if the Mediterranea sun is shining.
If you choose to ride to the hot springs, you will complete 34km of cycling today as opposed to 16km if you complete the loop ride to the Temple of Segesta.
Following two charming nights in Buseto, continue your onwards journey towards the coast and through the verdant Sicilian countryside. Head towards the lively city of Trapani where you will be based for the next 2 nights. During the ride, you will begin to see the ancient town of Erice perched high up on a hill outside Trapani, a town founded by exiled Trojans and a historic religious site. Your afternoon will be spent in Trapani, meeting the locals, discovering the city and heading up to Erice via the cable car.
You will jump on a boat this morning that will take you to the Island of Favignana. Sitting 7km from Sicily’s west coast, this is the third largest of the Aegadian Islands. Cycling along the smooth, flat coastal paths and overlooking the turquoise sea is a delight. We recommend stopping for a swim or to dip your feet into one of the many secluded bays. Immerse yourself in a relaxed, easy-going lifestyle of those in the village square and find out more about the rich fishing trade on the island. Return to Trapani this afternoon and enjoy your final evening on the Italian island.
Enjoy a final breakfast in Trapani and take some time to say goodbye to the city and enjoy one last walk around the square. If you wish to extend your trip, let our cycling experience team know and we can adjust the holdiay and your accommodation for you.
Sicily offers diverse landscapes, delectable cuisine with the ability to be out on the bike between March and December. Sun-drenched roads stretch out in front of you allowing you to ride down the coast and soak up Sicilian beach life or inland in the shadow of Mt Etna. Discover the smaller Aegadian Islands that sit off the west coast and enjoy the vibrant countryside rides away from the coast. Sicily offers something for everyone and is perfect for all abilities of riders.