2020 Sardinia and Corsica from Olbia - PRIVATE TOUR

day 01 Costa Esmeralda

You will be met by your personal driver at Olbia Airport and transferred to your accommodation in Olbia city centre. Drive along the Costa Esmeralda (Emerald Coast) and Porto Cervo. You will view crystal-clear turquoise waters, unspoiled beaches, untouched nature and stunning architecture which blend into the natural environment of luxury hotels and villas.

day 02 Arcipelago della Maddalena and Winetasting

After breakfast depart to the Port of Palau and aboard the ferry to La Maddalena Island. Full day land excursion to explore the main Island, La Maddalena, the fishing village, then to the smaller Island Caprera. We’ll take a pleasant walk amongst the nineteenth century buildings and paved alleyways of the village. Following the panoramic road, which skirts the coast for around 20km, we’ll pass through unforgettable panoramic areas, which combine the azure-blue colour of the sea with the green of the Mediterranean vegetation. After the excursion, on the way back to the Hotel we’ll visit of one of the famous winery in the north of Sardinia with wine tasting accompanied by a typical snack. Overnight is in Olbia. B

day 03 The Mountains and the Barbagia Region

This morning we depart for full day’s excursion to the Barbagia Region, in the heart of Sardinia. Visit Nuoro, surrounded by valleys and mountains, an important cultural centre and birthplace of several renowned artists. Nuoro hosts some of the most important museums in Sardinia as the Grazia Deledda Museum and the Sardinia Museum of Ethnography. If weather permits we’ll visit the statue of Il Redentore, at about 1000m which represents a destination for many pilgrims. Food lovers will not be disappointed by the selection of typical wines and food from the area where the local recipes are still carried out following the very antique, homemade methods. In the afternoon, we visit the nearby village of Orgosolo, an open-air gallery of arts, with its ‘murales’ Cubist inspired. This mural tradition started around the late 1960's - early 1970's when student protests were beginning to question decades of social oppression and injustice. Return to Olbia and your hotel. B

day 04 Bonifacio

Today we’ll take the ferry from Santa Teresa to Bonifacio (Corsica) and we’ll visit the southern region of the island, where the Corsican Mountains sweep down to the sea in an apotheosis of beaches, creeks and islets. Visit the old town of Bonifacio with the Bastion de l’Etendard, the Place d’Armes, the very moving Sailor’s Cemetery, the magnificent King of Aragon steps carved out of the cliff face and the church of Saint Dominique, one of the island’s few Gothic buildings. Leisurely afternoon before return to your hotel in Alghero. B

day 05 Alghero and Neptune’s Caves

If weather permits morning boat trip to the Neptune’s Marine Cave complex leaving from the touristic port of Alghero. Afternoon at leisure to stroll through Alghero’s historic centre in the old town, it was founded around 1102 by the Genoese Doria family, as a fortified port. After the end of the war Alghero became a popular tourist resort. The charming little, cobble paved streets lead to the lovely promenade adorned with ramparts and towers dating back to the sixteenth century. Overnight is in Alghero. B

day 06 Bosa and the Charming West Coast

Travelling along the panoramic coastal road we reach Bosa. This city is a mix of traditional and modern, it has a unique and compelling historic centre. There is a warren of cobbled streets with pastel coloured medieval tower houses called Sa Costa. The main street in the old town, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, is lined with 19th century palazzos with wrought iron balconies, and interesting shops, cafes and bars. Castello Malaspina, dating from 1112, guards Bosa at the top of the hill. The River Temo runs through Bosa and is lined with palm trees on one bank and derelict tanneries on the other, which are of historic and national significance. Bosa has an illustrious and wealthy past, based on its position in a well-defended valley, along the only navigable River in Sardinia, and its (now defunct) leather tanning industry. Afternoon continue on to Oristano, free time on arrival. Overnight is in a characteristic hotel in Cabras. B

day 07 The Nuraghi in Nuraxi and Cagliari

Departure to Barumini to visit Su Nuraxi a special type of defensive structure known as Nuraghi developed on the Island of Sardinia and inscribed on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1997. Continue on to Cagliari and free time for shopping in the capital of the Island. Cagliari is a cosmopolitan working city surrounded by an evocative medieval centre where taverns and restaurants casually spill out onto the many cobbled piazzas. Cagliari’s two thousand years of history has also left its mark, with archaeological remains, superb churches and several fine museums. The historic neighbourhood is still partially enclosed by the bastioned walls. Two medieval towers in white stone stand along the bastion enclosure along with two city gates that escaped demolition during the 19th century. The itinerary ‘Castello’ begins at the St Pancrazio (s'Avanzada) Entrance or from the Porta dei Leoni, and follows the intricate web of Spanish-influenced streets. Overnight is in Cagliari. B

day 08 Cagliari Departure

Your tour comes to an end after breakfast with your private transfer to Cagliari Airport. B

Inclusions: twin share in 4 star hotel, breakfast daily, 1 x wine tasting with typical snacks, English speaking driver, boat trip to Corsica and Maddalena (with car and driver),

Exclusions: entrance fee for Museums, Neptune’s caves in Alghero and return boat trip, Su Nuraxi in Barumini must be paid on the spot