DuVine

Overview

Warmth, Personality, and the Essence of the Old World in Sicily. Stay in five-star boutique hotels, including a luxurious estate in Noto and a romantic retreat in Taormina. Come to understand Sicily's unique culinary identity during a cooking class and over lunch at our friend Giuseppe’s organic, family-run farm. Discover Mount Etna’s distinctive wine region both on the bike and in the glass at two paired tasting meals. Visit the picturesque town of Vizzini, birthplace of Giovanni Verga—one of Italy’s most beloved realist writers, famous for his depictions of rural life. Taste Sicily’s famous _granita_ at one of the best shops in the main square of Noto. A wealth of unique ingredients and dishes thanks to Sicily’s location in the center of the Mediterranean: cannoli, _granita_ , _arancini_ , pistachios, almonds, blood oranges, fresh seafood, heirloom Giarratana onions, pasta alla Norma, and farm-fresh ricotta. An entire world of wines, from strong, spicy Nero d’Avola, to elegant Nerello Mascalese and lesser-known whites like Grillo and late-ripening Carricante. Your guides will meet you in Siracusa, and then we’re off to the ancient Pantalica Valley. Get fitted on the bikes and warm up your legs on the way into Baroque Ferla—named one of Italy’s _borghi piu belli_ , or most beautiful villages. Your first few glimpses of Sicily are overwhelming, with views of Etna and the eastern island dominating the ride to lunch. Arrive at a restaurant in the village of Buccheri that’s owned by a pair of brothers who have devoted their lives to preserving local culinary traditions, foraging for wild ingredients, and generally serving one of the best meals you’ll ever have. After, pedal across the Iblean plateau through Buscemi and Palazzolo, finally reaching our boutique hotel. The up-and-coming resident chef welcomes us with a memorable first dinner that showcases the flavors of this special island. Accommodations: Dimora delle Balze or Il San Corrado di Noto. Depart right from the hotel this morning, warming up our legs on the rolling terrain of the Iblean plateau. Pedal through the site of Avola Antica, an ancient settlement leveled by the earthquake of 1693, which also destroyed the nearby fortress of Noto Antica. The rebuilding of these two towns on the plains below marked the flowering of the Sicilian Baroque age. Take in sweeping views of the Mediterranean on the descent to modern Noto, then ride through Porta Reale, a magnificent triumphal arch, to explore the city's stunning center. Almond trees flourish on the coastal plain, which makes stopping for an almond granita at an iconic pastry shop extra sweet. Back on the bikes, cap off the day’s ride with a gradual climb and some jaw-dropping scenery en route to an al fresco lunch amidst the olive trees. Tonight, we'll gather for a convivial evening of cooking, eating, and drinking with a local chef. Accommodations: Dimora delle Balze or Il San Corrado di Noto. Set out on a scenic journey across the open pastures of the Val di Noto, through Giarratana—known for its heirloom sweet onions—and into Monterosso. Stop for a Sicilian pastry and coffee among the locals just before a climb up to Vizzini, birthplace of Sicily’s greatest realist writer, Giovanni Verga. Here we’re welcomed onto a family-run farm for a home-cooked meal with our friend Giuseppe. Lunch is long on true Sicilian hospitality, and we’ll take our warm and fuzzy feelings with us across the plains of Catania where our next hotel is located on the slopes of Mount Etna. This evening is an introduction to the elegant vintages of this unique winegrowing region during our paired tasting dinner. Accommodations: Villa Neri. Today we see an entirely new side of Sicily as we pedal through a region defined by Etna. With grapes growing out of black volcanic soil next to farmhouses built from basalt rock, it’s hard to believe this is the same island we’ve been cycling all week. Medieval Norman castles peer down on us from the heights of Castiglione and Francavilla as we wind our way through the wild Alcantara Valley. After a tasting lunch at one of the region’s top wineries, settle in for a long and gradual downhill to the coast. Hop in the van or finish with one last push up to our five-star hotel in Taormina. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish: wind down with a swim in the hotel pool, watch the sunset over Etna, admire the craftsmanship of the Greek amphitheater, or plunge headfirst into the city’s bustling restaurant scene. Accommodations: The Ashbee Hotel or Grand Hotel San Pietro. Right out of Taormina we’re met with a scenic descent to the coast. Warm up on a road beside the Mediterranean, then turn inland to tackle a series of challenging climbs that wind deep into the coastal mountain range. If you find the string of improbably-perched mountain villages captivating, you’re not alone—Francis Ford Coppola chose this area to film some of the most iconic scenes from _The Godfather_. The coastal vistas and ancient landscape of Savoca are indeed cinematic as we approach the town from above. Here, in his tiny _ristorante_ , a passionate emerging chef will wow us with lunch. Choose to complete the loop ride this afternoon, or transfer directly back to Taormina. We’ll regroup for tonight’s farewell dinner and raise a glass to our week on this island unlike any other. Accommodations: The Ashbee Hotel or Grand Hotel San Pietro. Bid farewell to Taormina with a last leisurely breakfast or a final stroll around town. Your guides will transfer you to the Catania airport and see you off for your journey home. Arrival Details: Airport City: Catania, Italy Pick-Up Location: Siracusa Algila Ortigia Hotel Pick-Up Time: 10:00 am Departure Details: Airport City: Catania, Italy Drop-Off Location: Catania Fontanarossa Airport Drop-Off Time: 10:30 am Any scheduled tour can be made private. Your group, your dates. Single Supplement is applied to secure a private room for solo travelers. Accommodations: Thoughtfully selected accommodations that reveal the true character of the region. Luggage transfers. Meals: Daily breakfasts, all lunches, nutritious snacks, and après velo cocktails. 4 gourmet dinners at our favorite local restaurants and renowned culinary establishments. Carefully selected local wine, beer, or spirits with every meal. Activities: Wine tastings and activities as outlined in the tour itinerary. Entrance fees to historic sites, museums, parks, and all other exclusive events. Gratuities for baggage, porters, and hotel service. Gear: Top-of-the-line bicycle selection. Bike helmet. Complimentary DuVine gear including a custom cycling jersey, DuVine t-shirt, water bottle, and drawstring bag. GPS with pre-programmed route maps. Support: Expert bilingual guides with extensive local knowledge. Support vehicle that follows the day’s route, distributes refreshments, and offers lifts. Pick-up and drop-off before and after your tour from predetermined meeting points. Daily bike maintenance to ensure optimal performance. NOT INCLUDED: Airfare, Dinner on one free night, Gratuities for DuVine guides, Travel Protection. See our FAQs page for answers to common questions. Bikes: Synapse Carbon 2 (Manufacturer: Cannondale, Type: Road - Included in trip price). Teammachine 01 AMP THREE (Manufacturer: BMC, Type: Road E-Bike - $400 supplement, subject to availability). Turbo Vado SL 2 4.0 ST (Manufacturer: Specialized, Type: Hybrid E-Bike - Included in trip price). Turbo Vado SL 2 4.0 (Manufacturer: Specialized, Type: Hybrid E-Bike - Included in trip price).

Daily Ride Schedule

Accommodation & Services

Accommodation

Hotel

What's Included