Itinerary
This independent cycling holiday with its linear route helps you explore Sicily’s western coastline between the lovely village of Scopello and the wine-producing town of Marsala. En route you will have the chance to visit Segesta archeological site, the Saline natural reserve,the Punic remains at Mozia, Selinunte archaeological site,the village of Sambuca di Sicilia winner of the prime”Borghi d’Italia” in 2016 the hundred churches’s town of Corleone and the Unesco word heritage of Monreale’s Dome.All inclusive while you savour an evocative Mediterranean landscape of silvery olives, swaying vines and scented citrus groves.
The cycling days are sometimes long and sometimes flat, but the terrain is usually flat with a few short climbs and some great downhill whizzes in the first part of the tour,the middle part is lovely flat and little bit hard are the final three stages! And at the end of all there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy Sicily’s exquisite cuisine and wines
1ST DAY: ARRIVAL
Private Transfert from the airpot to Scopello,briefing about the tour,delivery of the bicycles and accomododation in the Hotel.
2ST DAY: SCOPELLO - SEGESTA - TRAPANI (83 KM)
The day starts with a short descent from Scopello along quiet country roads before you join the busier main road down into Castellammare del Golfo. You then leave this behind to head inland through a glorious landscape of fields planted with melon, vines and olive groves. There’s the option to visit Segesta (a short detour), which is definitely recommended.The route follows a route with fantastic rolling views across the countryside before reaching the village of Buseto Palizzolo.Then youhave to climbs away from Buseto Palizzolo before you enjoy breathtaking views of Monte Cofano, and Erice and the sparkling blue sea with the Egadi Islands glistening on the horizon. You cycle through a string of small villages before going in Trapani,before you enjoy the landscape of salt pans and crumbling windmills are unique.
3ST DAY: TRAPANI - SAN VITO LO CAPO - TRAPANI
(83 KM)
Today we will cycle in a ring roundtrip till San Vito Lo Capo and its caribbean sand beaches,we will go to the coastal lane in the most part of our route,before to reach the village of San Vito Lo Capo we can admire the “Monte Cofano” natural reserve and the marble quarries tipical of Custonaci.The main church of San Vito is in the Savoia square and deserves a visit, not to far from here you will find the biggest sand beach of the area. In the return way we have to climb from San Vito to Custonaci and than our ride will become lovely flat.The coastal lane lead you in Trapani town.
4ST DAY: TRAPANI - MAZARA DEL VALLO (84 KM)
This is a day full of contrasts; you start out at the beautiful salt pans and surrounded by vines, palms and agaves before moving inland to atypically Mediterranean landcape. The day ends by the sea again with the glistening salt mounds and crumbling windmills around the island of Mozia’s ruins. You can take a boat across to the island and visit the ruins – this would take around one hour.
There are great views to the Egadi islands too (Marettimo, Favignana and Levanzo). The ride continues to Marsala – make sure you try the local eponymous wine.
Lunch today could be a picnic (either from the Hotel or a nearby bar which you pass in the morning).Between the villages of Marsala and Mazara del Vallo, beautiful cycle moments along the seaside. This is a flat and a relaxing part of thi stage and you can spent admiring the breathtaking view of the islands.
5ST DAY: MAZARA DEL VALLO - SAMBUCA DI SICILIA (79,4 KM)
Today you will cycle along the seaside and through olive oil landscapes. You continue on along the coastline until Capo Granitola which deserves a little stop ,you will have the chance to visit a huge archeological site :Selinunte.. An amazing itinerary from the sea level to Sicily heart, history and traditions with its hills , little uphills and long descends through forests and cultivated grounds till reaching your accommodation in Sambuca.Close to the daily destination you will find the Arancio lake with plenty grape plantations and wineries.
In the 2016 Sambuca di Sicilia won the prime of “Il borgo dei borghi 2016”, a recognition of its charm and history.
The NERO D’AVOLA red wine has here its ancient roots.
6ST DAY: SAMBUCA DI SICILIA - CORLEONE (46 KM)
The shorter and hardest stage.Today you will cycle inland from the village of Sambuca (where the Church deserves a visit) passing through little villages once agricultural center. You will then reach Corleone also known as the “town of one hundred churches”, the most famous is the Main Church but better known to be the place where the movie “The Godfather” of Francis Ford Coppola spoke about
Corleone: in the heart of a valley 60km south of Palermo is the farming town of Corleone,not to lack a visit to the 14th century Chiesa Madre and the 17th century Chiesa di Santa Rosalia which is home to a lovely canvas by Giuseppe Velasquez depicting San Giovanni Battista on the island of Palmos. Great are the pastry shops that creates delicious sweets. The C.I.D.M.A (International Documentary Center of Mafia and the No Mafia Movement) deserves a visit(you need a reservation for your visit).