Sicily Magnifica Tour

8 days
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4.9/5 Excellent
75 reviews  
99%
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Group Tour
A Flavorful Mediterranean Bike Journey through Timeless Sicily The largest island in the Mediterranean is arguably the most beautiful and certainly the most dense with history and humanity. Sicily's complex culture is matched only by its stunning natural beauty and the incredible, diverse landscape: rolling hills and valleys swathed in grapevines, miles of ...
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$5,529
From$4,495
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Palermo’s amazing Arab-Norman architecture, including 9 buildings recognized by UNESCO
    • Guided visit to Monreale Cathedral
    • Corleone: the rebirth of an iconic mafia village
    • Wine tasting at Planeta Winery
    • Picnic with Poggioreale Antica inhabitants
    • The Museum Ex Stabilimento Florio on Favignana Island
    • History of salt trading
    • Unique mix of cultures and influences
    • The slow rhythm of proud people who have experienced many invasions and dominations and have always come out on top
    • Traditional Sicilian cannoli made just for us by Signor Nino

What's this trip about?

    A Flavorful Mediterranean Bike Journey through Timeless Sicily The largest island in the Mediterranean is arguably the most beautiful and certainly the most dense with history and humanity. Sicily's complex culture is matched only by its stunning natural beauty and the incredible, diverse landscape: rolling hills and valleys swathed in grapevines, miles of aquamarine coastline and a series of archipelagos that can be reached via a quick boat ride. We will pedal back in time to a colorful and enigmatic past that has never left the island. With Tourissimo, you will see the real Sicily.

Details

Itinerary focusActive and Outdoor Sports
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityPalermo
End CityPalermo

Travel Themes

  • Culinary & Wine
  • Cultural
  • Cycling & Biking
  • Local Immersion & Homestays

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Italy

Attractions

  • Palermo
  • Sicily

Activities

  • Cooking
  • Culture
  • Cycling
  • Historic sightseeing
  • History
  • Mountaineering
  • Nature
  • Ruins & Archaeology
  • Wine Tasting

Trip includes

    • Bikes equipped with Garmin GPS (choice Bianchi road carbon or hybrid; Ebike for an extra charge)
    • Two professional tour guides throughout the program
    • All accommodations
    • All breakfasts, all lunches and all dinners
    • Wine and beer with meals, coffee, cappuccino, and gelato stops
    • Support vehicle during the tour and luggage transfer
    • Shuttle at the beginning and at the end of the tour
    • All activities mentioned in the day-by-day description

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Day 1: Palermo

Terrain: Flat

Ride: 15 mi or 24 km

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Massimo Plaza (alternative Centrale Palace)

One of your guides will meet you at Palermo Airport for a late morning shuttle to your hotel in the city center where ever...

Day 2: Ficuzza

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodations: Antica Stazione di Ficuzza

Terrain: Hilly

Ride: 25/46 mi or 40/73 km

Today we start our bike journey, leaving Palermo and traveling into an unexpected, rural Sicily. Orange, olive and almon...

Day 3: Menfi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Foresteria Planeta (alternative Relais Casina Miregia)

Terrain: Rolling

Ride: 51/66 mi or 81/105 km

Today’s panoramic morning ride involves a gradual descent and a short climb on the crest o...

Day 4: Menfi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Foresteria Planeta (alternative Relais Casina Miregia)

Terrain: Hilly

Ride: 53 mi or 85 km (shorter and longer options available)

Today’s loop ride takes us inland to the ghost town of Poggi...

Day 5: Marsala

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Carmine Hotel

Terrain: Rolling

Ride: 51 mi or 83 km

After our breakfast "made in Sicily", following the Ciclovia of the Southern Coast we’ll arrive in Selinunte, one of the most impressive a...

Day 6: Favignana

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodations: Relais Antiche Saline

Terrain: Boat and swim day

Ride: none

From Marsala we’ll sail to butterfly-shaped Favignana Island, the largest of the Egadi islands. We’ll learn about the Florio Muse...

Day 7: Nubia

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodations: Relais Antiche Saline

Terrain: Rolling with one long climb

Ride: 40/58 mi or 64/92 km

The province of Trapani is known for its coral, tuna fishing tradition, and wine. We will ride south th...

Day 8: Nubia

Meals: Breakfast

Terrain: Departure

Ride: None

After breakfast you will be transferred in private taxis to the Palermo airport according to your travel plans and flight schedule.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,495
Price per day$562
Single supplement (single occupancy)$600
Last Updated: 8/2/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Tourissimo.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Tourissimo Reviews & Ratings

4.9/5  Excellent
Excellent
64
Great
11
Average
0
Disappointing
0
Terrible
0
R

Robert L.

Jun 2019

Written on

Outstanding.

Outstanding. They repeatedly went the extra mile. Excellent ambassadors for Italy.

B

Ben F.

May 2018

Written on

Everything about the tour was great

everything about the tour was great. Wonderful stops and destinations....

C

Carl D.

May 2018

Written on

The best!

The best! Thank you for such an outstanding experience

D

Dennis C.

May 2018

Written on

The entire team catered to each of our needs and ensured everyone had a good tim

The entire team catered to each of our needs and ensured everyone had a good time. Your keen awareness of how the tour is going and making the necessary adjustment...

D

Don K.

May 2018

Written on

This was a WONDERFUL

This was a WONDERFUL blend of cycling, food appreciation and cultural in...

Write a Review

Other Tourissimo Reviews

J

Joan

Dec 2019

Provided byTourissimo

Great routes, guides, hotels and bikes!

Great routes, guides, hotels and bikes!

A

Adrienne C.

Oct 2019

Provided byTourissimo

I really enjoyed the tour.

I really enjoyed the tour. The bike and cycling routes were great, loved the scenery in Slovenia and appreciated the off-bike tours. I loved the Italian lunch at the...

J

Joan H.

Dec 2019

Provided byTourissimo

Tour route was awesome.

Firstly, Beppe is a great tour guide. I appreciated all the stops for gelato and espresso. Tour route was awesome. The first day was on the line of being too long ...

Write a Review

Tour Operator

Tourissimo

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Background and Mission

Tourissimo is a new deeply authentic Italian travel company whose mission is to provide active travelers a unique way to experience the natural and cultural wonders of this magnificent country. With its highly focused niche approach, Tourissimo aims to become the  number one Destination Management Company (DMC) in Italy for active travel by designing, creating and implementing exclusive programs for individuals and small groups, intimately presenting each region with a strong focus on “insider access” and special personal connections to maximize sense of place. Understanding that most travelers today want to be fully engaged and seek  memorable and meaningful experiences, all Tourissimo journeys include breathtaking scenery and activities, gourmet food and wine and a range of accommodations that together create an unforgettable taste of Italy.

Tourissimo was founded in 2015 by Beppe Salerno, a former general manager at one of the industry’s leading companies who has carried out (both as a manager and as a guide) hundreds of tours throughout Italy and amassed outstanding experience and knowledge in the field of active adventure vacations in some of the most inspiring destinations throughout Italy. Tourissimo began with a handful  of destinations including Piedmont, Puglia, Sicily, the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre; new destinations for 2016 include Tuscany, Sardinia and Friuli with the bordering country of Slovenia. Each itinerary is a carefully balanced mix of physical activities, cultural immersion and authentic learning experiences.

The Tourissimo Experience

Tourissimo provides turnkey, fully supported programs primarily serving small (8-14pp) private groups through outbound tour operators, travel agents, and private organizations, such as cycling clubs and affinity groups. All tours are designed to provide extraordinary educational hiking and bicycling in geographical areas where Tourissimo has outstanding expertise. These carefully crafted programs are active immersions into local culture and delicious cuisine for energetic, highly curious, young-at-heart travelers of all abilities who love the outdoors.

Tourissimo’s Signature Tours are ready-to-book programs of six or seven nights offering three activity levels: recreational, moderate and athletic. The cycling tours allow riders to choose a performance road bike, hybrid bike or even an Ebike (bike with pedals assisted by an electric engine). Custom tours are also available, whereby Tourissimo specifically designs programs in any Italian destination based on the individual or group’s specific interests and preferences. Custom tours may include things like kayaking, learning to make ceramics from local artisans, making handmade pasta from scratch or literary city tours in the footsteps of Dante, just to name a few.

Rates typically range from $450 to $750 per person per night, including accommodations, most meals, all transfers, daily cultural activities and two or more professional tour leaders. Programs are usually a weeklong in duration, but there are no minimum number  of nights on custom tours. Reservations can be made via www.tourissimo.travel or by calling 857-997-0051.

Additional Background

According to Active Travel Association’s 2015 Industry Snapshot, Italy is the top destination for soft adventure travel in Europe. With its longitudinal, peninsula-like shape, Italy has varying elevations from sea level to mountains reaching 12,000 feet. The country has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites (47 as of 2015), and with approximately 5000 miles of coastline and two mountain ranges including the majestic Dolomites on Eastern Alps, it’s no wonder that Italy tops the wish lists for those seeking beautiful adventures. In addition to being an unchallenged destination for food and wine aficionados, Italy’s dense network of roads and trails, charming villages, hamlets, castles, monasteries and abbeys make it the ideal destination for active travelers.

Cycling and Walking tours in Italy Tourissimo is the first Italian Destination. Management company specialized in active travel. We are local experts; we rely on experienced Italian guides and staff to deliver authentic travel experiences.

 

Why we love this operator
They offer a unique way to enjoy a classic destination by combining active travel with authentic cultural experiences.
What they’re known for
Private customized active travel experience throughout Italy that all include an element of hiking and/or biking.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Airfare
    • Personal expenses such as phone and hotel extras
    • Guide gratuity

Accommodation

,Relais Antiche Saline Trapani (Sicily) Foresteria Planeta Menfi (Sicily)

Transportation & Flights

Private transfer by Tourissimo from the Palermo airport to the first Hotel. Upon request, guests can be picked-up elsewhere (additional cost). Private transfer by Tourissimo from last hotel to the Palermo airport.,

Transportation & flights

Private transfer by Tourissimo from the Palermo airport to the first Hotel. Upon request, guests can be picked-up elsewhere (additional cost). Private transfer by Tourissimo from last hotel to the Palermo airport.
Cancellation policy

If Days Prior to Departure is 91+, then the Cancellation Fee is Admin fee – 250 USD

If Days Prior to Departure is 61-90, then the Cancellation Fee is 25% of tour price

If Days Prior to Departure is 31-60, then the Cancellation Fee is 50% of tour price

If Days Prior to Departure is 0-30, then the Cancellation Fees is 100% of tour price

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

7 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches and 7 Dinners

Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information

Tour Level

 

Recreational/Active/Athletic - Active: 30 to 55 mi a day along flat and rolling terrain. Additional miles available on some days.

 

Climate Data

 

In May, temperatures average 16C (62F) low / 24C (75F) max - precipitation probability is 4%.

 

In September, temperatures average 16C (63F) low / 25C (76F) max - precipitation probability is 4%.

 

In October, temperatures average 16C (62F) low / 23C (73F) max - precipitation probability is 8%.

 

Info about food and wine, and Slow Food products

 

Sicilian cuisine shows traces of all of the cultures which established themselves on the island over the last two millennia. Although its cuisine has a lot in common with mainland Italian cuisine, Sicilian food also has Greek, Spanish, French and Arab influences. The use of apricots, sugar, citrus, sweet melons, rice, saffron, raisins, nutmeg, clove, pepper, pine nuts, cinnamon (along with fried preparations) is a sign of Arab influences from the Arab domination of Sicily in the 10th and 11th centuries. Normans influences are also found, such as in the fondness for meat dishes. Later, the Spanish introduced numerous items from the New World, including cocoa, corn, peppers, and tomatoes.

 

In Catania, on the east coast, initially settled by Greek colonists, fish, olives, broad beans, pistachio and fresh vegetables are preferred instead. Much of the island's cuisine encourages the use of fresh vegetables such as eggplant, peppers, and tomatoes, and fish such as tuna, cuttlefish, and swordfish. In Trapani, in the extreme western corner of the island, North African influences are clear in the use of couscous. Sicily is a wine-lover's paradise, such is the variety, complexity and abundance of Bacchus' unique gift! There are 23 DOC zones in Sicily: Alcamo,Contea di Sclafani, Contessa Entellina, Delia Nivolelli, Eloro, Erice, Etna, Faro, Malvasia delle Lipari, Mamertino di Milazzo, Marsala, Menfi, Monreale, Moscato di Noto, Moscato di Pantelleria, Passito di Pantelleria, Moscato di Siracusa, Riesi, Salaparuta, Sambuca di Sicilia, Santa Margherita di Belice, Sciacca and Vittoria. Many grape types are grown, used either in purezza (single grape variety wines), or blended. Some have been around for centuries while others are more recent imports.

 

The following are some of the main varieties: red grapes - Nero D’Avola, Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Mantellato, Perricone, Frappato, Calabrese and the more recently introduced Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Shiraz (Syrah); white grapes - Cataratto, Grecanico, Grillo, Inzolia, Zibibbo, Damaschino, Trebbiano, Ausonica, Moscato Bianco, Carricante, Corinto Nero and the more recently introduced Chardonnay, Viognier and Fiano. Sicily has the most Slow Food Presidia (local projects) of all of the Italian regions. That means that the island has lots to offer in terms of gastronomical discoveries ranging from greens and vegetables to cheese and artisanal bread. Among a few that we will experience are Trapani Sea Salt, The Menfi Artichoke and the Belice Vastedda that is Italy’s only stretched-curd sheep’s milk cheese.

Trip ID
touris-SicMagTou

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