A charming itinerary to idyllic countrysides and modern towns
Basalt, limestone, trachyte and granite to create Romanesque churches throughout the island
What you’ll do, see and taste
- Wine tasting
- Fascinating churches
- Romanesque architecture
- Boat trip to Capocaccia*
- Tharros and Sinis Peninsula
- 2 towns registered in the list of the most beautiful villages of Italy
*In case of bad weather/sea conditions the boat trip will be replaced by a tour by bus into the natural park and a stop at a coral workshop
Day 1 - Olbia and Costa Smeralda
Arrival in Olbia and meet your local tour guide. Lunch on your own. During the afternoon panoramic view of Costa Smeralda and later on visit the Romanesque S. Simplicio church from the 11th century. It's a small but very important example of Romanesque architecture made with granite stones. Dinner and overnight in Olbia.
Day 2 - Oschiri, Bisarcio, Ardara and Codrongianus
Departure after breakfast to visit Madonna di Castro church near Oschiri which still preserves a defence wall then carry on to visit S. Antioco di Bisarcio church the only important evident building survived of an abandoned medieval village. Continue to Nostra Signora del Regno in Ardara and appreciate a magnificent altarpiece painted in 1515 by Giovanni Muru. Lunch in a restaurant. In the afternoon visit Trinity of Saccargia church renowned for its high and thin belfry and the fresco painted in the apse. Proceed to Alghero for a walking tour in town. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 3 - Alghero and Sassari
Departure after breakfast to visit Alghero historical centre. Time on your own for lunch and departure to Sassari to pay a visit to S. Pietro in Silky church and S. Maria of Bethlem where are stored some of the important huge wooden church candles offered by some of the Sassari's guilds and confraternities. Walking tour of Sassari which is the second largest town of Sardinia. Dinner and overnight in Alghero.
Day 4 - Porto Torres, Castelsardo, Tergu, Bulzi and Martis
Departure to Porto Torres to visit S. Gavino Romanesque church that has two apses and no facade and carry on to Castlesardo located on the top of a small peninsula and famous among other stories for its hand-woven baskets. Lunch on your own and in the afternoon visit Nostra Signora di Tergu, built with reddish trachyte and St. Pietro in Bulzi made with local limestone. Proceed to Martis and stop at the partly demolished but still fascinating early 14th St. Pantaleo church. Return to Alghero. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 5 - Bosa, Tharros and Sinis Peninsula
After breakfast departure to Bosa along the panoramic road and visit S. Pietro extramuros church. Visit Bosa and enjoy a wine tasting with the local Malvasia DOC wine. Proceed along the coastal road to Tharros and visit S. Salvatore di Sinis church built on a nuragic well. Lunch in a local restaurant and in the afternoon visit Tharros and S. Giovanni di Sinis' church. Dinner and overnight in Oristano.
Day 6 - S. Giusta, Bonarcado, Paulilatino, Ghilarza and Borutta
Departure after breakfast to visit S. Giusta's church in S. Giusta, considered like an archetype for Romanesque Pisan churches in Sardinia. Continue to Bonarcado to the Shrine of Nostra Signora di Bonacattu, a tiny chapel with preserved hints of Roman civilian architecture under a Byzantin church. Lunch in a restaurant with a visit to St. Cristina sacred area and its archaeological park. In the afternoon visit S. Palmerio church in Ghilarza and S. Pietro di Sorres church that dominates Meilogu region. Dinner and overnight in Alghero.
Day 7 - Capocaccia and Alghero
Departure after breakfast to Capocaccia natural monument for a boat trip and possibility to visit the Neptune's caves. Wine and food tasting and visit to Palmavera Nuragic village according to your scheduled flight.