Ride Coordinator Comments

One male is looking for a roommate for this tour. If there is anyone interesting in a roommate please contact ride leader.

Ride Description

Overview:

Discover the hidden beauty of Sicily with an exciting bike tour from Trapani to Catania. A journey that will take you pedaling through breathtaking landscapes, passing through enchanting historic villages like Palazzo Adriano, Enna, Piazza Armerina, Caltagirone, Palazzolo Acreide, the temples of Selinunte and Agrigento, the Baroque city of Noto, and the lush nature of Sicily. Each stage offers unique views, ancient traditions, incredible historical and architectural heritage, and authentic Sicilian culture. All this is enhanced by delicious Sicilian cuisine and famous wines. An ideal adventure for cycling enthusiasts and those who want to immerse themselves in the magic of the island by cycling along panoramic and evocative roads.

This 12-day tour has 9 cycling days covering ~700 km (~415 Miles) with 10,150 meters (33,300 ft) of elevation gain.

Ride Rating 4B

This trip is rated as 4B averaging just under 50 miles a day with one day outside the B rating at 57 miles and less than 2800 ft of climbing. There is an average of 3300 ft per day of climbing with the biggest day being 4600 ft.

The ride is fully supported by the tour provider, who provides snacks and water during the day and luggage transfer and emergency rider transport if needed.   Each rider is expected to complete all the mandatory rides unless ill or seriously injured. Riders must be able to handle roadside mechanicals (flat tires etc.) and must be able to follow a cue sheet and map and/or use their navigation devices.

Weather

April is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is 58 °F, with a low of 48 °F and a high of 69 °F.

• On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature can drop to around 39 °F. On the warmest days of the month, the temperature may reach 79 °F.
• Average precipitation is 1.4 inches, over 5 days.
• The daylight on average is 13 hours and 10 minutes.

Lodging & Meals

Eleven nights of lodging in 3- or 4-star hotels with 11 breakfasts and 5 dinners are included.

Logistics

The first night is April 10 in Trapani and the day of departure is April 21 from Catania Airport.  The best airport for arrival is either Palermo or Catania. Transfer to the hotel in Trapani city center can be by Etna bike tours. The departure airport is Catania. transfer from the last hotel the Catania airport is included.

The first office activity with be happy hour at 6:00 PM in the start hotel in Trapani.

Tandems and E-bikes are welcome on this tour. Ride leaders will be riding this tour on their tandem.

What is Included:

• 9 Riding days with a qualified bilingual bike guide (Italian and English)
• 5 nights in a double room with breakfast and dinner at 3/4-star hotels/farmhouses (water included, other drinks excluded)
• 6 nights in a double room with B&B at 3/4-star hotels/farmhouses
• 11 breakfasts
• 7 group dinners are included
• 8 happy hours are included
• Guided tours with ITA/ENG tourist guide at Villa del Casale (Piazza Armerina) and Valley of the Temples (Agrigento)
• Luggage transfer between accommodations
• Van support with water and snacks during the ride and emergency transportation if needed.
• Transfer from Palermo /Catania at the beginning of the tour and to Catania airport at the end of the tour.

Extras: Rentals to be aranged with Etna Bike Tours directly

• Road bike (or e-bike) rental:
• Giant TCR carbon: starting from 250 € for the tour
• Hybrid / Gravel e-Bikes at 290 € for the tour
• Garmin GPS at 40 € for the tour

Daily Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Palermo (or Catania) airport and transfer to Trapani city center.

• Welcome cocktails and short tour of the historic center Overnight at Hotel Punta Tipa (Trapani)

Day 2 Stage 1: Trapani – Salemi – Santa Ninfa 46 miles / 3940 ft (74 km /1,200 m)

• Dinner and overnight at Il Feudo del Biviere (Santa Ninfa).

Day 3 Stage 2: Santa Ninfa – Cave di Cusa – Selinunte 47 miles / 2625 ft (75 km / 800)

• Visit to Cave di Cusa and Selinunte sites (entrance fee not included).
• Dinner and overnight at Il Feudo del Biviere (Santa Ninfa).

Day 4 Stage 3: Santa Ninfa – Poggioreale – Bisaquino 39miles / 3940 ft  (62 km / 1,200 m)

• Dinner and overnight at Abbazia Santa Maria del Bosco.

Day 5 Stage 4: Bisaquino – Palazzo Adriano – Cammarata 47miles / 3940 ft  (75 km / 1,200 m)

Day 6 – Rest Day

• Transfer by van to Agrigento for a guided tour of the Valley of the Temples (included in the price). Free afternoon to explore the historic center of Agrigento. Pizza evening. Return by van to Casale Margherita for the overnight stay.

Day 7 Stage 5: Cammarata – Enna (Queen Stage) 55 miles / 6400 ft (90 km / 1,950 m)

• (Alternative route: 42 miles / 4600 ft (67 km with 1,400 m elevation gain))
• Evening transfer by van for a visit to the historic center of Enna and dinner (dinner not included).
• Overnight at Palace Hotel Federico II (Enna).

Day 8 Stage 6: Enna – Piazza Armerina – Caltagirone 49 miles / 4100 ft  (79 km / 1,250 m)

• Guided tour of Villa del Casale in Piazza Armerina (90 minutes, included in the price).
• Evening transfer by van for a visit to the historic center of Caltagirone and dinner (dinner not included).
• Overnight at NH Hotel Villa San Mauro (Caltagirone).

Day 9 Stage 7: Caltagirone – Vizzini – Palazzolo Acreide  42 miles / 3800ft (68 km / 1,150 m)

• Dinner and overnight at Agriturismo Feudo Bauly “farm to table” (Palazzolo Acreide).

Day 10 Stage 8: Palazzolo Acreide – Noto 47 miles / 3600 ft (75 km / 1,100 m)

• Evening transfer by van for a visit to the historic center of Palazzolo Acreide and dinner (dinner not included).
• Overnight at Agriturismo Feudo Bauly “farm to table” (Palazzolo Acreide).

Day 11 Stage 9: Palazzolo Acreide – Catania 57 miles / 2800 ft (92 km / 850 m)

• Overnight at Una Hotel Catania (historic center) or similar. (dinner not included).

Day 12 – Departure Transfer to Catania airport.

Cost & Administration

In addition to the non-refundable BAC ride registration fee of $100, the estimated tour cost is $4100 based on an anticipated exchange rate of $1.14 = 1 € (Euro) and a minimum of 16 participants. The estimated cost includes: 11 nights lodging with full breakfast; daily BAC social hour with beer, wine, non-alcoholic beverages; five dinners; luggage van & emergency sag support; storage of bike boxes; GPS files; and tips for the guides.

It does not include lunches or beverages with dinner. A deposit of $1600 assures your place on the tour and is due when signing up for ride. The BAC fee of $100 is also due when signing up for the ride. Final payment of $2500 is due by Jan 1, 2026.  This final payment may be adjusted to reflect significant currency exchange rate changes.

HEALTH AND SAFETY: Participants are expected to come to the tour in good health and ready to ride. Should someone’s health become compromised, and the group’s health and safety placed in jeopardy, a plan will be developed by the ride leaders and communicated to all individuals. The expectation is for the group to work together to mitigate any spread of infection or illness as a means to ensure the tour can continue as planned.

SOLO & SINGLES POLICY

Since the hotels have very limited number of rooms, singles will only be taken on an exceptional basis at the ride leader’s discretion.

It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own.  However, after receipt of the initial deposit, a single without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until Jan 1, 2026 to find a roommate.  If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC Ride Registration Fee and Payment Processing Fee) or at the discretion of the ride coordinator pay the Solo Supplement of $1200 and stay on the ride. If a single pays the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary. The Ride Leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride.

The solo supplement payment of $1200, is due by Jan 1, 2026, and can be paid by Zelle or check. To pay using Zelle:

In your bank's website, add Bicycle Adventure Club as a new recipient, with email address treasurer@bicycleadventureclub.org

Initiate a payment

In the Message block, enter the name of your ride.

If you have questions, contact Nancy Bohnett nbohnett@bicycleadventureclub.org or Ernie Coose erniecoose.bac@gmail.com. Checks should be made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check and mailed to: Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.

EU EUROPEAN TRAVEL INFORMATION AND AUTHORIZATION SYSTEM (ETIAS) TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION: ETIAS will not be implemented until about 6 months after the EU completes its Entry/Exit System (EES), an automated IT system for registering non-EU nationals. The EES is anticipated to be functional sometime in 2025, but that is also uncertain. The ETIAS process will require short-term travelers to apply online, pay a small fee (€7 – roughly $7.40) and then wait up to 96 hours for applications to be approved. The authorization is good for a three-year period or until the traveler’s passport expires – whichever comes first. Unlike the ETA, ETIAS will not be required for a layover as long as you remain within the airport's international transit area and do not leave to enter the country itself. For all of these programs, airlines will be required to notify passengers of requirements in enough time in advance of their flights to complete the process. BAC will continue to update members as things change.

Cancellation Policy: The BAC Ride Registration Fee and Payment Processing Fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is canceled because the number of participants registered is less than the minimum established for the tour. Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped. The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations. If the canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the canceling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed. If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the canceling roommate may also be liable for the solo supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour. BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

Ride Participant Responsibility:

Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support. Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles. All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour. We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from the Ride Leader. While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and cleanup. Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour. Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you might have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.

Insurance Statements:

Before participating in any BAC tour, you should assess whether your medical and travel insurance coverage is sufficient. BAC maintains insurance that covers expenses related to accidents, medical emergencies such as sudden and unexpected sickness, and repatriation. This coverage applies when touring outside the US and your home country, regardless of your nationality. It will cover you door-to-door for a maximum of 90 days but will expire if you make a side trip not related to the BAC tour for more than 7 days before or after. There is limited coverage for a family member to join a covered person in an emergency. The policy covers the cost of treatment for Covid and other unexpected illnesses, but not quarantine. You should ensure that your vaccinations are up to date. Coverage is subject to a $1000 deductible.

Sign-up: To register for this ride, use the sign-up links just above the Ride Description. After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the pending list and receive an email requesting you to go back to the BAC site to digitally accept the terms of the Release of Liability (ROL), and pay the Tour Deposit and the non-refundable BAC Ride Registration Fee by credit card. There is an $85.00 domestic ride fee and $150.00 international ride fee. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description.