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Route Rating Level 2 to Level 3

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TRIP NOTES

All meals included except 2 lunches and 1 dinner.

Recommended Kids Ages

View age recommendations and restrictions

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation fees may vary based upon departure date. Please call our expert Trip Consultants at (800) GO-ACTIVE (462-2848) for more information.

Meet / Depart

Catania, Italy

Special Interest

Culture & History, Fine Wine & Cuisine

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Call: 800-462-2848
or 510-527-1555
Fax: 510-527-1444
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801 Cedar St.
Berkeley, CA 94710

Business Hours:
7 days a week
from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pacific Time

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Sicily Family Multisport

Sicily Family Multisport

Biking & Hiking: History, Tradition & Natural Treasures

This trip is currently only available as a Private Trip. Looking for a similar trip? See Dalmatian Coast Multisport and Australia Multisport. Or call 800-462-2848 to speak with a Trip Consultant.

Caressed by Mediterranean trade winds and sculpted through the ages by diverse cultural influences, the island of Sicily is a world of its own. The pace of life is slower than on mainland Italy, and everything - from the colorful Sicilian dialect and famously delectable cuisine to the defiant local spirit - is born of deep traditions. On this biking and walking adventure, you and your family will be captivated by Sicily's rough-edged beauty. Walk and pedal past fertile fields and rugged coastlines and explore the tumultuous flanks of Mount Etna. Investigate archaeological relics and step back in time on a guided tour of the second-largest theater in Sicily, set against the backdrop of the bay of Naxos and Mount Etna.

View the Classic Premiere Inns Itineraries.

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Days 1-2 Ragusa

Meet in Catania Pedal through the Ragusan countryside, stopping for a visit at Donnafugata, a restored baronial estate Explore the ancient city of Scicli, a World Heritage site brimming with majestic Baroque façades Indulge your sweet tooth with a taste of Modica's famous Sicilian chocolate Take a guided walking tour of Ragusa Ibla, another World Heritage site, before pedaling to the coastal city of Siracusa Kids watch gelato being made - tasting is encouraged.

Day 3 Siracusa

Explore the island of Ortygia, Siracusa's old city and a World Heritage site Founded by Corinthians in the 8th century B.C., Ortygia blends Byzantine, Swabian and Greco-Roman architecture into a visual masterpiece by the sea.

Days 4-6 Taormina

Take in the fiery side of Sicily's history on a hike through volcanic flows on the slopes of mighty Mount Etna Shuttle to the top of Mount Tauro, above two sparkling bays,  where the town of Taormina awaits Thanks to its mythical atmosphere and exceedingly pleasant climate, this enchanting resort community has been a getaway destination for countless luminaries - including Oscar Wilde, Gustav Klimt and Guy de Maupassant Embark on a steep climb to Castelmola, a tiny town that harbors the remains of a 16th-century castle Follow paths walked by the ancient Greek Siculians, Taormina's founders, and spend time amid the jumble of pizzerie, trattorie, bars and shops that add to the town's timeless charm Kids explore a special set of Siculians trails.

Route Rating What's this? Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Each offers options for more or less activity, so you can decide exactly how much you want to do day by day.

Lodging What's this? Our lodgings are divided into three different categories.

Premiere Inns:These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.

Casual Inns:These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the areawith such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.

Deluxe Camping:We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.

Detailed Itinerary

Guest Trip Reviews

We have traveled quite extensively with guides as a family and without reservation, Backroads Leaders are the best. What great role models for our kids.
Kevin Heston - Chattanooga, TN

All Guest Reviews

For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Sicily tour experts. For multisport tours in Europe Italy, trust our in-depth connections. To see all our Europe Italy multisport tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Europe Italy biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Europe Italy walking and hiking tours click here.

Sicily Family Multisport

MEDITERRANEAN ABODES: Premiere Inns

Eremo Della Giubiliana

Ragusa (2 nights): This refined hotel, whose pink marble walls have housed monks, aristocrats and the Knights of Malta in the past, welcomes us with antique furnishings and a renowned restaurant.

Hotel des Etrangers et Miramare

Siracusa (1 night): Fixed in the center of Siracusa's old city on the island of Ortygia, this intimate retreat offers comfortable rooms and a roof terrace with panoramic views.

Grand Hotel Timeo

Taormina (2 nights): This magnificent 19th-century hotel, set amid a park of tropical flora, features balconies, terraces, elegantly appointed guest rooms and superb views of the Bay of Naxos.

Sicily Family Multisport Sicily Family Multisport

Hotel des Etrangers et Miramare

View the Classic Premiere Inns Itineraries.

Sicily Family Multisport

Route Rating

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1
  • Levels 1 to 2  2 Route Options Available
  • Biking 13, 22 miles
  • 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 2
  • Levels 2 to 3  2 Route Options Available
  • Biking 23, 36 miles
  • 1000 - 2000 feet elevation gain
Day 3
  • Levels 1 to 2  2 Route Options Available
  • Biking 25 miles
  • 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
  • Walking 1.5 hours
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 4
  • Levels 2 to 3  2 Route Option Available
  • Hiking 4 hours
  • 2000 - 3000 feet elevation gain
Day 5
  • Levels 2 to 3 2 Route Options Available
  • Hiking 3, 6 miles
  • 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 6
  • Levels 1 to 2 1 Route Option Available
  • Hiking 2 miles
  • 2000 - 3000 feet elevation gain

On this Family Trip, our routes follow gentle terrain with some climbs. Liberal van shuttling is incorporated into the itinerary to facilitate our activities and mileage is kept moderate to enable you to spend more time exploring on your own.

Sicily Family Multisport Sicily Family Multisport

Trips For All Abilities

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Activity Level Average Time Average Distance
    Biking Walking
& Hiking
1 2-3
hours		 10-20
miles		 2-5
miles
2 2-4
hours		 21-30
miles		 5-7
miles
3 3-5
hours		 31-40
miles		 7-9
miles
4 4-6
hours		 41-55
miles		 9-11
miles
5 5-7+
hours		 56-75+
miles		 11-13+
miles