"La Bella Italia" Stage 8 Pizzo - Villagio Mancuso

This was a real challenge as I lost the route after lunch and ended up taking a course through a very steep valley. The gradients on this climb were 25% and just killed me in the heat. I managed to find my way back onto the route and into Villagio Mancuso where a cold beer an dhotel bed were much appreciated. You Tube link La Bella Italia Stage 8 Garmin Connect link LBI Stage 8

Tiriolo where we had lunch

Tiriolo town square

through the "Valley of Death" heading to Villagio Mancuso

"Valley of Death"

viaduct at the bottom of gorge

Parco Nazionale della Sila - beautiful

stuffed!

lake near Villagio Mancuso

forest and meadows near Villagio Mancuso

Villagio Mancuso

Doutse Aneke and Oebele

Chrissie and Damian leaving hotel at Pizzo

coffee stop before the climb to lunchTiriolo

Tiriolo

Tiriolo

near Villagio Mancuso

Hotel at Villagio Mancuso

"La Bella Italia" Stage 7 Palmi - Pizzo

Lovely weather today and a scenic route. Some tough climbs and tricky descents. YouTube link La Bella Italia Stage 7 Garmin Connect link LBI Stage 7

Taureana

Camping at Palmi

Margi Liz and Peter

Lunchstop

Lunchstop

Lunchstop

"La Bella Italia" Stage 6 Taormina - Palmi



Monte Sant Elia (Tre Croci)

Fontana Vecchio - Villa San Giovanno

This stage followed the coastlines of Sicily and the southern toe of the Italian mainland. Certainly very scenic with plenty of coastal views. After crossing the Straights of Messina to Villa San Giovanni we stopped for lunch at Scilla.  Towards Palmi I took a 5km detour to Monte San Elia which is a lookout high above the coast overlooking Palmi. This was a highlight as the view was spectacular and the three stone crosses on the mountain added to the dramatic effect. YouTube link la Bella Italia Stage 6 Garmin Connect link LBI Stage 6

view of Mt Etna

Taormina gardens

Church in Taormina

Church in main square Taormina

view above Isola Bella

ferry at Messina

heading up the coast towards Palmi

Bagnara Calabra

"La Bella Italia" Stage 5 Nicolosi - Taormina

Another climb to Etna - this time to a height of 1900m. A tough day, although the descent from Etna was a hoot. Rest day in Taormina was a great experience as this town is very picturesque and the buildings have a unique charm. There is a Greek theatre ruin in the town and this is still used for performances on special occassions. YouTube link La Bella Italia Stage 5 Garmin Connect link LBI Stage 5

an abandoned property on the lava fields of Etna

climbing towards Mt Etna

The top of the climb to Mt Etna

view of the coast from Taormina

looking towards Isola Bella

"La Bella Italia" Stage 4 Gerace - Nicolosi

This was the stage to Mt Etna which is the highest (3300m) active volcano in Europe. The mountain is also the highest in Italy south of the Alps. Etna is 2.5 times higher than the next highest (Mt Vesuvius). This was a tough day and one of the toughest on this trip. Nicolosi camp ground (Camping Etna) was covered with black ash, and this was evident on the roads as we rode towards Etna. YouTube link La Bella Italia Stage 4 Garmin Connect link LBI Stage 4

near Enna

Enna

Liz, Margi, me and Peter Mac

near Lago Pozillo

"La Bella Italia" Stage 3 Agrigento - Gerace

A scenic stage which included views across the valleys that run throughout the mountains of central Sicily. Camped on this night at a farmstay (olive grove). Still some challenging climbs up into the hills at Geracello. YouTube link La Bella Italia Stage 3 Garmin Connect link LBI Stage 3

me fixing a puncture before leaving Agrigento

enroute from Naro

Mazzarino

"La Bella Italia" Stage 2 Santa Stefano Quisquina - Agrigento

A not so long stage but nevertheless a few hills to keep us honest! Got lost along the way before lunch. Made it into Agrigento around 3pm and visited the Valley of Temples (Greek Temple Ruins over 2000 years old) YouTube link La Bella Italia Stage 2 Garmin Connect link LBI Stage 2

Santo Stefano Quisquina

enroute from SS Quisquina

Prizzi

ruins at Agrigento

Temple of Concordia

view above Valley of Temples

Icarus Fallen - Valley of Temples