BICYCLE TOUR OF ITALY
THE BEST OF SARDINIA

Enchanted Island Landscapes * Archeological Treasures
Outstanding Cuisine * Spectacular Riding
April 26 - May 4, 2009
9 Days, €1,500 Euros

Budget travel with style!

Now you can stretch your travel budget and take the Italian bike tour you have always dreamed about! This unforgettable bicycle tour traverses the west coast of Sardinia. Our tour features great riding, fantastic scenery, comfortable lodgings with all breakfasts & dinners included and luggage transfers. Welcome to budget travel with style!

Join us for an exciting cycling tour our as we explore the Best of Sardinia, Italy’s “Hidden Island.” Traveling by bike, we will traverse an ageless Mediterranean landscape of rugged coastal headlands, pristine beaches, archeological treasures. Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean and is truly an undiscovered mecca for cyclists. Here, uncrowded roads beckon and an enchanted landscape waits to be explored. Spring is the perfect time to see the hillsides alive with wildflowers. This wild land is home to peregrine falcons, two species of eagles, wild horses and even pink flamingos.

The past lives on in Sardinia with its wealth of archeological wonders from the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Greeks and Spaniards. The Nuragic people, a Bronze Age culture, were one of the earliest inhabitants. They built thousands of fortified circular dwellings called nuraghes throughout Sardinia.

The exceptional scenery along the Sardinian coast is a visual treat second to none. Here, the blue Mediterranean meets shimmering white sand beaches framed by rugged cliffs. These quiet coastal roads are a pure joy to pedal and you will think you have discovered a hidden treasure.

Our accommodations are a fun mix of comfortable local lodgings – beach hotels, agriturismos and country inns. The food and wines are scrumptious and we have a wine tasting planned. This tour is for the person who wants the road less traveled, but with a great meal waiting at the end!

This is a moderately hilly bike tour that fit riders of all abilities will enjoy. Our routes follow winding secondary roads and average 45 - 65 kilometers per day, with more riding available for the hearty. All riders will have a map with route directions, and you can choose to ride with the group or travel independently at your own pace. You will carry only what you need for the day on your bike while a vehicle transfers your baggage to the lodging. PLEASE NOTE: this is only a baggage service and not a sag vehicle. Chuck and Judy Nichols will accompany this tour and will handle bike maintenance and logistics.

Day 1: We will meet in Alghero in the afternoon for an orientation and bike fitting. Join us for a welcome dinner.

Day 2: Alghero - Bosa (50 km)
From Alghero, bike along a scenic road above the cliffs overlooking the sea and admire the view of the gulf of Alghero and Capo Caccia. Emotions continue as you catch a glimpse of the pink, red and grey cliffs of Cape Marargiu, over which the last examples of griffin vultures circle. You sleep at Bosa, a medieval town famous for its fine embroidery and gold filigree works.

Day 3: Bosa- Santulussurgiu (52 km)
Enjoy the morning in Bosa before riding inland and travel through Flussio and Tinnura, where, as in days gone by, the women still weave their wicker baskets. A scenic road takes you through the village of Sagama and then to the refreshing spring of San Leonardo, a perfect place to restore forces. End your stage with a quiet picturesque country lane leading to the village of Santulussurgiu, famous for the best horse saddles in Sardinia.

Day 4: Santulussurgiu - San Salvatore Sinis (57 km)
Today the route takes you back to the sea with a panoramic descent towards the flat coastal plains of the Sinis wetlands. Cycle past the colonies of the pink flamingos and finally reach one of the most beautiful spots on the island: the white quartz beach of Is Arutas. A charming countryside hotel is your final stop for tonight.

Day 5: San Salvatore Sinis - Arbus (53 km)
After a transfer to Arborea to avoid city traffic, you will cycle through the natural beauty spots of the Costa Verde, some of the most savage scenery on the island, to the Piscinas beach with its sands dunes over 50 m high - the highest in Europe.

Day 6: Arbus - Nebida (53 km)
This leg takes you back into the ancient mining past of Sardinia, as we pass the fascinating abandoned mines of Ingortosu and Planusartu. After the golden beach of Portixeddu and looming mass of Pan di Zucchero cliff, you admire the old ore washery at Nebida: nestling in the varied colours of the Mediterranean bush, it looks out over the sea at the end of a long descent down 540 steps.

Day 7: Nebida - Calasetta (55 km)
After a beautiful descent to Fontanamare, you will reach Portoscuso, and board on the ferry to Carloforte, where locals still fish the Red Tuna fish. From Carloforte, continue to the island of Sant'Antioco and end your day in Calasetta.

Day 8: Calasetta - Cagliari (40 km)
Today we transfer to Sant'Anna Arresi for our final catwalk of the tour on the fantastic Costa del Sud, the "Southern Coast." Sparkling blue water, white sand beaches, medieval ruins and headlands covered with brightly colored vegetation will create memories to last a lifetime. After lunch, we transfer to Cagliari where you'll have time to relax and check out the town before our farewell dinner.

Day 9:
Your tour ends after breakfast. The airport in Cagliari is close to the city and there is also ferry service to the mainland of Italy.

While we strive to create the most accurate itinerary possible, the nature of international travel demands that participants remain flexible to any changes. We will do our best to substitute activities and services of equal quality for those listed.

TOUR BEGINS / ENDS: Algerho, Italy / Cagliari, Italy
TOUR DATE: April 26 - May 4, 2009
TOUR PRICE: €1,500 Euros/pp double occupancy,
€250 Euros/pp single supplement.
TRIP COST INCLUDES: 8 nights lodging, all breakfasts and 8 dinners, luggage transfers (but not a sag vehicle), maps and route directions, Chuck and Judy Nichols will personally accompany this tour and be there to handle bike maintenance and logistics.
TRIP COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: International flights, bike rentals (you may choose to bring your own bike orrent one for €100 Euros), lunches, beverages

Complete Trip Detail Request

RESERVATIONS: For complete reservation information and to book a tour, click here.

Check out our other Italy Tours:
Cycling the Best of Tuscany & Umbria l Piedmont Cycling