Swept Away in Sardinia

A journey for the senses on our favorite Mediterranean island.

Destination

Sardinia

Activity

Biking

Level

Intermediate

Duration

11 days / 10 nights

From $7,645 PP 11 days / 10 nights

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A n idyllic combination of cycling, culture, and sea, Sardinia is an island of extraordinary diversity. With over 2000 km of coastline, you’ll view high cliffs diving into the turquoise sea; stretches of white, sandy beaches; and miles of salmon-colored rock formations. Within the island’s interior lies another world: canyons dotted with ancient mountain villages, forests filled with chestnut and cork trees, and golden fields filled with herds of sheep. Sardinia’s long history includes being ruled by Phoenicians, Romans, Vandals, Arabs, and Spanish (just to name a few). Add to this it’s special location in the Mediterranean close to Corsica, Tunisia, and Algeria (closer to Sardinia than even Sicily!) and you’ll see how Sardinians have developed a distinct culture and language that sets it apart from mainland Italy.

Join Top Guides Frank and Dana on this special adventure to one of their most favorite spots to see and learn how Sardinians have developed a distinct culture and language that sets it apart (in the most divine ways!)–from mainland Italy.

Tour Essence

Peaceful pedaling along the turquoise Mediterranean
Glimpses of rare animals including eagles, wild sheep, and griffin vultures
Cycling through spectacular limestone mountains and alongside stunning oceanside cliffs
Feasts of savory, local foods paired with cool, crisp white and distinctive red wines from grapes that are native to Sardinia
Stays at charming seaside hotels and enchanting country inns

What to Expect

Start Location

Alghero

End Location

Villasimius

Mileage

Average Daily: 31 Total: 308/386

Once you have a trip confirmed, we will feed you a steady diet of additional pre-departure information that includes: How to train, prepare, pack and all the wonderful, inspirational and practical things you want and need to know before you go! Our Travel Advisors will be available to help plan your pre- and post-tour travel.

What’s Included

Van support
Leadership of your expert, bilingual Top Guide(s)
Shuttles during and at the end of the tour
Cycling clinics.

What’s Included

Carbon bike equipped with Garmin Edge Touring GPS
Ciclismo Classico “Top Guide” cycling kit (bib & jersey)
Ciclismo Classico water bottle
Two water bottle holders
Map holder on handlebars and a Garmin Edge GPS
Handlebar bag
Tire pump
Combination bike lock
Gel-padded saddle
Choice of pedals
Card with your tour leaders’ mobile phone numbers

Pedal Options

Flat pedals
Half-toe pedals (without straps)
Toe cage pedals

What’s Included

Helmet
Optional: clipless pedals with shoes
Optional: your own saddle

All accommodations
All breakfasts
4 lunches
7 dinners

Traditional Sardinian music
Cultural visit
Boat ride

Dates

2023

May 27 - Jun 6

Available

Jun 10 - 20

Available

Sep 8 - 18

Available

Sep 22 - Oct 2

Available

From $7,645 PP 11 days / 10 nights

$1,000 Optional Single Supplement

Book Now

Schedule A Call

Download Itinerary

Any of our tours can be made private. Contact us to learn more.

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Itinerary

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Start Location

Alghero

Fly Into

Alghero (AHO)

End Location

Villasimius

Fly Out Of

Cagliari (CAG)

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STYLED MAP

Day 1

Alghero Warm-Up

Welcome to Sardinia! We meet at the hotel at 12:30 pm for lunch and introductions, followed by bike fittings and a quick spin to the Sanctuary of Valverde for a map review and an overview of our tour. For our first night’s feast, we will find that there are many homemade pastas and wonderfully seasoned foods to enjoy at renowned Ristorante La Movida.

Meals Provided

Breakfast

Average Mileage

10 miles

Riding Terrain

Gentle and steady with an easy climb

Meals Provided

Breakfast

Accommodations

Hotel Carlos V

This hotel is located right on the Alghero seafront. The Carlos V has a spa, restaurant and comfortable rooms. A warm island welcome!

Luxury Level

Day 2

Capo Caccia

Today we bike north, to the beautiful area of Fertilia, stopping along the way to discover the ancient civilization of nuraghi, as far as Capo Caccia, on the way we have the chance to stop and enjoy some of the lovely beaches that dot the coast. Return to Alghero, and enjoy some time around town checking out the local crafts made out of red coral, and the old city.

Meals Provided

Breakfast

Average Mileage

35 miles

Riding Terrain

Hilly with a few flat stretches

Meals Provided

Breakfast

Accommodations

Hotel Carlos V

This hotel is located right on the Alghero seafront. The Carlos V has a spa, restaurant and comfortable rooms. A warm island welcome!

Luxury Level

Day 3

Bosa

Today’s ride follows the spectacular coastline to Bosa, a natural oasis for rare birds like the reed warbler, the Kingfisher and the Griffon vulture. You’ll spin along Bosa’s rocky shores, whose natural ebony cliffs are fortified by ancient landslides that jut out into the Mediterranean. Stop in the town of Bosa Marina for lunch and stroll around the town. Sites worth seeing are the local cathedral, the Malaspina castle, the museum of “sas conzas,” and the old tanneries used in the 18th century for local, typical craftwork.

Meals Provided

Breakfast

Average Mileage

29/48 miles

Riding Terrain

Cliffside roads with a few climbs

Meals Provided

Breakfast

Accommodations

Corte Fiorita Albergo Diffuso

Hotel Corte Fiorita is a charming hotel set on the bank of the River Temo in the heart of the medieval town of Bosa. It is an exceptional fusion of tradition and innovation, between characteristic accommodation and modern hotel hospitality. The property is just 1.9 mi from the coast where you can relax on white sandy beaches and bathe in crystal-clear waters.

Luxury Level

Day 4

Cuglieri & Santa Caterina di Pittinuri

The sweet aroma of juniper berries and wild olives will help invigorate today’s ride. In Cuglieri, find yourself surrounded by mountains, woods, and rivers. After repeated raids in the 9th century, this old city was abandoned, and then rediscovered and founded as a new city, Curulis Nova, now called Cuglieri. This area is a magnificent archaeological site, home to sarcophagi and a basilica with three naves. From here, we’ll pedal down the coast to the village of Santa Caterina.

Meals Provided

Breakfast

Average Mileage

30/40 miles

Riding Terrain

Flat and rolling

Meals Provided

Breakfast

Accommodations

La Baja

Hotel La Baja is set in a quiet seaside town and offers beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea, an outdoor pool, and restaurant. The hotel is nestled at the foot of the Montiferru mountains and located 15 km from the Sinis Penisula.

Luxury Level

Day 5

Fordongianus

Today, after a rolling ride by the sea, leave the coast and enjoy flat terrain en route to Fordongianus, passing by Paulilatino, in the heart of Sardinia. This area is dotted with pastures and remote villages, in which you might get caught in a sheep traffic jam. Our hotel boasts a spa, perfect for a message or why not simply relax by the pool sipping a cocktail before a well-deserved dinner?

Meals Provided

Breakfast

Average Mileage

30/40 miles

Riding Terrain

Flat and rolling

Meals Provided

Breakfast

Accommodations

Grand Hotel Terme & Spa

This hotel boasts a spa. Perfect time for a massage or relaxing by the pool, sipping cocktails before a well-deserved dinner.

Luxury Level

Day 6

Barbagia

Today we ride inland to Barbagia, a rugged landscape rich in living traditions. The silence of these untouched mountains will give you the impression that time has stopped. The name “Barbagia” comes from the Latin word “barbaria”, used by the ancient Romans to reference the once secluded areas inhabited by ancient “barbarians”. As you ride through this beautiful area, be on the lookout for more rare animals, such as wild boars and eagles. We will pass through Sorgono, an important town since the Roman times, and it is the birthplace of a very popular, local wine called Mandrolisai. Our destination is the town of Fonni, the highest town in Sardinia with beautiful vistas of the Gennargentu mountain range.

Meals Provided

Breakfast

Average Mileage

50/57 miles

Riding Terrain

Several solid climbs

Meals Provided

Breakfast

Accommodations

Hotel Sa Orte

Hotel Sa Orte is located in the village, ideal for people who want to discover the real soul of the island. Tastefully designed, this historic nobleman’s home was carefully restored and opened as a hotel in 2005.

Luxury Level

Day 7

Oliena & Su Gologone

We wind our way towards the mountains of Gennargentu today, stopping in small, attractive towns before reaching Oliena, which is famous for the local cannonau wine called Nepente. Mamoiada is known for the masks of the Mamuthones, which are often on display and populate the streets during festivals and celebrations. We’ll visit the mask museum to learn more about these eerie and mysterious masks. Orgosolo is known as the village of murals. There are hundreds in this town of only 5,000 people!

Meals Provided

Breakfast

Average Mileage

39/45 miles

Riding Terrain

A lot of uphill roads with mountainous landscapes

Meals Provided

Breakfast

Accommodations

Hotel Su Gologone

Hotel Su Gologone is a 4-star accommodation that lies at the foot of Supramonte, a mountain steeped in folklore. It’s a large, white villa that blends perfectly with the surrounding landscape of juniper trees and wild olives. With a swimming pool and views of the horizon, this hotel combines quality service, comfort and tradition.

Luxury Level 4 stars

Day 8

Dorgali

We ascend from 328 to 3,280 feet towards the Genna Silana pass, and then back down to sea level on what is sure to be one of the best rides of your life. We’ll pass by Dorgali, a major agricultural center well known for its locally produced products, and then head out towards a beautiful and remote part of this mysterious island, where you’ll have a bit of a climb before reaching the coast. Celebrate with a dip in the beautiful pristine water of this stretch of coast of Sardinia: a beautiful background to enjoy our great accomplishment.

Meals Provided

Breakfast

Average Mileage

53 miles

Riding Terrain

One big steady climb and one big great descent

Meals Provided

Breakfast

Accommodations

The Lanthia Resort

This resort hotel is a precious jewel located between the forests of Ogliastra and the crystal blue sea of Santa Maria Navarrese. It has a lounge bar, restaurant and swimming pool, as well as a large garden just a few steps from the sea.

Luxury Level

Day 9

Santa Maria Navarrese

No cycling today, instead we'll take a lovely boat ride and a hike along the wild coast to the “Pedra Longa” a monolith that marks the trail head of the most challenging hike in Italy, the famous “Selvaggio Blu”; here the immersion in the Mediterranean atmosphere is complete for about 40 kilometers; the coast is wild, few beaches and impressive cliffs are the territory of wild animals and scented bush flowers.

Meals Provided

Breakfast

Average Mileage

Hike

Meals Provided

Breakfast

Accommodations

The Lanthia Resort

Luxury Level

Day 10

Beaches / Villasimius

We begin with a 1 hour shuttle along the south eastern coast, to start our ride in Muravera and continue south parallel to the coastline with some beach detours: we can't miss the beaches of Porto Pirastu, in Capo Ferrato, Santa Giusta, Castiadas, Cala Pira and Punta Molentis, before the gran finale in Villasimius, where the options for lovers of the sea are many, with beaches facing east, south and west.

Meals Provided

Breakfast

Average Mileage

30 miles

Riding Terrain

Ondulated hills

Meals Provided

Breakfast

Accommodations

Hotel Simius Playa

Hotel Simius Playa, is a relaxing oasis with rooms overlooking the sea and a tropical garden that surrounds the hotel.

Luxury Level

Day 11

"Arrivederci" Goodbye

This morning we will take a 40-minute transfer to Cagliari for departure or continued travels in Sardinia.

Accommodations

Swept Away in Sardinia

Luxury Level

Meet Our Guides

Frank Yantorno

Guide Since 2000

Dana Geraghty

Guide Since 2000

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Italy

2023 Tours

New! Ciclismo Close to Home

By Collection

By Activity

By Ability Level

Swept Away in Sardinia

Download a Detailed Itinerary

Destination

Activity

Level

Duration

Tour Essence

What to Expect

Start Location

End Location

Mileage

What's Included

What’s Included

Pedal Options

What’s Included

Bianchi C-Sport 2.5

Bianchi Intenso

Bianchi Manhattan

Bianchi Vertigo

Cannondale MT 800

Cannondale Road Tandem 2

Co-Motion Periscope Torpedo Tandem

Honey Bikes Tandem

Dates

2023

Itinerary

Start Location

Fly Into

End Location

Fly Out Of

Alghero Warm-Up

Meals Provided

Average Mileage

Riding Terrain

Meals Provided

Accommodations

Capo Caccia

Meals Provided

Average Mileage

Riding Terrain

Meals Provided

Accommodations

Bosa

Meals Provided

Average Mileage

Riding Terrain

Meals Provided

Accommodations

Cuglieri & Santa Caterina di Pittinuri

Meals Provided

Average Mileage

Riding Terrain

Meals Provided

Accommodations

Fordongianus

Meals Provided

Average Mileage

Riding Terrain

Meals Provided

Accommodations

Barbagia

Meals Provided

Average Mileage

Riding Terrain

Meals Provided

Accommodations