Description
Classic Sardinia
Introduction
In this 8 days tours participants will discover some of the most important spots of the island.
Starting with the ancient story of Sardinia and its inhabitants, the Nuraghi people who built strange villages and fortress which are still a mystery for the archaeologist.
We Will see unparalleled monuments such Giant Tombs and Pyramids.
Then we will see of course the natural beauties of Sardinia such the beaches, the islands and the wild mountains where we find the shepherds that will serve us a traditional lunch under a forest of oaks trees.
We will then explore the ruins of the towns of the Phoenician and the Romans.
Ending with sightseeing of the most important towns of Sardinia such Cagliari, Alghero and Castelsardo where will have some rest, culture, tradition and shopping.
This is simple the way to discover the highlights of Sardinia.
Day 1 – Meals: D
Highlights: Cathedral Santa Giusta, Oristano walking tour
Overnight: Oristano
Arrival of the clients in the Cagliari’s airport, meeting with the guide and transfer toward Oristano town. Before to reach Oristano, stop at the Cathedral of Santa Giusta. The Cathedral is one of the region’s most prized sights and is considered one of the best examples of Romanesque architecture in all Sardinia. It certainly looks very impressive, standing proudly at the entrance to the village and magnificent against its humble backdrop. The Cathedral was built in the 12th century and has largely been conserved in its original form. Inside, the main focus is on the crypt, which houses the relics of Saints Giusta, Justina and Enedina.
After we move to Oristano, Time at disposal for a walking tour. Oristano is situated on the west coast perfectly balanced in the center of Sardinia. It has been the capital of the Giudicato di Arborea, a sort of independent kingdom, unique case in many centuries of Sardinia’s colonization. The historic center is little and very well maintained since medieval age. Marshes and ponds full of fish, like Cabras and Santa Giusta (the ancient Othoca) characterize its environment and food. After visit of the town we move to the hotel for checkin, dinner and overnight.
Day 2 – Meals: B, L, D
Highlights: Bosa walking tour, Alghero walking tour
Overnight: Sassari
After breakfast, departure to Bosa.
Once there, visit of the city center. The town, well preserving its typical atmosphere and its characteristics, charms for the vitality of its colors, the peculiarity of its architecture, the variety of its natural resources and of its popular tradition.
The city tour lets you explore the historic center with the possibility of access to the monuments. Our guide will accompany you to discover the ancient treasures of the city, immersed in a rich history that has its origins from the Phoenicians until the Middle Ages with the mighty structure of the Malaspina Castle. Meeting at Piazzale Nasiriyah and start the tour of the town. Visit to the Cathedral dedicated to Mary Immaculate, where you can admire the paintings by Emilio Scherer and other important works of art; Walk along the Corso Vittorio Emanuele ( “Sa Piatta”), between the beautiful palaces of the nineteenth century; Medieval route in the picturesque area of Sa Costa, characterized by typical houses perched along the hill of Serravalle.
Lunch in a the typical restaurant of the town.
In the afternoon we move to Alghero, a beautiful town on the North-West coast of Sardinia. Renown as the little Barcelona; Alghero is a top touristic destination, calling in visitors from all over the world, situated in the Coral Riviera, so called for the abundance in its water of red coral, one of the most refined quality of the whole Mediterranean.
Alghero’s old town is a real gem. To discover it, wander around the ancient palaces from the Aragonese era, the fortified walls and towers. The centre is populated by many boutiques, restaurants and pubs.
Alghero has defensive Towers that surround the old town. Also The Ramparts (bastioni): fortified walls that used to protect the city from attacks via water, built under the Catalan-Aragonese domination.
Plàia Civica: A medieval square where to admire the famous Duke of Abis palace.
S.Maria Cathedral: the Cathedral dates back to the XVI century. Built in Catalan-Gothic style, with subsequent additions during the Renaissance.
We arrive at the hotel in the evening, check-in, dinner and overnight.
Day 3 – Meals: B, L, D
Highlights: Porto Torres and San Gavino Basilic, Monte d’Accoddi, Saccargia Basilic
Overnight: Sassari
After breakfast, departure to Porto Torres, the most important town of Sardinia during the Roman Age. Once there we visit the beautiful Basilica of San Gavino, one of the most ancient and elegant Romanesque churches of the whole island. Its columns and the wide central nave offer a sensation of silence and ancient devotion. Lunch in local restaurant.
In the afternoon we continue to the Ziggurat of Monte d’Accoddi, unique monument in the whole Europe; It has been variously described as an altar, a mound, a temple or a step pyramid.
It’s a megalithic altar shaped as a Mesopotamic Ziggurath, a sign of the deep connections between Sardinia and the Middle east in the Prehistory.
The religious building was erected on a pre-existing temple, built between 3200-2800 BC. Near the altar there is the “Sorcerer’s Hut”, a room which probably had a ritual function.
Afterwards we toward to Codrongianos, for the visit of The Basilica della Santissima Trinità di Saccargia, the most important Romanesque site in the island. This beautiful church was built in the Middle Age by the monks. The construction is entirely in local stone (black basalt and white limestone), with a typical appearance of Tuscan Romanesque style.
The church was finished in 1116 over the ruins of a pre-existing monastery, and consecrated on October 5 of the same year. Its construction was ordered by the giudice (judge) of Torres.
Continue to Sassari for dinner and overnight.
Day 4 – Meals: B, L, D
Highlights: Castelsardo, Aggius, Coddu Vecchju.
Overnight: Olbia
After check-out from the accommodation, we leave Sassari; before to drive to the Interior of Gallura, we take the panoramic road on the cost and we reach Castelsardo for a short break. Castelsardo is one of the most amazing places of the whole Sardinia. This old middle age settlement combines the beauty of a crystal see with the romanticism of the location.
Inside the city you can visit the famous Castello dei Doria, a beautiful and really old building from the eleventh century. Inside the castle there is the even most famous Museo dell’ Intreccio.
Another place of interest is the Concattedrale, a church famous for its majolicas bell tower. Inside the Maria’s Basilica we find the famous Cristo Nero (Black Christ), made in wood. Lunch in a typical restaurant with panorama of the gulf.
Afterwards we move to Aggius, the town is dominated by an incredibly fascinating landscape of cork-oaks, granite rocks and thick Mediterranean greenery. Located in Gallura’s heartland, is a quaint village with fine old houses built of granite stone, among the most outstanding examples of local folk architecture. Aggius’ choir, which the Italian writer D’Annunzio dubbed Gallura’s cockerel, stands out for its striking sounds on an island of impressive choir singing traditions. In 2005 the village was awarded the Orange Flag by the Italian Touring Club for its well preserved old town, environmental attractions and smoothly-run tourist services.
The Oliva Carta Cannas ethnographic country life museum. It displays the original objects and tools tracing the history, culture and traditions of Aggius and the whole of Gallura.
We continue to Arzachena, to discover the magnificent prehistoric tomb of Coddu Vecchiu, the biggest Giant’s Tomb of Sardinia. This excursion leads us to the ancient heart of this region, where men have been living since more then 6.000 years!
This necropolis date back from the Neolithic age (IV-III Millennium bC), when men were still living in temporary houses and wooden huts.
The tombs are shaped as megalithic circles, where a circle of stones and menhirs surrounds the central tomb.
This collective tomb is typical of the Nuragic civilization, and boasts a stunning semi-circular esedra protecting the main monolithic stele and the gallery tomb.
It is believed that the Giant’s Tombs are Bulwarks accumulators of energies and recent studies have found that the ancient holy sites were built along these energy channels. These strange monuments that cover the Sardinian territory are find nowhere else in the world, this is sufficient reason to consider them of unparalleled importance and must paid a visit.
Finally we transfer to Olbia for check in and dinner.
Day 5 – Meals: B, L, D
Highlights: La Maddalena and Caprera Island, Garibaldi House, Little Train Porto Cervo
Overnight: Olbia
We leave the accommodation and reach Palau and board on the ferry boat to La Maddalena Island, This little town was founded in 1770, in the area that was once a fishing village and ever since then has attracted the attention of a number of famous leaders, who clearly saw the advantages of its strategic position between Sardinia and mainland Italy. The first of these was Napoleon Bonaparte, who tried unsuccessfully to land on the Island in 1793, followed by Admiral Nelson, who moored his fleet here in 1804, before the Battle of Trafalgar.
La Maddalena is a tidy and sunny little town which attracts a great number of visitors every year. The inhabited centre develops around Piazza Garibaldi, animated by cafés , buildings and the offices of the Town Hall.
Following the panoramic road, we pass through unforgettable panoramic areas, which combine the azure-blue colour of the sea with the green of the Mediterranean vegetation of the hinterland.
The island boats wonderful and unspoiled beaches and the panoramas on the sea facing French Corsica.
Later on, visit of the island of Caprera, the last retreat of Giuseppe Garibaldi, father of the Italian independence,
Lunch in a typical restaurant.
We return in the afternoon by ferryboat to Sardinia Mainland and once there we’ll enjoy a tour of the Emerald Coast and Porto Cervo, summer capital of luxury and International Jet Set! There will be time for us to walk in the Porto Cervo Marina, with its villas and hotels, beautiful masterpieces of modern Architecture. Even James Bond participated to his actions in this corner of Luxurious paradise! We take the little train to have a tour in the surroundings.
Back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 6 – Meals: B, L, D
Highlights: Orgosolo, lunch with shepherds, Cagliari
Overnight: Cagliari
After check-out we leave the accommodation and drive south. We reach Orgosolo, the famous village for its Murals,
Orgosolo lies in the heart of the mountain area of the Barbagia del Supramonte. Towards the end of the 19th century, this small isolated town became known across Europe as a centre of banditry.
Take some time to stroll through the narrow streets and alleys of the village: we will come across a wealth of murals on the outer walls of the houses and even on some rocks around the town, with social, artistic and political themes. Orgosolo is also one of the cradles of the “canto a tenore”, a traditional polyphonic choir singing technique native to the Barbagia district, whose origins are lost in the mists of time and which has been listed by UNESCO as intangible world heritage. While in town, stop to admire the church of San Pietro, the patron saint, especially its 15th century bell tower.
After the visit we move to up the mountains where will have a typical lunch with shepherds.
It’s a meat based meal, accompanied by delicious local pecorino cheese, traditional bread and the strong Cannonau Wine.
Shepherdry is very common in Sardinia: its tradition is older then 3.000 years and still today there are town sends of shepherds in Sardinia who rely for their life on the ability of breeding sheep and goats.
Once arrived to the spot we will admire the traditional preparation of roasted suckling pigs, the National dish of Sardinia!
It is time for us to have lunch!
After Lunch it will be time to listen the famous “Cantu a Tenore”, a style of polyphonic folk singing characteristic of the Barbagia region.
In the afternoon we leave Barbagia and drive south. Finally we reach Cagliari, the Capital of the Island, free time for shopping and relax in the city center. Check-in, dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 7 – Meals: B, L, D
Highlights: Barumini, Casa Zapata, Cagliari walking tour, Archeological Museum
Overnight: Cagliari
After breakfast, departure to Barumini, This excursion will lead you to the most famous Sardinian Archaeological site, the Nuraghe of Barumini, UNESCO world heritage site.
Nuraghe are the symbol of Sardinia, and were built during the II Millennium bC.
The Nuraghe of Barumini is composed by a Central tower, originally nearly 20 meters high. This tower is surrounded by a fortified court, and by four side towers.
The passage inside the monument is emotional and adventurous, since you pass through the walls and the ancient corridors! After the third circle of Towers, the fortification is surrounded by the village, composed by circular houses built during at least 10 centuries!
Afterwards we move to the noble house Casa Zapata, dating from the Spanish Period has been made into a museum, and during the works a big surprise occurred: another nuraghe was found underneath the foundations of the palace!
Immediately footbridges were built on top of it, and so this is a unique opportunity for you to admire a Nuraghe from the Top!
Lunch in local restaurant nearby.
In the afternoon we go back to Cagliari. Overlooking the Golfo degli Angeli, Cagliari is an ancient city founded by Phoenician traders. The city, which has preserved soaring towers and sections of the massive curtain walls which once encircled its medieval Castello district, has the largest and most important Phoenician necropolis in the Mediterranean. Cagliari is also a birdwatcher’s dreamland, thanks to its huge wetland areas of Santa Gilla and Molentargius, with a rich and diverse wildlife, dominated by large colonies of pink flamingos In the heart of the city.
We’ll begin our city tour trought Saint Augustine, Piazza Matteotti and Via Roma. Sights to cross off your list here include the 17th-century cathedral, known for its ornate Baroque interior, as well as two grand-looking towers and the magnificent bastions.
This part of the town is known as ‘Castello’, a once impregnable fortress, which offers great panoramic views over Cagliari.
The main monuments include the ancient Cathedral of Santa Maria and the Basilica of Bonaria which is a little far from the city centre.
Finally visit the National archaeological museum, the most important and prestigious exhibition ground of ancient finds in Sardinia. More than 4000 finds tell about a story dating as far back as 7000 years ago, from Prehistory until High Middle Ages.
Back to the hotel for farewell dinner and overnight.
Day 8 – Meals: B
Highlights: Nora town
After breakfast Check out and departure to Nora. The town of Nora has been the first one to be founded in Sardinia by the Phoenicians, then ruled by Punics and then by Romans. It is located at the end on a beautiful promontory just outside Pula, South West of Cagliari. The Romans made this town wealthy and beautiful: they added a theater, several Thermae and a stunning mosaic. Participants will walk in the Roman Roads, discover the key secrets of Roman Architecture, admire the monuments and explore religious and civil areas of the site.
Transfer to the airport of Cagliari on time for your flight.
End of our services
What is included:
– License guide available in many languages for the whole tour
– Bus and Driver at disposal for whole tour
– Hotels 4 stars in half board treatment (drinks excluded)
– Lunches in restaurants (drinks excluded)
– Lunch with the shepherds (drinks included)
– Ferry ticket to La Maddalena Island
– Expenses for Guide and Driver
–
What is not included:
– Flight tickets to Sardinia
– Tickets and entrances for Museums
– City taxes (payable at the hotels)
– Drinks for lunches and dinners
– Porterage
– All the things not mentioned in the “quote includes”
