5. Sicily -Malta Itinerary

Transcription

1 5. Sicily -Malta Itinerary Trapani, Caltanissetta, Agrigento, Ragusa, Siracusa, Malta (via Air Malta from Catania) Proposal medinbike Sicily 7 nights/8 days Day 1 Arrival in Trapani Birgi Airport and independent transfer to the chosen bike hotel. If you happen to have some spare free hours before dinner we suggest you immediately ride your bike and start going around the marvellous historic centre medieval narrow streets that are enriched with baroque churches and Spanish palaces. Then allow yourself to go along the breath-taking seafront of the ancient town known as Drepanon that ideally divides the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea Individual dinner and overnight. Day 2- province of TRAPANI (costal cycle path) Breakfast in the bike hotel. The morning will be dedicated to muscles heating up by enjoying the thrill of going through the extreme point of the costal cycle path, among vineyards and "tonnare" (little ports with ancient and fascinating buildings, where the fished fish was worked out for the commercialisation) and by reaching Baia di Cornino that confines with the Natural Reserve of massive Monte Cofano (km 17.84). Return to Trapani and independent lunch. In the afternoon leaving for the southern side of the costal cycle path, towards the historical city of Marsala. You will be riding through the so called "Via del Sale" (Street of Salt), looking at the enchanted landscape made of windmills and salt works The cycle path runs along the protected area of Trapani Salt works first, and then flanks the suggestive Natural Reserve of the Stagnone and the Marsala Salt works (km 33.10). After a brief tour in the city centre of the famous city of Garibaldi's Expedition of the Thousand, you will ride to Mazara del Vallo, the city of the "Dancing Satyr" through a very rich of vineyards area, filled with bagli (isolated antique constructions in the countryside) and many other beautiful traditional and rural constructions. (23.65 Km). Individual dinner and overnight in the chosen bike hotel Day 3 - province of TRAPANI/AGRIGENTO Breakfast in the bike hotel. Leaving for Marinella di Selinunte (km 30.3), last stop of the Trapani costal cycle path. You will be going through a particularly rich in nature and history route. First stop is in the pretty protected area of Preola and Gorghi small round lakes where in spring and autumn various water fauna species are living and/or hibernating; then you will go on to the magical Quarries of Cusa where the stone of famous Selinunte temples is extracted. Works here are suspended since 409 B.C, but it seems they are about to start again soon. On the

2 bike again to reach Marinella di Selinunte and carry on towards Agrigento. From the small town of Selinunte Mare the cycle path carries on along the SP 56 state road to link with the SP 76 state road that is already in the province of Agrigento area. After a few kilometres you will get to Porto Palo in Menfi where there is one of the very few Sicilian cycle paths which was created on the remaining of an old disused railway and it leads to the city centre of Menfi6.5 km away. From Menfi, once you access the SP 50 state road and ride along it for 4.5 km, you will start a beautiful sea view path that after 8 km will lead you, through secondary roads, to the San Marco quarter first and then to the port area of thermal town Sciacca, following the way called Via Lido di Sciacca. Arrival at the chosen Bike Hotel. Dinner and overnight in Sciacca. Day 4 SCIACCA-ERACLEA MINOA-AGRIGENTO (KM 76.3) Breakfast in the bike hotel. Leaving for Agrigento From the port of Sciacca you will direct yourself towards the eastern way out of the town. You will go beyond the thermal compound and accessing via Figuli (near the hospital) you will get to via Ghezzi that conducts out of town. You will travel for about 5.5 km of Via Lido and you will be connected to municipal roads in the San Giorgio quarter for about 8.5 km. Unfortunately here you need to go through part of the SS115 state road for about 7.5 km, except for a secondary way of a couple kilometres. You access the junction for Ribera on the state road and then undertake a cycling dirt trail that allows you to overstep a very dangerous tunnel on the SS115 state road. This route put you through a difficulty only in the beginning. You will need to pass a rise carrying your bike by hand, due to the uneven road surface. Then a spectacular cycling trail brings you the seaside area of Ribera that is called Seccagrande. You will go through abandoned small streets seeing the coast until you reach the particular rural compound of "Borgo Bonsignore built during the Fascism period. You will find yourself right outside the Reserve of river Platani mouth and obviously the presence of the water course stops you from directly going to Eraclea Minoa. For this reason, you will have to ride through a short length of the SS115 state road until you can access the provincial road that will bring you to Eraclea Minoa in a few kilometres. (Distance between Sciacca - seafront Colombo - / Eraclea Minoa Km 37). From Eraclea Minoa, (the cycle path runs upstream the built-up area) a cycling dirt trail conducts near the city centre of Montallegro. You will go across the entire small town and then you will access a provincial road towards Siculiana Marina, crossing the junctions for the WWF Reserve of Torre Salsa. Then from Siculiana Marina, a cycling dirt trail will finally lead you to Siculiana. From this city, there is a narrow street that allows you the access the costal area. It is partly built on a disused railway and it will bring you the seaside area of Realmonte, entirely on the coast, in the natural landscape of Scala dei Turchi. Once you go beyond Scala dei Turchi, you will be near Porto Empedocle

3 where you will get by going through the old remaining of Agrigento/Castelvetrano railway. From the city port you will then go on to the Caos area. After passing a tunnel and accessing a municipal dirt trail next to both a small wood and the sea in a quarter called Maddalusa, you will get to the seaside area of Agrigento: the beach of San Leone. From here on, indications will help you visiting the city. (Distances: Eraclea Minoa/Agrigento: Km 39.3) Arrival at the chosen Bike Hotel in Agrigento and dinner. Splendid night view of the Valley of Temples (Whoever wants to know better the beautiful Agrigento hinterland can indulge in the 119 km long Monti Sicani route or deepen the knowledge of Favara with its Chiaramontano Castle and also enjoy the experience of the Farm Cultural Park, by tasting the famous Easter Lamb. You can also discover Racalmuto, birth town of Leonardo Sciascia, and its Literary Park. Moreover you can visit the Natural Reserve of Macalube in Aragona which is run by Legambiente) Day 5 Agrigento-Palma di Montechiaro-Licata The morning will be dedicated to a visit of The Valley of Temples. You will have the opportunity of getting to know the thousand-year old history of Akragas, or of going up to the hill of the city to discover the city centre. Here you will find very interesting buildings of Arab, Greek and Chiaramonte architectures. There are also extraordinary remains of a Greek Temple on which today's Church of Santa Maria dei Greci has been built. Then you find the beautiful Cathedral, up in the highest area of the city, with its magnificent woody roof. The beach of San Leone will be our junction point again, from which you will go on along the seafront on the touristic road. Here a cycling path is being built, it will be directly connected to the beaches. After going through a very well frequented road by cycle tourists and once you go beyond a short length of SS115 state road, you will arrive in the old and deserted provincial road that takes right to the city centre of Palma di Montechiaro (Distances: Agrigento /Palma di Montechiaro Km 29). Along this path there are two possible variations that we suggest you consider in order to choose the one that attracts you the most. Nature route, Punta Bianca: You will find indications to the nature route of Punta Bianca along the provincial road to Palma di Montechiaro: this variation consists of an easy dirt trail with spectacular view of the coast (you can also go down to the coast). Very characteristic. Travelling via this path will cause a minimum extension of the leg between Agrigento towards Palma di Montechiaro, and it is about 2 km. Visit to the Castle in Palma di Montechiaro: When near Palma di Montechiaro, you may want to access a variation of the path that allows you to visit the beautiful Charamontano Castle, perched over the sea. This variation is 10.5 km long and it

4 takes to the entrance of the town, but the total journey from Agrigento will be prolonged by six kilometres. After crossing Palma di Montechiaro and riding 31 km, you will get to the seaside area of Torre di gaffe and then to Licata. The route extends entirely on provincial roads until you reach the Licata beach of Mollarelle. From here you will start riding on a beautiful hill route overlooking the coast until you reach the city centre. You will see a castle and art nouveau villas. The cycle path continues by going beyond the city along the seafront and across the very recent touristic port called Porticciolo Turistico Marina di Cala del Sole to go back to the cycle path towards Gela up to the Falconara Castle. (Distance between Licata/Falconara Castle: km 7) Arrival in the chosen Bike hotel. Dinner. (The hotel can be chosen between Licata and Gela, so the ending of the day and the beginning of the following day may vary according to this choice) Day 6 Gela-Ragusa Leaving from Gela and after crossing Scoglitti, you will access the Natural Oriented Reserve Pino d Aleppo that hosts a spontaneous settlement of Pinus Halepensis and a rich wild fauna. You may spot the sweet donkeys of Ragusa between the characteristic dry-stone small walls. From here you can reach the area of Cava Renna where you will be able to admire two small muragghi that are still well preserved. They are similar to Sardinian "nuraghi". No need to say that along the cycle path of carobs the Castle of Donnafugata with its park and hypogeum is definitely worth a visit. The leg that takes straight to Ragusa is a spectacular view of uncontaminated nature and typical Mediterranean landscapes. It is also called the "city of bridges", due to the three bridges that dominate the valley of Santa Domenica, Ragusa is undoubtedly one of the most important place due to precious presence of baroque art both in the upper Ragusa and in Ragusa Ibla, the ancient city centre rebuilt over the remains of the old city according to the medieval layout after the devastating earthquake of Arrival at the chosen Bike Hotel and dinner. Day 7 Ragusa-Siracusa Leaving for Noto. By going through Pantani Cuba and Longarini in the territory of Pachino, where the migrant birds coming from Africa and flying to Northern Europe stand, you will get to the territory of Portopalo di Capo Passero going south-east. In this burnt by the sun land you find the precious yellow and white clay that has been used by every single bather, naturalist or ecologist that has ever visited this place to make mud baths. When the tide is low, you can reach it on foot. Going north-east you will get to the city centre of Portopalo. You will be able to visit the famous "Tonnara" (where the fished fish was processed for commercialisation) inside the town. It is a splendid monument of industrial

5 archaeology. Do not miss the Scalo Mandrie, where the fishermen lived. Here, the last archaeological excavations, carried out a few years ago, have brought back the remains of an ancient settlement whose main activity was related to the sea. In particular, great Greek-Roman tanks that were used to make "garum", a kind of tuna based sauce, were found. Lastly, you will see Capo Passero Island on which it stands the massive fort Fortezza Svevo Aragonese, built as the first defence outpost against the pirate raids that infested the Mediterranean Sea a few centuries ago. The Fort now has been restored and it will host the "Museo del Mare", a sea museum. Ride your bike you are now leaving towards Marzamemi, an ancient maritime burg. It developed around a "tonnara" existing from the Arab domination in Sicily. Today Marzamemi is an important fishing town where ichthyic products are also processed. One of those is for example the famous red tuna fish eggs, which are traditionally processed through ancient desiccation procedures inherited from the Arab-Phoenician culture. You will go on towards the Natural Oriented Reserve of Vendicari, one of the most humid areas of Europe. It is a very important area especially from a naturalistic point of view. This is both due to the presence of birds that choose it as a stand zone during the migratory flux, and to the presence of the typical Mediterranean brush in all its glory (there may be the possibility of visiting tower Torre Sveva and the old Antica Tonnara). In the direction of Noto, you will encounter the Villa Romana del Tellaro. Inside this Roman villa there are very important and beautiful mosaics dating back to the IV century AD. It is a 6,000 square meters (approx. 64,500 square feet) dwelling of a nester family. The floors were covered in extraordinary mosaics that are between the most important of their age and can easily compete against the most famous ones of Piazza Armerina (province of Enna). There is a 15 meters long way covered in mosaic representing ornaments and geometric figures, the floors of three rooms are entirely covered in mythological dance or hunt scenes formed by millions of chalky stone and earthenware tiles of natural very intense colours. These mosaics tell stories full of animals, flowers and faces that seem to be coming out from their drawing. Arrival at the chosen Bike Hotel and dinner. Day 8 Siracusa Catania Breakfast in the bike hotel. You will go for a walk along the city high street and discover Noto, considered as the Capital of Baroque in all the area of Val di Noto. You will admire the urban map, the decorations and the buildings shapes. The cathedral of San Nicolò and the city hall Palazzo Nicolaci, are two other outstanding buildings. You will start in the direction of Calabernardo towards Avola. Avola's city centre was rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake and its peculiarity is that of having a hexagonal map. Avola was an ancient maritime burg and today is famous all over the world thanks to its special quality of almond. From the southern entrance you will get to the Roman

6 Villa near the mouth of torrent Margio. It was probably found during the II century AD. Once you cross Avola in the direction of Cassibile, you will be able to visit the "Dolmen Ciancio", a giant megalithic construction of Neolithic period. This structure has been considered unique in Sicily. It probably had a funerary function and it could have been used as a burial place for children. Now you will go back on the road towards Siracusa, crossing all the coast area. During the journey and before arriving to Cassibile, you may go for a hike in the Natural Oriented Reserve of Cavagrande del Cassibile with its exquisite small lakes. It is an area of almost 3,000 hectares where many animal and vegetable species live from centuries and it has a very long history. Then you will go on by running along the seaside area of Fontane Bianche, Ognina and Arenella, where you can admire a splendid panorama. Northward, along the coastline, you can spot the river Anapo (which in some points along its way, it goes under the subsoil and then come out) and the Ciane and its natural oriented reserve. You will get to Siracusa, across the streets of Ortigia (Siracusa city centre), to discover its cultural roots (first the Greeks then Romans, Arabs, Bizantines, Normans and Spanish) and its artistic roots (from the Greek ones to the more "modern" baroque development. Transfer to Catania airport and continuation to Malta by plane (Air Malta flight) Transfer from Malta airport to the chosen Bike Hotel and dinner Day 9 Malta-Gozo Continuation toward the North West Route in Malta. This route can be described as a cycling excursion that gives you the opportunity of discovering the rural aspect and the natural panorama of northwest side of Malta. Starting from the Roman Villa and the medieval town of Mdina, you will pass through at least 8 villages, including the most famous ones like Rabat, Dingli and Mosta and other burgs like Bahrija, Bidnija and Mgarr. The journey continues through the marvellous cliff of Dingli, where you can enjoy splendid views on the northwest coast. By continuing along country winding streets you will be surrounded by infinite wall ruins until you arrive in the fertile valley of Mgarr and Bidnija. Other attractions are the temples of Skorba, megalithic remains placed on the north front of Zebbiegh. Return to the hotel and check out Transfer to Gozo at the chosen Bike Hotel Day 10 Gozo-Malta Breakfast in the bike hotel. Bike tour in the Gozo path. Enjoy your own Odyssey with this path to discover fascinating Gozo, considered as Calypso's island! The rich green panorama offers archaeological sites, secret bays and indented coasts. It is smaller, greener and more

7 tranquil than its elder sister Malta, Gozo is also a great place to enjoy a numerous amount of sport activities. You can live it all while cycling across 14 villages, each with its own character and attractions. You will see the fortified and dominant Citadel with its museums; the Temples of Ggantija, dating back to 5500 years ago (also a World UNESCO world heritage), and the Ta Kola Windmill. Check out from the Bike hotel in Gozo and return transfer to Malta in the chosen bike hotel Day 11 Return Breakfast in the bike hotel. Transfer to the airport and return to original departure place.