Arrive in Nicolosi, where you’ll spend the next two nights. This traditional Sicilian town is nestled at the foot of Mount Etna, and here you’ll get your bikes set up for you and pick up your road book with all your maps and essential route details.

Today you can either take the local bus (without your bike) or a private transfer (with your bike) up to the Rifugio Sapienza, an alpine refuge 1910m above sea level on Etna's southern flank (not incldued) You can also cycle up of course but be aware you will ascend 1195m over 18.5 kms. From here you visit the Silvestri Crateri on foot, the volcanic craters formed in 1893, which are within walking distance and well worth a visit. If you wish to have a closer look you can ascend legendary Mount Etna by taking the funicular railway and then you can hire a mountain guide to step onto the volcano itself should you wish. After your visit you return to Nicolosi (by bike if you cycled up or took the private transfer option or by public bus if you are on foot. If the weather’s not suitable for a volcano tour you can take the bus to the historic city of Catania where there’s plenty of sights and local colour.

You’ll have a longer day in the saddle today, but in case you overindulged the night before on Sicily’s superb food and wine you’ll be glad to know the first part is downhill – but then it does get hillier! Follow quiet country lanes through nature reserves and pistachio plantations. You’ll pass through charming old towns such as Biancavilla and Adrano and then to Bronte where you will overnight. You will stay either at the foot of the hill or at the top, in which case you have a final uphill 5 kms kick (If you don’t fancy this uphill cycle to the hotel in Bronte then you can request a transfer).

This is pistachio country, so why not take a tour round one of the local pistachio estates before heading out for an easy-going day of cycling. Stop off first at Maniace where there’ll be time to pop into the former monastery of Santa Maria di Maniace and the old Castello Nelson. After the break continue along minor roads with scant traffic to the charming medieval town of Randazzo.

You’ll hardly notice the distance today as it’s downhill along a scenic vineyard-lined route. As you’ll be making pretty quick time of the cycling you’ll be able to stop and explore Castiglione and admire the view across the forested valley to Etna. Then it’s onwards to the coastal town of Giardini Naxos where you can take a dip in the clean waters of the Ionian before settling into your accommodation where you’ll spend the next two nights.

You might be starting your day with a short uphill stretch but it’s worth it as you reach Taormina, set on a hillside overlooking the sea. From here you’ve the option to head further up the hill to take in some of Sicily’s most breathtaking views – where the sweeping bay stretches out in front of you from Mount Etna to Calabria. Every up has a down of course, so it’s a wonderful freewheel back down to Giardini Naxos for a second night by the sea.

It’s your final day of riding and you’ll round off your Sicilian adventure with a largely flat route along the Ionian coast. There’s a short but not overly demanding uphill stretch at the end but it’s well worth it as you’ll be arriving at the attractive historic city of Acireale with its interesting baroque centre. You then continue on to your final destination Acitrezza.

After breakfast it’s time to check out and head for home or your next adventure.