Saturday, 18th April Cagliari (D)
Arrival in Sardinia! Here we meet our local tour manager (Carmelina). Depending on our final flight arrival, we will have time for lunch followed by a guided tour of Cagliari.
Overnight - Hotel Italia
Sunday, 19th April Nora - Torre Chia (B / packed lunch / dinner)
Today we drive south, past lagoons filled with pink flamingos, around some of the most pristine and beautiful coastlines in Europe, the Costa del Sud. We will enjoy a guided visit of Nora an important Phoenician centre and later Carthaginian and Roman.
A short drive from the site we begin a lovely walk along the coast, picking up tracts of a Roman road before finishing at the cliffs of the northern coast. Time to relax have a swim and lunch. The balance of the afternoon is left open.
(Distance: 6km; ascent 76m; descent 97m)
Overnight stay at Hotel Italia
Monday, 20th April Nebida – Portixeddu (B / packed lunch / dinner)
We commence our journey heading west to Iglesias-Carbonia the most important mining region in the whole of Italy during the industrial revolution. Lead, silver, copper and zinc mines which have been abandoned.
From Nebida the walk is on a section of the path of Santa Barbara an historical, cultural and religious itinerary along the ancient mining paths. Commencing from the Laveria/washing house to the great mining engineering works of the Porto Flavia where the minerals were transported via sea.
We then pass the town Buggerru, where the first works strike in Italy occurred and 6 people were killed. We can see the famous Henry mines built by the French and then continue north to the bay of Portixeddu and our hotel, on the mountain side, with wonderful views of the coastline.
After our walk our drive takes us past the mining town Buggerru where the first works strike in Italy occurred and 6 people were killed. We can see the famous Henry mines built by the French.
Continuing north to the bay of Portixeddu to our hotel on the mountain side with wonderful views of the coastline.
(Distance: 6.1km; descent 194m)
Overnight stay at Hotel Sardus Pater
Tuesday, 21st April Capo Pecora (B / packed lunch / dinner)
Leaving from our hotel on foot we follow the Santa Barbara itinerary to Cala Pecora. We commence our scenic coastal walk through Mediterranean macchia above the cliffs and clear blue bays. During today’s our walk we will have time to swim before returning to our hotel.
(Distance: 12km; ascent 300m; descent 100m)
Overnight stay at Hotel Sardus Pater
Wednesday, 22nd April Temple of Antas (B / packed lunch / dinner)
Following breakfast, a short drive to the Punic/Roman temple of Antas. From here we follow undulating trails through macchia and along a ridge to an old Roman road, pass a Roman quarry to a crest and through green valley to arrive at the temple.
An excellent walk through history prior to our return to our hotel.
(Distance: 11km; ascent 213m; descent 201m)
Overnight stay at Hotel Sardus Pater
Thursday, 23rd April Su Nuraxi – Atzara – Dorgali (B / L)
Today we cross the centre of Sardinia. Our first stop is at the extraordinary prehistoric Nuragic site of Su Nuraxi at Barumini (UNESCO). After our guided tour we continue through Monti del Gennargentu to the town of Atzara, the centre of Sardinia. We visit Maurizio’s shop where he will show us how he dyes materials with natural dyes from plants, seeds, flowers.
Lunch and wine tasting at family run vineyards of Fradiles https://www.fradiles.it/. We visit the vineyard the oldest vines in Sardinia which are part of project of adoption by the Dutch!
Overnight stay at Ghivine Albergo Diffuso, Dorgali
Friday, 24th April Monte Corrasi (B / packed lunch / D)
We are taken this morning in a 4 wheel drive to the beginning of the walk to Monte Corrasi (1,463m); the highest mountain in the Supramonte mountain range. Our walk to the summit commences through woodlands before we have an unexpected sweeping view out over a stark limestone plateau, where desolated scenery looks quite unreal.
The final section takes us to the peak of Monte Corrasi.
(Distance: 10km; ascent 543m; descent 512m)
Overnight stay at Ghivine Albergo Diffuso, Dorgali
Saturday, 25th April Oliena - Orgosolo – Mamoiada (B / packed lunch)
Today we will be immersed in local traditions. We visit a family home where we are shown how the local bread pane carusau (referred as music sheet) is made. Our next stop is to see the
unique style of embroidery that has been passed down in generations.
We visit Franco, a 2nd generation shoe maker. People from all over the world order handmade shoes from Franco.
We then drive to Orgosolo, once a notorious stronghold for bandits, now the main attractions are the wall paintings that are created by local and foreign artists.
A relaxing step into Sardinian tradition and culture fills our day.
Overnight stay at Ghivine Albergo Diffuso, Dorgali
Sunday, 26th April Tiscali (B / L)
Starting from Valle di Lanaittu, our circular walk takes us to Tiscali - one of the most interesting and important Nuraghi site in Sardinia, a settlement from the Nuraghic and Roman period set in the mountain like an oasis. We learn the geology, fauna and flora of the area and history of such unique settlement of Tiscali.
Our walk continues down to the valley where a traditional lunch will be prepared by our local shepherd Giovanni.
This afternoon we visit the karstic springs of Su Gologone, where an imposing mass of mineral water carves shapes into the rocks as it gushes out of the impressive gorge.
(Distance: 7km; ascent 458m; descent 458m)
Overnight stay at Ghivine Albergo Diffuso, Dorgali
Monday, 27th April Monte Albo (B / packed lunch / D)
This morning, we depart north towards Costa Smeralda, stoping at Monte Albo, a limestone massif of app. twenty kilometers in length that has a typical elongated and imposing form dominating the historical territory of the Baronie.
The whole area preserves and maintains important specimens of Mediterranean brush and typical endemism; indeed, it has been included by the Italian Botanical Group among the biotopes of remarkable national interest.
After our walk we head north along the coast to Porto Cervo, Costa Smeralda, a ‘jetset’ destination since it was developed by the Aga Khan in the 1960s.
(Distance: 7.6km; ascent 425m; descent 425m)
Overnight stay at La Vecchia Fonte, Palau
Tuesday, 28th April Caprera (B / packed lunch)
Following our breakfast, we catch the ferry to Maddalena a short 15 minute sail to reach the island. Here we drive to the neighboring island of Caprera (Goat Island). Covered by light woodlands and macchia most of the island was declared nature reserve in 1980.
A short and easy climb to the ridge where there are sensational views of Archipelago della Maddalena. We stroll to the former retirement home country estate of Giuseppe Garibaldi.
We will have plenty of time for a swim before returning to our accommodation.
(Distance: 12km; ascent 189m; descent 189m)
Overnight stay at La Vecchia Fonte, Palau
Wednesday, 29th April Bosa – Cagliari (B / D)
Today we return to Cagliari. We stop half-way in the town of Bosa, considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. It’s colorful, charming and the enchanting.
Situated on the west coast of Sardinia, Bosa is rich in history, handicrafts and eno-gastronomic experiences. Here we enjoy time to stroll around, have a leisurely independent lunch or shop before we continue our journey to Cagliari.
Overnight stay at Hotel Italia
Thursday, 30th April Departure (B)
Breakfast and a final transfer to the airport for our flight back to Canada.
Accommodations
IMPORTANT Air Fare Note:
We can only request air fares approximately 320 days in advance of departure.
At this time, based on PRESENT costs, we have projected a group fare of $1,900. That is to be confirmed but is a reasonable estimate for the routing and available flights scheduled fall 2025.
Final group fare expected approximately late-May 2025. At the time we confirm the group fare, individuals will have the option to cancel without penalty.
Tour Pricing Includes:
NOT Included:
Terms and Conditions
Payment Requirements
Tour Maximum Participation
Insurance
We recommend adequate travel insurance.
Cancellation Penalties:
Special Notes:
In the event that we are able to find a replacement from waitlists or other requests received for the land tour between date of booking and 31-days prior to date of departure, a flat $50.00 p.p. administration charge will be accessed.
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