Main Information
SFIDA Sicily: Tour Overview.
We have designed another exceptional trip to one of the Mediterranean’s most captivating destinations: Sicily. With up to seven UNESCO World Heritage sites, the island offers an extraordinary mix of cultural landmarks, historic towns, and rewarding riding routes.
To make the journey both immersive and comfortable, we will stay in four carefully chosen hotels, spending two consecutive nights in each location. This approach gives us time to explore each region in depth while keeping travel days manageable.
- The trip begins in Taormina and finishes in Palermo.
- Along the way, we will visit highlights such as the Taormina amphitheatre, Siracusa and Ortigia, Noto, and the magnificent Baroque towns of Ragusa Ibla, Modica, and Scicli.
- We have also included a final day off the bike to fully enjoy the Valley of the Temples before transferring to Palermo.
- As always, we will savour the best of Sicilian cuisine, including gelato, coffee, and granita.
- Throughout the trip, SFIDA Cycling will provide first-class support.
| Destination | Italy |
| Duration | 8 Days |
| Dates 2027 | 11-19 September |
| Hotels | 3-4 Stars |
| Meals | All meals included |
| Arrival | Catania (CTA) |
| Departure | Palermo (PMO) |
| Non-Rider | 10% discount |
| Rental Bike | Available |
| Rental E-Bike | Available |
| Price | €4,650.00 |
Total Distance: 555km
Daily average distance: 80km
Total Climbing: 10,780m
Daily average climbing: 1,540m
MORE INFORMATION
Pricing
- Twin room: 4,550 Euros pp
- Single supplement: 850 Euros
- Rental bike: 750 Euros
- Rental e-bike: 800 Euros
Own bike fee: 200 Euros. This fee applies to guests bringing their own bikes. It helps cover the additional time our mechanics and support team may need for inspection, setup, and repairs when bikes arrive in poor condition.
Payment terms
A deposit of 1,000 Euros is due at the time of booking. The remaining balance must be paid no later than 120 days before the trip begins.
Included
- Nine nights of accommodation in 3–4-star hotels.
- All cultural visits.
- One SFIDA Cycling jersey.
Meals included
- Eight breakfasts.
- Eight lunches.
- Eight dinners.
Not included
- International flights.
- Travel insurance.
- Personal hotel extras, such as minibar and spa charges.
- Tips for staff.
Support
- Experienced ride leaders and at least one mechanic.
- A staff-to-client ratio of 1:4.
- Fully equipped support vans are available throughout each ride.
- On-ride nutrition and supplies, including gels, energy bars, drink mix, water, fruit, tools, pumps, spare tubes, and tyres.
- A professional first aid kit.
Cancellation policy
In response to post-COVID changes in international travel, and in line with most hotels’ terms and conditions, our cancellation policy is as follows:
- 120 or more days before the trip starts: Your deposit will be refunded, minus any non-reimbursable expenses.
- 90 or more days before the trip starts: You will receive a partial refund of the trip cost, less the 800 Euros cancellation fee, any non-recoverable hotel charges, and any other costs already incurred in preparing the trip.
- Less than 60 days before the trip starts: No refund is available. However, we will try to apply as much of the amount paid as possible toward a future trip, depending on what we can recover from hotels and other suppliers.
Travel insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance as soon as you pay your deposit and book your international flights. Please make sure your policy covers the following:
- International flights.
- Reimbursement of amounts paid if you need to cancel for any reason.
- Damage to your rental bike (see our terms and conditions).
Reserving your spot
To reserve your place, the full deposit must be paid. Because hotels are now stricter about holding rooms for groups, we cannot hold or confirm a spot until the deposit has been received.
Itinerary
After meeting the SFIDA Cycling team at Catania Airport, we will transfer to our hotel in Taormina to begin the trip.
- On arrival, we will check in, enjoy lunch, and hold a trip orientation meeting.
- Once the bikes are prepared, we will head out for our first ride of the tour.
- The route climbs to Castelmola, one of the Borghi Più Belli d’Italia, with excellent views of Mount Etna on a clear day.
- We will then complete a scenic loop back to the hotel.
34km/950m.
Hotel: Hotel Villa Esperia.
Today’s ride takes us north of Taormina through some of Sicily’s most scenic hill country.
- Once we leave the coastal roads, the route climbs quickly, giving us an early taste of Sicily’s challenging terrain.
- Along the way, we will stop at several notable sites, including Santuario della Madonna dell’Aiuto, Savoca, and Forza d’Agrò, where we will enjoy lunch.
- After returning to Taormina and freshening up, we will visit the remarkable Greek Roman Theatre and spend time exploring this beautiful town.
67km/1,820m.
Hotel: Hotel Villa Esperia.
Today’s route takes us up Monte Etna, one of the most iconic climbs in Italian cycling.
- Often featured in the Giro d’Italia, Etna offers one of the most memorable ascents in the country.
- After reaching the summit and taking in the remarkable views, we will descend to Gravina di Catania, where the ride concludes.
- From there, we will transfer to Siracusa for the next two nights.
67km/1,820m.
Hotel: Palazzo Cavalieri.
Today combines a shorter morning ride with time to explore two of southeastern Sicily’s UNESCO-listed highlights.
- In the morning, we will ride to Noto, one of Sicily’s most beautiful Baroque towns, where we will spend time exploring and enjoy lunch.
- After lunch, we will transfer back to Siracusa.
- In the afternoon, we will visit another remarkable UNESCO site, including the Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre, and the narrow streets of Ortigia Island.
100km/1,085m.
Hotel: Palazzo Cavalieri.
Today’s ride to Ragusa Ibla combines scenic countryside with several memorable stops along the way.
- Our first stop will be Buscheri, one of the Borghi Più Belli d’Italia.
- From there, we will continue through the Sicilian countryside, a landscape of rolling hills, open fields, and distant hill towns.
- In the afternoon, we will arrive in Ragusa Ibla, another of Sicily’s remarkable Baroque towns.
95km/1,780m.
Hotel: Iblaresort.
Today’s ride explores more of southeastern Sicily’s celebrated Baroque landscape, with visits to two of its most distinctive towns.
- We will ride to Modica and Scicli, both part of the UNESCO-listed Baroque towns of this region.
- On the return route, we will pass Castello di Donnafugata, one of the most impressive historic estates in this part of Sicily.
- In the afternoon, we will spend time exploring Ragusa and its adjoining historic quarter, Ibla.
75km/1,245m.
Hotel: Iblaresort.
Today’s journey to Agrigento begins with a one-hour transfer to Gela before we set out on the ride.
- The route showcases the varied character of Sicily’s southern coast, including small towns, coastline, castles, and striking dry landscapes.
- Our ride finishes in Agrigento.
103km/1,800m.
Hotel: Hotel Colleverde.
Today is a rest day, giving us time to experience one of Sicily’s most extraordinary archaeological sites before we continue to Palermo.
- After breakfast, we will visit the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, one of the island’s most impressive historic landmarks.
- In the afternoon, we will transfer to Palermo, Sicily’s vibrant capital.
- Once we arrive, we will enjoy a late-afternoon passeggiata and dinner—an ideal way to bring this memorable journey to a close.
Hotel: Camplus Palermo Normanni.
After breakfast, we will transfer to Palermo Airport, with planned arrival by 10:30 am.
We strongly recommend spending at least an extra day in Palermo after the trip to enjoy more of the city.
