Classic Sardinia

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 an 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.

Later this afternoon, you can learn more about Gallura’s wine-making heritage with a visit to one of the region’s most renowned vineyards, the Tenute Ólbios Estate. Built on fertile pink granite soil, the winery is best known for its vermentino varieties and balances sustainable practices with traditional Sardinian wine-making techniques. Here, you’ll join an expert guide for a tour of the winery’s production areas, the grounds and the barrel cellar, before trying some of the fine local labels for yourself with a tasting session.

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