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Bicycling Sardinia - Alghero to Cagliari
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Bicycle Tours in Italy: Bicycling Sardinia - Alghero to Cagliari

The Italian island of Sardinia is renowned for its rich history, colorful handcrafts, and endless miles of undisturbed beaches. Our tour gives you a chance to discover this Mediterranean jewel that is often overlooked by American tourists. Spend 11 days exploring breathtaking coastal roads, pedaling ancient forests, and hiking to ruins that predate Roman civilization by more than 1,000 years - all while enjoying traditional Italian meals and wine. Other highlights are a visit to an excavated Roman town, a fabulous shepherds' barbecue, and swimming in pristine waters.

Come early and combine with Cycling Corsica and save $400 per person!

Day 1: Tour begins in Alghero, Italy

Highlights: Seaside Alghero, Catalan & Gothic architecture

There are plenty of ways to get to Alghero including international air connections or by boat from Genoa to Porto Torres. Alghero was a Catalan outpost and has a dialect that is still a mix of Catalan and Italian. Be sure to visit the interesting historic town center. We'll fit bicycles this afternoon and recommend an easy test ride before our special welcome dinner tonight.

Lodging: Hotel La Margherita

Day 2: Bicycle Alghero to Tresnuraghes

Highlights: Scenic coastal riding, the town of Bosa

We'll follow the coast south toward Bosa this morning. Take your time and enjoy the roller coaster ride this morning as the reality of this mountainous island sinks in - you're actually cycling suspended between the sea and mountains! Bosa is our first stop and we recommend you take time to explore this fascinating town before enjoying lunch here. A final climb through small coastal vineyards brings us to a plateau dotted with tiny traditional villages. Since Roman times, the Sardinians have never really lived by the sea as pirates and bad weather were more common at sea level. Dinner is together tonight. Distance: 55 km (34 miles).

Lodging: Villa Asfodeli

Day 3: Bicycle to Cabras

Highlights: Two-night stay, traditional basket makers, olive oil visit

We remain inland today, visiting the towns of Flussío (famous for its home-made baskets) and Tinnura (famous for its murals) on our way to Cuglieri. After a visit to an olive oil press, which still makes olive oil from trees planted by Spanish noble families in the 16th Century, we'll fly downhill to a beautiful beach for a refreshing swim and lunch. A flat ride brings us to our hotel this afternoon. Dinner together tonight. Distance: 60 km (37 miles).

Lodging: Hotel Villa Canu

Day 4: Rest day, Roman ruins, optional ride to the beach

Highlights: Optional ride to the Roman ruins of Tharros, explore hidden beaches and bays

Today is a day off the bikes for those who prefer to relax. Or we'll offer an optional ride to the Phoenician and Roman ruins of Tharros on the coast, where you can enjoy a relaxing swim at the beach. Those with an urge for exploration can spend the entire day cycling to all the little bays and beaches along this wild coast. Your return ride will bring you by salt marshes inhabited by fish and pink flamingoes. Try some famous "bottarga" (fish roe) made in this area, either on pasta or on pizza! Dinner is on your own. Distance: your choice 0-44 km (0-27 miles).

Lodging: Hotel Villa Canu

Day 5: Bicycle into Sardinia's mountains to Tonara

Highlights: Mountain climbs, cork tree forests, "torrone" (nougat) and bellmaker visits

We head deep into Sardinia's interior today. Our route follows the Tirso River to Fordongianus, an important ancient Roman city, and then heads up to Samugheo, known for its knotted white woolen rugs. After lunch and/or a gelato stop in Samugheo, continue climbing to Atzara and Sorgono, where the summit (900+ meters or 2880 feet) awaits. Our destination is the small mountain town of Tonara, famous throughout Italy for its honey and egg-white "torrone" (nougat) and its artisanal bellmakers that help herders keep track of sheep, goats and cattle. Dinner is on your own. Distance: 83 km (52 miles).

Lodging: Hotel Belvedere 2

Day 6: Bicycle to Su Gologone

Highlights: Coastal mountains of Sardinia, resort hotel with pool, traditional masks of Mamoiada

We start the day with a well-earned downhill before climbing to the friendly town of Gavoi and our lunch stop in Mamoiada. We'll regroup for a brief visit to the traditional mask museum to learn about the haunting masks that dominate traditional festivals before continuing on through the center of Sardinia's historic "bandit" region, Orgosolo in the Gennargentu (silver) mountains. Our destination is the serene mountain resort hotel of Su Gologone, nestled under the imposing white limestone mountain Supramonte. Dinner is together tonight. Distance: 83 km (52 miles).

Lodging: Hotel Su Gologone

Day 7: Hike to Nuragic Village

Highlights: Visit to prehistoric Nuragic village, shepherds' barbecue

Leave your cycling shoes behind today as we enjoy a hike to some of the ruins and rock dwellings of the ancient Nuragic civilization that once inhabited this area. After our hike, we'll share a barbecue in the mountains with local shepherds. An early return to our hotel allows for serious rest and relaxation at the swimming pool before dinner together. No cycling today.

Lodging: Hotel Su Gologone

Day 8: Bicycle Su Gologone to Santa Maria

Highlights: Spectacular limestone mountains, rugs and olive oil of Dorgali

Hold on to your helmets! We go from 100 meters (328 feet) to 1,000 meters (3280 feet) and then back down to sea level as we cycle through some of the most spectacular limestone mountains in the Mediterranean basin. You'll want to stop in Dorgali to see the rugs, traditional gold filigree jewelry, and Sardinian ceramic designs before a long but gentle scenic climb brings us to the top of the pass. From there it's downhill to the beach in Santa Maria Navarrese and our home for the night. Dinner is on your own tonight. Distance: 74 km (46 miles).

Lodging: Albergo Mediterraneo

Day 9: Bicycle Santa Maria to Costa Rei

Highlights: Visit to cheese factory

Today's ride is long, but with gently rolling terrain through the villages of Bari Sardo, Tertenìa, Villaputzu and Muravera. The scenery is bucolic with views of the mountain range that separates the valley we are riding through from the sea. We'll enjoy glimpses of the Tyrrhenian Sea toward the end of the ride, one of the two seas that flank mainland Italy (the other is the Adriatic Sea between Croatia and Italy). Dinner is together tonight. Distance: 112 km (70 miles).

Lodging: Il Vascello

Day 10: Bicycle Costa Rei to southern coast of Sardinia

Highlights: Coastal riding, Villasimius, Cagliari

We cycle to the south coast of Sardinia near one of the most famous beaches in Cagliari. We recommend stopping in Villasimius for a midmorning cappuccino and cornetto, a great ice cream, or just to have a walk on the famous beach. We'll pedal into Cagliari to our hotel for our final evening and dinner together. Distance: 74 km (46 miles).

Lodging: Hotel Due Colonne

Day 11: Tour ends in Cagliari, Italy

Highlights: Cagliari

After breakfast, we'll say goodbye. If time allows stay a few extra days in this Mediterranean paradise.
  • Highlights
    Quiet country roads, Spectacular mountain vistas, Great food, great coastal bicycle rides, Traditions dating back to pre-Roman times
  • Includes
    "The Usual" plus... Use of a quality 27-30 speed bicycle; 11 days, 10 nights, 7 dinners with wine, 1 lunch & 10 breakfasts
  • Countries
    Italy
  • Begin/End
    Alghero/Cagliari
  • Arrive/Depart
    Alghero Airport (AHO) / Cagliari-Elmas Airport (CAG)
  • Total Distance
    518 - 562 km (320 - 347 miles)
  • Daily Distance
    Daily average 65 - 70 km (40 - 43 miles)
  • What to Expect
    An ExperiencePlus! staff favorite because of the tremendous rides, scenery, food and history of the area.
  • Rating
    401
    Rolling terrain along the coast with more challenging climbs as we cross the island from west to east.
  • Notes
  • Terms
    Terms & Conditions
Dates Price Single
Supplement*		 Notes Next
Step
May 24 - Jun 03, 2013 $4750 $600 One Space Left Book It
Sep 27 - Oct 07, 2013 $4750 $600 Confirmed departure. Confirmed Departure Book It
*We are happy to match solo travelers who would like to share a room with someone of the same gender. If no match exists, due to hotel pricing, we will charge 50% of the single supplement rate. This fee will be collected at the time of the final payment. If a roommate assignment is available this fee will be refunded at the conclusion of the tour.
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Click on the "pins" for details about each day's highlights.

Map Key

Green pinStart
Yellow pinCity (on route)
Red pinEnd
Other city dotCity (not part of route, provided for reference)
It was amazing to do Cycling Corsica and Sardinia back to back. The riding in Corsica is second to none with its wild beauty and then to do Sardinia where even the mountains seem polished. There is such a contrast in these two islands that are so close together. This trip was without a doubt at the top of our list as the most fabulous trips we have done, which now number 17 in Europe.
Sharon M., Vancouver, BC, Canada
Everything was 100% - the usual ExperiencePlus! experience. You always do it so well and the attention to detail is second to none. Bravo.
Jane C. & Jeff H., Lucca, Italy
Another great trip from Experience Plus! Roll on the next one!
Heather B., Kirkcaldy, Scotland
This trip was the best ever; and I give it a 15!!
Stu W., Boulder, CO
The riding in Sardinia was awesome. The quality of the roads was great, with good climbs and marvelous descents. The routes were just beautiful.
Steve M.
Boulder, CO
Dear ExperiencePlus!
What a wonderful surprise! After a long day of biking in Sardinia, we checked into our room at Su Gologne and discovered a wonderful basket filled with delicious treats from you all. Thank you for making our honeymoon extra special. We truly enjoyed the bike tour. Jay and I are planning next year's tour. Thanks again!
Terri & Jay R.
Menlo Park, CA
Dear Rick,
The staff far exceeded all my expectations. From my experiences they set the standard for excellence. They were always there to help, to guide, and most of all, to make the customer feel special. Looking forward to our next trip.
Phil B.
Bolinas, CA