Address: Sicily
Phone: North America at 1-866-551-9090
Website: http://www.butterfield.com

We travel deep into the lesser-known corners of this Mediterranean island to appreciate its true possibilities by bike. Starting with Sicily’s sublime southeast, we ride along quiet roads past baroque wonders, soaking up views of the seashore and stopping for wine tastings and a visit with family farmers who share their passion for cheese. As we move on to the southwest coastal plain, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve crossed continents. Morocco comes to mind as you approach our sparkling retreat set among vineyards and olive groves. A sip of local Marsala should set the record straight.

Trip Highlights: Trip Length: 6 days/5 nights  Start/Finish: Catania/Palermo
• Enjoy coastal riding – and perhaps a dip – on the way to lunch and wine tasting in Donnafugata
• Visit Ragusa Ibla, the city’s superb baroque quarter, before sitting down to dinner at one of the region’s – if not Italy’s – top tables
• Opt for the B&R Century Ride to the ancient Greek quarry and ruins of Selinunte
• Explore the port city of Marsala, famous for its saltpans as well as its wine cellars
• Unwind from a day of glorious biking on the grounds of a five-star resort, an oasis in the island’s western countryside

For 40 years, we’ve believed the best way to see the world is over the handlebars of a bicycle. Pedal between luxury hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants, wine tastings, spas and cultural events on one of our custom Cannondale bikes – choose between a hybrid, road bike, or something a little inbetween. Drawing on our detailed route notes, local contacts and knowledgeable guides, you’ll have an authentic travel experience you just couldn’t create on your own.

What’s included:
Accommodations based on double/twin bedrooms
• Breakfasts, some lunches, most dinner, all wine; some trips include all meals
• Services of B&R guide(s), who point you on your way, handle behind-the-scenes logistics and try to look after your every need, whether translating a menu, confirming your flight or tracking down the best antiques shops in the area
• Support vehicles, which sweep the day’s biking route distributing refreshments, picking up your purchases and offering lifts to the hotel if you feel like it
• Admission to events, tastings, expert tours, historic sites, museums and parks
• Maps and detailed route suggestions with background on each noteworthy sight and plenty of options to try along the way
• Baggage transport between hotels by our local handlers, freeing our guides to devote all their time to you
• All transportation from rendezvous to drop-off, including yachts, trains, four-wheel-drives, internal flights, historical local railways, private coaches and camels
• All gratuities for baggage, porters and hotel service
• Use of B&R’s custom multi-speed bikes and equipment (see Equipment for more details)
Slowing down to see the world doesn’t mean rushing from one place to the next, it means flexibility. It means stopping to smell the roses – or tasting the wine, browsing the markets, chatting with the locals, absorbing the views and checking out the sites.

You choose which of our custom-designed bikes you’d prefer to ride. You choose your pace – dig deep and power forth or cruise along carefree (either way, the support van is never far off). Follow our detailed route suggestions or follow your curiosity to places and experiences a guidebook simply wouldn’t reveal.

We refined the concept of exploring Europe by bike through the early 1980s, recognizing that a new generation of discerning travellers wanted to cap an exhilarating day of biking with a memorable dinner and a luxurious château hotel. The idea caught people’s imaginations. One great trip in Burgundy became three in France, a dozen throughout Europe, and so on. And as our researchers discovered fascinating areas that were better explored on foot than by bike, the B&R repertoire expanded to include walking trips.

Encouraged by an enthusiastic group of loyal travellers – and an ever-widening circle of people who enjoy the B&R style – B&R has grown steadily, while maintaining the fundamental values that make us unique and have guided us since the beginning. With nearly 100 trips in more than two dozen countries, we remain committed to being the best rather than the biggest.

Slow down to see the world is still B&R’s guiding philosophy after more than three decades on the road. In a lineup of biking and walking journeys that now spans more than two dozen countries and six continents, each route is carefully designed to immerse you in the local culture and reveal a region’s true spirit. Our goal is to create one-of-a-kind journeys for active people who value their freedom and want to see the world a little differently. After all, great travel is about experiencing.