Sicily Multi-Adventure Tour

Bike

Walk/Hike

Kayak

Catania to Mt Etna-Italy's Legendary Isle

From $4,999 - $5,399 pp dbl. occ. | 6 days / 5 nights

(+$1,150 for sgl. occ.)

It's a land of legends and natural beauty. Of ancient architecture and extraordinary history and cuisine. Hike on Mount Etna's volcanic slopes and in exquisite hilltop Taormina. Explore Siracusa's rugged Ionian coastline by kayak. Bike through the Iblei mountains from one baroque town to the next. Greek theaters, Roman ruins and welcoming Italian hospitality. Sicily is waiting for you.

Highlights

Hike rugged trails through a captivating island landscape and around Mount Etna's legendary volcanic peak
Kayak alongside egrets, flamingos and cormorants as you make your way by river toward Syracuse and the sea
Ride peaceful roads from the lush Iblei mountain range to late baroque towns in World Heritage Val di Noto
Delight in the flavors of Sicily's celebrated wines and cuisine in a cooking class and among Catania's vineyards

Italy

Start / End Catania, Sicily

Itinerary

Days 1-2 Kick off your Sicilian adventure with lunch by the sea | Ride from the coast to the inland countryside through the dreamy Mediterranean landscape of the Iblei Plateau | Bike to the baroque town of Modica in the Val di Noto, a World Heritage site | Satisfy your sweet tooth with a sampling of decadent treats at Sicily's oldest chocolate shop | Hang up your helmet and unwind among the olive groves and fruit orchards at our luxurious retreat, a carefully restored Sicilian manor | Want to know the secret behind the region's unforgettable cuisine? It's yours to learn in a cooking class taught by local chefs.

Day 3 Kayak through a lush nature reserve along the Ciane river to where it meets the sea | A bird-lover's paradise, keep an eye out for egrets, black-winged stilts and coot flamingos nestled among papyrus plants | Discover Syracuse's old city on the island of Ortygia during a walking tour.

Day 4 Hike around mythical Mount Etna, Europe's highest volcano and one of the world's most active | Follow wooded trails and trek across black lava on the lower flanks of this dramatic peak, made legendary in literature from Homer to Goethe | Sample local wines in the tranquil vineyard-laden region of Catania | Lounge poolside at our elegant boutique hotel.

Days 5-6 Greco-Roman history, exquisite cuisine and luxury accommodations await in hilltop Taormina, known as the Pearl of Sicily | Climb up to medieval Castelmola and gaze out across the Ionian Sea to Calabria | Follow trails among marbled cliffs and lush Mediterranean vegetation on Monte Venere | The sense of history is almost palpable on a visit to Taormina's ancient Greek theater | Raise a glass to an extraordinary week before a decadent Sicilian dinner by the sea.

Next: Dates & Prices

The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy.

If you must cancel your reservation, your cancellation fee will be determined according to the policy outlined below. Exceptions to our cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including weather, terrorism, civil unrest or personal emergencies. There is no refund for arriving late or leaving a trip early. Private room or tent, bike rental and internal air charges are considered part of the total trip cost and are subject to cancellation fees. Percentage charges are calculated on total trip cost.

Cancellation Fees (Per Person)
Days Prior to Trip Start	Scheduled Trips	Private Trips	Custom Trips
126+ days	$200**	$600	30%
95-125	$200**	30%	50%
61-95 days	30%	50%	75%
31-60 days	60%	75%	100%
0-30 days	100%	100%	100%

** Rather than paying the cancellation fees, you may choose to keep your trip deposit ($600) in a holding account to use on a future Backroads trip with no expiration date.

Bike Cancellation Policies: If you are renting a Specialized Roubaix, Ruby, e-bike or Co-Motion Tandem, a full cancellation fee will apply in the event you cancel your trip reservation inside 30 days.

Transfers: You may transfer from one trip to another up to 95 days before trip departure without penalty—except Private or Custom Trips.

Release of Liability: Guests are required to provide a signed Release of Liability, Assumption of All Risks, and Arbitration Agreement and a completed Personal Information forms prior to trip departure; you will receive these materials shortly after reserving your trip. You may also complete your forms online. We are unable to allow guests to participate in any aspect of a Backroads trip without a signed release form.

Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.

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C Classic Dates

Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities. You can pick from a large selection of dates for your group of 8 or more. Call us for date availability. If your party has fewer than 8 guests, or if your preferred date is not available, we'll create a departure just for you.

Private Trip Pricing

10 or more Guests: from $4,799 pp dbl occ

9 Guests: from $5,299 pp dbl occ

8 Guests: from $5,499 pp dbl occ
2-7 Guests: Give us a call or reach out here!

Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.

Don't see your ideal travel date? Make a Date

2+ AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 2 or more guests
8+ AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 8 or more guests
16+ AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 16 or more guests
Reserved

C Couples, Friends & Solos Tours

2020 June

6/16–6/21

2020 August

8/28–9/2

2020 September

9/25–9/30

View Scheduled Dates

Tell us what your dream trip would be and we'll make it happen! Whether you're looking for a honeymoon trip for 2, a 30-person family reunion or a 100-person corporate trip, we can do it all. A dedicated Custom Trip Consultant will work closely with you to bring your dreams to reality. Call us at 800-462-2848 to speak with your Custom Trip Consultant or click on the button below.

REQUEST YOUR CUSTOM TRIP NOW

Previous: Overview

Dates

C Couples, Friends & Solos Tours

2020
Apr
May
Jun
Aug
Sep
Oct

View Scheduled Dates
Go Private
Go Custom

Prices

From $4,999 - $5,399 pp dbl. occ.
6 days / 5 nights

(+$1,150 for sgl. occ.)

Reviews

Read the Reviews
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Premiere Hotels

Masseria della Volpe

Noto (2 nights)

Monaci delle Terre Nere

Zaafferana Etnea (2 nights)

Belmond Villa Sant'Andrea

Taormina (1 night)

See Lodging Details

Activity Level

This trip is rated Levels 1-4

See Daily Route Options

What's Included

Services and equipment are included.

See how we include more

Why Backroads

Why Travel with Backroads in Sicily

Find out What sets us apart

More On This Trip

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Detailed Itinerary Reserve This Trip

Reviews by Power Reviews ®

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Next: Lodging

Premiere Hotels

Accommodations may vary based on departure date. Any difference from what is listed below can be found by clicking on your desired date on the View Scheduled Dates or Private Dates tabs.

Masseria della Volpe

Noto (2 nights)

Just outside the World Heritage town of Noto are olive groves, fragrant citrus orchards and this historic manor transformed into a boutique Mediterranean retreat. (pool, spa)

Monaci delle Terre Nere

Zaafferana Etnea (2 nights)

Set on the slopes of Mount Etna, the dramatic views from this enchanting sustainability-focused hotel and winery are best taken in from the lava stone pool. (pool)

Belmond Villa Sant'Andrea

Taormina (1 night)

This elegant beachfront property, an early 19th-century villa, is set among lush gardens by the Mediterranean. (pool, spa)

Previous: Reviews

Next: Activity Level

This Trip Is Rated Levels 1-4

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 (drag to see full )

Day	Activity	EASYGOING				ACTIVE				AVID
Daily Route Options
		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	Biking	14*	1000	24	1600
2	Biking			23	1300	27*	2400	35	3100
	Other	Chocolate Tasting & Tour (1 Hour)
	Other	Cooking Class (2 Hours)
3	Kayaking	(Half Day)
3	Other	Walking Tour of Ortigia (1.25 Hours)
4	Walking/Hiking	2	300			8	900
4	Walking/Hiking	3	700
5	Walking/Hiking	2*	900	3*	1100
5	Walking/Hiking			4	1000
6	Other	Walking Tour of Taormina & Greek Amphitheater (1 Hour)

Note:

* Includes shuttle.

Learn more about how we determine our activity level and fully support a range of abilities and interests.

Please note that our distance and elevation figures come from Ride with GPS. Other sources may give differing elevation figures due to different GPS and mapping technologies and other external factors.

Previous: Lodging

Next: What's Included

Meals

All breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners

Available Bike Options

The key to a stellar day’s ride is a bike that’s perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Read on for your available bike options for this trip.

Backroads Titanium Bikes (Included in your trip price)

Our custom-built titanium bikes are specially designed for you—and we offer different models for varied terrain so your bike is ideally suited to the region. Our custom-made bikes are included in your trip price.

Touring Bike (Included)

Performance Road Bike (Included)

Backroads Custom Electric-Assist Bike (Included in your trip price)

Wishing for a little extra assistance up those hills? Our custom Backroads Electric-Assist Bike lets you experience the thrill of exploring on two wheels while providing a boost when you want it. We've modified a selection of our great Titanium Bikes with the intuitive BionX "pedal-assist" system.

Backroads Custom Electric-Assist Bike (Included)

Also Included

Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
Snacks and beverages between meals
Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
Park and other entry fees
Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
Select coach transfers
Baggage transfers and porterage

Previous: Activity Level

Next: Straight Talk

Next: Why Backroads

Get the Straight Talk about This Trip

We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Biking in Sicily

Although Sicily is part of Italy, the island can feel worlds away from the mainland, as it remains one of the country's most rural and economically challenged regions. Cycling here is both a physical and cultural experience where a touch of patience and humor go a long way—watch out for that rooster!

Litter

It may come as a surprise that in such a beautiful part of the world, litter is quite evident, especially when approaching small villages. For most, these challenges are offset by the beauty of Sicily's countryside and its warm hospitality. But if you can't stand the thought of litter marring the setting, we understand. This may not be the trip for you. We are working behind the scenes to improve this aspect of our Sicily trips.

Previous: What's Included

Next: Why Backroads

Why Travel with Backroads in Sicily

The Best Leaders in Sicily

Backroads has the best-qualified people to lead your trip in Sicily, and our guests back that up, rating our Trip Leaders an average of 9.75 out of 10 for all-around quality of performance. Get the facts (and no fluff) on how we recruit and develop the very best people for your trip.

Only the Best Hotels

On this trip featuring Premiere Hotels, you can count on the best lodgings Sicily has to offer. In fact, the hotels we've chosen in this region have higher retail room rates than those offered by any other active travel company—even when their trips cost more.

In Europe Since 1988

Backroads has been welcoming active travelers to Europe since before the Berlin Wall came down. Today it's virtually our second home. We know the perfect roads and trails, the most scenic valleys and hilltop towns, the hidden churches and gem-like museums, the up-and-coming vintners and celebrated chefs—and, of course, all the best places to stay.

We've Set the Standard

For nearly four decades we've worked to earn and maintain our right to call Backroads the world's #1 active travel company. In pursuing that vision on behalf of our guests, we believe we've set the standard for our industry—captured in the Backroads Quality Guide, which clearly sets out the benchmarks of excellence, choice and support that we live by

Quality You Can Measure

Since 1979, Backroads Founder and President Tom Hale has shown that staying #1 means constantly evaluating our performance using the best possible source of information: our guests. As we systematically analyze your feedback on our trip consultants, leaders, hotels, meals and on-trip activities, we never stop working to make a great company even better.

We Invented the Multi-Adventure Trip

After more than 30 years of creating Backroads Multi-Adventures, our trip designers know how to blend the perfect balance of biking and hiking with other activities to showcase the best of a region. And then they arrange the seamless transitions that would be so hard to orchestrate on your own—adding dimensions to your trip that are exciting, inspiring and just plain fun.

Previous: Straight Talk

Previous: What's Included

Detailed Itinerary Reserve This Trip

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The Backroads Experience

Backroads Multi-Adventure Tours

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Italy Travel Guide

Straight Talk

We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Sicily Multi-Adventure Tour