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Sicily Multisport

Sicily Multisport

Caressed by Mediterranean trade winds and sculpted by diverse cultural influences through the ages, the island of Sicily is a world of its own. The pace of life is slower here 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. Join Backroads on this biking and walking adventure and 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.

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   Take a guided walking tour of another World Heritage site, Ragusa Ibla, before pedaling your way to the coastal city of Siracusa.

Day 3 siracusa

Explore the island of Ortygia, Siracusa’s old city and another 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 your arrival Thanks to its mythical atmosphere and exceedingly pleasant climate, this enchanting resort has been a getaway destination for countless luminaries—including Oscar Wilde, Gustav Klimt and Guy de Maupassant—throughout the centuries 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.

big map Sicily Multisport

MEDITERRANEAN ABODES : Premiere Inns

Eremo della Giubiliana (2 nights): Throughout history, these pink marble walls have housed monks, aristocrats and the Knights of Malta. Today this refined hotel welcomes us with antique furnishings and a renowned restaurant.

Hotel des Etrangers et Miramare (1 night): Fixed in the center of Siracusa’s old city on the island of Ortygia, this intimate retreat presents comfortable rooms and a roof terrace with panoramic views.

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

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6

*Please note that the level of difficulty on some routes is increased due to the elevation gain.

  Sicily 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
Level 1 2-3 hours 10-20 mile 2-5 miles
Level 2 2-4 hours 21-30 miles 5-7 miles
Level 3 3-5 hours 31-40 miles 7-9 miles
Level 4 4-6 hours 41-55 miles 9-11 miles
Level 5 5-7+ hours 56-75+ miles 11-13+ miles
2008 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS

Reserve early for the best available price. Prices may change during the course of the year--if they do change, the best prices are available earlier. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.

Trip praise

Great trip and terrific leaders—a very good sampling of Sicily! The lodgings were consistently gorgeous, and we were introduced to places and experiences that we would have been unlikely to identify on our own. It felt like a 3-week vacation in 6 days! The cultural richness combined with a high level of physical activity made for a wonderful experience overall.
Mary Ellen Howe - New York, NY
Truly one of the best vacations ever--and I thought I would not like a group tour--I sure was wrong about this one.
Sue Hagen
The trip was fabulous. Backroads put together an itinerary that took us to breathtakingly beautiful and interesting places, and the experience far exceeded any expectations I had.
Jill Blickstein - Washington, DC