Travel Guides: Italy Travel Guide: Overview
In Southern Europe—right in the heart of the Mediterranean—lies a boot-shaped country stuffed to the brim with culture, history and fine cuisine.
Multi-Adventure
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Sicily Multi-Adventure Tour
Catania to Mt Etna—Italy's Legendary Isle
Couples, Friends & Solos
6 days 5 nights
Activity Level: 2-4
Premiere Hotels
From: $5,799 - $6,799 pp dbl occ
($1,300 - $1,500 for sgl occ)
It's a land of legends and natural beauty. Of ancient architecture and extraordinary history and cuisine. Bike through the Iblei mountains and to baroque towns like Scicli and Ragusa. Explore Siracusa's rugged Ionian coastline by kayak. Hike on Mount Etna's volcanic slopes and in exquisite hilltop Taormina. Greek theaters, Roman ruins and welcoming Italian hospitality. Sicily is waiting for you.
Bike
Walk/Hike
Kayak
Italy Sicily Multi-Adventure
Italy
Start/End Catania, Sicily
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Highlights
- Ride peaceful roads from the lush Iblei mountain range to late baroque towns in World Heritage Val di Noto
- Hike rugged trails around Mount Etna’s legendary volcanic peak and kayak to the tiny isle of Syracuse
- Delight in the flavors of Sicily’s celebrated wines and cuisine among Catania’s vineyards and by the sea
- Lounge in an airy cabana on a private beach and fall in love with Taormina's luxurious Belmond Villa Sant'Andrea
Videos
Itinerary
Accommodations may vary based on departure date.
6 Days Premiere Hotels
Accommodations may vary based on departure.
Days 1-2
Description
Kick off your Sicilian adventure with fresh-pressed olive oil at a centuries-old working farm | Be immersed in a valley of cherry, almond and citrus orchards | Ride your bike on quiet winding country roads in the Val di Noto | Discover the baroque towns of Scicli and Ragusa | Unwind at our one-of-a-kind hotel, a lovingly restored castle with a fascinating history.
Accommodations
Eremo della Giubiliana
Ragusa
| Premiere Hotel This elegant 900-year-old property, a former hermitage and fortress, sits amid orchards of almonds, figs and olives. (pool)
Day 3
Description
Ride into the countryside along rolling hills, passing Greek ruins and small towns on the way to Siracusa | Marvel at archaeological treasures | Explore Ortigia, Siracusa’s mesmerizing historic center, on a walking tour | Lounge on the rooftop terrace of our hotel.
Accommodations
Minareto
Siracusa
| Premiere Hotel Take in stellar sea views at this welcoming resort, perched on a promontory overlooking the Plemmirio Marine Nature Reserve and featuring two private beaches. (pool, spa)
Days 4-6
Description
Kayak through a lush nature reserve along the Ciane River, a bird-lover’s paradise | Keep an eye out for egrets, black-winged stilts and flamingos nestled among papyrus plants | Exquisite cuisine and luxury accommodations await just outside of hilltop Taormina, known as the Pearl of Sicily | Gaze out onto an unforgettable panorama over the Ionian Sea | Climb up the picturesque northern slopes of Mount Etna, Europe’s highest active volcano | Follow wooded trails and trek across black lava on the lower flanks of this dramatic peak | 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.
Accommodations
Belmond Villa Sant'Andrea
Taormina
| Premiere Hotel Sea-view rooms await at this elegant beachfront property, an early 19th-century villa set among lush gardens by the Mediterranean. (pool, spa)
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.
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy.
May 2023
May 26 - May 31
Sold out
June 2023
September 2023
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Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.
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From our Guests
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#MyBackroadsTrip
Share your adventure #MyBackroadsTrip
Activity Level: 2-4
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.
Daily Route Options
What's Included
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! Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.
Click the arrow to see all bike options.
Backroads Performance Road Bike
Performance Road Bike
Included in your trip price
This custom-designed titanium bike is lightweight and responsive, featuring Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic shifting, 11-speed compact gearing, a premium Mavic Ksyrium Pro wheelset and a full carbon fork.
Backroads Touring Bike
Touring Bike
Included in your trip price
A proven classic, this custom-designed titanium bike is suited for a wide range of cyclists. It features a comfortable ergonomic seat and a long wheel base that add to the bike’s control and stability.
Backroads Electric-Assist Bike
Electric-Assist Bike
Included in your trip price
Keep pace or zip ahead, pedaling with an electric boost. This bike provides plenty of power to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance.
Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+
Also Included
- All breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
- 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
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.
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. 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.
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. 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.
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