Etna - Taormina - Ionian Sea Self-guided tour approx. 202-208 km 8 days / 7 nights Description Round the volcano which has characterised Sicily s history: a striking bike tour along the Etna foothills and along its national park. This journey will take you through ancient towns, pervaded by history and myths, on the tracks of ancient savours and exquisite wines. It is of medium difficulty and will allow you to visit Taormina, pearl of the Ionian coast, the medieval towns of Randazzo and Castiglione di Sicilia, and the baroque city of Acireale. You will see some of the most important Sicilian nature reserves: Mount Etna, the Alcantara canyon and the natural reserve Forre Laviche del Simeto. Characteristics of the route The route follows mainly less frequented secondary roads. Most of the parts are flat or lightly uphill, but still easy to manage. This tour is suitable for all healthy persons with a minimum of bike practice and fitness. FUNActive Tours GmbH Bahnhofstraße 3 39034 Toblach (BZ) Italien Tel.: +39 0474 771210 E-Mail: office@funactive.info
A day by day account of the route Day 1: Arrival at Nicolosi Individual arrival at Nicolosi; Day 2: Etna - Nicolosi (approx. 20 km) There is the possibility to visit Mount Etna; Day 3: to Bronte (approx. 49 km) You will arrive at the nature reserve Forre Laviche del Simeto ; Day 4: to Randazzo (approx. 30-36 km) Tip: check out one of the many pistachio producers in town; Day 5: to Giardini Naxos (approx. 46 km) Visit the gracious town centre of Castiglione di Sicilia; Day 6: to Taormina and Giardini Naxos (approx. 20 km) Taormina, the pearl of the Ionian coast; Day 7: to Acitrezza (approx. 37 km) This stage takes you along the Ionian coast; Day 8: Departure Individual departure or extension of your stay;
Day 1: Arrival at Nicolosi Individual arrival at Nicolosi, handover of the bikes and the roadbook and maps containing all the information you will need. Day 2: Etna - Nicolosi (approx. 20 km) Arrival at Rifugio Sapienza with public transportation (the ticket is nor included), possibility to go further up the Etna mountain with funicular, four-wheel-drive and a guide and return to Nicolosi with the bikes. In case of unfavourable weather conditions public bus transfer to Catania and possibility of a sightseeing tour through the town center. Day 3: Nicolosi - Bronte (approx. 49 km) You are leaving Nicolosi on quiet back roads, almost all the time downhill you arrive at the nature reserve Forre Laviche del Simeto to see the famous Saracen bridge. From here you will pass through huge pistachio plantations that announce the near city of Bronte. Overnight in a country manor in the midst of a pistachio plantation. Day 4: Bronte - Maniace - Randazzo (approx. 30/36 km) Passing outside of Bronte you will soon arrive in Maniace where you can visit the Castello Nelson and the ex monastery of Santa Maria di Maniace. Continuing on secondary streets you will reach Randazzo, with it s rich and interesting medieval town center. Day 5: Randazzo - Castiglione - Gole dell Alcantara - Giardini Naxos (approx. 46 km) Today will be an easy downhill trip along the strada del vino dell Etna with many winemakers along the way. From the gracious town center of Castiglione, you will have a nice view over the Alcantara valley, which separates the Etna from the Nebrodi forests and which you will visit further down the road. Your final destination will be Giardini Naxos on the Ionian coast, where you might enjoy a regenerating bath in its splendid waters. Day 6: Giardini Naxos - Taormina - Giardini Naxos (approx. 20 km) After only a few kilometers uphill you will reach Taormina, pearl of the Ionian coast and by itself worth a travel. Here you will have the possibility to visit Castelmola, a picturesque medieval village 5 km above Taormina with breathtaking view over the whole bay and from Calabria to Mount Etna, before you return to Giardini Naxos. Day 7: Giardini Naxos - Acitrezza (approx. 37 km) This easy trip takes you along the Ionian coast, also known as lemon riviera. After a short uphill slope you reach Acitreale and it s interesting baroque city center. The stage finishes in Acitrezza. Day 8: Acitrezza - Catania After breakfast end of tour and individual departure or extension with additional days.
starting dates 2018 arrival Every Saturday 03/03/2018 (first starting date) to 17/11/2018 (last starting date). non schedule arrival dates upon request Minimum of Participants 2 persons General information Classification of the cycle-tour: Self-guided tour Duration: 8 days 7 nights Distance: approx. 202-208 km Starting point: Nicolosi Accommodation: Hotels - 3*** category and Bed & Breakfast Tourist tax if requested has to be paid on the spot Transfer: Catania airport > Nicolosi 25.00 per person (with a minimum of 2 people); Acitrezza > Catania airport 25.00 per person (with a minimum of 2 people); Rental bikes: 24 or 27-gears women s or men s bicycle Electro bike Tandem For the excursion with the alpine guides, cableway and Jeeps on Mt. Etna trekking shoes and warm clothes in spring and autumn are necessary. During high season (mid June until end of August) on the coastal stages more intense traffic is to be expected Stage Nicolosi/Etna: if the public bus to Mt. Etna should be full or if you are more than 2 participants, the owner of the B&B in Nicolosi can arrange a private transfer to Rifugio Sapienza: 15 per person/min. 2 persons, 12 per person for min. 3 persons. Included services 7 x accommodation with breakfast in 3*** hotels and Bed & Breakfast Breakfast buffet or full breakfast Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel Well planned routes Detailed documents (maps and road book) Telephone service hotline for during the entire tour non Included services Arrival to the starting point of the tour Departure at the end of the tour Drinks and all extras Lunch, dinner Not mentioned entries Rental bikes Bus ticket from Nicolosi to Rifugio Sapienza (1 st stage) Travel insurance All not expressly mentioned under the item Included services
prices 2018 Self-guided tour; 08/07 Package price per person in a double room with breakfast 650.00 Single room surcharge per person 180.00 Surcharge high season (July and August) 90.00 Surcharge half board 180.00 Surcharge 1 participant 100.00 Reduction children* Children 0-5,99 years 100% Children 6-10,99 years 50% Children 11-13,99 years 25% Children from the age of 14 10% Additional services Rental bike 90.00 Electro bike 150.00 Tandem 190.00 Trailer (for children maximum weight 40 kg) 50.00 Extra nights Nicolosi Per person and night in a double room with breakfast 38.00 Surcharge single room per night 15.00 Extra nights Acitrezza Per person and night in a double room with breakfast 40.00 Surcharge single room per night 20.00 * The reduction has to be considered on the package price with breakfast in the bedroom with at least two people paying the full price.