Down to Sicily: The Sunshine Island motorcycle tour

Welcome Riders!

Book by January 2023 and get one free night to use before or at the end of the tour!

This tour includes 7 riding-days plus a rest-day in Siracusa.

Sicily is the Sunshine Island; a harmonic chorus of sky, sea, endless hills and rugged landscapes.

Sicily is the island of Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe.

Sicily is the land of scents; a unique and diverse place, a strange and divine open-air architectural museum; “babba” (mellow), and “sperta” (sly), lazy and yet frenetic; an Island with such an excessive personality that it is hard to know if this is a blessing or a curse.

We’ll be leaving Rome heading for the harbor of Civitavecchia to board the night-ferry for Palermo, Sicily.

The next six days will be spent travelling on back roads with hardly any traffic, at times a little rough, but absolutely stunning, where uncontaminated views open up abruptly, bearing witness to the ancient Civilizations which have conquered this land over the centuries.

Six days that will also be filled delicious food: “cannoli“, “arancini” and “arancine”, sea-food and meat; wines born to a land where the sun has no shame in being too bright.

And then back on the ferry that goes to Naples, and from there to Rome.

Enrico Grassi, Tour Leader and Founder of Hear the Road, has spent many hours exploring the riding routes and the extraordinary hospitality of this incredible island, in order to give you a holiday adventure that you will always remember with a smile.

Where We Ride – What We See – What We Hear

• Day 01

  Day1 - Welcome to Roma

  From the airport you will be transferred by private car to your hotel. Here you will find Enrico, your Hear The Road host, ready to warmly welcome you to Italy.

  Late morning or early afternoon arrival is recommended.

  After settling in your room and freshening up, we will be waiting for you in the hotel bar for a “Meet and Greet” amongst tour colleagues. We’ll then go and pick up the bikes and bring them back to the hotel garage.

  Once back at the hotel Enrico will give a general briefing of the tour, and will be happy to answer any questions.

  We are now ready to go out for our “Welcome Dinner” during which you’ll learn more about what to expect in the exciting upcoming days.
  OVERNIGHT IS IN ROME.

  Highlights:

  Meet your motorcycle, Meet your guide, Meet your fellow riders, Welcome Dinner.

• Day 02

  Day2 - Roma to Civitavecchia > Overnight ferry to Palermo

  245 Km / 153 miles

  The ferry for Palermo leaves Civitavecchia in the late afternoon, so we’ll have plenty of time to enjoy a great riding-day before getting to the harbor by 4 pm, ready to board.

  We’ll leave Rome heading north, driving round Lake Bracciano and through the small village of Trevignano Rimano, on the northern shore of the lake, where we’ll stop for our first cup of coffee on the road.

  Back on our saddles we’ll drive through the heart of the “Tuscia Viterbese”, an area that was once inhabited by the Etruscans.
  We’ll be riding on back roads, through hazelnut and chestnut orchards, all the way to Viterbo, and then east to Tuscania, where we’ll be stopping for lunch.

  Tuscania is a fairy-tale-like medieval town, perched on a tuff rock between the Marta River and the Fosso Capecchio torrent, and surrounded by beautiful lavender fields.

  Back on the bikes we’ll head straight for Civitavecchia harbor, once again on small back roads flanked first by ancient olive trees, and then by endless fields of grain, ready to be harvested.

  In Civitavecchia we will check-in at the harbor, put our bikes to rest in the belly of the ferry, and find our cabins.

  After a well-deserved shower, we’ll meet on the top-deck to enjoy the setting sun as the ferry leaves Civitavecchia, heading for Palermo, Sicily.

  Dinner will be served on board.
  OVERNIGHT IS ON THE FERRY FROM CIVITAVECCHIA TO PALERMO.

  Highlights:

  Lake Bracciano, Trevignano Romano, Lake Vico, Tuscania, Tuscia Viterbese, Sunset on the ferry from Civitavecchia to Sicily.

• Day 03

  Day3 - Palermo to Sambuca di Sicilia

  270 Km / 168 miles

  Once off the ferry in Palermo, we will be climbing to the top of Monte Pellegrino enjoying the challenging, infinite twists and turns, from where you’ll be able to admire the incredible view of the city and of Mondello Bay.

  We’ll be taking the highway for a short spell, leaving it at Alcamo Marina where we will head for Scopello, home to the incredible “tonnara”, the old tuna-fishery: a magical venue that accurately tells the story of the Sicilian Sea and its ancient traditions.

  We’ll be having lunch in Scopello before getting back on the bikes to ride through God-forsaken roads, leading us first to the coast, and then inland towards the ancient town of Erice, nestled at the top of Mount Erice, once home to the Phoenicians and the Greeks. Needless to say the view will leave you speechless!

  After a quick cup of coffee, we’ll get back on the road, speeding down to the Belice Valley.

  Before getting to our hotel we’ll be stopping to visit the “Cretto di Gibellina”, an enormous and touching piece of art created by Alberto Burri, built where the village of Gibellina Vecchia was completely destroyed by the terrible earthquake, on the 15th of January 1968.
  The “Cretto” has been described as the most beautiful flow of cement ever seen: 80 thousand square meters of white cement and debris that commemorates the history of a town that has completely disappeared from the Italian maps.
  OVERNIGHT IS IN SAMBUCA DI SICILIA

  Highlights:

  Mount Pellegrino, Tonnara di Scopello, Erice Antica, Cretto di Gibellina.

• Day 04

  Day4 - Sambuca di Sicilia to Piazza Armerina

  243 Km / 151 miles

  Today we’ll be taking a trip through history, culture and traditions, riding mostly along back roads and a short stretch of motorway (toll-free).

  Our first stop will be in Palazzo Adriano, a small town in the middle of the Sosio Valley, famous world-wide for being the natural set of the Oscar-winning film “NUOVO CINEMA PARADISO”.
  Here two distinct ethnic groups live side by side: the Latins and the Albanian-Greeks, both of whom jealously preserve their customs, cultures and traditions.

  Back on our saddles, we’ll head towards Agrigento, where we will be visiting the amazing Valley of the Temples, perched on a rocky crest. Here the remains of the ancient Doric Temples, dedicated to the Greek Gods, rise dramatically against the clear blue skies.

  After a three-hour tour in this historic site, it will be time to put our bikes into first gear and speed along great back roads where it’s rare to meet any other vehicle!

  As the sun starts setting, we’ll reach Piazza Armerina where we will spend the night.
  OVERNIGHT IS IN PIAZZA ARMERINA

  Highlights:

  Palazzo Adriano, Valle dei Templi di Agrigento, Piazza Armerina..

• Day 05

  Day5 - Piazza Armerina to Siracusa

  240 Km / 150 miles

  Today we will start with History, continue with History and end with History!
  Scenic roads, ridden with passion and with our hearts wide open, will be the joining link between one century and the other.
  A day which bears witness to Tommaso di Lampedusa’s definition of Sicily: “This America of Antiquity”.

  We’ll be starting by visiting the Roman Villa in Piazza Amerina, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and one of the most important testaments to the Western Roman Empire.
  This Villa is considered one of the most beautiful and significant examples of aristocratic residential homes of the Roman Era, with its extremely complex architecture, and over 3000 square meters of incredible mosaics.

  After visiting the Roman site, we’ll be ready to get back on our bikes and spring forward through time, riding over scenic roads which will lead us straight into the heart of the Baroque Era.

  We’ll be riding past the towns of San Michele di Ganzaria, Caltagirone – famous for its exceptional 142-step staircase, each step decorated with terracotta tiles painted in an incredible variety of colorful geometric designs – Grammichele, Vizzini, Palazzolo Acreide and finally Noto, known as the Pearl of the Barroque Period.

  After stopping in Noto we’ll be riding back towards the coast, towards the picturesque harbor of Marzemini.
  Here we’ll have time to take a picture or two, and then we’ll ride on to Siracusa, one of the largest metropolis of the Ancient World, plunging back into History to the Era of the Ancient Greeks.
  OVERNIGHT IS IN SIRACUSA

  Highlights:

  Villa Romana di Piazza Armerina, Caltagirone, Noto, Marzameni.

• Day 06

  Day6 - Free day in Siracusa

  Siracusa is the perfect place to have a free day.
  You can explore the island of Ortigia, joined to the mainland by a couple of bridges; visit the Greek Theatre and the Neapolis Archeological Park; sit at an outdoor table of one of the many bars and taste a “granita di limone” (crushed ice and fresh lemon juice), or a delicious “cannolo”… a great way to spend your bike-free day!

  Although the island of Ortigia has had many different names and titles over the centuries, it has always kept its identity of being a welcoming town.
  During their millennial processes, the Sea and the Sirocco wind have shaped Ortigia’s landscape and molded its character, marking the destiny of this part of Sicily. Situated halfway between the East and the West, between Carthage and Rome, Ortigia welcomed Greek and Christian ships alike in the arms of its safe harbor, and that’s why along its labyrinthine alleys and through its many squares, you can live a unique experience, breathing in the scent of the Mediterranean Sea at all times.
  ‘Discovering Ortigia‘ means coming into contact with different cultures, but above all it allows you to get to know Sicily in its most intimate aspects. Palazzi, courtyards, churches and monasteries give way to temples, castles and fountains, composing a fine white stone mosaic, its precious tiles glimmering in the sun.

  The Archaeological Park of Neapolis, in addition to the Greek Theater of Syracuse, includes the Altar of Hieron II, a commemorative monument dedicated to Zeus Eleutherios; the Roman Amphitheater from the 3rd-4th century AD; the Ear of Dionisio, a 23m-high grotto extending 65m back into the cliffside; the Latomia del Paradiso, the precipitous limestone quarry
  from which, at the edge of the ancient city, stone materials were used to build the area’s monuments and homes. There are also the caves of the Cordari and Salnitro, of Intagliatella and of Saint Venera and the so-called Tomb of Archimedes, are all worth visiting.

  Our hotel is on the island of Ortigia, connected to the mainland by the Umbertino bridge.
  OVERNIGHT IS IN SIRACUSA

  Highlights:

  Island of Ortigia, Archaeological Park of Neapolis, and above all let’s do what do you want!

• Day 07

  Day7 - Siracusa to Taormina

  231 Km / 144 miles

  Leaving Siracusa we will quickly be heading towards the foot of Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe (3.340 meters.), where fire, water and light join together, mixing and blending to create a unique natural performance.

  We will be riding up to the top of the volcano on the eastern side, along roads that cannot simply be described as “scenic”: they are so much more.

  From Zafferana Etna we will head to Linguaglossa, and then on to Piano Provenzana, on the northern side of the mountain where we will set off for the excursion which will take us to 2900 meters above sea level.

  THE EXCURTION
  The Etna Nord excursion starts from Piano Provenzana. You will be driven up on comfortable 4×4 busses along a dirt road that winds its way up the volcano until it reaches the Pizzi Deneri Astrophysic Observatory at 2900 meters.
  A volcanologist guide will explain all you need to know about the volcano during the drive up, and point out several spent craters, as well as the spectacular eruptive cones formed during the 2002 eruption.
  At 2850 meters you will get off the busses and, accompanied by your guide, you will walk up to a height of 2900 meters where, under the north-eastern crater, you will be able to admire the incredible, breath-taking views over the coast and the famous Bove Valley.
  After having reached the highest accessible point of Mount Etna and admired the Sicilian coastline, you’ll get back onto the busses to reach the venue of the last crater, formed after the 2002 eruption. From here you will follow your guide on foot to visit this incredible crater, now spent.
  During this short walk you will understand just how powerful Mount Etna volcano is.

  After the excursion it’s time to get back on the bikes and head over to the southern side of the Mongibello volcano (oh,I forgot to say that this is the name given by the Sicilians to Mount Etna!), and reach Rifugio Sapienza. Time to take a few pictures and drink a coffee, and then off towards Taormina, which from afar looks like a terrace overlooking the crystal clear Mediterranean waters.
  OVERNIGHT IS IN TAORMINA

  Highlights:

  Mount Etna.

• Day 08

  Day8 - Taormina to Palermo > Overnight Ferry to Napoli

  276 Km / 172 miles

  We’ll leave Taormina heading to Randazzo, Mount Etna watching over us for at least an hour.

  We’ll stop for a coffee along the way and then head into the heart of Sicily: the less-known part of the island. The villages we’ll be crossing along the way are few and far between, and the scenery that separates them is completely uncontaminated. We can let our bikes lead the way, riding the scenic roads that twist and turn through two National Parks: the Nebrodi first, and then the Madonie.

  Back on the coast, we’ll drive on roads flanked by the sea, all the way to Palermo harbor. Yes, our Sicilian Tour is over, and it’s time to check-in and board the ferry, position our bikes on the parking deck, and find our cabins.

  A quick shower, and we’ll meet on the top deck to enjoy the setting sun and wave goodbye to Sicily, en route to Naples.

  Dinner will be served on the ferry.
  OVERNIGHT IS ON THE FERRY FROM PALERMO TO NAPLES.

  Highlights:

  Parco dei Nebrodi, Parco delle Madonie.

• Day 09

  Day9 - Napoli to Roma

  280 Km / 174 miles

  You have to be a little bit “crazy” to drive through the Neapolitan traffic. But – hey! – we are bikers and we’ve seen it all, so we’ll get through this experience as well!

  After this brief “hardship” we deserve a reward.. let’s make that 2!
  First we will eat a fresh mozzarella in the place where they have just been made, and then we’ll stop for a delicious local pastry: the “Sfogliatella Napoletana”, straight out of the oven!

  We will drive back to Rome along scenic back roads.

  After returning the bikes, we arrive back at the hotel in time to freshen up before our final fabulous dinner together celebrating this wonderful Italian motorcycle experience.
  OVERNIGHT IS IN ROME.

  Highlights:

  The traffic of Napoli, Sperlonga, Monti Lepini, Farewell dinner.

• Day 10

  Day10 - Departure day

  Time to say goodbye, shop for any last minute souvenirs, and pack your bags. After breakfast, guests will be transferred to the airport in conjunction with their departure schedule.

  Highlights:

  See you soon in Italy!

Included, excluded & terms

• What is included?

  • only for those who have decided to rent their bike through us: motorcycle rental with side cases, top case, locks and alarm. (For rented bikes a deposit for damage theft and fire, between 1.500 and 3.000 euros is required depending on the chosen model).
    WHAT IS THE DAMAGE SECURITY DEPOSIT? Each motorcycle has a damage deposit. This amount will be frozen on your credit card, but not cashed. The deposit is your maximum liability for theft or damage to the vehicle. Please ensure that you have enough funds to cover the damage deposit on your cards.
  • the bike rental prices include costs for public-liability insurance and insurance for any road assistance in case of break-down.
  • welcome and farewell dinners in Rome.
  • accomodation: 2 nights including breakfast in 4-star hotel in Rome, 5 nights including breakfast in 3 or 4-star hotels in the towns where we will stop during the tour, and 2 overnights on the ferry to and from Palermo (Sicily).
  • Italian tour leader.
  • transfer from and to the airport.
  • entrance fee to the archeological site of Agrigento and to the Villa Romana in Piazza Armerina.
  • courtesy van to pick up and leave the bikes.
  • support van where we’ll carry your cases (1 suitcase + 1 handbag per person).
  • a detailed Road-book with all the information you’ll need; a map with the itinerary well marked; the “Wordless Travel Book”, and a Hear the Road T-shirt.
  • Insurance covering most any medical issue during the trip including, doctors, ambulance, hospital and any appropriate family travel.

• What is not included?

  • fuel for your motorcycle.
  • tolls on motorways.
  • entrance fees to museums or other sites, execept for the archeological site of Agrigente and the Villa Romana in Piazza Armerina .
  • all meals and beverages, except for the welcome and farewell dinners in Rome.

  We also suggest that anyone traveling abroad for one of our Tours consider purchasing a “Travel Insurance”. It can take the worry out of the unexpected situations that can arise in any travel plan.

• Terms of payment

  • €800 Deposit, to be paid, on reserving a place on the tour.
    (The deposit is totally refundable in case we don’t reach the minimum number of participants).
  • Balance, to be paid, 60 days before the starting date when you get confirmation from HEAR THE ROAD.

• In case of cancellation

  If you decide to cancel the tour for whatever reason that does not depend on HEAR THE ROAD, these are the penalties that will incur:

  • up to 60 days prior to the starting date, HTR holds the deposit, that you can use for another tour in the same or in the following year.
  • between 59 and 10 days prior to the starting date you lose the deposit. HTR holds the balance that you can use for another tour in the same or in the following year.
  • from 9 days prior to the starting date you lose 50% of the total amount. HTR holds the remaining 50% that you can use for another tour in the same or in the following year.

Creation of the tour: Associazione Culturale Hear The Road.
Organization and marketing: Hear The Road srl.