Sicily by the Sea Biking Tour

Go a little deeper into Sicily’s history and culture.

Discover western Sicily’s sea and shore with a collection of our favorite places and experiences – linked by bike and boat. Bike along sapphire blue coasts, a patchwork of fields, and vineyards where you will discover yourself at ancient sites, charming villages, and treasures from the sea. Enjoy the sea with boat excursions that take you off the usual path to nearby islands that hold history, mysteries, and unique works of art. There will even be time for a swim in the clear ocean water.

On this tour, go a little deeper into Sicily’s history and culture with visits to quiet, yet impressive, museums that tend to be overlooked….or undiscovered by other visitors. Explore the vibrant capital city of Palermo as well as quiet seaside fishing villages. See the ancient temple and amphitheater of Segesta; the bronze statue, Dancing Satyr, retrieved from the ocean bottom two decades ago; and the prehistoric cave art of Levanzo. Unique experiences which will allow you to feel a part of this place.

This very special tour begins in the seaside capital of Palermo where you will be guided through narrow winding streets to the treasures of this place – cathedrals, palaces, and markets. Escape to the quiet and charming, seaside village of Scopello – a fishing village perched on the cliffs above the Tyrrhenian Sea. The nearby Zingaro Nature Reserve adds to the beauty of this spectacular place with trees and plants that frame the small bays along the coast – the perfect place for a secret swim or to spot the rare Bonelli eagle.

We will also go to the ancient site of Segesta with its beautiful temple built in 5^th Century BC and a spectacular amphitheater that opens up to an amazing view of mountains and sea – as if the performance is the landscape itself. Bike to the coastal town of Trapani, made popular by the 2005 America’s Cup International Sailing Race. Here you will also see the ancient salt marshes that run along the western coast of the island. A lovely accommodation in the quiet salt marshes of Trapani will be our base for three nights so we can experience the richness of this area.

Bike to the San Vito lo Capo, with some of the most beautiful coastline of Sicily, laced with sandy beaches and hidden coves. An amazing place to end the day’s ride.

Our tour will take you to the beautiful and mysterious Erice, which sits like a crown on Mt. San Giuliano (750 meters). You will be captivated by the charming cobblestone streets and buildings of this medieval town. The views from here are simply unforgettable as you look down on the land and sea below.

From Trapani we’ll enjoy a boat excursion to discover the smallest island of the Egadi archipelago, West of Sicily. Our guide and captain is Salvatore, a local fisherman and very interesting character. He will take us on his private boat for a wonderful tour around Levanzo Island. The clear waters of this place are so inviting – we encourage an ocean swim. We will then dock on the island and visit the Caves of Genovese, a prehistoric cave with engravings (dating back 11,000 – 12,000 years ago) and paintings (dating back 5,000-6,000 years ago).

Bike on to Marsala, our base for lodging and discovery for the next three days. On the way, we will take time to explore the tiny island of Mozia off the coast of Sicily. This small parcel of land has been colonized by many countries and cultures including ancient Egypt and Phoenicians (modern Lebanon). It is here you will see the graceful, marble statue, The Boy of Mozia, unearthed in 1979. The marble is Anatolian marble imported from what is now Turkey and was carved in the early 5^th century BC. The style of dress is typical Phoenician dress for that period. It is a true masterpiece and a great mystery, as nothing like this was to come from ancient Greece for hundreds of years. The adjacent museum is fascinating. Old glass display cases store relics and treasures from the varied communities inhabiting this small place over centuries. It is a place full of wonder and intrigue. And yet, it is so off the beaten track, that you will be virtually alone here.

Back on the shore of Sicily we will discover another special place, the salt mines of the Marsala coast. We will visit the museum housed in one of the charming windmills sitting along the coastline. Learn the ancient art of salt mining still practiced at this place. It is fascinating and a sweet (actually savory) adventure for the day. Our next day will take us on a lovely bike ride through the countryside around Marsala and a special visit to the most important winery of the area, famous for Marsala wine. Again from Marsala we will bike to the lovely town of Mazara del Vallo. You will love this beautiful place with a central stone plaza and surrounding buildings. It is here we will also see the highlight of the town, the museum of The Dancing Satyr, an amazing bronze statue discovered 40 kilometers off the shores of neighboring Tunisia in the 1990’s.

Your experiences on this Sicilian bike tour will be rich as you gain a deeper understanding of this beautiful place and explore the charm at a slow pace.

Cost: € 1690 – € 1990 ($) see PRICING details below
Duration: 8 days/7 nights
Start/End: Palermo/Marsala
2010 Start Dates: May 22, June 19, September 4, September 18

Highlights of the tour

Relax in the comfort of three hotels during your stay – allowing you to fully enjoy and explore each area.
Explore Palermo, Sicily’s most vibrant city, and the capital of the island.
Enjoy the charming seaside village of Scopello and the beauty of nearby Zingaro Nature Reserve.
Savor the coastal region of Trapani, known for its ancient salt marshes and host to the 2005 America’s Cup International Sailing Race.
Relax on the beautiful sandy beaches of San Vito lo Capo. Find a secret cove for a relaxing swim.
Walk along the winding cobblestone streets of medieval Erice – a fascinating place with spectacular views.
Discover the history and power of ancient Segesta – the stunning temple and amphitheater.
Leave the beaten path on a slow boat ride to the peaceful Island of Mozia and see the beautiful marble statue, The Boy of Mozia, along with an unforgettable museum.
Bike through the region of Marsala and enjoy a wine tasting.
Enjoy a boat ride to the island of Levanzo and explore the prehistoric engravings and paintings of the Caves of Genovese.
Visit the lovely town of Mazara del Vallo, enjoy its impressive stone covered plaza on your way to the nearby museum housing the bronze statue, The Dancing Satyr.
Experience the mouth-watering and unique foods of Sicily – arrancini (fried rice balls filled with ragu or ham and cheese), caponata (a sweet and savory mix of cooked eggplant, olives, and tomatoes), pasta with sardines, fish couscous, and more.

Itinerary
Photos
Maps
Notes
Pricing

Day by Day program

Day 1 – Welcome to Sicily!

Arrive at Palermo’s Falcone-Borsellino Airport and transfer to your hotel in the city. For those arriving before 12:00 p.m., enjoy a guided tour of Palermo – winding streets, cathedrals, and markets. Dinner is on your own this evening.

Day 2 – Transfer to Scopello and Segesta with a bike ride to Trapani (27 miles/45 kilometers)

Begin the day with a shuttle ride to the charming fishing village of Scopello, enhanced by the beauty of the adjacent Zingaro Nature Reserve. You will also be shuttled to the ancient site of Segesta where you will enjoy a guided tour of the spectacular temple and amphitheater. You will be ready to bike a peaceful route from Segesta to the coastal town of Trapani, where we will stay for three nights. Dinner is together tonight.

Day 3 – Bike from Trapani to the lovely San Vito lo Capo (27 miles/45 kilometers)

Enjoy a bike ride north to the lovely San Vito lo Capo, a coast with Sicily’s most beautiful sandy beaches and secret coves welcoming you for a relaxing swim after your bike ride. There may be time to enjoy the delicious cake and gelato dessert known as “caldofreddo.” We will shuttle back to Trapani, relax and refresh, and enjoy another dinner together.

Day 4 – Cycle to the medieval town of Erice (33.6 miles/56 kilometers)

Bike ride to Erice for a visit of this beautiful medieval town known for its charming cobblestone streets and buildings. Spend some time in the shady garden overlooking the land and sea below. We will have a unique experience making our own Genovese cake at a local pastry shop…and yes, we will get to eat them! Bike back to Trapani where we will enjoy our last night in this town with a dinner together.

Day 5 – Boat ride to the island of Levanzo for a tour of the Caves of Genovese

Enjoy this special day with a relaxing boat ride to the quaint island of Levanzo, part of the Egadi Islands off the northwestern coast of Sicily. Our captain, a fisherman and resident of the small island, is an enjoyable man….one you will remember. We will enjoy a swim in the ocean and a picnic lunch. Once on land, we will explore the Caves of Genovese, prehistoric caves with engravings (dating back 11,000 – 12,000 years ago) and paintings (dating back 5,000-6,000 years ago). This is a unique experience that few know about or take the time to see; a day you will remember. Back to Trapani with dinner on your own.

Day 6 – Bike to Marsala with worthwhile side stops at the ancient salt marshes museum and the Island of Mozia ( 27.6 miles/46 kilometers)

Today we will bike along the coast to the quaint town of Marsala, our “home” for three nights. Along the way, we will take a break from our bikes and take a worthwhile excursion to the tiny Island of Mozia where we will see the amazing marble statue, The Boy of Mozia, a remarkable piece of art from 5th Century BC. The adjoining museum is a true treasure chest with relics from the many colonies that inhabited this island. Once back on the shore of Sicily, we will enjoy the salt mines and the wonderful “salt” museum, which explains the traditional mining method still done by hand, and wind, today. Tonight, our first night in Marsala with dinner on your own.

Day 7 – Bike to Mazara del Vallo with a visit of the town and The Dancing Satyr (25 miles/40.25 kilometers)

Pedal along the green fields and through olive groves of this lovely region. We will find a beautiful beach setting for a picnic lunch before going on to lovely little town of Mazara del Vallo. Here we will enjoy a guided tour that will also lead us to the museum of The Dancing Satyr, an enchanting bronze statue pulled from the sea in the 1990’s – the sculpture and the story of its discovery are amazing. Back to Marsala by van or bike. Our last night in Marsala. We will enjoy a farewell dinner together.as you make your way to Mazara del Vallo. Enjoy this lovely little town on a guided tour that will also lead you to the museum of The Dancing Satyr, an enchanting bronze statue pulled from the sea in the 1990’s – the sculpture and the story of its discovery are amazing. Back to Marsala by van or bike. Our last night in Marsala. We will enjoy a farewell dinner together.

Day 8 – Departure Day

After breakfast, departure and end of our services. Ciao!

Actual tour itinerary may vary slightly due to unforeseen circumstances.

Click on any photo to enlarge it.

Travel notes: Airport: for this trip you can use both of the airports in west Sicily to land and to leave the island:
Palermo and Trapani Birgi

Books

Divorce, italian style 1961, film director: Pietro Germi. This movie It won the Academy Award for Best Writing, Story and Screenplay.
Anni difficili 1948, film director Luigi Zampa, from the novel of Vitaliano Brancati, “II vecchio con gli stivali”
Gente di rispetto 1975, film director Luigi Zampa, from the homonymous novel of Giuseppe Fava
Kaos 1984, Paolo and Vittorio Taviani, from several novels of Luigi Pirandello
The star maker or best known as L’Uomo delle stelle 1995, Giuseppe Tornatore

Group tour price

4-5 people € 1990 per person
6-7 people € 1840 per person
8+ people € 1690 per person

Pricing philosophy

Additional options and fees

Road bike rental €175.00
Single occupancy for hotels € 240.00

Services included in the tour:

8 day tour
7 nights lodging in three comfortable hotels
7 breakfasts
Picnic lunches on Days 5, 6 and 7
4 dinners
Cooking the Genovese cake in Erice
Hydrofoil tickets on Day 5
Fisherman boat excursion on Day 5 with lunch included
Sail boat excursions on Day 6 with lunch included
Hybrid bike rental
Transfer from Palermo airport to hotel
Guided walking tour of Palermo
Transfer from Palermo to Scopello and Segesta
Admission and guided walking tour of Segesta
Transfer from San Vito lo Capo to Trapani
Transfer between Trapani hotel and port
Boat ride and admission of Mozia
Admission to salt mine museum
Guided walking tour of Mazara del Vallo and admission to The Dancing Satyr museum
Detailed road book and maps
One English speaking tour leader
Van support throughout tour

Not included