Italy - Sardinia - Island Flavours - Guided Leisure Cycling Holiday

Oversikt

Cycling in Sardinia really doesn't get much better than this! Our Island Flavours holiday will see us cycling in Sardinia’s south-west corner, a region bursting with variety; from expanses of vineyards, olive groves and oak wooded valleys, to high rugged cliffs dotted with Spanish watchtowers and splendid beaches, hiding secluded coves.

Reiserute Vis detaljert reiserute

Day 1: Arrival into Cagliari Airport - Transfer to Turri

Day 2: Turri to Sardara

Day 3: Sardara to Arbus

Day 4: Arbus to Nebida

Day 5: Nebida to St Pietro Island and St Antioco Island

Day 6: St Antioco to Teulada

Day 7: Teulada to Pula

Day 8: Departure Form Pula - Transfer to Cagliari Airport

Sardinia prides itself on the production of organic foods: cheeses, wines, countless varieties of breads, cured meats, saffron, juicy sun-ripened fruits and much more. Our cycling holiday here will take us on a journey of flavours, with the opportunity to stop and visit wineries, farms, traditional bakeries, fisheries and olive oil mills. Combine this with the prevailing scent of Mediterranean herbs and during this cycling holiday we'll have a true journey of the senses.

 

The tour combines undulating country lanes and coastal roads, with plenty of time to explore. Accommodation during the week will be in a selection of quality agriturismi, B&Bs and small hotels, serving delicious home made dishes that really showcase the tasty local fayre, washed down with delicious wine... what better hospitality could you ask for? 

 

Our Sardinia Island Flavours holiday is run as a guided tour with several set departures throughout the year. However, if you enjoy a little more freedom and flexibility then please do check out the self-guided version. If you have a day or two to spare why not extend your trip with some trekking or sea kayaking? Our local team can join you for a days guiding or we can provide the information and equipment to allow you to enjoy the routes self-guided, just give us a call for further info.

Day 1: Arrival into Cagliari Airport - Transfer to Turri   

Following your arrival into Cagliari airport, we’ll meet you and make the 45 minute transfer to our accommodation in the village of Turri. The rest of the day will be spent organising bikes and going through the route with your guides to make sure all is well for the week ahead, as well as getting to know the rest of the group. 

Time permitting we’ll visit the archeological site of Barumini and nearby museum. This Nuragic site is the most important on the island. Built in the Bronze Age, around the 15th century BC, this fortress and its surrounding village demonstrate an incredible architectural feat: massive basalt blocks of rock, built up into three storey towers, internal staircases, outlook posts, courtyards and even an ancient sauna!

Day 2: Turri to Sardara (B, L, D)

Leaving our accommodation, we’ll start the day exploring the plains of the Marmilla, a hilly region which extends from the outskirts of Cagliari towards Oristano. Since Roman times, this fertile part of the island has been the centre of cereal cultivation as well as olives and grapes. Today, bread making in this region still follows ancient recipes, with exceptional results! Cycling north west we’ll curve around the Giara, a high volcanic plateau, populated by hundreds of wild horses. Riding on we’ll find ourselves cycling over rolling hills of vineyards and olive groves, leading us to the village of Collinas.

Leaving the hills behind, we’ll venture down to the Campidano Plain, the biggest of the island, making our first stop in the town of Sardara. The closeness to a hot spring area and the quality of its fresh water has made Sardara, and specifically its well, a sacred area since ancient times – it’s believed that Nuragic people venerated the water as having healing properties. Your hotel is set near the Roman remains of the old thermal baths. Time to enjoy the spa facilities before dinner!

Approx. distance: 34 Miles / 55 Kms

Day 3: Sardara to Arbus (B, L, D)

Setting off from Sardara and its rural church of St Maria delle Acque, we’ll leave this thermal water oasis behind us and cycle on, across the plain, passing Pabillonis. This is an agricultural area and the fields around us may be growing artichokes, wheat or saffron, offering a tapestry of colours and perfumes.

Heading westward, Gonnosfanadiga is nestled below the rocky eastern spurs of the Iglesiente region and is known for its olives and olive oil. If the timing is right, a stop at a local cafè and patisserie will allow us time to sample some of the local traditional cakes made from almond paste and saffron. Leaving the plain it’s time to get into a smaller gear as we head back into the hills, just below Mt Linas, before reaching our accommodation for the night, a delightful agriturismo offering some superb homemade pasta, home-cured meats, cheeses and of course olive oil and wine included. What better way to finish off a good day on the bike?

 

Approx. distance: 25 Miles / 40 Kms 

Day 4: Arbus to Nebida (B, L, D)

Leaving the agriturismo, we’ll cycle on towards the coast. A superb 9 kms of gentle downhill riding with beautiful mountain views is the perfect start to our day. Cycling along the long sandy beach of Portixeddu, we’ll have time to stop for a brief swim before continuing.

The little hamlet of Buggerru, once a thriving mining coastal town, is now trying to survive on few resources: fishing and the odd traveller who ventures this way. With fresh fish being brought into the small port, this is a good place to stop for lunch and try out some local fishy delicacies. In Buggerru we’ll have the opportunity to visit one of the coastal mines, Galleria Henry, which has been opened up to the public as part of an Industrial Archaeological itinerary of this fascinating mining area. Cycling on, the road takes us along the remote coastal route towards the towering limestone pinnacles and cliffs of Masua. This is a free climber’s heaven, with excellent routes starting from sea level towering up to the sky. We’ll pedal onwards to breathtaking Nebida!

Approx. distance: 28 Miles / 45 Kms

Day 5: Nebida to St Pietro Island and St Antioco Island (B)

From Nebida we’ll continue riding south down the coast, leaving the rugged limestone behind and heading towards the lower lands and the islands of St Pietro and St Antioco. We’ll have the chance to give our legs a rest as we catch a ferry across to the island of St Pietro.

The town of Carloforte, on St Pietro, was founded by the coral fishers of Genoa, who moved here from Tunisia where they had lived since the middle of the 16th century. Their influence is felt in the architecture of the island as well as the cuisine. With its pastel coloured houses set along narrow cobbled lanes, Carloforte is a fascinating place to stroll around. The island is well known for its fishing community, in particular tuna fishing. Since ancient times, fishermen have awaited the arrival of schools of tuna that stream by along the same route, not far from the islands. You are free to please yourself for your lunch break, choosing one of the lovely fish restaurants or a delicious panino from one of the many bars. Another short journey on a ferry will take us across to the island of St Antioco, where a short ride will take us to the town, and our accommodation for the night.

Approx. distance: 24 Miles / 38 Kms

Day 6: St Antioco to Teulada (B, L, D)

It’s well worth spending a few hours visiting some of the hidden archaeological sites of St Antioco. The development of the area in fact goes back to the Nuragic times, but only truly thrived when the Phoenicians founded it as “Sulcis” in 259 BC. Worth a visit is the Punic Necropolis and Thophet, as well as the Catacombs below the Church of St Antioco.

Leaving the island by the causeway across the bay of Palmas, we’ll carry on cycling towards the Sulcis mountains, riding through the fertile, rolling hills around Trattalias and Santadi. As we cycle past vineyard after vineyard, it will become obvious that we are entering the vine region of the Carignano grapes. Here we’ll have the chance to try some of the yummy, local wines at the Cantine di Sa Mesa. From here the undulating road winds its way 13 kms to Teulada, passing some remote farming hamlets and at points affording some great views across the south coast.

Approx. distance:  43 Miles / 70 Kms

Day 7: Teulada to Pula (B, L)

Our final day in the saddle will see us cycling along a roller coaster road towards Pula. The Costa del Sud is a wonderful 20 km spectacle of twisting, turning road above rugged cliffs that plunge into the deep blue sea. There are many outlook points and small sandy coves to stop and enjoy the sea. Cala Tuerredda is one of the most stunning beaches along this coast, protected by two promontories; the emerald blue colours are breathtaking.

From here the road climbs away from the coast, dropping back toward the long sandy beach of Chia. A short detour to the right will take us to Chia tower, from where we can enjoy a spectacular view of the long stretch of Chia beach and the islands. The next section follows the main road north, along a quiet coast road, finally reaching the little town of Pula, where our trip officially comes to an end. The excellent gelateria in the main town square, which serves home made ice-cream, is a well deserved treat and reward after this long journey of flavours. 

We’ll have the evening free to wander around the town and try out one of the many quality restaurants.

Approx. distance:  35 Miles / 56 Kms

Day 8: Departure Form Pula - Transfer to Cagliari Airport (B)

A relatively early start to the day for the 45 minute journey to Cagliari airport. Depending on flight schedules, we’ll hopefully have some time for a wander around the city; the perfect place for those last minute goodies or to put your feet up in one of the many plazas sipping a last glass of vino rosso.

If you have a day or two to spare why not extend your trip with some trekking or sea kayaking exploring the picturesque coastline and sandy shores which stretch along the coast from Pula? Our local team can join you for a day’s guiding or we can provide the information and equipment to allow you to enjoy the routes self-guided, just give us a call for further info. 

Alternatively if you are looking for some city life and culture, we can arrange a guided cycle tour of Cagliari. 

Bilder

holiday

holiday

holiday

+5 More

From this trip

holiday

holiday

holiday

holiday

holiday

Viktig Informasjon Vis detaljert viktig informasjon

• What's Included:

  • Accommodation (shared twin / double en suite rooms) in small hotels / agriturismi 
  • Meals as per the itinerary (B-Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) 
  • Full tour service, including Skedaddle guides 
  • Unless stated, at least one leader qualified in first aid 
  • Support vehicle, for tired bikers and luggage transfers 
  • Airport transfer on scheduled arrival day from Cagliari airport (CAG) 
  • Airport transfer on scheduled departure day to Cagliari airport (CAG)

  
  

  What's Not Included:

  • Bike hire (available if required, from GBP 115 - Electric bike from GBP 205) 
  • Flights and charges for travelling with your bike (if applicable) 
  • Single room (available if required, on request from GBP 205) 
  • Travel insurance 
  • Meals not stated in the itinerary 
  • Personal clothing and equipment 
  • Personal expenditure (souvenirs, bar bills, hotel facilities etc) 
  • Entrance fees to museums and other attractions en route 
  • Ferry tickets between the islands of St. Pietro and St.Antioco (approx €15): 2 tickets – From Portoveseme to Carloforte (Island of St Pietro), then from Carloforte to Calasetta (Island of St Antioco) 
  • Airport transfers on days other than the scheduled arrival / departure days 

  
  

  Other useful travel information:

  Vaccinations: We recommend you have a dental and medical check-up before the holiday

  Passport: A full passport is required for visiting this destination.

  Baggage: Your allowable baggage is one main piece of luggage per person, other than your bike and a small day pack.

  Meals: Breakfast are typically Italian, lunch is a tasty buffet, dinner are either taken at a local restaurant or our accommodation.

  Travel Insurance: It is a condition of your trip that you are covered by a medical and personal accident insurance policy that includes repatriation to your home country and cover for all planned activities.

  Grade: 3 Moderate, For riders with experience, good fitness & a decent level of skill. Some features that may be experienced more frequently in a higher grade tour. Most days include a couple of significant climbs. Some long days & some steep to very steep sections. Not for beginners. 45-60 miles / 70-95 kms per day.

  Airport transfers: Group airport transfers are included in the cost of your holiday. April, May and June departures To join the airport transfer, you’ll need to arrive into Cagliari airport (CAG) before 10.00 for a 10.30 transfer. At the end of the tour, we will transfer the group to Cagliari airport; estimated arrival time of 08.40. September departures you’ll need to arrive into Cagliari airport (CAG) before 11.30 for a 12.00 transfer. At the end of the tour, we will transfer the group to Cagliari airport; estimated arrival time of 09.10. Please note – If you make travel arrangements that fall outside of the above time windows there may be an additional charge for individual transfers.

  Terrain: The tour alternates between countryside and stunning coastal views. You’ll be riding primarily on well-paved roads, except for a few short sections of dirt road that lead to your accommodation. You’ll be riding in a region which combines rolling hills and long flat stretches, passing olive groves and vineyards. Towards the coast the riding becomes a more undulating roller coaster, with a few challenging sections. Coastal roads overlook sandy beaches and remote coves. The climbs are never too steep or long and the roads generally have little traffic. We recommend a hybrid bike for this tour, but the route is suitable for a road bike if preferred.

  Bike Hire: If you don’t own a suitable bike or would prefer to avoid bringing your own we have bikes available to hire. These bikes are typically Giant Roam hybrids (or equivalent). If a small frame is needed we will provide Liv Roams. Occasionally mountain bikes will be provided with semi slick tyres adapted for road use. We can provide a helmet locally on request, please let us know if you’d like to hire when you make your booking. Hire bikes will be provided with a pannier rack and 1 bag, a tool kit, a bike lock and a bike pump. Your guides will be carrying everything else you’ll need, including all necessary spares. Please note that if you request woman specific bikes (sloping), models might be different. We have electric bikes available to hire on request. It may take us a day or so to confirm availability so please let us know as soon as possible if you’d like to take this option.

  Vehicle Support: At strategic points (where access allows), you have the security of our support vehicle. In the vehicle there will be some space for tired bikers, allowing the chance of a well-earned break if needed. You will also be able to leave extra gear or spare kit here during the day meaning there is no need to carry any equipment other than that you would carry on a normal day ride.
  

Priser / Datoer

Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.