The proposed itinerary was created by experts of the Incoming Tourism in order to give you the opportunity to see as much as possible of all the wonderful things that Sardinia has to offer: from the Medieval walls of Cagliari to the prestigious shops of Porto Cervo, from the marvellous islands of La Maddalena to the Roman ruins of Nora. But these are all just recommendations: the nicest thing of this package is that the real guide of this tour is just you!
Only your taste and your interests will schedule your days: only you will decide when to leave a place, or when to visit a museum. Only you will decide when you want to stop the car and take a lovely swim in a deserted bay, or enjoy a breathtaking sunset on the sea. And if at the end of the tour you’ll think that you have seen only a small part of all the things you wanted to, you can still do it on your next Drive & Sleep!
SERVICES INCLUDED:
- rental car - A group
- 3 nights at Setar Hotel; breakfast and dinner included / drinks not included
- 4 nights at Pausania Inn; breakfast and dinner included / drinks not included
ITINERARY
1st Day
Cagliari – Quartu Sant’Elena
Arrival at Cagliari airport and departure to the Hotel Setar in Quartu Sant’Elena.
2nd Day
Quartu Sant’Elena – Cagliari – Campidano – Barumini – Giara di Gesturi – Cagliari – Quartu Sant’Elena
Leaving the hotel, you will cross a large part of the fertile plane of the Campidano, amongst fields of grain, artichokes, and vineyards in order to reach Villamar, a small village interesting to the visitors for murales. The tour will continue towards Barumini, where you will visit the famous nuraghic archaeological complex of “Su Nuraxi”. The village is located in a clearly strategic position in a central point on the island; this area has numerous nuraghic settlements. The central settlement dates back to 1100 B.C. and thrived up until the Phoenician and Punic Ages (VIII-VI centuries). It was destroyed by the Carthaginians at the end of the VI century but survived through the Roman Age thanks to some rebuilding.
“Su Nuraxi” includes a main tower and four smaller ones connected to each other by a containing wall which also forms a raised courtyard; the entire complex is protected by another wall and seven towers. Surrounding the Nuraghe, especially on the north side, is the village with its circular, elliptic-shaped huts. In the afternoon, you will leave Barumini to reach the Giara di Gesturi: this place is well-known thanks to its typical wild little horses with almond eyes. There are about 600, all of them wild and free, probably imported from far East. Adapted on the table-lands since long time ago, they live in small herds constituted of a dominant male and from 4 to 10/12 females with their respective colts. In February is not difficult to see powerful and vigorous male horses fighting for the control of new females that will increase their harems and give them prestige. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Setar.
3rd Day
Quartu Sant’Elena – Arbatax – Dorgali – Olbia – Tempio Pausania
Today you will take the road „orientale Sarda“ towards the North of the island direction Arbatax, known for its porphyry rocks, named Rocce Rosse (red rocks). Not far from Dorgali, you will visit the „Grotta del Bue Marino”, which can be reached by boat from Cala Gonone. The cave is named after the nearly extinct Mediterranean monk seal (“bue marino”) which survives today only on the Sardinian coast. About one kilometer of the grotto is open to tourists: the unearthly reflections of the stalactites in the grotto’s pools are an unforgettable sight. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Pausania Inn in Tempio Pausania.
4th Day
Tempio Pausania – Arzachena – Porto Cervo – Porto Rotondo – Tempio Pausania
The tour will continue towards the inland Gallura to arrive to Arzachena. The village lays on the side of a hill, facing at east on a big eroded rock shaped like a big mushroom. The must of this area is the archaeological site of Arzachena, where you can visit the Giants’ Tombs Coddu Vecchju and Li Lolghi, and the Nuraghe Albucciu.
Afterwards you will visit the famous Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast). Created during the 1960’s by the Prince Aga Khan Karim, this area is today the favourite tourist destination of the international Jet Set and hosts the most prestigious Hotels of the whole island. Porto Cervo is its emblem; luxurious yachts are docked just in front of this jewel and luxury shops are lined along the square. It is a must sitting for a while in one of the numerous bars and have an espresso or an ice-cream. After an exciting walk in Porto Cervo, you will have the opportunity to visit the church of Stella Maris that hosts a precious Neapolitan pipe organ from the 1600s, as well as a famous painting by El Greco. Before going back to the hotel, short visit of Porto Rotondo. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Pausania Inn in Tempio Pausania.
5th Day
Tempio Pausania – Palau – Arcipelago La Maddalena – Tempio Pausania
Departure from the hotel direction Palau, where you will start a boat trip through the Archipel of La Maddalena. This tour includes a stop to Maddalena where you can visit the historical centre and enjoy some shopping. Then you will leave direction Isle of Santa Maria where you can have a stroll or have a swim at the beach, or a quick walk till the Punta Filetto lighthouse on the north-east of the island. Furthermore you can have a look at the famous Rose Beach of Budelli and then you will sail along the coast Spargi in order to reach Cala Corsara. Then you will go back coasting Punta Sardegna, Porto Rafael and Capo d’Orso. In the afternoon you will go back to the Hotel Pausania Inn.
6th Day
Tempio Pausania – Alghero – Tempio Pausania
The whole third day will be dedicated to Alghero: a beautiful town with a prestigious Catalan past, whose signs are still well-preserved and visible in its architecture: from the thick cobbled streets to the fortifications that follow the coastline (the Bastion of Magellano and the Portal del Mar). Typical examples of the Catalan presence are shown in the Piazza Civica (square) shaped like a funnel and overlooked by the D’Albis and De Ferrera palaces, and by the ancient Cathedral of S. Maria with Catalan gothic elements , such as an octagonal bell tower and a rich portal.
In the afternoon you will visit the Neptune\'s Grotto. This marine cave is carved in a spectacular sheer cliff, with long winding passages that delve far into the rock passing many fantastical stalagmites and stalactites. The entrance to the caves lies at the base of Capo Caccia cliff and can be accessed by sea or from the Escala del Cabriol, a steep, narrow path of 656 steps. Inside there is a salt water lake, which is 120 metres long, with splendid limestone columns and concretions rising out of the water. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Pausania Inn in Tempio Pausania.
7th Day
Tempio Pausania – Oristano – Cagliari - Quartu Sant’Elena
Departure from the hotel direction Oristano, a nice town situated in the heart of the great plane of Campidano, in a central position along the western coast of Sardinia. Oristano is a place of captivating beauty. Here you will have the possibility to visit numerous sites, such as Oristano Cathedral, the Church of Santa Chiara, the Church of San Francesco, the Tower of Mariano II, and the Antiquarium Museum of Palazzo Parpaglia. Not far from Piazza Roma is Eleonora D\'Arborea\'s house. The building is located in Via Parpaglia, where the city\'s oldest and most traditional inn is also located. Here you have the chance to taste the delicious Vernaccia wine. Afterwards you will visit the archeological site of Tharros. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Setar.
8th Day
Quartu Sant’Elena – Cagliari - Nora – Santa Margherita di Pula – Capo Teulada - Cagliari
Departure from our hotel direction Cagliari the capital city of the Region Sardinia. As soon as you arrive at Cagliari you will start the visit from the old town and upper part of Cagliari called “Castello” (the Castle). Amongst the ancient walls are hidden real jewels: the Portal of Santa Cristina, the Tower of S. Pancrazio, the Tower of the Elephant, the Piazza Palazzo with the beautiful Cathedral of Santa Maria (headquarters of the Archbishop), and the Palace of the Prefect, once residence of the Viceroy Carlo Alberto. After having reached the Terrace Umberto I, that surmounts the Bastion of S. Remy, you will go downstairs to Via Roma, the main city road, for a lunch break in one of the many restaurants of the central quarter of the city.
The afternoon is dedicated to the visit of the archaeological site of Nora. Approximately 30 minutes from the centre of Cagliari, there are some ancient ruins. Founded by the Phoenician navigators around the 9th century B.C. as a strategic location in the Mediterranean, Nora was an important resting point before continuing the long travels to Britain in search of raw materials. The city was later conquered by the great Carthaginian navigators and warriors and later, as a result of the Punic Wars, fell into Roman hands around 238 A.C. Moreover as remain of an even more ancient history of the island, there is also an archaeological symbol of the only autochthonous kingdom: a nuragic well. After the visit, you can enjoy a panoramic ride along the Southern Coast until Capo Teulada.
