There's so much to learn when you're in Sicily - especially when you're a kid. Like how to eat granita before it melts under the Sicilian sun. (Really, really fast!) And how to appreciate Baroque architecture from a new perspective. (Hint: hideous monsters and ferocious animals lurk beneath balconies and above the doors.) That pizza with french fries on top is perfectly okay. Yes, Sicily is full of surprises. Uncovering them has never been more fun!
Days 1-2 Fantastic biking in the shadow of Mount Etna,
Europe's largest active volcano 
Ride quiet roads in the Val di Noto to 15th-century Castello Camemi, our country home for two nights Kids paint pottery in Caltagirone, inhabited since the Bronze Age and renowned for intricately painted ceramics An evening of folkloric music and dancing reveals vibrant Sicilian culture in full swing.
Days 3-4 Incredible Sicilian Baroque architecture at World Heritage sites
of Scicli, Módica and Ragusa Ready for off-road adventure? Youngsters hit the rugged countryside in Jeeps The fragrance of orange blossoms wafts by as you pedal a route lined with stone walls, windmills and orchards Taste fresh-pressed olive oils at a centuries-old agriturismo Dessert lovers of all ages rejoice! Indulge in gelato by the sea in Donnalucata.
Days 5-6 Marvel at archaeological treasures
Kids explore Ragusa Ibla on an exciting scavenger hunt through town Seafood antipasti, sardines and other local favorites melt in your mouth at one of the area's finest restaurants Stroll to historic seaside Siracusa's bustling fish market or soak up stunning Mediterranean views Enjoy a walking tour of Siracusa's old city, Ortygia.
Trip Highlights
- Fantastic biking in the shadow of Mount Etna
- Ascend the 142 tiled stairs of Caltagirone
- Incredible Sicilian Baroque architecture at World Heritage sites of Scicli and Ragusa
- Marvel at archaeological treasures
Premiere Inns
Castello Camemi (2 nights): An impeccably restored 15th-century fortified castle that was once home to a noble family. (pool, spa)
Eremo della Giubiliana (2 nights): With expansive ocean vistas and orchards of almonds, figs and olives, this elegant property dates back 900 years when it was a hermitage and fortress. (pool, spa)
Des Etrangers Hotel & Spa (1 night): With a great location in the center of Ortygia, a Sicilian Neoclassical-style inn with sea views from the guest rooms and rooftop terrace. (pool, spa)
Routes 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.
| Daily Route Options | ||||||||||
| Day | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | ||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | |
| 1 | 16 | 500 | ||||||||
| 2 | 25* | 1800 | 38* | 2300 | 45 | 2500 | ||||
| Kids: Ceramics painting (2 hours) | ||||||||||
| 3 | 23* | 700 | 47* | 1800 | 61 | 2500 | ||||
| 76 | 4100 | |||||||||
| Kids: Biscotti baking class (1 hour) | ||||||||||
| 4 | 25* | 800 | 39 | 2600 | 54 | 3400 | ||||
| Scicli guided walking tour (1 hour) | ||||||||||
| Kids: Jeep adventure (3.5 hours) | ||||||||||
| 5 | 20* | 1200 | 37* | 3000 | 50* | 3000 | 63 | 3100 | ||
| Kids: Scavenger hunt in Ragusa Ibla (1.5 hours) | ||||||||||
| 6 | Ortygia walking tour (1.5 hours) | |||||||||
* Includes a shuttle
Recommended Kids Ages
Minimum Ages:
- Recommended minimum age for the trip: 9 years
- Minimum age restriction to ride own bike: 9 years
- Minimum age restriction for Jeep Adventure: 9 years
- No Burleys available on this trip
General Info on Minimum Ages:
We strongly encourage families to join our Family Trips, designed with kid- and adult-friendly features. Please note that we have a minimum age requirement of 1 year for all Inn trips and 2 years for all Camping trips. Other than that, we do not restrict trips to a minimum age except in the rare case of a hotel age restriction. We do, however, recommend minimum ages based on the following criteria:- 12+ amount of cultural appreciation, difficulty of activities, routes
- 9+ difficulty of activities/activity age restrictions, routes
- 6+ several longer dinners, routes are difficult for pulling a Burley and therefore not appropriate for younger children, difficulty of activities/activity age restrictions
Guest Trip Reviews
We had an excellent father-daughter adventure. It is hard to think of anything that was not planned perfectly. The guides were helpful, enthusiastic, and really brought Sicily to life. We will never forget driving back from the Kids dinner night in Ragusa-Ibla when our Italian guide played "rubber biscuit" over the van radio - we were exhausted from a day of biking and full of the best Sicilian food, but I have never heard a van of kids and parents laugh that hard.- Washington, DC