This is a self-guided point to point hotel based cycle tour embracing the wild and romantic beauty of South Western Sardinia, through areas of scented Mediterranean maquis, coastal mountains, abandoned mines and long empty beaches: all to be visited at your own pace. The area is fairly hilly providing moderate to difficult cycling in places but then you are rewarded with some very dramatic views and opportunities to explore highlands, lowlands, coastlands and islands. The route is very quiet - far removed from the busy resorts of the northeast and even then you will largely be pedalling on secondary roads. The terrain is rugged in parts, with high cliffs ascending from the coast, interspersed with long white sand beaches, grass covered dunes and of course breathtaking panoramas embracing the coast and seaside blues. Two days contain quite hard and hilly cycling, but the prevailing wind blows from the North West, which is in the right direction for cycling although, of course it will not always be on your back!

Season

September - June Saturday departures.

It is possible to book other days of the week but a supplement of £36 per person is payable.

Potentially you can enjoy this tour all year round; but note mid June to mid August is normally very hot; whilst December to March can feature cold winds and rain. However, if you are used to cycling in either hot or cool weathers, you should cope with summer or winter departure dates.   

Level of Difficulty

3 easy stages, 2 medium stages (undulating) and 1 challenging (hilly). Maximum distance 38 miles / 60 km.

The Bikes

Bike rental is paid locally: 80 Euros. The bikes used are aluminium framed “Hybrid” multi terrain type bikes with 24 gears. The bike will be adjusted for your size at the start. They are equipped with aluminium frame, front suspension,  Shimano Alivio gears, gel saddles, V-Brakes, puncture resistant touring tyres and  ‘Ortlieb’ waterproof panniers. We also supply you with a lock, waterbottle and a basic repair kit.

You should be able to at least repair a puncture and perform minor adjustments to the bike as necessary, but they are given to you in very good condition.

Maps & Route Notes

We provide a road booklet and maps for each day.

General Information

Breakfast: in countries such as Italy are usually coffee and toast/croissant, if you want more for breakfast then we would suggest you purchase some food the night before. It is important for you to tell us if you have any dietary requirements when you book your holiday so that we can inform everyone that you are staying with.

Single Supplements: are payable on most of our tours. 1) The single supplement guarantees the privacy of your own room, however, rooms can at times be small and in some places may not enjoy the same facilities as double/twin rooms. 2) You are not just paying a supplement on the room but the luggage transfer costs you are paying in full. The cost of moving 1 bag or 2 bags etc remains the same. On some of our trips it is possible to reduce the cost of the single supplement if you happen to be a 3rd person travelling, or have chosen a date when other clients are booked.

Language: When travelling in less frequented areas you will not necessarily come across people speaking English. Remember you have left home to find things different so carry an Italian phrase book with you.

Luggage: When staying in hotels, sometimes your luggage will have been taken to you room awaiting your arrival. However don’t be surprised if your luggage is waiting for you to take it up to your room.

Accommodation

Note that the descriptions of night stops and the itinerary is the usual schedule of the holiday, however we do need occasionally to change places that we use when our chosen hotels may be full. This is particularly the case with “late” bookings. 

q       Nights 1 & 2. A 3* hotel on a small country estate on the Sinis peninsula, the rooms are nicely furnished with air conditioning, private bathroom and garden outlook. There is a restaurant and tennis court. You are only 300 metres from the splendid lagoon – sometimes home to flamingos.

q       Night 3. In Arbus the night is spent in a large traditionally stone built hotel Albergo. The large dining room has wonderful views over the Mount Linas range. At the end of the day you can relax in the lounge, while waiting for mamma Corona to prepare a delicious evening meal.

q       Night 4. In Nebida  we stay in a small cosy 2* Albergo. The dining room and some of the bedrooms have a superb sea view on the coast below. The hotel restaurant is mentioned in many gourmet guides.

q       Night 5. Near Calasetta we stay in a 3* hotel. Our hotel is  a charming seaside property located on the northern tip of the isle of Sant’Antioco. One of our favourites, the hotel has an award-winning restaurant and very lovely rooms. Its U-shape layout resembles that of a Spanish hacienda with arcades surrounding the central courtyard that has a garden and a swimming pool. The hotel is located in a peaceful countryside area, 4km out of Calasetta

q       Night 6. In San Anna Arresi we stay in a nice 3* hotel with all the usual features: small bar, restaurant and well appointed rooms. The hotel has a swimming pool and the cuisine is outstanding, (mama makes and cooks her own ravioli).

q       Night 7. Your last night is spent in the an elegant property located in the centre of Pula. It has 10 finely furnished rooms and a nice lounge. A wide choice of restaurants is available within walking distance.

British Airways flights direct to Cagliari on any Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

OR

Low cost Airlines:  Easyjet are recommended: They fly daily from Luton to Cagliari  (highly recommended for this tour).

Ryan Air fly daily to Alghero, but note that this is in the far north of the island and is not as convenient for the tour.

The starting point of the tour is near to the town of Oristano this is reached by:

a)     From Cagliari, an airport bus heads towards Alghero stopping at Oristano on the way.

b)    From Alghero, an airport bus heads to Cagliari once again stopping at Oristano. In both cases take a taxi from Oristano to San Salvatore Sinis.

c)    Private transport from either airport to the start can normally be arranged in advance for a reasonable amount e.g Cagliari to San Salvatore 50 Euros per person. Oristano to San Salvatore 20 Euros per person.

Itinerary

q       Day 1.  Flight to Cagliari arrival and transfer to San Salvatore meeting with local representative: explanation of the route and bike delivery and collection. Dinner and overnight at our hotel

q       Day 2: Circular rides San Salvatore  (Sinis - San Salvatore Sinis 33 miles / 53 km. Approx 4 hours cycling)
This is an easy first day cycling through the flat coastal plains of the Sinis wetlands. The salt ponds around the Gulf are home to thousands of pink flamingos in season and a wealth of other bird life, so bring your binoculars. There is a lot of local fishing for mullet or bass from traditional grass Fassone boats circling the lake to Riola Sardo you return to the coast at Mari Ermi and the spectacular white quartz beach of Is Arutas. A short trip down the peninsula to San Giovanni sinis brings you to the Phoenician ruins of Tharros, with a history of inhabitation stretching back almost 2,500 years. Wine production here is mainly a sherry like Vernaccia and you maybe able to visit a cellar on the way. Dinner and overnight in at San Salvatore.

q       Day 3: San Salvatore Sinis - Arbus (30/35 miles - 46/53 km, 5 or 6 hours of cycling)
To avoid the suburbs of Oristano, there is an included transfer by road to Arborea. From here you will cycle to Piscinas through the natural beauty spots of the Costa Verde, this is some of the wildest scenery on the island. Firstly there is a flat 8 mile section across reclaimed farmland to the colourful fishing village of Marceddi. Rice,  soft fruit and vegetables are  grown here  for the “Cucinas” (kitchens) of the island. From here the route becomes more undulating with low hills and sands dunes over 50 m high - the highest in Europe –skirting the beach. On request at Piscinas we are collected and driven up into the hills for a night at Arbus, or you could take the more hilly but spectacular inland route directly to the village by bike. Dinner and overnight in Arbus

q       Day 4:  Arbus - Nebida (31 miles/ 49 km; 5 hours cycling)
This is the toughest day, but some glorious scenery to compensate! You start on an undulating 12km terrain crossing the Arbus highland to then take a spectacular 5km descent dropping down to the Mannu River and the start of miles of golden beaches around Portixeddu. To the left is the massif of Monte Linas, with the Costa Verde and the heather covered sand dunes away to the right. After the unfortunately named town of Buggerru and the Pranu Sartu Plateau, is the charming Cala Domestica Bay. Inland the Marganai mountain group rises to almost 3,500 feet. After the 400 foot limestone cliffs of Pan di Zucchero, you arrive at Nebida with its the old ore washery; nestling in the varied colours of the Mediterranean bush. Dinner and overnight in Nebida.

q       Day 5: Nebida – Calasetta (27-32 miles / 43-52 km; 4 hours cycling) A beautiful descent to Fontana mare followed by an undulating coastal ride to Portoscuso. Here board a ferry (at own expense) to Carloforte on Isola di  San Pietro. There is time for a short tour round the island, exploring sandy coves and rocky headlands with tiny hamlets, before rejoining the ferry to continue to the equally unspoilt San Antioco. Note that it is not possible to book the ferry in advance. Dinner and overnight near to Calasetta.

q       Day 6. Calasetta - S. Anna Arresi (25-28 miles / 40-45 km; 4 hours cycling) A morning to laze by the pool or explore the coast nearby, or for a short cycle ride around the island with its wealth of coves and beaches, green meadows (or golden in the summer!)  and little villages. After a visit to San Antioco, cross back to the mainland to visit the Pisan sanctuary at Tratalias – one of the most important monuments from the Romanesque period. From here you follow the shoreline of Lake Monte Pranu and through the rolling plains of Sulcis. Rugged mountains once again rise up to your left, to around 4000 feet. You reach your hotel just before the beach at San Anna Arresi. Nearby are the bright white beaches of Porto Pino backed by dunes and Aleppo pinewoods. Dinner and overnight.

q       Day 7:  S.Anna Arresi - Pula (38 miles - 61 km; approx 5 hours cycling) This is the longest day by distance, but you pedal across gentle countryside over the rugged coastal plains of the Costa Del Sud. This is a wild, remote and beautiful region of Mediterranean bush and coastal pools, gleaming white beaches and imposing cliffs. Cape Malfatano and Cape Piscinni each boast 16th Century tower towers, while at Capo Teulada the spectacular cliffs rises more than 700 feet from a translucent sea. A short detour will take you to the beautiful beach of Su Giudeu in Chia, while at Pula there is the important Phoenician city of Nora. Bed and breakfast only.

q       Day 8: Tour ends after breakfast.

Included

Flights from the UK (based on full UK package price)  7 nights accommodation in 2-3 star hotels and “Albergos”. Breakfasts (usually continental style) and dinner on 6 days, night 7 is bed and breakfast only. Baggage transport between accommodations. Route notes and maps.

Not Included

Local transport arrangements on arrival and departure, all lunches, personal expenditure and bike hire. Ferry tickets to Carloforte and Calasetta budget around Euros 7 per person for each ferry, 1 Dinner. Transfers if required

Cagliari airport – 1st hotel – Euros 50 per person

Oristano – 1st hotel – Euros 20 per person

Pula – Cagliari airport – Euros 30 per person