E-Bike Cycling on the Costa Smeralda

• 7 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of 3 star and 4 star hotels
• 5 days self-guided move on cycling; 1 day optional circular ride
• 82% tarmac, 12% gravel roads
• Short distances but lots of ascents and descents
• E-bikes included

The food on Sardinia is as unique as it is, with simple dishes packed with intense flavours. Rich sheep cheeses served with the traditional, crisp shepherd's flat bread, saffron infused ravioli and to finish, cheese and lemon seadas drizzled in honey can be found everywhere, as well as, of course, freshly caught seafood, all washed down with the excellent local Carignano and Vermentino wines. Fregola – a kind of giant couscous often served tomatoes and seafood – is also popular. Of course, you also get the more traditional Italian dishes including pizza, and grilled or roasted meats – like suckling pig – which make tasty secondi. To compliment the end of your meal, try a glass of Mirto - Sardinia’s after dinner liqueur, which is made from the leaves of the myrtle plant.

Sardinia enjoys a Mediterranean climate, usually warm in spring and autumn and hot, dry summers. April, May, September and October usually have an average daytime temperatures around 20-25ºC. Rain is unlikely but possible throughout the year.

Cycling ConditionsClassification: Self-GuidedAverage daily distance: 29km (18 miles). No. of days cycling: 6Terrain and route: 12% of the trip is on strada bianca, and the rest is on tarmac Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to cycle independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodations, provide you with a map and route notes so that you can cycle at your own pace, while your bags are transported from one hotel to the next. Your bikes will be delivered to the start hotel, all set up relevant to your height and ready to go. Our local agent will be on call throughout the trip should you need. The agent on this holiday will require you to sign a disclaimer form for the hire of the bike. They will also require a pre-authorisation on your credit card as a guarantee in the event of any damage to /loss of the e-bike. It is important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked. Where possible we stick to cycle tracks and quiet roads to make the journeys as pleasant as possible, however, on occasion we have to use busier routes into larger towns and cities. As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There maybe others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The route notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the local agent is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service. Whilst every effort has been made to avoid main roads on this trip, some small sections are unavoidable. Roads in Sardinia are generally quiet, but there is a notable increase in traffic to this popular part of Sardinia in the hot summer months of July and August. If you prefer quieter roads and to avoid very hot weather, it's better to come outside these months FamiliesSelf-guided cycling holidays are a perfect option for families as they offer the freedom for you to take your holiday at your own pace. You can stop as and when you want and need, at the cafes and restaurants that suit your family and the sites that interest you. We have suggested that 12yrs is the minimum age for this trip, but as it is self-guided and you will be leading your own family we will ultimately leave this decision up to you. The daily distances are all published in the trip notes along with a description of each day's cycling so you have a good idea of what to expect. However, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact one of our experts. The principle idea is that these holidays can be as flexible as you like, with logistical support but no group or leader to dictate the daily activities. Please consider the weather when choosing to book, temperatures can be high in the middle of summer.