Islands of Sardinia and Corsica - Small Group

The adventure

<p>Discover Sardinia on a small group tour from Cagliari to Olbia, crossing an island of Nuragic ruins, medieval towns, Catalan heritage and clear-water coastlines. You’ll explore Cagliari’s old districts, step inside UNESCO-listed Su Nuraxi di Barumini, wander riverside Bosa and ferry to Bonifacio in Corsica. From Alghero’s sea walls and Sardinian wine tasting to Olbia’s harbor promenade and local food traditions, this journey connects the island’s history, coast, craft and culture.</p>

At a glance

Day by day

Your journey through

Italy & France

Showing Days 1-7

8-day itinerary

Day 1Welcome to SardiniaStart your Sardinia tour in Cagliari, the island’s capital on the southern coast. This is where sea-facing streets, food markets, churches and the hilltop Castello district introduce you to an island with its own language, traditions and history. Check in to your hotel, then meet your Travel Director and fellow small group travelers for dinner in a city shaped by Roman, Pisan, Spanish and Savoy rule.

Start your Sardinia tour in Cagliari, the island’s capital on the southern coast. This is where sea-facing streets, food markets, churches and the hilltop Castello district introduce you to an island with its own language, traditions and history. Check in to your hotel, then meet your Travel Director and fellow small group travelers for dinner in a city shaped by Roman, Pisan, Spanish and Savoy rule.

Day 2Explore Sardinia’s CapitalCagliariContinue your Sardinia tour in Cagliari, where you’ll see the city’s historic districts of Castello, Stampace and Marina with a Local Specialist. See the Bastion of Saint-Remy, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the Elephant Tower as you move between hilltop streets, old city gates and the waterfront. Later, travel inland to Barumini and visit Su Nuraxi di Barumini. Step inside this ancient Nuragic complex of stone towers, courtyards and village remains, and learn from a guide how Sardinia’s Bronze Age communities built, lived and protected their settlement.

Continue your Sardinia tour in Cagliari, where you’ll see the city’s historic districts of Castello, Stampace and Marina with a Local Specialist. See the Bastion of Saint-Remy, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the Elephant Tower as you move between hilltop streets, old city gates and the waterfront. Later, travel inland to Barumini and visit Su Nuraxi di Barumini. Step inside this ancient Nuragic complex of stone towers, courtyards and village remains, and learn from a guide how Sardinia’s Bronze Age communities built, lived and protected their settlement.

Day 3Explore Western SardiniaTravel to Oristano to see Piazza Eleonora, the town’s main square. Continue to Bosa, recognized by I Borghi più Belli d’Italia as one of Italy’s most beautiful villages. Here, the focus is on the old town, the Temo River and the Castle of Serravalle above the streets. You’ll also discover the tradition of filet di Bosa, a fine lace-making technique passed through generations of women and once used by fishing families to repair nets before evolving into decorative embroidery. Later, continue to Alghero, where Catalan details appear in the old town, sea walls and narrow streets.

Travel to Oristano to see Piazza Eleonora, the town’s main square. Continue to Bosa, recognized by I Borghi più Belli d’Italia as one of Italy’s most beautiful villages. Here, the focus is on the old town, the Temo River and the Castle of Serravalle above the streets. You’ll also discover the tradition of filet di Bosa, a fine lace-making technique passed through generations of women and once used by fishing families to repair nets before evolving into decorative embroidery. Later, continue to Alghero, where Catalan details appear in the old town, sea walls and narrow streets.

Day 4Sea Walls of AlgheroExplore Alghero on a walking tour with your Travel Director, getting to know a coastal city with a Catalan character that sets it apart from the rest of Sardinia. You’ll follow its old town streets, see the sea walls and hear how language, architecture and food still reflect centuries of connection with Catalonia. Turn to the island’s wine culture with a tasting of indigenous Sardinian varietals, sampling local wines that reflect Sardinia’s land, climate and traditions.

Explore Alghero on a walking tour with your Travel Director, getting to know a coastal city with a Catalan character that sets it apart from the rest of Sardinia. You’ll follow its old town streets, see the sea walls and hear how language, architecture and food still reflect centuries of connection with Catalonia. Turn to the island’s wine culture with a tasting of indigenous Sardinian varietals, sampling local wines that reflect Sardinia’s land, climate and traditions.

Day 5Hilltop Towns of SardiniaTravel along northern Sardinia to Castelsardo, where you’ll join an orientation of this fortified hilltop town above the Gulf of Asinara. As you explore, look out for small shops selling handwoven baskets, ceramics and local crafts, with basket weaving still part of the town’s identity. Later, head out to a local farm for your Be My Guest experience. Meet your hosts, learn about rural life on the island and share food rooted in Sardinian farming traditions.

Travel along northern Sardinia to Castelsardo, where you’ll join an orientation of this fortified hilltop town above the Gulf of Asinara. As you explore, look out for small shops selling handwoven baskets, ceramics and local crafts, with basket weaving still part of the town’s identity. Later, head out to a local farm for your Be My Guest experience. Meet your hosts, learn about rural life on the island and share food rooted in Sardinian farming traditions.

Day 6Ferry to CorsicaLeave Sardinia by ferry and cross the Strait of Bonifacio to Corsica. From the harbor, Bonifacio rises above you, its citadel and old town sitting on limestone cliffs. Spend the day your way. Climb into the upper town for lanes lined with cafes and small shops, follow the ramparts for views over the marina or head to the Escalier du Roy d’Aragon, the staircase cut into the cliff. You could stay closer to the water for lunch around the harbor or find time for a beach before ferrying back to Sardinia.

Leave Sardinia by ferry and cross the Strait of Bonifacio to Corsica. From the harbor, Bonifacio rises above you, its citadel and old town sitting on limestone cliffs. Spend the day your way. Climb into the upper town for lanes lined with cafes and small shops, follow the ramparts for views over the marina or head to the Escalier du Roy d’Aragon, the staircase cut into the cliff. You could stay closer to the water for lunch around the harbor or find time for a beach before ferrying back to Sardinia.

Day 7Sardinian CoastlinesTravel from Santa Teresa Gallura, tracing Sardinia’s north-east coast through granite hills and sea-facing roads. Pause near the Fortress of Monte Altura for views over Palau, the Maddalena Archipelago and the surrounding headland. In Palau, you’ll have time to stop for coffee, walk along the beach or make your way towards the lighthouse. Continue to Olbia and check in to your hotel before heading to San Teodoro for dinner on your final night. Raise a glass with your fellow small group travelers and toast to your journey through Sardinia.

Travel from Santa Teresa Gallura, tracing Sardinia’s north-east coast through granite hills and sea-facing roads. Pause near the Fortress of Monte Altura for views over Palau, the Maddalena Archipelago and the surrounding headland. In Palau, you’ll have time to stop for coffee, walk along the beach or make your way towards the lighthouse. Continue to Olbia and check in to your hotel before heading to San Teodoro for dinner on your final night. Raise a glass with your fellow small group travelers and toast to your journey through Sardinia.

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