Day 1 Sat: Arrive Caltagirone

Arrival in Caltagirone.

Day 2 Sun: Caltagirone to Piazza Armerina & return,  25 miles (40km)

Organised transfer of yourself and bike to Piazza Armerina with its Villa Romana del Casale, 5 km southwest of town. First excavated in 1950, it was probably a hunting lodge and summer home and is decorated with multicoloured mosaic floors that are unique throughout the Roman world in their quality and extent. After the visit cycle back to Caltagirone.

Day 3 Mon: Caltagirone to Modica, 29 miles (47km)

From Caltagirone you cycle south to Vittoria and take a train to Modica. The upper town is watched over by the magnificent 18th century façade of the church of San Giorgio. The lower town houses the bustling main street, shops, cafes and piazzas.

Day 4 Tue: Modica to Pozzallo, 28 miles (45km)

Before leaving Modica, you should try the famous spicy chocolate. From Modica you will gradually descend alongside the caves characteristic of the Iblei mountains to Scicli, totally rebuilt in the Baroque style after the earthquake of 1693. Continue onwards to the port of Pozzallo. 28 miles

Day 5 Wed: Pozzallo to Marzamemi, 30 miles (48km)

Today’s route is flat and brings you through Portopalo di Capo Passero, the southernmost point of continental Europe. Before reaching Marzamemi, the beautiful island of Correnti marks where the Ionian and Mediterranean seas meet.

Day 6 Thu: Marzamemi to Noto, 22 miles (35km)

Today you pass through the beautiful nature reserve of Vendicari before ending the day at the city of Noto, the finest baroque town in Sicily with beautiful honey-coloured stone buildings, ornate churches and monuments surrounding attractive piazzas.

Day 7 Fri: Noto to Siracusa, 22 miles (35km)

Heading north, the route continues towards Siracusa, the capital of Ancient Greece and home to Archimedes. The island of Ortigia joined to the mainland of Siracusa by two bridges, is a fascinating web of ancient buildings and narrow streets with two main piazzas buzzing with an assortment of bars and cafes.

Day 8 Sat: Departure from Siracusa