Pearls Of Sardinia & Costa Smeralda Private Tour - 8 days/7 nights

Arrive at Cagliari international airport and travel to the city centre for a two nights stay in our central boutique hotel close to the city’s architectural treasures. At 6.30pm enjoy an included welcome drink followed by a fest at a lively Sardinian restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch on your own, dinner included

Accommodation: Overnight in Cagliari

Start your discovery of Sardinia with a guided walking tour of Cagliari, the Sardinian capital. It has an enviable setting overlooking the beautiful bay of angels and its historic heart-the castle-cradled by ancient ramparts which enclose some beautiful architectural gems and historical treasures. Beneath the citadel walls, the vibrant marina quarter is a tangle of tiny streets bursting with tantalizing shops, restaurants and bars. We have included today a visit to the archaeological museum, giving a fascinating insight into Sardinia’s past with artifacts from prehistoric to roman times, the Bastione San Remy, a glorious spot for amazing views, the cathedral, where to admire the restored pisan Romanesque facade, the elaborate gothic/baroque interior, the crypt under the altar and the 2nd century roman amphitheater, once the site of gladiator contests seating over 10,000 spectators. After a visit to the popular San Benedetto market, we’ll head south-west to explore nora, one of Sardinia’s most important Carthaginian and Roman archaeological sites. Evening is on your own for further explorations in cagliari.

Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner on your own

Accommodation: Overnight in Cagliari

The island of Sardinia is the second largest island of the mediterranean but remains surprisingly unexplored. It has rugged mountainous interiors with stunning coastal scenery as well as quaint hilltop towns and pretty fishing ports. Sardinia has a rich neolithic history and the island still boasts over 7,000 Nuraghi fortified tower houses from a civilization which lasted from 1800 to 500 bc. Today’s tour takes you to Barumini where we’ll have a guided visit of the bronze age site at Su Nuraxi ancient megalithic constructions developed during the nuragic age (1900-730 b.C.), included by UNESCO under the world heritage site lists. This is truly an experience you will not soon forget. After,head to one of Sardinia’s most renowned winery for a cellar tour and a wine tasting. You’ll be spending the night in a 19th century hotel located in the heart of the charming town of Oristano. Placed at the northern border of the Campidano region, between the mouth of the Tirso river and the Santa Giusta marshlands, Oristano is the largest town in western Sardinia. It was founded in 1070, after the powerful and prosperous city of Tharros was abandoned, the inhabitants defeated by constant pirate raids. Dinner is included this evening in a local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included, lunch on your own

Accommodation: Overnight in Oristano

Today your transfer to Alghero features a stop at the archaeological excavations at Tharros, a city founded by the Phoenicians around the end of the 8th century BC, on a split of land called Capo San Marco. Most of the visible remains date back to the Punic-Roman era, but there is also evidence of previous civilizations: the Nuragic village (late Bronze Age) and the Tophet (Phoenician) located on the hill, Su Murru Mannu. The day continues with a drive to the pastel coloured houses of Bosa, dominated by the Castello dei Malaspina, on the right bank of the Temo river, the only navigable river in Sardinia. This fascinating town is famous for its artisan tradition of gold-filigree jewelry and lace-making. In the Sa Costa medieval quarter, a labyrinth of cobblestone alleys and steps, you can still see women sitting outside their homes making lace. After time on your own for lunch, you’ll reach the island’s most picturesque medieval seaside town, Alghero for your next two nights in Sardinia.

Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner on your own

Accommodation: Overnight in Alghero

Breakfast in hotel. Following the Catalan-Aragonese invasion of Sardinia, Alghero underwent total Hispanicization and became known as “little Barcelona”. The old town is the perfect place for a stroll to sample delicious local seafood and wines. It is also known for its deep coral, unique to this coastline, which is intertwined with intricate filigree work to make jewelry. The lively Piazza, known as “Il Salotto” (the dining room), is fitted with shops and restaurants. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the beautiful limestone headland of Capo Caccia to the west of Alghero, a panoramic spot with sweeping views over the cape. Around the headland is the Grotta di Nettuno- the mystical cave of Neptune and nymphs. A steep series of 654 steps leads down to the cave, bathed in shimmering colors and bristling with stalactites and stalagmites contorted into fantastical shapes.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included, lunch on your own

Accommodation: Overnight in Alghero

Today we take a journey inland through the Gallura region rich in oak woods and granite rocks. Our first stop is the charming 13th-century aragonese town of castelsardo, perched on a cliff looking at the Gulf of Asinara. The town is dominated by its castle hence its name and sits high on a hilltop sheltering the houses below. Imagine steep, winding streets leading up to rugged defensive towers and elderly women sitting in doorways weaving elaborate baskets. It’s little wonder it has been listed as one of italy’s most beautiful villages. We then drive to the heart of the gallura region where in the town of Calangianus we visit a cork factory where we learn about this important sardinian technique. We spend the last two nights in the charming town of olbia staying in a family boutique hotel. Dinner tonight is on your own.

Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner on your own

Accommodation: Overnight in Olbia

This morning drive takes you to visit the Costa Smeralda or Emerald Coas. This 20-kilometer stretch of reclaimed and tastefully developed coastline has grown to become one of the world’s most celebrated holiday playgrounds and a haven to the Mediterranean’s sailing and private yacht community. As we head off to explore, we’ll discover beautiful white-sand beaches, idyllic remote bays and sublime hotels. It’s no wonder this glamorous destination is a magnet for the rich and famous. Enjoy some time to yourself with a stroll around Porto Cervo pretty marina, where there’s sure to be plenty of elegant yachts moored. The Piazzetta is another great place to head. It’s lined with designer boutiques, cafés, bars and restaurants, so maybe sit with a refreshing drink and indulge in a spot of people-watching. Dinner is included this evening in a local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included, lunch on your own

Accommodation: Overnight in Olbia

Morning transfers to Olbia airport for your flight home