from
07/01/2009
to
15/06/2009
Bike tour around Mt. Etna
Mt. Etna seen from Randazzo
Saturday: NICOLOSI
Arrival. Accomodation in hotel in Nicolosi on the south slopes of Mt. Etna. In the evening presentation of the program. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Sunday: NICOLOSI – BRONTE ca. 23 miles
Nicolosi is called “the door of the Etna”. Two craters situated behind this village and called “Monti Rossi” (Red Mounts) originated the eruption of 1669 that reached and covered Catania. Departure on bike through the orange fields of Paternò, passing the castle of “Conte Ruggero” in Adrano till reaching the pistachio groves in Bronte in the middle of the amazing “sciare”, rivers of lava. Accomodation, dinner and overnight in hotel.
Monday: BRONTE . MANIACE – RANDAZZO ca. 14 miles
Departure from Bronte in the direction of Maniace where the famous Castle of the Admiral Nelson is located. Continuation on the way to Randazzo, another historical town of the Etna that faces the Nebrodi Park, in province of Messina. Accomodation, dinner and overnight in hotel.
Tuesday: RANDAZZO – CASTIGLIONE DI SICILIA – GOLE ALCANTARA – NAXOS ca. 24 miles
From Randazzo departure to Castiglione di Sicilia, an old village of wine-growers (viticulturist) that dominates the Alcantara Valley. The homonymous river flows in a river-bed formed by old lava flows and then it enters in a very strict canyon characterized by beautiful walls of basaltic stone of 40mts high. Proceeding to Naxos. Accomodation, dinner and overnight in hotel.
Wednesday: NAXOS – TAORMINA and its environs - ca.13 miles
Naxos, unfortunately destroyed during a war, is the first Greek colony in Sicily. Today it is a tourist sea resort surrounded by enormous lava reefs. In front of the harbour of Naxos, on the Tauro mountain, there are first Taormina, world famous, and higher up Castelmola, a very nice medieval village. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Thursday: NAXOS – ACIREALE ca. 21 miles
Departure on bike from Naxos to Catania crossing villages and country side among the blue of the sea and the fire of the Volcano. You will discover some typical Sicilian villages, like Giarre where the workshops of the ancient crafts still exist, and then you will proceed to the Lemons Riviera discovering little fisher towns till reaching Acireale. Accomodation, dinner and overnight in hotel.
Friday: ACIREALE – RIVIERA DEI CICLOPI – ACESE ca. 13 miles
A visit of Acitrezza and “I Faraglioni”, next to the Lachea island, a mass of volcanic stones dating back to 600 thousand years ago. Visit of the Norman Castle in Acicastello built upon a lava cliff. In the evening a farewell dinner in a typical Catania pub. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Saturday: DEPARTURE
Services included
- Accomodation in hotel 3* in half board
- Bike renting
- Safety car
- Guide Italian/English
- Farewell dinner
Services not included
- Transfers
- Tickets
- Tips
- Everything not indicated under “services included”
Gallery
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Cyclops Riviera - The Faraglioni
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Taormina - The amphitheatre
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Acicastello - The main square
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Castiglione di Sicilia - The Leone Castle
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Maniace - Nelson's Castle
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Taormina - the Cathedral Square
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Castiglione di Sicilia - Byzantine chapel
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