Sicily & The Dolomites

Day 2

This morning we climb high above the orange and olive trees, up Mt Etna with magnificent views back over the ocean and our town of Taormina. Effort equals reward and our reward is almost 30km's of downhill back to the ocean road and back to our hotel before a walking tour of the town, focusing on the Roman theatre with its famous view of the coastline and Etna.

With Mt Etna climbed and the sights walked your appetite is sure to be ready for a feast of local dishes for dinner and finsh our stay in Taormina.

Day 3

Today we depart from the stunning town of Taormina and head south, with pristine waters on our left and with Mt Etna on our right. A flat ride past the port of Catania to Syracuse. Syracusa, for two centuries was the greatest of ancient Greek cities. With the world’s only surviving ancient Greek fort and its lovely overlook of the coast, makes this destination a must see town.

Non riders will depart with one of our guides in the second support bus directly to Syracuse giving time for a sighting walk around the incredible island-peninsula of Ortigia, where its palaces, narrow lanes, unique cathedral built within a Greek temple, will loose you making you think you have gone back in time but giving you the knowledge to know what you want to visit tomorrow.

Day 4

With so many attractions within walking distance including cafes and restaurants, today's main ride is a short recovery loop to keep the legs turning but giving you the day to explore Syracusa with your partners. Of course there is always another option that will take you south through the town of Noto a Unesco world heritage site of honey-gold baroque. If you have the legs and the time its a rewarding ride that then heads into the hills after coffee, before descending back into Syracusa to explore.

Day 5

Today we leaving the coast and move into the hills. Non riders will depart at the same time as the riders, with one of our guides taking the second support bus directly to Ragusa. With only a one night stay there is plenty to look at in Ragusa as it is a hilltop town. The old town, is home to many baroque buildings, like the Duomo di San Giorgio, a grand church with paintings and stained-glass windows. There are sweeping views from the Giardino Ibleo, a public park with churches and fountains. In Ragusa Superiore, the city’s more modern part, is ornate Ragusa Cathedral, with a museum of religious art and relics.

Riders who missed Noto the day before will get their chance to stop for a coffee in the Unesco world heritage site of honey-gold baroque before climbing up to Ragusa.

Day 6

Our short visit to Ragusa will leave you wanting more but its time to leave and continue onto the hilltop town of Agrigento. It's known for the ruins of the ancient city of Akragas in the Valley of the Temples, a vast archaeological site with well-preserved Greek temples. A must see site in Sicily and worth the longest ride of our tour.

Again the non riders will depart at the same time as the riders, with one of our guides taking the second support bus directly to Agrigento giving you more time to soak up the history in this ancient city.

Day 7

Walking a row of temples in the "Valley of the Temples" is  equal to those in Greece itself and not to be missed. One might say that if you need a day off today would be the day! If you need a short ride we will take to Scala dei Turchi, a stepped white cliff overlooking sandy beaches and back for a coffee with the rest of the day to walk in the valley of the temples.

The long option takes you up into the mountains with views back over the landscape back to the ocean with plenty of elevation gain. Tonight is a date night leaving everyone to explore the town for themselves.

Day 8

Today we leave the coast and head inland to the town of Enna. Also the highest town in Sicily at 905 mt's.  Again non riders will depart at the same time as the riders, with one of our guides taking the second support bus directly to the town of Enna. There are many attractions and well worth researching before hand like The Cathedral of Enna, Church of San Marco, Lombardy Castle and the Tower of Federico.

Enna will give us a contrast of life in Sicily from the coastal towns we have already visited.

Day 9

Today we depart to Catania. Again non riders will depart at the same time as the riders, with one of our guides taking the second support bus directly to the ancient port city of Catania. It sits at the foot of Mt. Etna, an active volcano with trails leading up to the summit. The city's wide central square, Piazza del Duomo, features the whimsical Fontana dell'Elefante statue and richly decorated Catania Cathedral. In the southwest corner of the square, La Pescheria weekday fish market is a rowdy spectacle surrounded by seafood restaurants. Our ride rolls over the hills before descending down onto the ocean with Mt Etna on our left.

Day 10

Our last ride in Sicily takes us to the other side of Mt Etna for magnificent views back over the ocean and the ancient port town we are visiting.  Non riders can enjoy the morning in seaside cafes and search the town for that majestic restaurant for dinner as tonight is date night. Have a drink before dinner in one of the many wine bars before your final Sicilian dinner.

Day 11

Transfer Day. A short ride from our hotel to the airport for our transfer to Milano. A short flight (1.5 Hours). On arrival into Milano we make the rest of our transfer by bus to Riva del Garda 2.5 Hours).

On arrival check into our wonderful resort with magnificent gardens, pools and beachfront. Rest up at the hotel or enjoy shopping in town before drinks and dinner at a local favourite restaurant in town.

Day 12

This morning we ride from our hotel through town and start climbing high above the lake and into the mountains. We pass Lago di Ledro a beautiful mountain lake then descend into the valley, a small climb gets our legs ready for the final ascent over Passo Durone and descend back to Riva Del Garda to enjoy the afternoon around the lake.

Make the most of the afternoon people watching with a Aperol Spritz in town or shop till you drop then explore medieval fortresses and of course the town’s historic centre before finding a place for dinner.

Day 13

Today we depart Lake Garda and ride into the Dolomites. We climb away from the lake and past the town of Trento then past the lake of Caldonazzo and along the valley to Castelnuovo before we tackle our first pass of the day, Passo Forcella , a short downhill before we climb the Passo Brocon (just under 1700 mt's alt). A big descent into the heart of the Dolomites before arriving to our destination of Primiero. 

Enjoy your hotel and the splendid mountain panorama, relax by the pool and recover from your first big day in the mountains, before enjoying a first class dinner and a glass of wine.

Day 14

With not much distance from the hotel till our first pass, it's in order to start with a coffee before climbing the Passo Rolle. Rocky mountain peaks to look while climbing makes this is a beautiful part of Italy to visit. Hairpins keep the gradient under control and get you over the top. A short descent before taking a right and climbing over the second pass of the Day Passo Valles. Once over the top the steep descend to the Passo San Pellegrino.

The shorter option is a left and over the San Pellegrino before descending down to Moena and right to Canazei before the final climb of the day Passo Sella then it's all downhill to Ortisei.

The long option makes a right with a long descend down the valley to Agordino and left up to Rocca Pietore and onto the infamous steep Passo Fedia. With sections of 16% it's a tough rewarding climb and a fast descent down into Canazei before tackling the Passo Sella and downhill to Ortisei.

Day 15

Our Hotel Alpin Garden is just amazing. Our tours have been staying here for nearly 10 years. Our host and owner Markus is as much a part of our crew and I am sure you will feel at home too. The food, breakfasts and dinners are outstanding and it is very hard to leave when the time comes.

If its your first time in the Dolomites its not going to be your last and the Sella Ronda is the ride you should be on today. 4 Passes to climb. Passo Sella, Passo Pordoi, Passo Campolongo and Passo Gardena. Its magical and will be part of you forever.

For those who need to tick of the climbs on your bucket lists we have a big option. Passo Gardena, Passo Campolongo, Passo Giau, Fasso Falzarego, Passo Valpolla and Passo Gardena. Back in time for a late lunch with Markus and a well deserved beer before dinner.

Day 16

With so many years visiting the Dolomites we have come up with a ride that is new and challenging. Descending  off the mountains to Brixen before we tackle the long steady Passo della Erbe back into the heart of the Dolomite's with high views back down from where you have come from and going to. A long steep descend takes you into a valley with a short climb over the next ridge and down to San Martino and right back to Covara and the final climb of the day Passo Gardena and it's all downhill back to the hotel for lunch.

Day 17

Departing our hotel we make our last ascent back over the Passo Sella and down to Canazei before the easy side of the Passo Fedia. Anyone who missed the steep side will see what they missed on the way down. After the long steep descent to Rocca Pietore it's a long downhill run out of the mountains to Belluno and a change of regions. A small final climb over Passo San Boldo where you can get a view of the ocean and Venice in the distance. Once down the descent it's a flat ride into our final location and home of Pinarello, Treviso.

Take a walk to the Pinarello shop in town then drinks before dinner at our favourite wine bar and the home of Aperol Spritz. Treviso is a special place and like a second home to the crew and our tour. Take a walk around the narrow streets, crossing the many canals that suround the medieval wall around the old town of Treviso.

Day 18

An earlier start for the last bucket list mountain to climb of our tour. Our crew will pack the bikes and be ready to drive you to the Town of Tolmezzo where we can have a coffee before we set off for a loop ride with the infamous Mt Zoncolan in the middle. It's steep and rewarding and best of all you can tick this one off the list.

Back for a late lunch and plenty of time to shop, drink and eat. You even have time to catch a train into Venice to see the Grand Canal and Piazza San Marco and even have dinner there before catching a train back to Treviso to finish this trip of a lifetime.

Travel Details

How to Get There

FLY INTO: Catania Airport CTA

MEETING LOCATION: Grand Hotel San Pietro

MEETING TIME: From 2pm

Arriving

Getting to Sicily is easier than you might think. Emirates flies direct to Catania every day arriving just after midday. Other options include an internal flight from any other major city like Milano, Rome, Florence or Venice.

Having arrived in Catania in order to get to Taormina, taxi is the easiest and most convenient way.  The taxis from the airport of Catania ask you at about 100 Euros. Alternatively you can use the inexpensive train from Catania to Taormina-Giardini.