CYCLING ITINERARY: BIKE ROUTES
BETWEEN PORTOPALO OF C.P. AND PORTO ULISSE

The Terre dei due Mari can be traveled by bicycle in all their extension. During the summer the coastal area, with its beautiful beaches, the promenade and the coastlines, is filled with lovers of two wheels that can enjoy time and space as they please. The dedicated itinerary extends in the southern part of these lands, between Portopalo di Capo Passero and Porto Ulisse. The territory is largely flat: of 24 kilometers of route, the highest point at sea level is 37 meters, so it is suitable for everyone. Passable throughout the year: it mainly develops on driveways and asphalted roads and does not require special equipment or technical bikes. The departure is from the Terrace of the two Seas, panoramic point in the town of Portopalo di Capo Passero. The last stretch of the Ionian Sea and the small islet of Capo Passero follow this route for a while. After passing through the small town of Portopalo, head first towards the harbor, following the port, and then through the vineyards and the cherry trees. The first stage is on the extreme point of the territory: from here the gaze stops at the Isola delle Correnti. The stop is carried out on the little square that precedes the beach, a parking area during the summer. From here, on foot, you can walk the stretch of beach that leads to the island: an isthmus of a few tens of meters walkable during low tide, especially in summer. The longest section of the itinerary is 21 kilometers. Going up the coast, head north-west through cultivated fields, vineyards and protected plants in greenhouses with thousands of cherry tomatoes. The red color of the cluster fruits accompanies us for several kilometers! Then the path turns to the east. You return to pedal along the coast, through the village of Granelli, leaving the province of Syracuse and entering the Ragusa area. Thus we arrive in the incredible expanse of Pantano Longarini waters. During the period of rest (in spring or autumn) it is not rare to see hundreds of pink flamingos passing through these brackish waters: it is a unique show in the world. The peace of this place does not invite to leave: here it really seems that time stops. The last 3 kilometers of route develop along the coast, heading towards one of the most famous destinations in the area: Porto Ulisse. Named in honor of the great Homeric hero, who challenged the ire of the gods of the sea and the sky and landed on one of the most beautiful islands in the world: Sicily. From these cliffs you can see to the west the cliffs of Cirica, close to the "secche di Circe", the cause of many shipwrecks of Roman and Byzantine ships.

                                                                                                                                                                                               Source GAC dei due mari

ENOLOGICAL ITINERARY, DOC WINES: MOSCATO DI NOTO
BETWEEN AVOLA AND PACHINO: 38 KM

This sensorial path winds through a territory that gives history, culture, flavors and emotions through its monuments, natural and environmental beauties, the traces of the social and working evolution of its inhabitants, and above all through the inseparable relationship between man and its territory. The Terre dei due Mari are rich in nature, sun, clean air, healthy and productive land. It is in this land so extraordinary that, more than two millennia ago, in the territory between Noto and Pachino, the Greeks began to grow the cultivation of vines with a sapling plant. The area of ​​greatest vocation, because unique terroir, rich in minerals and water, was the hilly slope that fell gently to the sea. Thanks to the characteristics of the land and the climate, the inhabitants of these lands began to experiment with new types of cultivation, selecting the most resistant and palatable varieties of grapes. The vine and the harvest were the fulcrum around which the whole life of the families revolved. The gestures, the rituals, the cultivation / pruning techniques and the harvesting practice were handed down from father to son, from generation to generation. Even today, in the territory between Noto, Rosolini, Avola and Pachino, one of the most ancient wines of Italy is produced: Moscato di Noto DOC. Produced exclusively with Moscato Bianco grapes left to mature on the plant to increase the percentage of sugars, this nectar gives extraordinary palatal sensations thanks to its sweetness. Became DOC (Denomination of Controlled Origin) in 1974, this wine can be produced in the types of natural, liqueur, raisin and sparkling wine. In addition to Moscato, this territory produces other DOC wines, under the denomination Noto DOC: Noto Rosso and Noto Nero d'Avola. In an area even larger than the first, which embraces the municipalities of Noto, Pachino, Portopalo di Capo Passero, Rosolini and Ispica produces another wine, unique in its kind: the Eloro DOC. The name derives from one of the oldest Greek colonies in Sicily, whose archaeological site is located on a hill on the Ionian Sea about 8 kilometers south-east of the town of Noto. The Eloro DOC is a wine obtained from Nero d'Avola, Frappato and Pignatello vines, wines cati in the Rosso and Rosato types. Nero d'Avola is one of the finest vines for wine-making. Until a twenty years ago, only the territories of Ragusa and Syracuse cultivated this kind of vine. For over 100 years, in fact, it was the "cutting wine" par excellence used to give strength to other red wines, to its comparison deficient in color, structure and alcohol content. Today, Nero d'Avola is cultivated throughout the Sicilian territory but finds its best vocation right between the Terre dei due Mari.

ENOLOGICAL ITINERARY, DOC WINES: L'ELORO
NOTO - ISPICA

This sensorial path winds through a territory that gives history, culture, flavors and emotions through its monuments, natural and environmental beauties, the traces of the social and working evolution of its inhabitants, and above all through the inseparable relationship between man and its territory. The Terre dei due Mari are rich in nature, sun, clean air, healthy and productive land. It is in this land so extraordinary that, more than two millennia ago, in the territory between Noto and Pachino, the Greeks began to grow the cultivation of vines with a sapling plant. The area of ​​greatest vocation, because unique terroir, rich in minerals and water, was the hilly slope that fell gently to the sea. Thanks to the characteristics of the land and the climate, the inhabitants of these lands began to experiment with new types of cultivation, selecting the most resistant and palatable varieties of grapes. The vine and the harvest were the fulcrum around which the whole life of the families revolved. The gestures, the rituals, the cultivation / pruning techniques and the harvesting practice were handed down from father to son, from generation to generation. Even today, in the territory between Noto, Rosolini, Avola and Pachino, one of the most ancient wines of Italy is produced: Moscato di Noto DOC. Produced exclusively with Moscato Bianco grapes left to mature on the plant to increase the percentage of sugars, this nectar gives extraordinary palatal sensations thanks to its sweetness. Became DOC (Denomination of Controlled Origin) in 1974, this wine can be produced in the types of natural, liqueur, raisin and sparkling wine. In addition to Moscato, this territory produces other DOC wines, under the denomination Noto DOC: Noto Rosso and Noto Nero d'Avola. In an area even larger than the first, which embraces the municipalities of Noto, Pachino, Portopalo di Capo Passero, Rosolini and Ispica produces another wine, unique in its kind: the Eloro DOC. The name derives from one of the oldest Greek colonies in Sicily, whose archaeological site is located on a hill on the Ionian Sea about 8 kilometers south-east of the town of Noto. The Eloro DOC is a wine obtained from Nero d'Avola, Frappato and Pignatello vines, wines cati in the Rosso and Rosato types. Nero d'Avola is one of the finest vines for wine-making. Until a twenty years ago, only the territories of Ragusa and Syracuse cultivated this kind of vine. For over 100 years, in fact, it was the "cutting wine" par excellence used to give strength to other red wines, to its comparison deficient in color, structure and alcohol content. Today, Nero d'Avola is cultivated throughout the Sicilian territory but finds its best vocation right between the Terre dei due Mari.

Source GAC dei due mari

ENVIRONMENTAL ITINERARY: THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACHES IN ITALY
BETWEEN BEACH GALLINA (AVOLA) AND RAGANZINO (POZZALLO)

The Terre dei due Mari overlook the Ionian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Beautiful sandy coasts, interspersed with coves and promontories, are the setting for crystal clear waters that change color with the changing seasons. A very fine and siliceous sand forms dunes rich in Mediterranean scrub, where it is not rare to find plants that are well suited to the salty and marine environment. The most beautiful beaches are located in the most southern lands of Italy: they are tens, more or less small, sometimes hidden, enclosed between rocks, cliffs and caves, sometimes imposing in their extension almost as far as the eye can see. This itinerary combines, with a unique route, some of the most fascinating beaches in the area. To the north east of the city of Avola, along the SS 115 from Avola to Cassibile, you reach Contrada Gallina, from which the beach takes its name: you enter through a dirt road (signaled) from the state road. Along a path leading to the promontory, you reach this suggestive beach of great white pebbles and crystal clear sea: 500 meters of sandy coastline characterized by a cordon of dunes protected by white rocks and degrading to the sea. The beaches of Avola are all wonderful and well-kept: after the city's promenade, you get to the Pantanello beach, also called "Ferro di Cavallo" for its particular arched shape, so a stop is in the Mare Vecchio beach, overlooking the sea. 'antica tonnara, near the village of Marina di Avola. In the territory of Noto we visit two different coasts, fascinating in their morphology. The northernmost beach is that of the Lido di Noto, a stretch of coastline adjacent to a delightful tourist village, characterized by a beach of fine and amber sand, crystalline waters that gently degrade to the open sea. Present delicious bathing establishments, also equipped for water sports. To get to this delightful seaside village, take the provincial road from Avola. Along the coast there is the possibility to park the car. Going along the provincial road, towards the south, you arrive at the Vendicari Wildlife Oasis (which is also the Oriented Nature Reserve): here you can visit the beach of Calamosche, defined in 2005 by the Blue Guide of Lega Ambiente, the most beautiful beach in Italy . It is a suggestive sandy cove about 200 meters wide, with transparent and always calm waters, surrounded by two rocky promontories characterized by rich coast vegetation, which gently degrade on the sea, giving ravines, inlets and backdrops for snorkelers. You arrive after a walk of about 1km from the secondary access of the Reserve (from the provincial road Noto - Pachino). Going down the last strip of Europe, the southernmost beach of Sicily and Italy, is that which is joined by a strip of land to the Isola delle Correnti, in the municipality of Portopalo di Capo Passero.Unlike the name, which identifies the meeting between the two seas and therefore between the currents, the beach is enclosed in a small gulf, which often makes the water quiet and allows you to admire the spectacle of the currents. To reach the beach it is necessary to pass the village of Portopalo, the port harbor and follow the signs for Isola delle Correnti. To the west of the beach there is an asphalt parking and one on a dirt plateau. In the Territory of Pachinonon you can not visit the beach of Carratois: you can get there along the provincial roads n.6 and n.8 from Portopalo, and then follow the signs Carratois. Extraordinary strip of sea in front, limpid and almost always quiet, protected on the left from the Isola delle Correnti and on the right from Punta delle Formiche. The beach is free, wide and of fine sand. You can park your car in the streets bordering the beach. In summer, but also in winter, the beach is filled with fans of Windsurfing and Kitesurfing. Departing to the west towards the Ragusa area, through the provincial road that runs along the coast, there is a very long ivory beach: it is Santa Maria del Focallo, in the municipality of Ispica. The beach is free, easily accessible by road, also equipped with public showers. Extraordinary the back dune, rich in Mediterranean scrub. A few kilometers further northwest is Pozzallo: under one of the most ancient fortresses in the whole area, Torre Cabrera, one of the most beautiful beaches in Italy is Pietre Nere. Very wide beach near the promenade, characterized by beaches and services, easy to reach and free access. A few hundred meters to the west from this is another incredible beach, that of Raganzino, directly accessible from the road that leads from the city to the port areas.

Source GAC dei due mari

NATURAL ITINERARY: NATURAL RESERVES FOR BIRDWATCHING
BETWEEN VENDICARI AND LONGARINI

The extreme point of Sicily, cradle of the Terre dei due Mari, is a privileged stop for bird fluxes that migrate to northern Europe in spring to return to Africa in autumn, thanks to the presence of water guaranteed by the vast wetlands that characterize some parts of the territory. These marshes are often so rich in water during the winter season that they are abundantly full even in summer. Many observable species of fauna: Italian knight, gray herons, black storks, white storks, flamingos, egrets, spoonbills, mignattai, sea-urchins, jays, seagulls, terns, woodcocks, swamp hawks, pecks, ducks, widgeons . The Vendicari Wildlife Oasis (territory of Noto) is a natural paradise. Five kilometers of trail to discover among wonderful beaches, rocky coasts overlooking the sea, seabeds suitable for snorkeling, a fortified tower of the '400, the recently restored ancient tuna and the wetlands of the Pantani (big and small). A wonderful natural environment that hosts hundreds of bird species whose presence is diversified according to the season. Some species nest in these places, finding here the perfect natural habitat. In fact, the wildlife oasis guarantees the tranquility of the species being protected from noise pollution and external agents. The natural area is equipped with sighting huts located on the marshes. We recommend the use of binoculars for a more detailed observation. Continuing south, there are the Saline di Morghella. It is one of the largest marshes in the territory of Pachino: originally it was a reservoir, fed by rains, up to its transformation into salt. Dug in the Arab era, the salt pans were used until the 60s of 1900 and then decommissioned for the smallness of production compared to the richest in northwestern Sicily. Today, this stretch of water remains one of the privileged places to stop for birdlife, as it is bordering the sea. After passing through the small town of Portopalo di Capo Passero and its harbor harbor, you head towards the southernmost marshes of Italy: Pantani Ponterio, Ciaramiraro and Baronello. Among all are the youngest. Of the three, only the Baronello is still connected to the sea through a small canal, while the Pantano Ponterio, used in the past as salt, is isolated from the sea, having buried the communication channel after the subsequent abandonment of economic activities. These wetlands are part of the "Pantani della Sicilia sud - orientale" Nature Reserve, established in 2011 with the aim of protecting coastal humid environments that host wintering birds and allowing the nesting and nesting of the fauna, enhancing the Mediterranean vegetation for the protection of waterfowl. The largest swamp of all is the Longarini, in the territory of Ispica: a depression located a few hundred meters from the sea, containing salt water. Since the time of the Greeks and Romans, this area was used as an internal port (being bordering the coast) to protect ships loaded with goods. Today the Pantano Longarini, with its 200 hectares of lake area, offers shelter and refreshment to hundreds of volatile species. The easy access (directly from the road) allows you to admire the different species of birds without going between the trees and the reedbeds, in order to minimize the disturbance to the local fauna.

Source GAC dei due mari

NAUTICAL ITINERARY: PORTS AND TOURIST APPROXES
BETWEEN MARINA DI AVOLA AND PORTO DI POZZALLO

A coast as fascinating as that of the Two Seas is, since time immemorial, a popular destination for nautical tourism and pleasure craft thanks to small natural landings, coves, piers born as breakwaters and then used as temporary staging points, as well as beautiful marinas well supplied and equipped for the needs of ordinary navigation service. Starting from the northeastern part of the Land of the two Seas, we identify one of the most suggestive areas for a temporary landing: the small port of Marina di Avola, close to the ancient tonnara and the ancient fishing village, consists of a single breakwater arm. has created an inlet suitable for docking small boats. The marina has sandy and shallow bottom. The navigation to the landing of Calabernardo, in the territory of Noto, follows a low and sandy coast, full of beaches, villages and coastal tourist villages. The distance between the two marinas is 1,73 nautical miles. This small marina consists of two piers of 50 and 20 meters, barely accessible for boats of considerable size, due to shallow waters that reach the deepest point 1.50 meters. Availability of water through a fountain and slide for small boats. From this little port, sailing to the south skirts one of the most beautiful beaches in Italy, Calamosche, followed by the superb view of the Vendicari Wildlife Oasis, with its marshes, the Sveva tower and the tonnara, to arrive in the maritime village of Marzamemi . This site really deserves a prolonged visit. Navigation covers 7.92 nautical miles In the Borgata di Marzamemi, two ports are available: La Balata and Porto Fossa. The small port of Marzamemi, La Balata, is protected by a pier of 150 meters, signaled in the head by a green light. From the beach there are some floating docks. The largest port of Marzamemi is Porto Fossa, a few hundred meters from the previous one. It is able to accommodate over 400 boats, up to a maximum length of 55 meters. Both ports have the possibility of refueling, water and electricity sockets, lighting docks, slipway, toilets and showers. To get to the southernmost tip of Europe you need to sail for another 8.5 nautical miles, leaving a heterogeneous coastline to the right, which alternates rocky beaches with hidden coves. The Port of Portopalo di Capo Passero is made up of a 360-meter east pier and a 390 meter-long western pier. The port is mainly home to the fishing boats, even if there are no shortages for nautical tourism. Refueling services, water and electricity sockets, docks lighting, slipways, toilets and showers. The longest stretch of navigation starts now: 17.80 nautical miles. We skirt the southernmost tip of Sicily, the Isola delle Correnti, where the meeting of the two Seas is always bubbling. Going up the coast, leaving the enchanting Carratois beach to starboard and crossing Porto Ulisse, you can admire the spectacular cliffs of Cirica, the long beaches of Santa Maria del Focallo, Pietre Nere and Raganzino to get to Porto Piccolo in Pozzallo. Located just north of the commercial port, it is protected by two piers that enclose a dock entirely docked and used by fishing boats, pleasure boats and port facilities. It has an availability of 150 berths and refueling services, water and electricity sockets, lighting docks, slipway, toilets and showers.

Source GAC dei due mari

FISHING-TOURISM ITINERARY: BETWEEN FISHING AND COASTAL WONDERS
DEPARTURE AND ARRIVAL AT PORTOPALO DI CAPO PASSERO

The culture of the sea and its resources, the enhancement of the fish and marine heritage, the defense of the biocenosis, pass through the fishing industry: a supplementary activity to the daily fishing that takes place on board fishing boats or small craft fishing. It was initially born as an opportunity to integrate the income of the fishermen who practice it, upon authorization, by hosting on board their boats people different from their crew for the carrying out of tourist - recreational activities. In this way it is possible to observe the professional or sport fishing techniques, the use of baits or special hooks, but above all participate in the spread of a culture of the sea, for a sustainable fishing that respects measures, places, methodologies and fishing times . Fishing tourism can be carried out throughout the year, including holidays and favorable weather and sea conditions, in some cases even at night. The activity is open to everyone, even those under 14 if accompanied by a responsible adult. This itinerary has as a starting point the fishing port of Portopalo di Capo Passero, it being understood that also all other marinas of the territory of the Gac of the two Seas, are organized for fishing tourism. The time of departure and return is agreed according to the needs of tourists and / or weather and sea conditions. Once you leave the port, head south-west, towards the Isola delle Correnti. The batting point is about 2.5 nautical miles from the port. Admire the island, turn its bow to the east and descend the Conzo or Palamito to the sea. It is the oldest of fishing tools: it consists of a variable number of hooks (maximum 200 for non-professional fishermen) that are attached to a single line by means of beams (small pieces of fishing line) and brought to the bottom by appropriate leads. The Conzo, recognizable by floating signals, is left at sea for a period of time at the discretion of the fisherman. During the wait, the boat directs the bow towards the island of Capo Passero, about 5 nautical miles away and slowly circumnavigates it in order to admire it in all its magnificence. Then it heads towards the old Tonnara and the castle Tafuri (a monumental building of the beginning of the century, built as a summer residence by the Marquises of Belmonte). In this beautiful bay it is possible to take a dip. Go back on board, the boat head goes to the point where the Conzo has been lowered, identifying the floats that signal its presence: they will begin the operations of recovery of fishing gear and any catch. All unsuitable fish, if still alive, is rejected in the sea: for each species there is a table of minimum measures to be respected, even if the best meter is in the consciousness of those who fish. The excursion lasts one or half day: it is also possible to have lunch on board for the number of people indicated by the authorizations issued by the Maritime Authority. The return is scheduled in the port of embarkation, unless different needs or special needs.

Source GAC dei due mari