Simply Sardinia small group tour Small Group Tour - 8 days/7 nights

Your journey begins in Gallura, in northeastern Sardinia, a rugged region of granite mountains, cork oak forests, Mediterranean scrub and open countryside. The landscape here is shaped by the island’s interior rather than its famous resort coast, with small villages and rural communities scattered among hills and valleys. From Olbia Airport, transfer into the Galluran countryside and take in your first glimpse of a very different side of Sardinia. Gather this evening for your first dinner together with your group in Sardinia. Around the table, meet your fellow travelers and begin to settle into island life over a meal featuring local flavors and regional specialties. It is a fun and easy beginning to the journey, with good food, good company, and your first taste of the hospitality that you become accustomed to throughout Sardinia

Meals: Breakfast & lunch on your own, dinner included

Accommodations: Overnight in Canniggione

Aggius is a historic village in the heart of Gallura, surrounded by the rugged granite landscape of northern Sardinia. Its origins date to the medieval period, and its traditional stone houses and narrow streets reflect the character of a village shaped over centuries. Aggius is also known for its long tradition of weaving and textile craftsmanship, while the surrounding countryside is marked by granite outcrops, cork oaks and open hills characteristic of the Galluran region. Explore Aggius on foot with a local guide who will introduce you to the village’s history, architecture and traditions. Walk through its narrow streets and historic center, taking in the stone buildings and details that reveal the character of this Galluran community. Enjoy a traditional country lunch with your group featuring the hearty cuisine of Gallura. Prepared with local ingredients and traditional recipes, the meal offers a taste of the region’s rural food culture and the simple pleasures of gathering around a shared table. Enjoy a free evening in Olbia to explore at your own pace. Wander through the historic center, browse the local shops, or find a vibrant café in this city known for them. The evening is yours to spend as you please.

Meals: Breakfast & lunch included, dinner on your own

Accommodations: Overnight in Canniggione

At the center of Sardinia lies Barbagia, a rugged mountainous region whose history reaches deep into the island’s ancient past. Its landscape of steep valleys, forests, and rocky peaks helped preserve communities and traditions through centuries of outside influence. This is the territory of the ancient Nuragic people, whose mysterious stone towers and settlements still dot the Sardinian landscape, and where distinctive local customs remain closely tied to seasonal agriculture. Visit Mamoiada, a mountain village in the heart of Barbagia known for its distinctive mask traditions and annual Carnival celebrations. At the Museum of Mediterranean Masks, explore a remarkable collection of masks from Sardinia and other Mediterranean cultures and learn about the rituals, beliefs, and traditions surrounding them. Whenever possible, we meet a local mask artisan, as well. Cannonau is Sardinia’s best-known red wine, made from the island’s Cannonau grape. It is a full-bodied wine with rich fruit flavors and a warm, earthy character. Visit a small local producer to taste the wine alongside Sardinian cheeses, fresh bread, and other regional specialties. Spend the evening at your hotel in the Barbagia region, surrounded by the mountains and countryside of central Sardinia. This will be your base as you continue exploring the villages and traditions of the island’s rugged interior.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner included, lunch on your own

Accommodations: Overnight in Oliena

Orgosolo is a mountain village in the heart of Barbagia, surrounded by the rugged hills and forests of central Sardinia. For generations, the surrounding countryside has supported a pastoral way of life, with sheep raising an important part of the local economy and culture. The village itself has a long and sometimes turbulent history, giving Orgosolo a character that is distinctly its own. Walk through Orgosolo with a local guide to see the village’s political and social murals, painted directly onto walls and buildings throughout the town. Beginning in the late 1960s, the murals became a form of public expression addressing Sardinian life, political movements, war, social inequality, and international events. Your guide will explain the stories and ideas behind the paintings as you walk through the village. Join your group for a traditional shepherd’s lunch in the Barbagia countryside, accompanied by Cannonau wine. The meal reflects the pastoral traditions of the region, with hearty local dishes and ingredients that have long been part of Sardinian country cooking. Return to your hotel in the Barbagia region. Tonight is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Dinner is on your own, giving you the freedom to choose a local restaurant, enjoy a quiet evening, or simply relax at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast & lunch included, dinner on your own

Accommodations: Overnight in Oliena

Travel into Sardinia’s distant past with an expert local guide at one of the island’s Nuragic complexes. Built during the Bronze Age, these distinctive stone structures are found throughout Sardinia and are among the clearest reminders of the ancient civilization that developed here long before the Roman era. Explore the site and learn about the people who built and inhabited these remarkable settlements. Meet a local producer and learn about the food, agriculture, or traditional products of Sardinia. Depending on the season and availability, the experience may offer a closer look at how a regional product is grown, made or prepared, along with the opportunity to meet the person behind it. Settle into your hotel in the Oristano area for the evening. Located on Sardinia’s western coast, the area provides a comfortable base for exploring the nearby coast, villages and archaeological sites before continuing south toward Cagliari. Enjoy a group dinner in Oristano, a historic city on Sardinia’s western coast. Gather around the table to enjoy local cuisine and regional specialties as you continue your journey through the island.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner included, lunch on your own

Accommodations: Overnight in Oristano

On Sardinia’s west coast, the Cabras area and the Sinis Peninsula bring together lagoons, wetlands, long stretches of coastline and archaeological sites. The peninsula has been inhabited for thousands of years, from the ancient city of Tharros to the fishing traditions that remain part of life around Cabras. Learn about bottarga, a Sardinian delicacy made from the roe of grey mullet. Around Cabras, bottarga has been produced for generations using the roe sacs, which are salted, pressed, and dried to create a firm, intensely savory food with a distinctive flavor. Discover how this local specialty is made and why it has become an important part of the food culture of the area. Step below the village streets into the Hypogeum of San Salvatore, an underground sanctuary with roots reaching back to antiquity. The site was later adapted for Christian worship and preserves evidence of the different religious traditions that have occupied this unusual space. Above ground, the village’s small stone houses surround the church and give San Salvatore di Sinis its distinctive character. Enjoy a traditional group lunch featuring local specialties from the Sinis Peninsula. The region’s cuisine reflects its proximity to the sea as well as the agricultural traditions of western Sardinia, with fresh local ingredients taking center stage. Check in to your hotel in Cagliari for the final two nights of your Sardinian journey. Located in the island’s capital, your hotel provides a comfortable gateway for exploring the city and enjoying your final full day in Sardinia.

Meals: Breakfast & lunch included, dinner on your own

Accommodations: Overnight in Cagliari

At the southern end of Sardinia, Cagliari rises from the Gulf of Angels with the sea on one side and hills on the other. The city has been inhabited since antiquity, and its history is visible in the layers of architecture, churches, fortifications, and streets that make up its historic districts. Today, Cagliari is Sardinia’s largest city and its political and cultural center. Explore Cagliari with a local guide and discover the city’s historic districts, landmarks, and everyday character. Walk through the old quarters, see the remnants of the city’s fortified past, and learn how centuries of Mediterranean influences shaped Sardinia’s capital. Your guide will bring the city’s history to life while introducing you to Cagliari as it is today. Visit a traditional market in Cagliari to see the local produce, seafood, cheeses, meats, and other specialties that fill Sardinian tables. Explore the market with your guide before sampling a selection of local foods and discovering some of the flavors and ingredients that are part of everyday life in the city. Come together for a final dinner in Cagliari and raise a glass to the experiences shared throughout your journey across Sardinia. Enjoy one last meal featuring local cuisine as you gather with your fellow travelers and reflect on the places, people and flavors that have made the week memorable.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner included, lunch on your own

Accommodations: Overnight in Cagliari

After breakfast, transfers will be arranged to Cagliari Airport for your departure. As you leave, we hope you carry with you a lasting appreciation for Sardinia’s prehistoric villages, sun-drenched coasts, and vibrant markets, along with the rugged landscapes, hilltop towns, and Mediterranean charm of Sardinia. May the flavors, sights, and stories of these two remarkable islands remain with you long after your journey ends. If Sicily appeals to you, we would be delighted to welcome you on our 12-Day Captivating Sicily Small Group Tour. You can find all the details here: Captivating Sicily small group tour