Welcome to Hooked on Cycling Holidays and our cycling holiday in Sicily. This biking vacation in Sicily we have called the Ancient cultures of Western Sicily as simply this western region has some many different cultures and historic ancient sites. This cycling holiday is available as a seven night level 2-3 self guided tour and also a 7 night guided tour on two dates. The cycle tour is in undulating terrain and therefore you should have some experience or done some cycling before.
Sicily's strategic position, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, lying between Europe and Africa, linking the eastern and western Mediterranean and the Latin World with the Greek resulted in it being not only the prized possession of foreign powers in its tumultuous history, but also a battleground between warring nations. Sicily’s long history of foreign domination has produced an incredible mix of traditions and cultures, leaving behind some of the most remarkable works or art and architecture found in the Mediterranean world. As you travel through the least densely populated part of the island, you will be amazed by the many architectonic styles, predominantly Greek Medieval and Baroque
One of the most outstanding qualities of western Sicily is the juxtaposition of colours, constantly changing according to the season. The sea is a predominant feature in this trip. Its many shades of green, turquoise and blue, contrast sharply with the intense whiteness of the salt lakes, exulted by the warm sun that makes everything glow and shine. Inland, the greens, yellows and browns characterise the seemingly infinite succession of cultivated rolling hills, dotted with soft coloured buildings, whites, creams, yellows and greys, depending on the material used and the period of construction.

Available daily from 1st March to 15th July and 1st September to 15th November
Guided tour on 22nd May and 25th September
Level 2-3 self guided and guided tour

Day 1 Arrival and transfer to Scopello (Guided tour) , Nubia ( near Trapani for self guided tour)
Depending on which tour you are booking, transfer from Palermo airport to the ancient village of Scopello, or transfer from Trapani airport to Nubia.
Scopello is a very small village which sprang up around an ancient “baglio” dating back to the seventeenth-century (during the Roman period, in western Sicily, the so called “bagli” were built with defensive purpose and then, in the XV century, were used in agriculture and included in the interior the houses of the farmers and the storehouses for tools and cattle).
The village of Scopello is located 100 meters above sea level not far from the Zingaro Nature Oriented Reserve. It is one of the most picturesque places in the province of Trapani and is renowned for the homonymous tuna fish station, which during 1500 was one of the most productive in Sicily. In Scopello you’ll be shown your tour and given some informative documents along with your hire bikes.
Nubia and a short distance from Trapani. According to your arrival time you can get a chance to visit the salt museum or have a relaxing walk to the salt marshes park where is possible to bird watch in the protected area.

Day 2 40 miles , 64 km Scopello to Nubia ( optional Erice ) , 36 miles 57 Km Nubia Loop to Erice.
On the Group tour today we head west bypassing Erice and the required climb. The fascinating town of Erice is perched on top of mount San Giuliano. The town nowadays has a very pleasant medieval feel, but this was one of the most important religious centre dedicated to the goddess of fertility Astarte for the Phoenicians, Aphrodite for the Greeks and Venus for the Romans. You can optionally stay in Erice if required. Our guided tour continues near to Trapani (Nubia) for its over night.
On the self guided tour today you’ll have a loop ride to the medieval town of Erice, on the top of the hill that you can see easily from your hotel.

Day 3 38 miles , 61 km  Nubia to Masala.
Today you follow a route in the interior will lead you to the Marsala Salt Mining Reserve and to Moziaand the little uncontaminated Punic Island. The panoramic downhill road will lead you from Erice to the sea cycling along almost completely flat roads, in the open countryside. Once you arrive at the sea you’ll enjoy a magnificent view of the Salt Mine and the wind mills.
At the landing-stage to Mozia it’ll be possible to visit the Marsala Salt Mining Reserve and discover the process of salt cultivation and look at a wind mill at close range. Then, by a little boat it’ll be possible to go to the suggestive Island of Mozia, Punic fortress, owned and operated by a foundation established by the Whitaker family, winemakers in Sicily. The foundation preserves what Giuseppe Whitaker an English man born (1850) and grown up in Palermo, keen on archaeology. It is possible to visit the Archaeological Museum and the ruins of a considerable civilization, complete with the harbor and the cemetery. Some of the finds displayed in the Museum have a distinctly Egyptian influence, while others are probably Hellenic.
This flat region has always been known for its fine grapes, but it was the Englishman, John Woodhouse, who introduced the wine business in 1796, having already developed a similar product (the Port wine) in Portugal.
After Mozia the last kilometers on the level will lead you to Marsala where you can visit the wine-producing firm with wine tasting.

Day 4  42 miles , 67 km Masala to Selinunte.
Leaving the flat vineyards around Marsala you curve inland through a softly undulating series of hills, then down towards the sea again, passing near the archaeological site of the Cave di Cusa where you can see and understand better how the temples of Selinunte were built. Pass through Campobello di Mazzara , and continue on till you reach Selinunte the abandoned ancient Greek city, with impressive ruins of an acropolis and numerous temples.

Day 5  41 miles , 65 km Selinunte to Poggioreale ( Contessa Entellina).
From the flat coastal plains you head inland and the hills of the Belice Valley. A totally different Sicily, the sea being visible only sometimes and at a distance, Here, as far as the eye can see you find a succession of hills, dotted with the interesting ruins of ancient farmhouses. The Valle del Belice was hit by a devastating earthquake in 1968, completely destroying many villages. This very sparely populated area is very beautiful.

Day 6 39 miles , 64 km Poggioreale to Piana degli Albanesi
Another cycling day in the interior country side of west Sicily. We’ll pass close to Corleone and reach a comfortable farm near Piana degli Albanesi

Day 7 19 miles , 34 km Piana degli Albanesi to Monreale
You’ll reach Monreale along the track of an ancient railway, you’ll drive through the Conca d’Oro an ancient valley at the gates of Palermo, boundless garden during the Arab domination, arriving in Monreale.

Monreale is world-renowned for its Cathedral called Santa Maria la Nuova, a dazzling mixture of Arab, Byzantine and Norman artistic styles framed by traditional Romanesque architecture, all combined in a perfect blend of the best that both the Christian and Muslim worlds of the 12th century had to offer. The beautiful mosaics in the Cathedral of Monreale are said to be one of the world's largest displays of this art, covering 6.340 square meters of the interior surface of the duomo. The splendid cloister of the Benedictine Abbey alone would make Monreale famous. Located next to the Cathedral, the 228 columns, some with mosaic inlay, each with a meticulously stone carved capital, enclose the gardens of the cloister. The capitals themselves depict scenes of Norman history in Sicily, complete with knights and kings. The style of the Norman knight figures evokes that of the knights depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry, a chronicle of the Battle of Hastings

Day 8 Tour complete after breakfast
Why not extend your trip with extra nights.

Our standard accommodation on on this tour is ( subject to change )
Scopello - 3 star B&B le Grotte www.beblegrotte.com
Trapani  - 4 star Relais Antiche Saline www.relaisantichesaline.com
Marsala  - 3 star Hotel Villa Favorita www.villafovorita.com
Selinunte - 4 star Hotel Admeto www.hoteladmeto.it
Contessa Entelina - 3 star Bio country house www.roccadeicapperi.com
Ficuzza - 3 star Hotel Antica Stazione www.anticastazione.it
Monreale 3 star Hotel Carrubella

Minimum 8 persons on group trip.

Tariff 2010

For Low Cost flights from UK at £50 return to Palermo check out Ryanair.

How to get there
By Plane
Guided tour To Palermo Punta Raisi airport where we pick you up and transfer you on the first day to your first nights accommodation. Also fly out of Palermo
Self guided tour Best to Trapani airport where a short taxi to your hotel. Best to fly out of Palermo airport although Tranpani is possible.

To View our other cycling holidays in Italy
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