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The Realm of the Baroque

Cycling in south-east Sicily

Our circuit from Siracusa takes you on a gentle route around this beautiful region and its cluster of famous Baroque towns, an area also graced with wonderfully preserved antiquities. South-east Sicily’s white calcareous rock has been gouged over centuries by its swift flowing rivers into deep canyons (locally called ‘cave’), which first sheltered settlements as long ago as 2,000BC. The region is particularly renowned for the Baroque style of its architecture because, following Sicily’s massive earthquake of 1693, so many cities were rebuilt in the same period and style by great artists and craftsmen. The bright Mediterranean light enhances the extravagant detail of the buildings.

Nights: 7
Grade: 1
Terrain: quiet country roads, busier near towns
Hotels: three 3-star hotels; one agriturismo (working farm)
Meals: breakfast each day, 3 dinners
Climate: given its location in the Mediterranean, Sicily is known for its hot, sunny climate. Temperatures average 15ºC in April, 22ºC in June, 23ºC in September and 20ºC in October.

Visit fascinating archaeological sites

Lemons grow in abundance

Siracusa

Ornate architecture

Siracusa

Starting point: Sorella Luna (3*), Siracusa. This charming hotel is an imaginatively restored convent, with peaceful rooms in serene colours and a pleasant terrace. Your stay is on a bed and breakfast basis.

Day 1: Your first day’s cycling after a train transfer (pay locally) includes some gentle ascents through lovely coastal countryside. You enter the peaceful Vendicari nature reserve, an area characterised by lagoons, sand dunes, rocky coves and unspoiled sandy beaches - the whole area is an important resting place for migratory birds, and for marine conservation. Mediterranean plants scent the air, with aromatic herbs such as rosemary, thyme, sea-fennel and chicory in abundance. (27.5km)

Accommodation: La Corte del Sole (3*), near Noto. Sited on the edge of the Vendicari reserve, this is a gracious restoration of a Sicilian country house, making full use of creamy local stone and warm terracotta tiles. There are lovely views across the region from the terrace. Dinner is included on your first night.

Day 2: Today you can explore the delightful town of Noto, an architectural gem - the city was rebuilt entirely in the Baroque style in the early 18th century, though you can still see the magical Noto Antica ruins which predate the disaster. Or you may want to make a circuit in the Vendicari - a paradise for birdwatchers, visited by flamingos, storks, swans and herons among many other birds during the autumn migration between Europe and Africa. It is also home to turtles. Other features of note include unspoiled beaches, a Byzantine church and a watch-tower – the Castello di Vendicari – situated near the ruins of a tuna-fishery. (15km)

Accommodation: La Corte del Sole, as above.

Day 3: Take the train to Ragusa (pay locally), where you have a very short ride from the station to your hotel, leaving the rest of the day free for sightseeing. Ragusa, the Baroque jewel in the region’s crown, is picturesquely set amid steep hills. The city has two distinct areas, the old town of Ragusa Ibla, and the newer Ragusa Superiore, built higher on the hill. The two are separated by a deep ravine, crossed by several bridges, but there are important Baroque cathedrals, churches, and palaces in both parts of the town. (5km)

Accommodation: Hotel Il Barocco (3*), Ragusa. The hotel is aptly named - both Ragusa and nearby Scicli are Unesco World Heritage Sites because of their fine expression of the Sicilian Baroque. Il Barocco is a gracious, converted palace, sited close to the cathedral of San Giorgio in the old town of Ragusa Ibla, with an excellent restaurant (pay locally if you choose to dine here).

Day 4: Your fourth day’s cycling starts after a transfer to Palazzolo Acreide, another Baroque town. You then cycle over gently rolling hills to reach the picturesque Anapo Valley, with its deciduous woods and clear rivers, the Anapo and the Calcinara. (54km)

Accommodation: Sacre Pietre (agriturismo), Anapo Valley. Vincenzo and his wife Nunzia offer a warm welcome and authentic Sicilian home cooking. Vicenzo is passionate about growing his own produce, and dishes feature fresh vegetables and fruit in season.

Day 5: Characterised by steep gorges and fragrant orange and lemon groves, the Anapo Valley is famous for Pantilica and its extensive necropolis, which invites exploration on your day here - a fascinating, ancient archaeological site which dates back over 2,000 years, with more than 5,000 tombs carved out of steep rock faces overlooking the rivers.

Accommodation: Sacre Pietre, as above.

Day 6: Your final route is mostly downhill, taking you back to Siracusa. With an early start, you will have plenty of time on arrival to take a stroll to see highlights of the city’s architectural beauty. As well as the Baroque buildings, the ancient Greek theatre and Roman amphitheatre are not to be missed. (30km)

Accommodation: Sorella Luna, as above.

Recommendations for extra nights: Sorella Luna (Siracusa), to do justice to this fascinating town.

Other information: if you would like to see the brochure page, you can download this (and the pages for any other holidays you are interested in) by using our brochure creation system.

Similar holidays: San Gimignano & the Sienese Plains (grade 1-2), Châteaux of the Loire (grade 1), Danube Castles & Vineyards (grade 1-2)

Prices & travel 2008:

Recommended destination airport: Catania
Latest flight arrival time: flexible
Earliest flight departure time: flexible
*Connecting travel: return taxi from Catania (out/home 1h) £64pp
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Extra night prices 2008 (extra nights can be booked at any hotel):

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