Sardinian Paradise

Day 1 London - Cagliari Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home, for your journey to London Gatwick Airport and a British Airways flight to Cagliari. On arrival, we transfer to the T-Hotel (4T), centrally located in Cagliari. Day 2 Cagliari Today, as an introduction to this stunning island, we have included a tour of its capital. Like many of Italy’s great cities, Cagliari has an extensive history, which first dates back to the Phoenicians and has been influenced by the Romans and the French; it also suffered much damage during the Second World War. Today it is a thriving and attractive Mediterranean town with arcaded streets overlooked by the old city ramparts. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure, with dinner arranged this evening. Day 3 Barumini - Pranu Muttedu Our busy day starts early this morning and our first stop is Barumini, where a local guide will escort you on a tour of the Su Nuraxi complex of Nuraghi, stone structures unique to Sardinia that were created by an ancient Megalithic civilisation. This particular formation was discovered in 1950 and it represents a fine example of these distinctive constructions. Lunch will be included at a local restaurant. We continue to the archaeological site of Pranu Mutteddu in Goni, a unique Neolithic funerary site known as the Stonehenge of Sardinia. Day 4 Cagliari - Tharros - Bosa - Alghero After breakfast, we drive to the northern promontory of the Gulf of Oristano, where we find the ruins of Tharros, a Carthaginian and Roman port originally built by the Phoenicians in the Middle Ages. We then travel to the Carthaginian town of Bosa, situated on the River Temo and dominated by the ruins of the Castle Serravalle. Bosa is home to the original shawl makers who work at home on their dexterous embroidery. We continue north and discover the different aspects of this ancient and varied region, travelling by the panoramic coastal road to Alghero and the Hotel Catalunya (4T), which is close to the centre and the port area. This evening, you are free for dinner, after which, why not do what the Algherese do - take a stroll and perhaps enjoy the sunset from the bastion walls. Day 5 Alghero - Capo Caccia Visit Alghero this morning, one of Sardinia’s most beautiful medieval cities. Once a Catalan colony, you will notice the Spanish influence in the atmosphere and street signs as you stroll through the tangle of traffic-free lanes. We spend the afternoon on the beautiful promontory of Capo Caccia. Home to an extraordinary nature reserve frequented by large birds of prey, Capo Caccia is also renowned for a labyrinth of caves including 2,500m-long Grotta di Nettuno. Day 6 Alghero - Castelsardo - Tempio Pausania - Golfo di Marinella/Porto Cervo Today, we visit the 13th century Aragonese stronghold of Castelsardo where steep, winding streets lead up to the defensive towers and old women sit in doorways weaving elaborate baskets. We continue to the famous Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast) named for its crystal clear waters, and stop in Tempio Pausania, a small village amongst majestic granite rocks and dense cork woods. Our hotel for the next three nights is the Hotel Marana (4T) or the Colonna Hotel (4T) in Porto Cervo. Day 7 Golfo di Marinella/Porto Cervo Today you are at leisure to enjoy our hotel and its facilities. You may have the opportunity to visit La Maddalena on an optional excursion, the principal island of a rocky archipelago trimmed with fine sand beaches and surrounded by clear shimmering waters. Day 8 Porto Cervo - Giant’s Tomb We continue along the eastern coastal road, with a visit to Porto Cervo, a seaside retreat for the rich, before exploring the mysterious Giant’s Tomb, a collective burial chamber built about 4,500 years ago. Day 9 Golfo di Marinella/Porto Cervo - Ispinigoli - Orgosolo - Santa Margherita di Pula Today, we enter the dramatic Cave of Ispinigoli where, after descending down a series of steps, passing many beautiful limestone formations, we reach one of the tallest stalagmites in the world (38m high). Later, we visit the traditional village of Orgosolo in central Sardinia, famous for its nationalistic murals, which decorate the façades of many of the buildings that line the attractive, winding cobbled lanes. You will be able to sample the shepherds’ food at an ‘al fresco’ barbecue lunch on the mountain. We stay for two nights at the Hotel Flamingo Resort (4T) in Santa Margherita di Pula. Day 10 Santa Margherita di Pula You are at leisure today to enjoy the fine facilities of your hotel. Day 11 Santa Margherita di Pula - Cagliari - London After a leisurely breakfast we are transferred to Cagliari Airport for a direct, scheduled British Airways flight to London Gatwick. On arrival you will be met and guided to your Titan vehicle, for the journey home.