Sardinia, Beautiful Island

For our first two nights, we’ll reside in the lovely seaside town of Alghero. The ancestors of modern-day Sardinians (Sardi in Italian) were the Nuragic peoples whose name derives from once common cone-shaped megalithic buildings dating back to 1400 BC. Among our history lessons, we’ll have a chance to visit some of these. More recently, starting in the middle of the fourteenth century, for four hundred years the Aragonese dominated the island. The local Catalan dialect is still spoken here.

Alghero is also famous for its ancient tradition of coral fishing, nowadays regulated and entrusted to a few local experts. Nearby, we’ll discover the Porto Conte Regional Park on a walk in the forest, with dramatic views of Cape Caccia promontory and the coastline.

Another highlight will be a visit to Castelsardo, uno dei Borghi piú Belli d’Italia (one of the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy in English). This is a project that promotes the great heritage of history, art, culture, environment and traditions found in small Italian towns off the beaten paths. In town don’t miss a visit to the weaving museum housed in the remnants of Doria castle offering spectacular views of the northern coast of Sardinia.

Also in Alghero, we’ll have a wonderful opportunity to visit a local agriturismo.  The Italian word “agriturismo” connotes a family-run “farm stay” that combines agriculture and tourism, with an emphasis on accommodation and meals in a partially or totally renovated farmhouse. Here we’ll enjoy a dinner featuring locally-grown and seasonal products.

From Alghero, we’ll continue south, breathing in the beautiful western coastal views, and stopping by Bosa, uno dei Borghi piú Belli d’Italia (one of the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy in English) for a nice walk in town and visit to the old tanneries in the historic center. En route to Oliena we’ll also explore the local village of Mamoiada, known throughout the world for its traditional masks, and famous for its Carnival. Stories from Carnival are prominently displayed here at the Museum of Mediterranean Masks.

Our last two nights will be spent inland near the town of Oliena, also famous for wine-making, featuring local indigenous grapes such as Vermentino and Cannonau that we’ll savor while we learn from the local oenologist during an aperitif. After check in at the local agriturismo or hotel we’ll have a chance to relax and get ready for a yummy dinner featuring 0-mile ingredients!

Oliena lies in the area called Barbagia. This is one of the least populated areas of Europe, and as such has allowed the heart of Sardinia to preserve its cultural and natural treasures. A spectacular backdrop to Oliena is the Supramonte, a mountain range with striking highlands into which the rivers have dug deep ravines and canyons. Its highest peak is Mount Corrasi that we’ll explore on a hike with local shepherds who will share their stories with us over a scrumptious lunch featuring pane carasau (a traditional flat bread initially conceived for shepherds, who used to stay far from home for months), sheep’s milk Pecorino cheese and vegetables, cured meats, wines and the famous local pruceddu, a suckling pig slowly roasted on the spit (Vegetarian options will of course also be available.)

Today we will learn about shepherding, native plants, typical lifestyle of Barbagia, local traditions and craftsmanship. Typical products here include shawls, table runners, and clothing, either woven or embroidered by hand. Tonight feel free to join us for a a cooking demo featuring a local recipe, and followed by dinner on your own (ask us for suggestions!)

En route to Cabras today there is a not-to-be-missed stop in the village of Orgosolo, renowned for its Murales, over forty-year-old paintings that depict various aspects of Sardinian culture, tradition, and both local and international political concerns. Then we continue to Santu Lussurgiu to discover the art behind cow’s milk Casizolu cheese, one of the regional Slow Food Presidia. Slow Food is a non-profit organization founded in Piedmont in 1986 that promotes “good, clean and fair food” (the motto of Slow Food International) and the Presidia are one of Slow Food’s projects protecting and promoting products at risk of extinction.

Lunch will be in a restaurant that features traditional recipes and local and seasonal ingredients. If time allows we’ll visit an artisanal knives maker that with his family since the end of 1800 has been manufacturing this useful tool that it is customary to carry in Sardinia.

Our final destination is the small fishing village of Cabras, and our accommodations will feature an Albergo Diffuso, which is best translated as “dispersed hotel” as services and accommodation are spread across different, existent structures all within the same area. The beauty of the albergo diffuso is that it allows travelers to imbed themselves in village life while enjoying all the services of a standard hotel.

Another unforgettable moment tonight will be during dinner with a performance by a traditional folk group of the “canto a tenore,” a polyphonic vocal technique unique to Sardinia and dating back to 3000 BC.

Cabras dates back to the eleventh century, when the nearby town of Tharros was abandoned after repeated raids by North African pirates. While here, we’ll explore the fascinating history of Tharros, first a Nuraghic village, then a Phoenician settlement, and later expanded during the Punic and Roman periods. Make sure to enjoy a nice walk as well on the Sinis Peninsula, a protected marine area with distinctive natural flora and fauna, including several rare species of flamingo, cormorant, turtle and fox, among others.

Cabras is famous also for its local production of bottarga, the dried, pressed roe of the grey mullet, which is shaved over Italian dishes or sprinkled on pasta. Tonight we’ll have a chance to sample some at dinner after a visit to a local fishery, celebrating our food journey with fresh fish and an array of regional wines. Here we can share our great memories of an unforgettable tour and dreams about the next destination to explore!

Catch our group transfer to Cagliari airport. Buon viaggio (safe travel in Italian) and augurios a chent’annos in salude! (Many wishes of one hundred years of life in health in Sardinian dialect).