A Sardinian Summer with the Family

The next two days are yours to spend exploring the countryside and coast of northern Sardinia. One of the days you’ll have to explore independently. On the other, we’ll arrange for you to embark on a Zodiac sailing trip to 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 nearby 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.

After one last delicious breakfast surrounded by the Sardinian countryside, bundle the family back into your hire car and head two hours south to Cala Gonone. Your home for the next two nights is a charming hotel located near the beach and the foot of Mount Bardia. The rest of today is yours to play with. This area is best known for its calas, steep coves that are typically only accessible by boat. The Bue Marino cave is one of the most fascinating sites to visit in the area. The cave complex is a treasure trove of beauty, with turquoise lagoons, stalactites and mysterious wall carvings that date back to the Neolithic period. The ocean here is crystal-clear and warm, making it the perfect place for a spot of snorkelling.

Today is all about getting a little closer to Sardinian customs and traditions with a private cookery class followed by a visit to some handicraft workshops in the charming town of Mamoiada. Under the expert guidance of a local resident, you and the family will cook up maharrones a poddihe, a type of fresh pasta prepared by hand. Mamoiada is also known for its handicrafts, particularly its production of masks and knives. You’ll have the opportunity to meet the local craftsmen who have been keeping this tradition alive for generations. Round off your day of cultural immersion learning about the carasau bread oven, one of the signature delicacies of the island. Another option for today is a canoeing expedition down the Cedrino River.

It’s time to hit the road again. After a hearty breakfast at your hotel, jump into your hire car and drive to Pula, a beautiful town in the extreme south of the island. It takes around three-and-a-half hours to drive to Pula directly, but you’ll be hugging the entire east coast of the island, so you’ll likely want to stop off in a handful of the many beautiful beaches that line this coast. When you arrive in Pula, settle in for three nights in a peaceful hotel integrated beautifully into the surrounding countryside.

Today is yours to spend discovering Pula and the south of the island independently. The Pula Lagoon is home to astonishing biodiversity, including sea turtles, a variety of cetaceans, flamingos and kingfishers. The region also harbours a fascinating history, including Sardinia's most important archaeological site: Nora. Here, the remains of an ancient Punic city, founded by the Phoenicians, bear witness to the island’s splendour and importance in the third and second centuries BC.

On the agenda for your final full day of summering in Sardinia is a private tour of Cagliari, a medieval city perched on the azure shores of the Tyrrhennian Sea. After fuelling up at breakfast at your hotel, head out with your knowledgeable local guide. Cagliari has endured quite the tumultuous – but incredibly fascinating – history. In turn exploited by the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians and the Romans; then devastated by the Vandals and then the Saracens; and finally rebuilt by the Pisans and the Aragonese, this city is a treasure trove of stories. If you’re keen to enjoy one last bit of Sardinian nature, we can also arrange for you to enjoy a hike to the Sella del Diavolo.