SICILY - CYCLING IN THE WEST OF SICILY 2009 - featuring Segesta and Monreale

Sicily's position in the Mediterranean Sea between Europe and Africa, linking the Latin World with the Greek, has produced an incredible mix of traditions and cultures in the towns and also in the countryside. As you travel through the least densely populated part of the island, you will be amazed by the many architectural styles: imposing Elymian and Greek ruins in Segesta and Selinunte; narrow, winding medieval streets and exuberant Baroque churches, as well as ancient farming techniques among vines and olive groves. And of course one of the most outstanding qualities of western Sicily is the juxtaposition of colours, from the many shades of green, turquoise and blue of the sea to the intense whiteness of the salt mines and the greens, yellow and brown rolling hills, dotted with buildings in white, cream, yellow and grey. Finally, the food and wine, and, in particular, the enormous variety of almond based desserts. THIS IS A SELF-GUIDED CYCLING HOLIDAY, CLASSED AS EASY TO MODERATELY DIFFICULT OVERALL.

PRICE

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DAY 1: Transfer from Palermo Falcone–Borsellino Airport to the ancient village of Scopello, a small village close to the Zingaro Nature Reserve. It is one of the most picturesque places in the province of Trapani. Here you will be given your documentation (and bikes if hired).

You could spend this first day walking inside the Zingaro Nature Reserve. You can stop for a swim at any of the little bays along the coast path or climb up to enjoy a wonderful view over the Gulf of Castellammare. Overnight in Scopello.

DAY 2: From Scopello to Nubia (Trapani). The archaeological site of Segesta is one of the most important in Sicily, renowned for its Greek temple, and for the ancient theatre, looking towards the Gulf of Castellammare.  Segesta, together with Erice and Entella, was in ancient times an important religious centre for the Elymians, a population that lived in western Sicily before the Greek colonization. Overnight in accommodation in a lovely position in the salt marshes area near Trapani and within visiting distance of the interesting medieval town of Erice. Level of difficulty: fairly demanding. 69 kms 150m height change

DAY 3: From Nubia to Marsala. A very relaxing day on flat country taking you to the Marsala Salt Mining Reserve and to Mozia, an unspoilt Punic Island. At the coast you’ll enjoy a magnificent view of the Salt Mine and windmills. You may take the boat to Mozia, with its Punic fortress, owned and operated by a foundation established by the wine-making Whitaker family. From Mozia to Marsala, famous for its wine (wine tasting included) and for the landing of Garibaldi and The Thousand, bestowing on the town an important role in the process of Italian unification.

Overnight in Marsala. Level of difficulty: easy. 55 kms 340 m

DAY 4: From Marsala to Selinunte. This hilly stage takes you to the Cavedi Cusa quarries and Selinunte, ancient Selinus, and will bring you into the interior of the island. Leaving the flat vineyards around Marsala curve inland towards a gently undulating series of hills, and then down to the sea again, passing by the Cave di Cusa Archaeological site, a fascinating natural workshop for the Ancient Greeks. Continue to Selinunte, an abandoned ancient Greek city, with the ruins of an acropolis and numerous temples. Overnight in Selinunte.

Level of difficulty: on average demanding 68 kms 398 m

DAY 5: From Selinunte to Contessa Entellina. The route that leads to Poggioreale is characterized by hills on which rise the ruins of ancient buildings once used in agriculture. Poggioreale, now a ghost-town, is one of the towns of the Belice Valley struck by the earthquake of 1968. Overnight in simple accommodation with friendly people in the country near Contessa Entellina and the Archaeological site of Entella. Overnight in Contessa Entellina.

Level of difficulty: on average demanding 67 kms 475 m

DAY 6: From Contessa Entellina to Ficuzza. A day cycling in the interior countryside of west Sicily. Pass through Corleone, world famous for its associations with the Mafia and with the Godfather trilogy, and reach a comfortable accommodation in the countryside at Ficuzza, not far from Palermo. Overnight in Ficuzza.

Level of difficulty: on average demanding 65 kms 586 m

DAY 7: From Ficuzza to Monreale. Reach Monreale along the track of a former railway, and the Conca d’Oro (ancient valley at the gates of Palermo). Monreale is world-renowned for its Cathedral, Santa Maria la Nuova, a dazzling mixture of Arab, Byzantine and Norman artistic styles framed by traditional Romanesque architecture, all combined in a perfect blend of the best that both the Christian and Muslim worlds of the 12th century had to offer. The beautiful mosaics are said to be one of the world's largest, covering a huge part of the interior surface of the duomo. The splendid cloister of the Benedictine Abbey alone would make Monreale famous. Located next to the Cathedral, the 228 columns, some with mosaic inlay, each with a meticulously stone carved capital, enclose the gardens of the cloister. 34 kms 263 m

Overnight in Monreale.

Day 8: departure

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Click here to view the weather forecast Link courtesy of UK met office

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GETTING THERE

ABOUT THE BIKES

Our models are tailor made with aluminum frame, front suspended, 24 speed Shimano Deore gear, and shimano Alivio v-brakes with power modulator, Schwalbe Marathon plus tyres with puncture defense system, gel saddle. We also provide you a basic repair kit and an Ortlieb Back-Roller classic waterproof pannier, handlebar road book holder, computer.

DIFFICULTY

WHAT TO TAKE

Cyclist shorts/long salopette (depending on the season), technical wind jacket to protect from the wind and drain perspiration, waterproof cap (both for rain and downhill stretches), helmet, protective suntan cream during spring or summer.

WHEN TO GO

INSURANCE

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