2017 - Sicily

Why Sicily?

We only have two weeks, so where can we go and cycle in good weather at the end of May, find good food and wine, and visit interesting places? We considered Cuba which looks fascinating, but it's expensive to get there from South Africa, and I don't know that we ready for rum and cigars. New Zealand was considered, but the weather's poor at this time of year. We have always wanted to cycle in Italy but the hills have been a deterrent, and Italy needs more time. So what about a defined and distinct part of Italy with good weather in May?

The more we read about Sicily, the more intriguing it sounded - history, culture and architecture with Phoenician, Grecian, Romans, Arabic, Norman and then Renaissance and Baroque influence. The food is a fusion of Italian and North African, with a bit of Greece thrown in. There is a surge of interest in Sicilian wine, after many years of producing only Marsala and bulk wine. There are numerous varieties, such as Grillo, Zibbibo, Nero d'Alvola, and Nerolla Mascalese, coming to the fore with young winemakers making world class wine from areas such as the lava slopes of Mount Etna.

And while the center of Sicily is seriously hilly, the coastline looks a whole lot better. We have found a cheap flight on Easyjet including two bicycles and one bag, leaving from Gatwick which suite so us - but it leaves at 05.50 which means getting to the airport at 03.50 with bikes (a bit of a challenge). There are not many flights directly to Sicily apart from within Italy itself.

So it's Sicily with its mountains, mafia and bubbling Mount Etna. Here goes!