Sicily 2020

 

 

This tour has been designed accordingly prior years Veneto Sportswear key requirements and is actually based on “unofficial” informations about the Giro d’Italia stages course. According stages geographical configuration, the tour design chose the famous destination of Taormina as strategical base to minimize airport and ride transfers and provide higher guest’s comfort during the event. It includes rides on the stage courses and, it offers an amazing explore ride to the “Gole of the Alcantara”, with special Etna lava wine tasting and lunch in the Villa Galfina wine resort on the slopes of the Etna.

Itinerary
Accomodations
Offer
Pricing

 

 

 

ITINERARY


General informations
• 3 days to explore the Barocco area and the Monti Iblei
• 2 days dedicated to follow 2 stages of the Giro
• 1 day to explore Etna lava wines area
• Riding along best selected segments
• Wine tasting and regional food excellence


DAY 1

Arrival in Catania Airport and transfer to Taormina

 

Day program
• Suggested landing in Catania airport late morning or early afternoon
• Shuttle service with dedicated vans from airport to the hotel in Taormina (65 km | 58” min)
• Guests check in and free time
• Guests bike fitting on our BMC bike fleet or guest’s bikes assembly
• Optional panoramic test ride or explore walk in Taormina surroundings
• Welcome aperitif and short briefing to explain next days program
• Restaurant dinner (walking distance from hotel)


DAY 2

Explore the mediterranean coast

 

Day program

• Breakfast
• Explore ride 81 Km to Mendanici and Valle Dei Dinarini.
• Visit the hamlets of Forza d’Agro’ and Savoca (Corleone and The God Father scenarios)
• Available short ride 66 km.
• Dinner in a selected typical fisherman’s restaurant in the harbor area.

Ride program
DIST. 72 KM | ELEV. 900 MT | TOT. TIME 4H30 | RIDE TIME 3H30
09:30 | Ride start from the hotel
TBD | Coffee break in Mandanici (28 km) almost at the top of the main climb of Val Pagliara
TBD | Short path junction (km 48)
TBD | Passing through the hamlets of Forza d’Agrò and Savoca
TBD | 2nd Coffee break in Fadarechi for long ride (54 km) at the beginning of last downhill


DAY 3

ETNA

 

Day program

• Breakfast
• Ride 82 km on the volcano slopes to intercept the stage course in Madonna della Vena
• Face the last challenging climb of 18 km to the Rifugio Sapienza at 1910 mt of altitude.
• Stand by the riders arrival near the finish line
• Transfer by bus from finish line to the hotel in Taormina
• Dinner in typical restaurant of the area

Ride program
DIST. 65 KM | ELEV. 2,100 MT | TOT. TIME 4H20 | RIDE TIME 3H20
08:30 | Ride start from hotel (Group 1)
09:30 | Ride start from hotel (Group 2) optional longer ride passing across Linguaglossa
TBD | Pit stop on the top of the first climb at Madonna della Vena (Km 24) before entering stage course (-32 km)
TBD | Coffee break in Fornazzo (Km 32)
TBD | Passing Zafferana Etnea to face final climb to Rifugio Sapienza (-18km)
14:30 | Arrival on the finish line at the Osservatorio Astronomico (all groups)


DAY 4

Discover Gole dell’Alcantara & Etna lava wines

 

Highlights
The Gole of the Alcantara
Unique in the Italian and European natural landscape, the Alcantara Gorges are one of the must-see attractions of Sicily. Located about 20 km from Taormina, the gorges are real canyons made of black lava walls up to 50 meters high, in the typical shape of a prism that the rocks have taken during the cooling process.

Lava wine tasting - The volcanic soils of Etna originate from the slow breaking down of the lava rock, from the abundant presence of ashes emitted from the crater and from organic substances. They are rich in stones and minerals. Fertility and complexity are the common denominator in the different soils of our vineyards in the Etna area: Nero d’Avola, Nerello Mascalese; Etna red and white, Passito, etc.

Day program

• In hotel breakfast
• Explore ride on the path of the Granfondo dell’Alcantara on the Giro stage course
• Look at the riders passage during the climb to Portella
• 76 Km ride (with shorter and longer distance options)
• Etna lava wine tasting and regional recipes lunch during cycling at Linguaglossa in the Scilio Valle Galfina wine
resort
• Ride back after lunch to the hotel (23 km, mainly in downhill) or van pick up.
• Free afternoon to relax in the hotel’s spa or visit the beauties of Taormina
• Dinner in a selected Taormina restaurant (see please, restaurants proposals)

Ride program
DIST. 76 KM | ASC. 900 MT | TOT. TIME 4H15 | RIDE TIME 3H45 | AVG SP. 22 KM/H
09:00 | Ride start from the hotel
12:15 | Coffee break in Francavilla di Sicilia after the long climb (Km 30)
12:45 | Look at the riders passage from our bar
13:30 | Arrival in Villa Galfina wine maker
15:00 | Optional ride back to hotel after lunch mainly in downhill


DAY 5

FROM RAGUSA TO SIRACUSA

 

Day program

• Breakfast
• Participants and baggage transfer to new hotel in Ragusa
• Bus transfer from Siracusa (120 km | 1h35’) to the ride start
• Explore ride from in the peninsula of Ortigia, the magnificent historic center of Siracusa
• Passing Avola, the land of Nero d’Avola wine and Noto one of the capitals of Sicilian Baroque
• Arrival at our hotel in Siracusa
• Free time in hotel

Ride program
DIST. 87 KM | ASC. 950 MT | TOT. TIME 5H40 | RIDE TIME 4H20 | AVG SPEED 21 KM/H
08:00 | Bus Transfer
09:35 | Arrival in Ortigia at Siracusa
10:00 | Ride start
11:00 | Passing through Avola (km25)
11:20 | coffe break in Noto (32km)
14:00 | Fast lunch in Modica (71km) during the ride
15:00 | Start for last segment of 16km
15:45 | Arrival in hotel


DAY 6

EXPLORE MODICA, SCICLI AND THE MEDITERRANEAN COAST

 

Day program

• Sport breakfast at hotel
• Explore ride 72 Km
• Ride back after lunch to the hotel (23 km, mainly in downhill) or van pick up.
• Free afternoon to relax in the hotel’s spa or visit the beauties of Ragusa Ibla
• Dinner in a selected restaurant (see please, restaurants proposals)

Ride program
09:00 | Ride start from the hotel
09:40 | Passing through the city of Modica (Km 15)
10:20 | Pit stop in Scicli with coffe break downtown (Km 27)
11:00 | Passing through the city of Donnalucata (Km 35)
11:30 | Second coffee break in Marina di Ragusa before facing the main uphill to Ragusa (Km 41)
13:30 | Arrival in hotel


DAY 7

EXPLORE BUSCEMI; BUCCHERI AND MONTI IBLEI

 

Day program

• Breakfast
• Explore ride on the path of the 85 Km ride (available 68 km short ride with junction in Palazzolo Acreide)
• Ride back after lunch to the hotel (23 km, mainly in downhill) or van pick up.
• Free afternoon to relax in the hotel’s spa or visit the surrounding area.
• Dinner in a selected restaurant.

Ride program

DIST. 85 KM | ASC. 1.300 MT | TOT. TIME 5H00 | RIDE TIME 4H10 | AVG SPEED 21 KM/H
09:00 | Ride start from the hotel
10:45 | Pit stop in Palazzolo Acreide at the top of firs daily uphill with coffe break (Km 34)
11:45 | Passing through the city of Buscemi (Km 44)
11:00 | Passing through the city of Buccheri (Km 51)
11:10 | At the GPM of Monte Lauro at 950 mt of altitude starts the long downhill to Ragusa (km 55)
11:30 | Second coffee break in Giarretana during the downhill (Km 67)
13:30 | Arrival in hotel


DAY 8

GOOD BYE AND RETURN

Day program

• In hotel breakfast
• Thank you for riding with us and see you soon for the next Giro d’Italia
• Shuttle transfers to Catania Fontanarossa Airport for the flight back ( 65 km | 0h58’


ACCOMODATIONS



Panoramic Hotel 4* - TAORMINA

https://www.panoramictaormina.it/


With a splendid view of the Bay of Isola Bella, all of the rooms at the 4-star Panoramic Hotel in Taormina overlook the sea, providing a breathtaking panorama that no other hotel in Taormina can offer you. Large windows that give way to the outside light, along with hand-crafted furniture in birch wood that matches beautifully with elegant curtains, contribute to a charming atmosphere that will make your stay at the Panoramic Hotel truly unforgettable. Just 20 metres from the beach of the Isola Bella Bay, the 4-star Panoramic Hotel in Taormina is in a strategic location, overlooking the sea and near the cable car that will take you to the city’s historic centre in 5 minutes. Taormina is known in Sicily and the world as a fascinating and charming place, dominated by the volcano Etna, and enhanced by the splendid Greek Theater, an ancient and prestigious monument which host concerts and international events such as the Taormina Arte festival.


De Stefano Palace Luxury Hotel 4* | RAGUSA

https://www.destefanopalace.com/

 

In the historical center of Ragusa, the De Stefano Palace – Luxury Hotel stands out among many examples of late Baroque, neo-classical, art nouveau and eclectic architecture. The period residence, restored to its original and refined neo-classical elegance, is situated close to the down-town shopping area and at a short walk away from the path that leads to Ragusa Ibla. A perfect marriage between antique charm and the dictates of modern living,


NETTUNO RESTAURANT in Taormina

 

In full historic center on the main street of beautiful Taormina, the Nettuno restaurant is in neoclassical style, sober and refined, ideal for intimate evenings and elegant events. Equipped with a cellar with important Sicilian autochthonous labels and wines of international prestige. The à la carte menu focuses on dishes based on fresh fish from the Gulf fished in the Ionian Sea. In the hall, the service is taken care of directly by Domenico Siciliano. Sommelier AIS, with its innate grace and a high professional competence, always manages to give the right advice for a unique lunch or dinner.


 Etna lava wine tasting - Welcome to Valle Galfina!

 

The present members of the Scilio Family are the fifth generation producing wine in Linguaglossa. It is a family tradition that we will
safe guard and pass on to the future generations. The Wine making philosophy is based on the careful cultivation of the vineyards to
give us the best possible grape production for wines that preserve and reflect the characteristics of the Etna territory.


 

 

OFFER


What is included

Accomodations & Restaurants
• 7 nights in a 4 stars hotel
• All meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner with wines and beers
• Alternative food options available based on allergies upon request

Transfers
• From airpot of Taormina to Hotel
• All transfers during the week

Staff & tech support
• 6 expert English speaking guides, using walkie-talkie / mobile to control the riding sessions
• 3 drivers + logistic, nutrition, mechanics
• Capacity to handle different ability level also by different distances courses and vehicle pick ups
• 3 support vehicles with a mechanic for assistance, nutrition and spare gear during ride sessions

Gear
• Two jerseys and one bib or shorts included

What is not included

• Specialty wines and alcoholic drinks
• Flight tickets and travel insurance
• Incidentals
• Bike rental services
• Spare parts assistance for whom brings its own bike

PAYMENTS and CANCELLATION POLICY
Veneto makes every effort to serve its customers better, so to reduce risks in case of cancellations, it is strongly suggested to purchase a
traveler’s insurance in case of interruption, accidents, illness or anything else that may occur.