Itinerary Details
1 Arrive Sardinia, Italy
Arrive in the Sardinian capital of Cagliari and head to your resort in Chia, a Mediterranean postcard of a town where beach lovers linger on fine, pale sands. Sought after for thousands of years, Chia’s strategic shores were once the object of Phoenician, Roman and Arab desires, civilizations whose evocative ruins crumble at nearby Nora.
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2 Chia – Roman Ruins Of Nora
Uncover the fascinating relics of Nora with your guide. Founded as a trading post by the Phoenicians in the eighth century BC, the coastal town is steeped in grand Roman history; admire the villas’ rich mosaics and visit the well-preserved theater and the thermal baths. Continue to the pretty town of Pula, a low-key beauty, its zigzagging streets a feast of gelaterias and old-school pizzerias.
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3 Oliena – The Road North
Step into prehistory at Su Nuraxi di Barumini, an ancient settlement and UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to spectacular nuraghi, the distinctive, hive-shaped stone towers unique to Sardinia. After your visit, taste the island’s sweet side with a visit to one of Sardinia’s finest honey producers before sampling the superb local wines at a family-run vineyard. Afterward, continue to Oliena and settle into your hotel.
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4 Oliena – Wine And Spirits Of Barbagia
Discover the beguiling culture, traditions, art and cuisine of the Barbagia region, journeying through valleys, passing endless vineyards and churches along the way. Stop at the village of Mamoiada to visit the fascinating Museum of Mediterranean Masks for a close look at local carnival traditions. Sample some delectable Sardinian cheeses before continuing to a vineyard with its very own nuraghe, a distinctive type of stone tower unique to the island. Sample some sublime Cannonau wines at a tasting session, accompanied by lunch on the vineyard terrace, and learn the centuries-old wine-making secrets of a family-run business. Finish with a stop in the village of Orgosolo to see more than 100 majestic and colorful murals that adorn the homes, depicting tales drawn from local folklore.
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5 Costa Smeralda – Exploration On Two Wheels
Join your biking guide to discover a new side of the Costa Smeralda, away from all the glitz and glamour, as you head out for an afternoon cycling adventure along some of the area’s many off-road bike trails. Let your e-bike do the hard work for you, so that you can pedal at a leisurely pace and admire the spectacular views across the bays. Make your way through a landscape filled with interesting flora like Mediterranean scrub, myrtle, strawberry and olive trees, enjoying the special out-of-the-way sights and places only to be found when exploring by bicycle.
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6 Costa Smeralda – Sardinian Cheese Making And Tasting
Go behind the scenes and enjoy a unique insight into the world of Sardinian cheese making. Visit a local sheep farm and meet the shepherds who have helped to preserve the centuries-old traditions revealed to you today, as you learn about making pecorino and ricotta cheeses. You may have the chance to put these new skills and knowledge into practice as you help out with some steps in the cheese-making process (subject to availability). Having worked up an appetite, round off your visit in the perfect way by sampling some of these delicious cheeses alongside other Sardinian delicacies.
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7 Depart Costa Smeralda
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