Sicily Testimonials
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a bespoke, authentic Italian experience
We were excited for our 4th tour with A’qto and Sicily certainly met our expectations and more. Nancy and Damian have once again crafted a bespoke, authentic Italian experience.
We travelled from the West to the East experiencing the diversity in the landscape, people and delicious cuisine, staying in a great selection of varied and stunning accommodation.
The cycling was varied with challenging days and plenty of climbing in particular Mt Etna. Damian’s back road choices are always a highlight finding unusual off the beaten track treasures. An amazing pasta in a farmhouse in the middle of nowhere. Always great support from two very experienced guides with a fully stocked back up van.
The non cycle program highlighted the island’s culture and history visiting several Unesco World Heritage sites. A beautiful hike along the coastline in the West, tours through majestic towns, enjoying the views of ancient hilltop towns, a visit to an olive farm, a chocolate tasting experience, a tour of a winery on Mt Etna which included a delicious long lunch and a thoroughly enjoyable cooking class in an authentic Italian home on Mt Etna. Truly memorable daily excursions.
We still have a few more regions to experience with A’qto so will be back.
Andrew and Sue
a complete package
I recently did a tour with A’qto Cycling through Sicily. The organisation and attention to detail by Nancy and Damian, the owners, was detailed and complete. The tour catered equally for riders and non riders with a complete package of experiences for those not riding. This is a stark contrast to other cycling tours and a boon for those with a non riding partner.
The pre-tour difficulty rating of 9 out of 10 was justified as the daily rides were at a solid pace with reasonable level of climbing. Damian made sure in his pre tour notes that you were aware that the tour would be challenging, it was, so you felt satisfied you’d done a good ride each day.
The food was absolutely first rate, the dinners complemented the regions we were in and it was apparent that Nancy had done a lot of work to ensure we ate great regional food. It was one of the highlights.
If you’re looking for a tour that looks after you and your partner, is challenging, offers great experiences not just on the bike then check Atqo Cycling’s Sicily tour out.
Grant B
an absolute treat....
We recently returned home from A’qto’s inaugural 10 day Tour of Sicily with Damian and Nancy – what an absolute treat. As with our previous A’qto experience in the Dolomites several years ago, this adventure was exceptionally well researched and planned by Nancy and Damian, who, as always, put their hearts and souls into ensuring that every aspect of the trip is truly memorable. From the delightful boutique accommodation, extraordinary food and wine opportunities, to the fascinating cultural and local experiences for the nonriders. The question is how do they find those little lunch venues, up a side lane without any signage, in a village with two residents, in the middle of nowhere!
Whilst Dave was expending all his energy on the road with the other cyclists, we nonriders shared a plethora of amazing experiences – hiking in national parks and up Mt Etna, wandering around medieval villages soaking up the atmosphere, wine and food tastings and experiences (wine, olive oil, pasta and chocolate), and archeological and cultural tours – many of them with exceptional guides to complement Nancy’s knowledge. Though I can’t personally write on the cycling component of the trip, from all accounts Damian (and the team) provided an equally excellent experience.
As well as truly satisfying our individual interests Nancy and Damian provided us with a wonderful introduction to Sicily and all it has to offer. An additional and very enjoyable bonus was to meet other likeminded travelers to share this journey with. Congratulations Nancy and Damian and our heartfelt thanks.
Viv and Dave
magical in every way.
We have just completed a 10 day cycling tour of Sicily with A’qto which was magical in every way. From Damien’s carefully planned cycling routes on scenic and colourful spring flower-lined back roads to the little cobblestoned hilltop villages for a quick coffee or pasta lunch along the way. Every ride, every bend in the road, every climb seemed to present something different and unique to Sicily.
To Nancy’s thoughtful, carefully curated and region based itinerary for the non-riding partners, from cooking classes to guided nature walks and everything in between.
Damien and Nancy also ensured that a few off the bike activities were available for both riders and non riders to enjoy, realising some things just shouldn’t be missed, including excursions to ancient ruins, the salt lakes and a guided tour of Noto.
Brad (keen) and I (not as keen) cycle together, and once again it was great to have riders of mixed gender and ability for company. Damien leading the group and the superbly unflappable Sergio keeping us all together at the rear, with the support of Danielle driving the van.
Giving in to the temptation of Nancy’s varied non rider program, gave me an opportunity to enjoy a day’s break from riding to join the lovely non riding partners in one of the planned activities. How good! Best of both!
Together with the extraordinary food and wine experience, the thoughtful selection of stunning boutique type accommodation, the rides and off bike experiences we feel we’ve enjoyed a solid taste of Sicily’s lifestyle and what it has to offer.
We know Damien and Nancy put their heart and soul into every detail of their tours including the wine and menu selection unique to every part of Sicily that we visit, and it shows in the flawless way the tours unfold.
All in all a wonderful experience both on and off the bike, some new friends met and made and another tour this time in Piedmont (already booked) to look forward to.
I know of no other cycle tour company likely to provide such a comprehensive cycle holiday for riders and their non riding partners and it’s always a joy to come together each evening for aperitivo and then dinner and exchange stories of the day.
Well done again, Nancy and Damien and thankyou for the experience of a lifetime.
Kate and Brad
a fantastic experience
10 days of challenging cycling across Sicily was a fantastic experience made even better by the care and attention Damian and Nancy took to ensure that we stayed in great accommodation and enjoyed a fine range of Sicilian food and wine. The logistics and cycling guides were outstanding and Damian has worked out some really interesting cycling routes that kept us off the busier roads and took us to some wonderful rural places and hidden towns and cities. The trip was physically challenging with 10 days of riding culminating with a ride up Mt. Etna; a good level of fitness is required and so the more pre-ride training the more enjoyable this tour is.
John C
