The Best of Sardinia and Corsica Itinerary

The Best of Sardinia and Corsica
Duration: 11 days
Highlights: Cagliari, Oliena, Gennargentu National Park by 4x4, the medieval town of Bosa, Castelsardo, sail on a vintage sailing boat around the Maddalena Archipelago
National Park, Bonifacio and Calvi
An 11-day itinerary exploring the remarkable historic sites and truly stunning scenery or Sardinia and Corsica.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Chia
Upon arrival at Cagliari airport you will be welcomed to Sardinia by your local Guardian Angel as you exit customs into the arrivals hall, and transferred to your hotel where
you will be assisted with check-in procedures.
Your Guardian Angel is part of a unique network of over 75 representatives throughout Europe who ensure your vacation operates smoothly and to your absolute
satisfaction. Your Representative is there on the ground to ensure that your travel arrangements run perfectly. He/she is on the end of the phone for you should you have
any queries and is there to assist you
The remainder of the day is at your leisure to enjoy the stunning location of Chia with its white sandy beaches and turquoise waters.
Overnight: Aquadolci Hotel, Chia
Day 2 - Cagliari & the Roman Settlement of Nora
Spend the morning with your driver and guide in the lively city of Cagliari, capital of the island of Sardinia. Castello, the city’s ancient quarter sits nestled amid towering walls
overlooking the town below. Discover the imposing Tower of San Pancrazio and Tower of the Elephant as well as the Santa Maria Cathedral. Trace the town’s history along
the old streets reaching Bastione Saint Remy, a striking monument built atop an ancient fortified entrance to the Castle. Enjoy lunch at leisure in Cagliari before continuing to
Nora.
Located on a promontory dominated by a 16th-century Spanish tower, Nora rose as a commercial Phoenician stop, before becoming a notable Punic centre and finally a
flourishing Roman town. At the end of the Roman Empire the town declined and disappeared but reminders of the ancient town still remain including the ruins of Punic
warehouses, the buildings of Republican Rome, a Punic-Roman temple, wide Roman thermal baths and even a remarkably preserved theatre almost entirely intact. We
recommend this visit not only for the historical-monumental interest, but also for the surrounding beauty of the area.
Overnight: Aquadolci Hotel, Chia
Meal Plan: B
Day 3 - Nuragic Sardinia & Oliena
Leave Chia today and head into the beautiful heart of central Sardinia where traditional Sardinian ways of life still prevail.
Visit the Nuraghe of Barumini, the most important archaeological town of Sardinia, protected by UNESCO. The site dates from the 2nd Millennium BC and is composed of a
central megalithic tower surrounded by a fortified court, additional towers and a village.
Your journey continues into the stunning mountainous region of Barbagia. The approach to Oliena village from Nuoro offers a truly unforgettable site as the lights of the town
illuminate the foot of the steep white mass of the Supramonte. Journey to the village through the carpet of vineyards where the famous Sardinian wine, Cannonau, is
produced.
Spend the next two evenings in the unique and peaceful surroundings of Su Gologone, a haven for food and wine lovers. Su Gologone is one of Sardinia’s most famous and
evocative hotels.
Overnight: Su Gologone, Oliena
Meal Plan: B,D
Day 4 - Central Sardinia by 4x4
Today we switch to an all-terrain vehicle to discover the Gennargentu National Park of the Gennargentu Mountains. The park extends over 59,100 hectares encompassing
some of the wildest, most mountainous, landscape in Sardinia and includes the island’s highest peak, Punta La Marmora. The spectacular unspoilt nature of the park makes
it a paradise for walkers, geologists, and nature-lovers alike.
Visit the village of Orgosolo, the most beautiful of central Sardinia, and discover the Sardinian life of a bygone age.
Overnight: Su Gologone, Oliena
Meal Plan: B,D
Day 5 - Western Sardinia & Alghero
Leave Oliena this morning and journey to the stunning coastline of western Sardinia. Stop en route at the colourful medieval town of Bosa, beautifully reflected in the Temo
River on whose banks it sits. Enjoy a relaxing stroll through the picturesque quarter of Sa Costa and enjoy a taste of the local Malvasia, a delicious prize-winning dessert wine
- one of the rarest Italian wines!
After an exhilarating drive, discover the unique town of Alghero. Whispers of Spain greet you here as you admire the architecture, mosaic roofs and white-washed buildings,
thanks to the Catalans who settled here during the 16th century. Enjoy a walking tour of the town before spending the night in your luxurious historic villa hotel right on the
seafront.
Overnight: Villa las Tronas, Alghero
Meal Plan: B
Day 6 - Castelsardo, Arzachena & San Pantaleo
Today we travel to the lesser visited gem of Castelsardo. A medieval town located on the Gulf of Asinara in the north of Sardinia, Castelsardo’s position perched atop a
promontory high above the sea has protected it from attacks and destruction over the centuries leaving this remarkable town well preserved and almost completely intact.
Continue your journey to Arzachena, situated on the doorstep of the illustrious Costa Smerelda, where we have an invitation to one of the most important wineries of
Sardinia for some special tastings; the Vermentino wines are particularly revered.
Your day ends in the tranquil setting of your hotel nestled high up in the hills with distant views across to Porto Cervo.
Overnight: Petra Segreta Resort, San Panteleo
Meal Plan: B
Day 7 - Costa Smerelda & La Maddalena by Sailing Boat
Take to the pristine waters of Sardinia today as you explore the stunning Maddalena Archipelago National Park aboard your beautiful vintage sailing boat. The striking
marine park is made of up of wonderfully picturesque islands, islets and coves, lapped by crystal blue waters and abounding with unspoilt nature and immaculate sandy
beaches. Relax and enjoy a traditional lunch served by the crew during your cruise as you admire the serene idyll that surrounds you. Spend the evening once again in San
Pantaleo.
Overnight: Petra Segreta Resort, San Panteleo
Meal Plan: B,L
Day 8 - Sardinia - Bonifacio - Ajaccio
Meet your driver this morning and venture to the northern town of Santa Teresa di Gallura for a short ferry ride across the strait from Sardinia into Corsica. Corsica greets
you with an unmissable panorama as you sail into Bonifacio.
The stunning port of Bonifacio is a star attraction in Corsica, drawing visitors from far and wide to marvel at its medieval houses precariously teetering on the edge of the
imposing limestone cliffs. Bonifacio is an irregular grid of winding streets and narrow alleyways, with medieval townhouses five or six stories high yet often just one room
wide. The ancient walls of the citadel envelope the Old Town.
Later, enjoy a stunning drive through the verdant mountainous scenery of western Corsica arriving at the town of Ajaccio.
Overnight: Hotel Les Mouettes, Ajaccio
Meal Plan: B
Day 9 - Ajaccio – Corte - Calanques of Piana - Calvi
Ajaccio is a city of two halves: the old city around the harbour area has plenty of narrow streets with attractive Mediterranean-style buildings and plenty of bars and shops,
while the more modern area of the city lies along the main boulevard that follows the coastal road. Ajaccio is significant as the birthplace of Napoleon and the house where
the Bonaparte family lived until the end of 1600 can be visited today. Enjoy a relaxed morning tour of Ajaccio before continuing your journey northwards, stopping in Corte.
Corte is a small town in the heart of Corsica and was the capital of the island from 1755-1769 during the reign of Pasquale Paoli - a name you will hear often in Corsica. As
well as being an interesting town in itself Corte is a great location from which to explore the mountains, valleys and scenery of central Corsica and the surrounding National Park.
Also see the amazing Calanques of Piana, a natural phenomenon of rock formations carved out by the wind and sea. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the area includes a
coastline of astonishing beauty studded with offshore islets and sea pillars rising out of translucent waters.
Overnight: Hotel la Signoria, Calvi
Meal Plan: B
Day 10 - Calvi, Ile Rousse & the Balagne Region
Your day begins in the ancient Genoese citadel of Calvi with its colourful narrow streets. Explore the restored palace of the Genoese governor, and the remains of a house
that is rumoured to be the place where Christopher Columbus was born, before continuing out along the Bay of Calvi to Ile Rousse with its beautiful winding coast, sprinkled
with pristine white sandy beaches and red granite rocks.
Heading off the beaten track inland, visit the beautiful hill-villages of the Balagne region such as Pigne. Balanced on the mountain edge this is a true haven which, free of
cars, can only be visited on foot.
Return to your peaceful luxury hotel for the final evening on the amazing island of Corsica.
Overnight: Hotel la Signoria, Calvi
Meal Plan: B
Day 11 - Depart Calvi
Privately transfer to the nearby Calvi Airport today.
Meal Plan: B