Undiscovered Southern Sardinia & the Little Green Train

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Undiscovered Southern Sardinia & the Little Green Train

Il Trenino Verde

Rest and relax on stunning beaches, and explore the rich history and beautiful, mountainous interior of Italy’s second-largest island.A world away from the chic resorts of the Costa Smeralda to the north, Sardinia’s southwest corner is an unspoilt region of often deserted beaches fringed by azure waters. It’s a region watched over by over by the island’s fascinating capital, Cagliari, dotted with Roman remains and traces of Sardinia’s prehistoric Nuragic civilisation, and that acts as the gateway to the rugged, mountainous interior through which this island’s famous Little Green Train makes its way. Join us to discover this beautiful, sun-kissed corner of the Mediterranean.

Holiday Highlights

Discover some of Europe’s most stunning beaches
Explore historic island capital, Cagliari, once a Roman stronghold
Riding the Little Green Train through the mountainous interior
A day on the islands of Sant’ Antioco and San Pietro
The chance to sample distinctive Sardinian food and wine
Searching the landscape looking for flocks of flamingos

What's Included

Seven nights’ half-board accommodation at a four-star hotel
Return flights to Cagliari
Comfortable coach travel and transfers throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

Itinerary

Day 1

Fly to Cagliari Airport, meet your tour manager and transfer west to your welcoming, four-star hotel in the quiet commune of Sant’ Anna Arresi, and just a stone’s throw from the beautiful beach at Porto Pino (or 10 minutes by regular shuttle bus). Settle in to your surroundings, perhaps take a stroll or a dip in the pool, and enjoy your first Sardinian dinner this evening.

Day 2

After a relaxed breakfast, board our coach and head back Sardinia’s elegant capital. The island’s principal settlement since before Roman times, Cagliari combines a sense of history with modern charm, and an air of relaxation absent from many bustling Italian cities. Your tour might head first to Mount Urpino, which offers a breath-taking view of the city and the southern coast on fine days, before introducing the city’s ancient heart, Castello. Within the Pisan battlements of this fortified citadel you’ll find some lovely streets and squares, and the city’s Romanesque Cathedral. Close by, the Archaeological Museum houses treasures from the island’s pre-historic past.At the end of the tour, take time to stroll the arcades of the Via Roma, which overlooks the busy port, and which is a focal point of life in the city. The colourful Botanical Gardens – some of Italy’s finest – are a must for flower-lovers, and if you take time out to grab a coffee or snack, you’ll be spoiled for choice along bustling Via Sardegna.

Day 3

Spend a day enjoying the hotel pool or exploring your surroundings, which include Sant’ Anna Arresi’s two prehistoric nuraghe – stone monuments built around 1600BC. Alternatively, take the shuttle bus to nearby Porto Pino, a beautiful little town famed for its stretch of pristine beach, which stretches for four kilometres and is fringed by azure waters. In the lagoons guarded by the sand dunes behind the beach, flocks of pink flamingos can sometimes be seen, while shelter is provided by the groves of pine trees after which the town is named. A number of beach bars add to the pleasure of a day here.

Day 4

Today’s unforgettable excursion takes you to the medieval village of Mandas, once described by D.H. Lawrence as being “so similar to England”. Here you will board the famous Trenino Verde (Little Green Train) for a journey through the mountains of central Sardinia. Passing through forests, over ravines and through tunnels, the train calls at several exquisite villages, at one of which you will have the opportunity to stop and explore. A world away from the beaches of towns of the coast, this delightful, unspoilt region of the island is sure to be a highlight of your holiday.

Day 5

Enjoy the delights of the hotel or Porto Pino, today, or join a wonderful optional excursion to Sardinia’s southernmost point. Here yet more stunning beaches grace the shoreline near idyllic Teulada, once home to the aristocratic Sanjust family of Spanish origin. Heading into the wooded interior, you’ll spend a delightful lunchtime in the company of some traditional shepherds, who will (weather permitting) prepare a wonderful al fresco spread of antipasti, Sardinian bread, roast meats, local Pecorino cheese and fruit, all accompanied by local wine. You’ll return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

Day 6

Spend another day at your hotel or on the beach. A long lunch might be the order of the day – Sardinian cuisine ranks among the best in the Mediterranean.

Day 7

Our last included excursion is a delight, as explore two of the tiny islands that grace Sardinia’s southwest corner, each of which combines rare beauty with the remnants of a colourful history. Linked to the main island by a causeway, the larger island, Sant’ Antioco, was a Phoenician, then Carthaginian, then Roman stronghold, and its main town (also Sant’ Antioco) is home to a fascinating museum and an archaeological zone with extensive remains. Beyond, the island boasts several beauty spots and beaches. A ferry-ride away, smaller San Pietro’s only settlement is Carloforte. After the chance to see its colourful harbour, and explore an island said to have been visited by St Peter (hence its name), you’ll return to Porto Vesme by ferry, to spend a last evening at your hotel

Day 8

Say goodbye to your hosts, and return to the airport to catch your flight home at the end of a wonderful holiday in Sardinia.

Hotel Lu’ Porto Pino, Sant'Anna Arresi

Just three minutes by shuttle bus from the exquisite beach and tiny resort at Porto Pino, in the typically Sardinian commune of Sant' Anna Arresi, this four-star hotel is being completely refurbished for 2020.

Facilities & Ameneties

Combining hotel transfers

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.

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.

Changes to your hotels

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.

Foreign Office Travel Advice

Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour.

Little Green Train

On occasions, due to timetable changes, the excursion by train may take place on another day.

Countryside tour lunch

The meal will be taken indoors in the event of bad weather, and the exact dishes will depend on the ingredients available on the day.

Holiday provided by

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Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

Hotel Lu’ Porto Pino, Sant'Anna Arresi

Combining hotel transfers

Special requirements

Disabled access

Itinerary changes

Changes to your hotels

Foreign Office Travel Advice

Hotel transfer times

Little Green Train

Countryside tour lunch

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