Arrival in Catania and transfer by car to Palazzolo Acreide, located in the baroque area of Sicily. Overnight.
After breakfast you will cycle to Ragusa, baroque city belonging to the Unesco heritage, considered one of the most picturesque cities of Sicily. The town is split into two parts, and while the upper section offers some noteworthy architectural delights, it is the smaller Ragusa Ibla below that really draws visitors. The Hyblean Garden offers a good view over the three churches of the Cappuccini Vecchi, St. James and San Domenico. Beautiful examples of the late Baroque are the Cathedral of San Giovanni Battista and the Cathedral of St. George, the palaces Zacco and Schininà of Sant’Elia.
This morning you will cycle until you reach the town of Modica, also Unesco heritage. It is famous for its spicy chocolate, prepared according to the ancient Aztec recipe, and offers a rich architectural heritage: the Cathedrals of San Giorgio and San Pietro, the Palace of Culture and Civic Museum and the civil buildings of Palazzo Polara and Palazzo Napolino-Tommasi Rosso, only to mention a few.
After breakfast you will cycle downhill along a typical quarry of the iblei, reaching the town of Scicli, very evocative town. You will visit the centre with the large Piazza Italia and some imposing buildings such as the Saint Barthelemy Church, looking out over a rocky landscape of ever-changing colours. After the visit, you will pedal to the marine centre of Pozzallo. Accommodation in Pozzallo.
We will cycle on the flat, until we reach the Isola delle Correnti, the most remote point of the continent, between the Ionian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, the same latitude as Tunisi. On the way you will have the chance to taste the wonderful “Vino D’Avola” in one of the many cellars. Accommodation in the area.
Today you will reach the capital of Baroque: Noto, the “Garden of Stone”, which is renowned for its exceptional Baroque heritage. After the tragic 1693 earthquake, Noto was rebuilt on Meti Hill during the eighteenth century. Therefore, this reconstruction represents only a phase in the long and complex history of the town whose origins are to be found in the Early Bronze Age. Noto is a true gem with its baroque churches and ancient palaces.
Breakfast at the hotel. Before leaving Noto we suggest you should taste an almond “granite” (crushed ice flavoured with fresh fruit or nuts and sugar) accompanied by a traditional brioche (a soft, fragrant sweetbread). After you will cycle on to Syracuse, a charming Greek city. Syracuse is worldwide known for its archeological park: The Neapolis with its marvellous ancient theatre nearly entirely carved in the stone, and its historical centre: Ortigia, a Baroque gem. You can also visit the Apollo temple, the beautiful cathedral dedicated to St. Lucia, and the Aretusa fountain, where the papyrus plant grown naturally.
Breakfast and time to relax before being transferred to Catania Airport to catch your flight home.
