Join us in the Mediterranean island of Sardinia for a profound travel experience. Explore this ancient land's traditional cuisine, rich culture, fascinating history and breathtaking beauty.
Our tour will take us to gorgeous beaches, the unknown interior, tiny villages, vineyards and fascinating ancient ruins - all while enjoying the luxuries of modern-day comforts.
Note: Custom tours are available
Your Itinerary
Day 1:
Arrive before noon.
Transfer from the port of Olbia to a 4 star, first class hotel located in Arzachena, an important archaeological area of the famous Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast).
The luxuriously rustic Hotel Grazia Deledda, named after the Nobel prize winning poet, blends into a landscape of enormous granite rocks, houses an impressive collection of Sardinian antiques and handicrafts and is home to one of the top restaurants in Sardegna. The world-class Ristorante Grazia Deledda is highly acclaimed for its excellent renditions of traditional dishes and impeccable service.
Relax - free time to explore or bathe in the golden sun and transparent emerald waters of the nearby granite coves. Enhale the beautiful and unforgettable aromas of the Mediterranean maquis.
Enjoy a welcome drink, a Sardinian aperitif or wine, before Dinner.
(D)
Day 2:
Visit to the majestic Tomba dei Giganti Coddu Vecchiu, a giant tomb dating back over 4,500 years to 2500 B.C - long before the first Phoenicians and Romans arrived.
Join the passionate Chef and owner of Grazia Deledda, Andrea Fronteddu, mid-morning on the terrace for a cooking demonstration and lecture on the wines, salame, cheeses and olive oils of Sardegna - followed by lunch.
Early afternoon, visit the vineyard and winery of Tenuta di Capichera. The optimum quality white wines produced there: Vermentino di Gallura, are perhaps the best on the island as well as on mainland Italy. Sample the production.
Leisure time to enjoy the beautiful beach.
Dinner at Grazia Deledda.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 3:
Head inwards to the unknown Sardinia, the timeless Sardinia: the Barbagia region; where you can still catch a glance of the nomadic lifestyle of the shepards; where cheese, wine, sausage and bread is made in-house; where towns still exist where full traditional costumes are worn daily -- all qualities typical of the islands past and still alive today in Barbagia.
Check into the one of the finest hotels on the island:
Su Gologone is renowned for its authentic Sardinian cuisine and wines, traditional architecture, precious art collection, and serenley bucolic surroundings. The elegant hotel is set in a lovely valley against the beautiful backdrop of the Supramonte mountain range.
Lunch with local shepards in the countryside.
As these are real shepards, and not tourist providers, there is a possibility to experience first hand how homemade pecorino and ricotta cheese is made . . . if the sheep have milk!
Afternoon adventure to nearby Tiscali.
This ancient nuraghic village hidden up in the chasm of a mountain is an exciting archaeological find only discovered in the 19th century. The underground location and round dwellings of the settlement are characteristic of the indigenous nuraghi people and their efforts to hide from marauding pirates.
Dinner at Su Gologone.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 4:
Breakfast before travelling further back in time.
Set out for the ruins of the Phoenician village of Tharros.
The remains of the ancient city rise above the sea on the Sinis peninsula - on the western coast of the island. Founded by Phoenicians and later inhabited by Romans, the city was finally abandoned as a result of constant pirate raids. Tharros, with its beautiful roads, temples and tombs of golden jewels were only rediscovered 150 years ago.
Along the way, pass fig, olive and almond trees, vineyards of the famous cannanao and vernaccia di Oristano wines, cork-oak trees responsible for 90% of Italy's wine corks, wild blackberries and fennel, and Nuraghic sites along the way.
Late afternoon leisure time. Possibilities to enjoy on your own include horseback riding, visiting the Su Gologone natural spring adjacent to the hotel, the nearby grotta Ispinigoli, or relaxing at the pool among the beautiful surroundings.
Dinner at Su Gologone
(B) (D)
Day 5:
Breakfast
Early morning visit to a breadmaker in Oliena, where the the traditional bread, Pane Carasau is made.
Pane Carasau, also called Carta da Musica (musical paper) is double-baked in a stone oven. The large round discs are ultra crisp and capable of lasting several months. It is served in many ways at breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. After a quick pass under water, its texture assimilates a tortilla or crepe - making it perhaps one of the world's most versatile and interesting breads.
Mid-morning cooking lecture followed by lunch at Su Gologone.
After lunch, we head to the lovely seaside village of Orosei for a free afternoon of shopping and exploring. Beautiful handmade ceramics, table linens, Sardinian shepards knifes, baskets, goldwork, rugs, leather, and furniture are some of traditional Sardinian gems you will find.
For dinner, our dear friend Ciriaco, a native artisan and passionate cook, invites you into his home - which accomodates three wood-burning pizza ovens. He shares his passion of pizza-making with you. Observe and enjoy pizzas made in the typical Italian style, as well as traditional Sardinian pizza - very different from that of the mainland.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 6:
Breakfast
Excursion by boat to some of islands most beautiful and inaccesible beaches, Cala Mariolu and Cala Luna, passing the famous sea grotta Bue Marino, home of the once thought extinct monk seal, on the way.
Relax at the marble beach. Basque in the sun in awe of the beauty. Perhaps catch a glimpse of a snow-white goat - yes, within the white marble rocks of the coast.
A cafe is tucked away in the huge Oleander trees, for those who care to buy snacks or sandwiches.
Farewell feast at Su Gologone. Course after course of the tastes of Sardegna - accompanied by local dancers in elegantly elaborate Oliena costumes and traditional Sardinian music.
(B) (D)
Day 7:
Breakfast
Transfer to ferry/air port in Olbia.
(B)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
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