Self Guided Tours of Italy: Sicily & The South
Cycling Sicily and Southern Italy
Sicily has gotten a bad rap. People think of it as a hostile, barren landscape populated with nefarious “Godfather-esque” mafia members. The truth is, cycling Sicily is a fantastic opportunity to see the other side of Italy, the side far removed from the glitz and glamour of Italy’s largest cities.
But if glitz if your thing, consider the world-famous Amalfi coast with its stunning sapphire blue beaches, and chic, Gucci-wearing socialites.
For the most part, these self guided cycling tours of Italy aim at the “road less traveled” in the hopes of revealing Italy’s lesser-known treasures.
Sicily & The South Tours
Highlights of Cycling Sicily and Southern Italy
- Winding through thick forests and unspoiled beauty of Calabria’s La Sila region
- Cycling along the oh-so-beautiful Amalfi coastline
- Marveling at Puglia’s cone-shaped homes (called “trullis”) and how well they blend into their surroundings
- Sipping limoncello; a lemon-flavored liquor that’s stronger that it smells
When to Cycle Sicily and Southern Italy
Both regions experience short, hot and dry summers. In Sicily, many routes are fully exposed, so it’s best to cycle in the early mornings and late afternoons. The best months to cycle are May-June and September-October.
An exception to this would be the Amalfi coast. The bike routes here are easy-moderate and the summer heat will make you enjoy the beaches even more. The best time to cycle is May-July. August should be avoided due to the high-season prices and crowded beaches.
In Sicily, the terrain is mostly hilly, and climbs up to high ridge lines connecting to Mt. Etna to the east. There aren't many flat areas on the island, except for the occasional grassland in between towns.
Please see each self-guided cycling tour for specific details on terrain.
|
