Secret Sardinia: Coast and Countryside in the Mediterranean

Nicknamed the ‘Little Sardinian Barcelona’ because of its strong Catalan influence dating back to the 14th century, Alghero is a charming little town with a historic centre opening onto a peninsula surrounded by fortifications. Here you can discover a well-preserved medieval heritage, epitomised by the Alghero Cathedral and its Gothic bell tower. You can also admire the church of San Francesco, with its superb golden tufa cloister; the Church of San Michele, home to the Jesuits; and the Esperò Reial Tower, the Theatre Square and the Palazzo Machin. If you’d rather get straight out into the Mediterranean, we can also arrange for you to spend the day cruising the coast of the city on a catamaran.

After a hearty breakfast this morning it’s time to bid a (temporary) ciao to the coast and head through the colourful landscapes of the Sardinian countryside to Oliena, a two-and-a-half-hour drive away. There are a fair few sights to take in along the way, including the town of Nuoro with its surrounding valleys and mountains, as well as the Church of San Pietro di Sorres in the heart of the Valle dei Nuraghi. Settle in for two nights in a beautiful hotel surrounded by olive groves and vineyards in Oliena. As the sun starts to descend, enjoy a Sardinian aperitif out in nature and soak in your tranquil new surroundings.

This morning, set off on an adventure into the heart of the Lanaitto Valley with a private guide. This valley is rich in endemic plants, rocky caves and shepherds' villages. It's not unusual to come across wild animals such as mouflons (small wild sheep) and wild boar. Your first stop in the valley is Sos Carros, a beautiful village filled with buildings dating back to the Bronze Age. Then it’s on to the Sa Oche cave, where you can admire countless underground pools and rock tunnels that have been here for millennia. The tour continues to the Su Gologone karstic spring on the slopes of the Supramonte range. Its exceptionally pure waters have patiently worked their way through the limestone to emerge in this mystical place. Other options for today include a visit to a wine cellar followed by a wine tasting or a guided hike to Cala Luna.

It’s time to leave the countryside behind and head back to the coast. After a delicious breakfast this morning, hop back into your hire car and travel north along the eastern coast of the island. Your next destination is a charming hotel bordering the crystal-clear waters of the Costa Smeralda. Spend the rest of today relaxing on the beach before tucking into a tasty meal this evening.

For your last full day in Sardinia you’ll be heading out on a Zodiac to discover the idyllic Maddalena Islands. Classified as a national park, the lands that make up the Maddalena archipelago cover a vast territory dedicated to preserving a sumptuous natural environment. Granite boulders and white-sand beaches make this look more like the Maldives than the Mediterranean (if emerald scrubland replaced coconut palms). The day's sailing adventure in this marine paradise is broken up with several swimming stops and visits to some of the islands: Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria, the south of Caprera and Maddalena. An alternative option for today is a private tour of the picturesque Gallura region, in the northeast of the island.