Cycling in Sicily: Taormina to Cefalù

Arrival in Giardini Naxos, Taormina's seaside resort, on your own. Trip briefing and bike fitting. Evening swim and overnight stay in Giardini Naxos.

Your first stage is Taormina. After a short climb you reach this famous destination, also called the "Pearl of the Mediterranean" and for good reason one of the most visited places in Sicily. Time to explore the city before continuing along the coast northward. Another short climb to Sant'Alessio and then the road is relatively flat all the way to Messina.

Today you cycle all day along the coast and the route is mostly flat. Our first stop will be Capo Peloro. Here the distance to the Italian mainland is only a few kilometers and we can clearly see the coast of Calabria. Here we are literally "between Charybdis and Scylla" (two monsters from Greek mythology; freely translated into English the expression means being between two equally unpleasant choices - hard to understand in this lovely place). Our destination for the day is Milazzo, the gateway to the Aeolian Islands. Milazzo has a beautiful historic city center with a castle and a citadel from which you have a fantastic view over the nearest islands Vulcano and Lipari. Perhaps you'll even glimpse the celebrity Stromboli on the horizon.

Today you can take it easy, perhaps take a short bike ride to Capo Milazzo along a scenic road, hike to the "Piscina di Venere" or, weather permitting, take a day trip by boat to the Aeolian Islands. Several operators offer mini-cruises to the islands of Lipari and Vulcano, Salina or Panarea and Stromboli. The islands are magically beautiful and offer a wonderfully remote feeling, with small harbors and dramatic nature.

You begin today's cycling pleasantly on a flat stretch along the Tyrrhenian Sea before starting to climb up the serpentine roads to Santuario di Tindari, a relatively new sanctuary that houses a Byzantine black virgin. Opportunity to visit the nearby archaeological site of Tyndaris before continuing down towards the coast. The road offers beautiful views over the blue sea and the coast adorned with cliffs and small characteristic seaside resorts. Today's destination is Capo d'Orlando, a charming coastal town with a beautiful pebble beach.

The final stage continues along the sea, but the landscape changes. The stage is a bit longer, with some short but not difficult uphill sections. The first part is completely flat to Santo Stefano di Camastra, known for its hand-painted ceramics. Back at the coast, the first thing you see is a gigantic frame, the first artwork in "Fiumara d'Arte", a contemporary art project: the frame (window) is the "Monument to a Dead Poet". You continue on a mostly flat road to Castel di Tusa, an ideal place for lunch. From here you continue on a scenic road to your final destination Cefalù. Cefalù was once a charming fishing village, but now attracts visitors from around the world. Discover the cathedral, the outstanding setting and the many inviting bars and restaurants. Celebrate your arrival and the end of the tour with a Spritz or Granita in the picturesque Piazza del Duomo overlooking the cathedral and "La Rocca" (the rock) above.

After breakfast individual transfer to Catania airport or continued stay. You can book extra nights with us.