Taste of Sardinia.

WE ARE SORRY BUT THIS TRIP IS SOLD OUT!!

Cycling in Sardinia is comparable to that of Mallorca and Corsica: road quality is exceptional, routes are mountainous, twisting, and steep, and traffic is virtually non-existent—especially in the interior. Shepherds tending their flocks, farms and vineyards, and forested mountains abound here. Locals stream out of churches or loiter at outdoor tables, enjoying a mid-day macchiato in the sunshine, in charming nooks like Bosa, with its vivid colors that decorate the town.

Sardinia is, after all, a Mediterranean island, and the coast is, predictably, lovely. The stylish Costa Smeralda's resort-quality beaches provide snowy sand, glistening water, and opulent hotels; think of it as an Italian Côte d'Azur. Still, from its coast to its heart, Sardinia is unmistakably independent—a stalwart defender of the Mediterranean.

Food
Fresh shellfish, porceddu (whole-roasted pig), Zuppa Gallurese (a hearty cheese-and-bread soup), culurgiones (mint and potato ravioli), lamb with artichokes, and seada (a honeyed sheep's cheese pastry).

Drink
Intense, full-bodied Cannonau for red wine lovers and a variety of whites—from crisp Vermentinos produced in Nurra and Gallura to the rich Malvasias of Bosa and lighter Vernaccia.

If you dream about cycling through the green hills of Sardinia...If you only want to pedal and breath in unbelievable scents of the mediterranean sea...If you want to meet ancient civilizations and discover the stunning beauty of one of the most beatifull islands in the Mediteranean Sea...This is the trip for you!

Dates:
Arrivals Day: Sunday September 25th
Departure Day: Monday October 3rd
Days Cycling: 5
Nights Included: 8
Total Distance:   340 km / 211 mi Total Climbing:  5700 m / 18700 ft
Daily Average Distance: 68 km / 42 mi Daily Average Climbing: 1140 m / 3740 ft
Start: Palau (SS) - Park Hotel Cala di Lepre & SPA -  Via Cala di Lepre, 07020 Palau SS (Closest airport: Olbia Costa Smeralda)
Finish: Santa Maria Navarrese (NU) - Lanthia Resort -  Via Lungomare, 08040 Santa Maria Navarrese NU (Closest airport: Olbia Costa Smeralda)

Price: € 3800 per person. Boat charters not incl.

PLEASE NOTE:
1) Boat Charters: The boat charters in Palau and Santa Maria Navarres will be run if the weather is acceptable. The cost will be approximately €150/200 per person per charter.
2) As this is a custom trip, I will personally do the scouting in early spring. I already know parts of the route and some the towns we will visit. I will however re-check all the routes, hotels and restaurants before the trip. There will probably be some modifications prior to the trip.

The tour will be confirmed only if we have reached the minimum number of guests 3 months prior to the first day of the tour. Do NOT purchase flights until we have given you confirmation.

We meet close to Palau (40 min from Olbia airport) an authentic seaside town in an enviable idyllic location far from the undesired hubbub. During the day we have time to prepare and check over the bikes and have our pre-tour briefing. Afterward, we can go for our first, of many swims, in the crystal clear waters of Sardinia and then relax in a cafe or stroll through the old town before having dinner on the beach!

Hotel: Cala di Lepre

Departure: Palau
Arrival: Palau
Distance: 65 km / 40 mi
Elevation gain: 844 m / 2770 ft
Hotel: Cala di Lepre

A great way to start our trip, an easy ride but probably one of the most scenic. After a few kms, we hop onto a ferry ride up to La Maddalena, a little archipelago off the coast of the main island. We'll ride through secluded bays with views of the craggy coastline before crossing the bridge to Maddalena's sister island, Caprera. We'll spend some time learning about Giuseppe Garibaldi's life and legacy, as Caprera was the historic home of one of modern Italy's most fascinating figures.

Departure: Palau
Arrival: Palau
Distance: 60 km / 74 mi
Elevation gain: 850 m / 6500 ft
Hotel: Cala di Lepre

On day 2, we'll ride in comfort to Porto Cervo, part of the gem of the island, the Costa Smeralda. The scenary will be pure eye candy all day long! A world-renowned summer retreat for stylish celebrities and royalty, this hip Mediterranean resort pairs a picture-perfect setting with luxurious hotels, trendy boutiques, and restaurants serving fresh seafood and grilled meats.

On the return part of our loop ride we will stop at Nuraghe Albucciu, a UNESCO world heritage site, this four thousand-year-old fortified village was built before written records began.

Hotel: Cala di Lepre

There is no better way to see Sardinia than from the sea. Discover the beauty of the La Maddalena archipelago on board of a boat where you can enjoy a day of sailing, swiming and relaxation.

Departure: Siniscola
Arrival: Oliena
Distance: 64 km / 40 mi
Elevation gain: 1330 m / 5263 ft
Hotel: Su Gologne

Today’s route takes us through Sardinia's interior which is overflowing with natural beauty that has been treasured and preserved for ages. Our route begins in a little mountain community and continues along a picturesque road that hugs high cliffs and looks out to sea.

Departure: Oliena
Arrival: Oliena
Distance: 71 km / 44 mi
Elevation gain: 1330 m / 4855 ft
Hotel: Su Gologne

Today's loop ride takes you to Sardinia's burgeoning wine area, where award-winning Cannonau is produced. We'll start by riding through Orgosolo, a community that stands out because of its numerous murals, which date back to the 1960s and now number well over 150. A local guide will lead us on a unique gallery tour, walking us through this open-air museum and discussing the significance of notable murals. Continue cycling through the vineyards to one of Sardinia's burgeoning wineries for lunch, then transfer or complete the loop back to Su Gologone. Tonight, we'll prepare dinner with a wonderful local and sample Sardinia's typical wood-fired meal.

Departure: Oliena
Arrival: Santa Maria Navarrase
Distance: 78 km / 48 mi
Elevation gain: 1220 m / 4000 ft
Hotel: Lanthia Resort

We'll head to the Supramonte mountain range for some of the most spectacular riding of our trip, with a 3 percent grade as the road climbs gradually along the Goroppu Gorge. We'll celebrate our week's accomplishments at the summit of the Genna Silana pass (which was featured in the 2017 Giro d'Italia) before descending 36 kilometers to the coastal village of Santa Maria Navarrese. Check into our beachfront hotel and swim on the private beach!

Hotel: Lanthia Resort

The Gulf of Santa Maria Navarrese to Cala Luna is an exceptional stretch of the Italian coast, meandering among high calcareous rocks in a stretch of 40 km that is made up of white sandy beaches, caves, and cliffs. The only way to visit these areas is by boat!

Our charter will take us from one secluded beach to another while we watch in awe with a glass of wine in our hand. Not a bad way to end a beautiful week in Sardinia!!

Time to say Goodbye - we will bring you back to the Olbia Airport.

What's Included.

Accommodation in excellent hotels, starting from the night before your tour starts, up to and including the night of your final dinner. All rooms will have twin beds, and you will be allocated a room partner. If you wish to specify whom you would like to room with, please do so in the booking process. You can select a single supplement if you prefer not to share a room.
All meals (max. half a bottle of wine per person) from the evening before the tour up to and including breakfast the morning after the final day.
Snacks – energy bars, muesli bars and energy drinks
A full briefing given every day at breakfast.
Support vehicles with tour crew including first aid, a bike mechanic and a Scatto team leader, all on hand to give you all the practical help and moral support you need
Transportation of all your cycling equipment and luggage to each different hotel stop
Storage of all your cycling equipment at each hotel
So that you can navigate your way, we provide you with updated maps on a Mini SD Card for your GARMIN navigator and the route in a .gpx file, or, if you prefer, a waterproof map. This will be a well-designed route leading you on a most picturesque and interesting journey.
Wi-Fi photo sharing points to enable you to share your photos and adventures/show off to your friends and family back home without using up your personal data allowance
Daily laundry service (for your cycling kit) so that you will only need to bring two cycling kits.

What's NOT Included.

Flights and transfers – please organize your own
A bike – we recommend that you use a road bike (bike rentals are available - please contact us here for more info)
A bike box to transport your bike to and from the start and end points (if you are flying)
Personal insurance – including cycling cover

BOOK THIS TOUR NOW!