Classic Sardinia

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To book or for more information please call: 0330 341 1117 and quote RTA

A riveting dive into the past through the remnants of two island paradises in the form of archaeological sites, well-preserved architecture, and ancient traditions. Historic Olbia, the gateway to Costa Smeralda, is the springboard for your Mediterranean escape, and it’s from here that you’ll set off to Bonifacio on Corsica’s most southern tip. Learnings about the local people and past will take place through visits to cork, coral, and fishing museums, an excursion to an impressive cave complex, and a stopover in the former mining village, now ghost town, Argentiera. Finally, you’ll wander fortified Castelsardo, traverse the hilltop town of Bosa in a local shuttle train, and observe the works of art in Orgosolo, the fascinating ‘village of murals’.

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Holiday Highlights

Gaze at the Basilica della Santissima Trinità di Saccargia, with its striking façade
Stop off in the hilltop town of Bosa and sightsee from a local shuttle train
Visit the Coral Museum of Alghero
Set off on an optional excursion to Neptune’s Grotto, an impressive stalactite cave complex
Travel by ferry and amble around the oldest town in Corsica, Bonifacio
Learn about the ancient methods of cork production at the Museum of Cork in Calangianus
Wander around the fortified town of Castelsardo, surrounded by the walls of a castle

What's Included

Seven nights’ mixed-board accommodation at the four-star Hotel San Teodoro in San Teodoro and the five-star Hotel Carlos V Alghero in Alghero
Seven breakfasts and five dinners
A ferry ride, a day trip and a guided tour of Bonifacio
A visit to Mamoiada and Orgosolo
A visit to the Museum of Cork in Calangianus, Castelsardo, and the Basilica of SS Trinita di Saccargia
A visit to the Coral Museum of Alghero, Stintino’s tuna fishing museum and Argentiera
A guided tour of Bosa on the local shuttle train and a visit to Orgosolo
A half-day city tour of Alghero
Return flights from the UK to Olbia
Comfortable coach travel and transfers throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

Itinerary

Day 1

Fly to Olbia - Today, you’ll land at Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport, where you’ll be greeted by your friendly, experienced tour manager and transferred to your hotel. To commemorate your first night, there will be a welcome dinner served at the hotel with your fellow travellers.

Day 2

Included ferry ride, day trip and guided tour of Bonifacio, Corsica - This morning, you’ll rise early, tuck into breakfast and then set off to the port of Santa Teresa di Gallura. From here, you’ll take a ferry to the ancient fortress town of Bonifacio, set on the southern tip of Corsica, and a striking spectacle to behold, with its limestone-cliff setting. A guided tour will reveal the highlights of this medieval gem, the oldest town in Corsica, ringed by soaring walls. You’ll begin at the bustling, sheltered marina, hemmed with bars and brasseries before entering the walls of the 9th-century citadel, and making your way to the old town. This warren of tapered streets is centred around two piazzas, the Place d'Armes and the Place du Vieux Marché, and you’ll wander these, passing under the stone arched aqueducts, seeking out the notable sites. You’ll come across important religious monuments like the 13th-century Church of Saint-Dominique and the 12th-century Church of Sainte-Marie-Majeure, the oldest building in Bonifacio, with a looming bell tower. The Bastion de l’Étendard, another landmark, was the former stronghold of the town and used to hold artillery. Now it encompasses a museum and allows access to the ramparts, which are ideal spots for taking in the view. Escalier du Roi d’Aragon, ‘Staircase of the King of Aragon’, a staircase cut into the southern cliff face offers another viewpoint from the 187 steps, as does the marine cemetery. After the waking tour, you’ll have some free time to explore at your pace, have lunch, perhaps at one of the open-air eateries spilling onto the piazzas and do a spot of shopping in the many boutiques. In the late afternoon, you’ll return by bus to your hotel, where you can opt to have dinner at the restaurant or head into Olbia and conclude your night with a drink at a local wine bar.

Day 3

Included visit to Mamoiada and Orgosolo - After breakfast, set off to discover the best of the Barbagia region, nestled in the heart of Sardinia. Your first stop will be Mamoiada, the village of Mamuthones and Issohadores. While exploring this picturesque village, visit the Museum of Mediterranean masks. The museum tour focuses on the widespread use of wooden facial masks with animal and grotesque shapes, sheepskins, mutton skins, cowbells and other objects that generate dazzling sounds. After the tour, take to Orgosolo, with its 150 murals strewn across its walls. After viewing the town’s impressive street art, enjoy some time to explore at leisure. Interestingly, Orgosolo is one of the few places where silkworms are still an essential part of the economy, and you’ll notice many silk products and clothing items on sale in the town’s shops, before returning to the hotel.

Day 4

Included visit to the Museum of Cork, Castelsardo, and the Basilica of SS Trinita di Saccargia - After breakfast, you’ll check out of the hotel and travel to Alghero, a medieval city on the northwest coast of Sardinia. On this journey, you’ll call at the town of Calangianus to visit the Museum of Cork. Here, you’ll discover the ancient and more recent methods of harvesting cork and the production process. Another stop on the itinerary will be the fortified town of Castelsardo, which is built into a rock and surrounded by the walls of Doria Castle. This is where you’ll have lunch at your leisure and make use of some time to amble around the steeped alleys perhaps picking up a souvenir or two. The small, but pretty church of Santa Maria delle Grazie and the notably situated Castelsardo Cathedral are also worth checking out. The Basilica della Santissima Trinità di Saccargia will be the last visit of the day. One of the most important Romanesque sites on the island, this striking church was constructed in black and white limestone and its bell tower stands out against the bucolic scenery. Inside, you’ll see a delightful fresco that adorns the main apse. Later in the afternoon, you’ll reach Alghero and check into your hotel, which looks out over the Tyrrhenian Sea. You can then unwind, perhaps having a swim in the outdoor pool before enjoying dinner at the restaurant or in the old town.

Day 5

Included half-day city tour of Alghero and Coral Museum visit with optional excursion to Neptune's Grotto - Once you’ve had breakfast, you’ll travel into the city of Alghero for a half-day guided tour. You’ll then walk around its historic centre, one of the best preserved in Sardinia. The city’s sand-coloured 16th-century walls are a highlight, and you can cross the pedestrianised path that looks out over the sea. One of the city’s main landmarks, the Cattedrale di Santa Maria, ascends over the centre and Piazza del Duomo, with its bell tower is a prominent example of Catalan Gothic architecture. Next to tower, the 14th-century Porta a Terra serves as one of the gates of the city and now houses a museum. From the terrace of the second floor, you’ll get an incredible view of the city. Other churches you’ll see along the way include 14th-century San Francesco and St. Barbara Church, the oldest one in Alghero. You’ll then break for lunch, perhaps opting for one of the restaurants in the pleasant Piazza Civica, which is overlooked by the Gothic palace, Palazzo d'Albis. Alghero is known for its seafood, and the Catalan-style lobster is a speciality and worth a try. Conclude your tour with a visit to the town’s intriguing Coral Museum. This venue, housed in an elegant art nouveau villa, displays jewellery and sculptures created from coral and highlights the importance of this valuable element to the city and surrounding area. During your time here, you’ll also learn how Alghero is known for its red coral and learn about the traditional harvesting process There will also be time to survey the boutique shops, and if you want to rest, Alghero's public gardens, Giardini Pubblici, is the perfect place before you head back to the hotel. Alternatively, you can join an optional excursion to Neptune’s Grotto, a nearby stalactite cave complex. Named after the Roman god of the sea, Neptune, this complex was discovered by local fishermen in the 18th century and has since developed into a tourist attraction. Once here, you’ll enter either by boat or a staircase and take in this extraordinary natural gem, one of the largest marine caves in Italy. Those on this excursion will then head back to the hotel and perhaps swim in the sea before dinner.

Day 6

Included visit to the Nuraghe Santu Antine, Bosa and Malaspina Castle - After breakfast, travel by coach to the Nuraghe Santu Antine in the Bonorva area, one of the most significant testimonies bequeathed to us by the Nuragic civilisation. It stands in Logudoro, in the northwestern part of Sardinia. At the end of the visit to the Nuraghe, you'll travel to the harbour town of Bosa, with its hilltop castle and vibrant pastel-painted houses. Take a local shuttle train up to Malaspina Castle for a tour of its ruined walls and frescoed chapel. You'll then have the chance to visit the Cathedral of Bosa before crossing the Temo river, which runs through the old town, on the three-arched Ponte Vecchio bridge. After a busy day's exploration, return to your hotel via the picturesque Alghero Bosa Road.

Day 7

Travel to Olbia and included visits to the Castello di Pedres, Su Mont'e s'Abe tomb and the Basilica of San Simplicio - After breakfast, set off for Olbia. As you travel north, the tour will make a brief stop at the Castello di Pedres, the Giant's Tomb Su Mont'e s'Abe and the Basilica of San Simplico where you'll be free to stretch your legs and explore. Castello di Pedres, built in the 13th-century, is very popular for its strategic hilltop position and, together with the Basilica of San Simplicio, is one of the most recognisable elements of Olbia's skyline. This grand fortress stands on top of a granite rock at a altitude of about 140 meters, and after exploring you'll have the chance to take in the fascinating Giants Tomb of Su Monte S'Abe with a short walk east. After exploring the castle, continue on to the historical centre of Olbia, where we will visit the Basilica of San Simplicio, the most important religious monument in northeastern Sardinia, and the oldest evidence of the spread of Christianity on the island.

Day 8

Fly back to the UK - After breakfast this morning, you’ll be transferred to the airport and fly back to the UK.

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 25 minutes.

Combining hotel transfer

We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Italian hotel room tax

Some regions of Italy have introduced a room tax of between 1€ and 4€ per person per night, payable directly by the guest to the hotel on check-out. You will be advised by your tour manager in resort if a particular hotel is implementing this charge.

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Foreign Office Travel Advice

Entrance fees

Generally, all entrance fees are included in your holiday price. If we do not include the entrance fee to an attraction, this will be advised on your Final Travel Documents. The entrance fee will be payable locally where applicable.

Changes to your hotel

Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in alternative hotels, of a similar standard, nearby. Full details of your hotels will be sent with your Final Travel Documents.

Meals and dining in Italy

Breakfasts will usually consist of bread rolls, jam, cereal, ham, cheese, fruit juice, tea and coffee. Menus will vary from hotel to hotel, but choice will be more limited than in a normal restaurant. In some instances, individual guests who have booked with the hotel independently may be offered a different menu from those who are staying at the hotel as part of a package tour.

An authentic dining experience in Italy can often be a bit different to the Italian food that international tourists might be used to, but it’s one of the best ways to truly appreciate the finer cultural differences of this tourist hotspot. From simpler, but more frequent, courses to regional dishes, here are some points to note when dining in Italy.

The first major difference you’re likely to notice is that the dining experience as a whole is much longer; you’ll enjoy a much more social experience than the average dinner back home with multiple smaller courses spread across a longer period of time. While each meal will be prepared to order, you may notice that dishes are served cooler than you might be used to – Italian dishes are rarely served piping hot to preserve the more delicate flavours of each ingredient and to provide a more enjoyable dining experience. The final thing to bear in mind is that it may be tricky to find Italian classics in the same form as they are at home. For instance, while Spaghetti Carbonara is a staple in historic Rome – and made traditionally using egg yolks rather than cream – you’ll often find it replaced with a wild boar ragù in Tuscany.

At a glance

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