Overview
A beautiful, astonishing, and picturesque motorcycle tour with a mix of breathtaking coastal scenic roads and inland routes through astounding villages where time has forgotten to pass by, that have spawned hundreds of films. Amidst history and magnificent landscapes, the route will take in spectacular stops, such as a ride through the snows of Europe’s highest active volcano or among the temples of Agrigento’s famous Valley of the Temples. Not to mention Sicily’s characteristic beautiful markets, such as Catania’s fish market or Palermo’s district Vucciria, where the Arabian influence of the past is still felt. A splendid journey awaits you, crowned by the discovery of unparalleled scents and flavors, with a rich traditional cuisine among the best in Italy and irresistible pastries, washed down with excellent, fruity wines.
Highlights
- Starts and ends in Palermo
- Discover Zingaro Reserve and San Vito Lo Capo
- Enjoy Agrigento’s mystical Valley of the Temples
- Ride in the tracks of the historic “Targa Florio” and “Mille Miglia” motor race
- Bound for Val di Noto and its UNESCO-listed late-baroque towns
- Explore Noto and the beautiful island Ortigia
- Experience the spectacular and majestic Etna
- 9 nights accommodation
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Palermo
Today is the individual arrival of all participants in Palermo. Italy on Motorbike recommends you to have a stroll through the lanes of the historical town center to visit the Palatine Chapel, the royal palace, and so much more. They suggest dedicating Palermo at least one day before or after the tour for a self-contained visit. You all meet up at your hotel in the afternoon. At around 17:30 - 18:00, you will go and pick up the rental bikes (if any) and have a short but important briefing, the time to explain a few simple rules for organizing and synchronizing things, thus ensuring that everyo
Day 2: Palermo to Mazara del Vallo (220 kilometers / 137 miles)
At 9 am, you will leave Palermo, off to a great start with their motorcycle tour through the pearls of Sicily. A quite full day awaits, starting along the coast to the splendid stacks shown in the Acqua di Giò perfume ads. You continue with a visit to the first Greek temple of your tour and to a spectacular medieval village at a height of 750 meters, the which castle offers a 360° panorama on the Zingaro Reserve. A scenic descent towards the sea takes you then among the windmills of the salt pans of Trapani and Marsala before arriving in one of Italy's most famous fishermen’s villages. - Inclu
Day 3: Mazara del Vallo to Agrigento (245 kilometers / 152 miles)
After a visit to the awesome temple site of Selinunte (UNESCO site) on the coast, today's ride takes you on inland among villages untouched by time and chosen by Giuseppe Tornatore as film sets for movies such as Nuovo Cinema Paradiso and Malena. You shall even touch on legendary Corleone where it is possible to visit the museum of the Mafia before getting back in the saddle in the direction of the sea toward your last stop of the day, which will be a fascinating walk along the unique Valley of the Temples (UNESCO site) in Agrigento. - Included meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 4: Agrigento to Marina di Ragusa (250 kilometers / 155 miles)
Today again, your motorcycle tour is a ride toward the center of Sicily before returning to the coast for the evening. You’ll enjoy lots of turns on your way to visit a beautiful 4th-century Roman Villa (UNESCO site) and then jump into the unexpected and awesome baroque settings of the Val di Noto (UNESCO site) with Caltagirone. On your way to the sea, you’ll stop at one of Sicily's most beautiful castles and finally in some of the places in some of the most picturesque shooting sets of the Italian most beloved crime series Inspector Montalbano. - Included meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 5: Marina di Ragusa to Syracuse (215 kilometers / 134 miles)
Today's ride on the motorcycles will be a continuous alternation of sea and inland. You start from the sea towards the hinterland for the visit of splendid Ragusa Ibla and then the city of chocolate. After due tastings in the artisan workshops, you take your bikes again, heading to the sea, to have lunch in one of the most enchanting villages in Sicily. After lunch, you head inland again for an in-depth visit to Noto and its wonderful valley, ending in beautiful Syracuse, where you’ll spend 2 nights. - Included meals: Breakfast and lunch
Day 6: Syracuse
Rest day to spend in one of Sicily's most beautiful cities, with so much to see. You can visit the archaeological park Neapolis or the beautiful island Ortigia (old city center) where to have a memorable aperitif at sunset. If, on the other hand, you are in the mood for total relaxation, you can enjoy the day on the beach. - Included meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Syracuse to Giardini di Naxos (210 kilometers / 130 miles)
Today many miles and lots of things to see, therefore you start your motorcycle tour using a bit of freeway that will allow you to arrive in time for the unique spectacle of the Catania fish market. From there, on your motorcycles, you will climb the beautiful roads full of turns edged by lava flows of the majestic volcano Etna (UNESCO site), that with its 3340 meters altitude towers above mythical Taormina, home of the Dolce Vita jet set and a world famous beautiful Greek theater (UNESCO site) enshrined in a fascinating setting. It is in this area at the foot of the volcano that you will stop
Day 8: Giardini di Naxos to Cefalù (230 kilometers / 143 miles)
Today's route will obviously include parts by the sea, but also mountains, roaming through enchanting villages that are among the most beautiful in Italy, while exploring the Nebrodi Mountains Natural Park (the largest in Sicily) and its twisting roads, straddling the Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas. This great ride will end in another pearl of this pretty island of Sicily, charming Cefalù, where you will stop for the night. - Included meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 9: Cefalù to Palermo (220 kilometers / 137 miles)
Today's motorcycle tour will focus on the Madonie park and the roads of the historic "Targa Florio" and "Mille Miglia" car races, before reaching the sea again for the last stretch towards Palermo and the hotel where this adventure together started from. After returning the rented motorcycles, you will worthily conclude your motorcycling holiday together with a lavish farewell dinner. - Included meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 10: Farewells in Palermo
You say your goodbyes after breakfast. You are at your disposal to organize for you the extension of your holiday in Italy as you wish. - Included meals: Breakfast Without sacrificing the choice of fantastic winding roads for the pleasure of riding, they have meticulously selected along the way rest spots to catch your breath, for their historical and naturalistic interest that everyone is free to visit or skip.
Ride Details
- Terrain
- Asphalt
- Bike
- Personal bike, rental bike available upon request
- Mileage
- 1,590 kilometers / 988 miles
- Daily rides
- 210 - 250 kilometers / 130 - 155 miles
- Riding gear
- Not included but mandatory: Helmet
- Meals
- 9 buffet breakfast, 1 lunch, 7 dinners
What's included
- 7 days of riding
- Registration fees, branded tee-shirt, pictures, and videos of the tour
- Basic assistance, medical and luggage insurance for riders, and pillions
- Italian tour leader on his own motorcycle
- Transfer hotel - rental point - hotel for those who need to rent a bike
- Luggage van (with a minimum of 8 participants)
- 9 nights en-suite accommodation in a standard room in hand-picked charming hotels (4 stars)
- Daily breakfast, 1 lunch, and 7 dinners
- Classic Italian welcome aperitif the first day
Not included
- Motorcycle rental - available on request
- Motorcycle operation costs
- All not specifically mentioned meals and all drinks
- Extras and tourist tax in hotels
- Entrance tickets in monuments/natural sites, etc. – all visits are optional
- Transfer to the first hotel upon arrival and from the last hotel when departing – available on request
- Anything not specified in “The price includes”
- All personal expenses
Accommodation
You will stay in en-suite accommodation in a standard double or single room at hand-picked, charming, four-star hotels in central / panoramic locations.
Food
The package includes 9 buffet breakfasts, 1 lunch in a typical restaurant, and 7 complete dinners. The dinners' menu is specifically chosen to guide you through a voyage into the authentic Italian cuisine, in hotel or external restaurant within walking distance (drinks excluded). 1 typical Italian welcome aperitif on the first day is also included. All meals are chosen à la carte by the customer, no fixed menu.
Getting There
This motorcycle tour includes 7 full days on the bike and a rest day in beautiful Syracuse. The route, made of lots of turns and picturesque sightseeing stops, comprises coasts and mountains at heights 0 and 1900 meters above sea level. The sunny Sicily, Italy, the biggest island in the Mediterranean Sea, is an astonishing place. Through the centuries, it has endured every kind of invasion, from t
