Costa Smeralda Explorer

Make your own way to your first stop

From your start point of Cannigione you will hug the coastline to Palau, where a ferry will take you to La Maddalena (this is the largest of the archipelago of around 60 islands). This island is characterised by a national park and the Mediterranean Sea. You will follow a gorgeous route right around the island where you won’t be short of views, there are 20km worth to be precise. See gorgeous carved out bays and coves with white sand and turquoise waters. Next head over to Caprera, where you can learn about the history of the original Garibaldi. Your day will end on the mainland in Palau, but the fun won’t stop on arriving there – enjoy this city full of bustling nightlife.

Your first stop of the day will be San Pasquale, a village located at a height watching over the beautiful coast with great views of the islands. Your journey to Santa Teresa will be on rural lanes. Santa Teresa was designed by King Vittorio Emanuele 1^st in 1808 in a grid structure, today it has its fame from being a seaside town with rugged coastline.

Before leaving Santa Teresa, we highly recommend an off-route visit to Capo Testa, a promontory with excellent views of Bonifacio stralt and Corsica. After this your route will take you away from the coast and into the Gallura countryside. Powerful mountains stand being ancient cork forests. You will stay right in the heart of this wild and rural landscape for two nights.

Today you will dive into the history of Sardinia’s cryptic Nuragic civilisation. Your route will take you along peaceful rural lanes, along the way on which you will see the Giants’ grave of Coddu Vecchiu and the Nuraghe La Prisgiona, a tower-shaped building that is nearly 3500 years old! If this isn’t already enough, the area is also surrounded by beautiful vineyards and is home to one of the most famous wineries of the island, where you can try the Vermentino wine.

First you will head to Arzachena, an important town as it was the starting point for the Costa Smeralda. From here head into the hills and into San Pantaleo, a gorgeous hamlet which spread around a church. This area has been popular with painters, sculptors, carvers and craftsmen and this history of artistry gives it a unique atmosphere. If you are here on a Thursday, you must pay a visit to the craft market!

Today all paths will lead to not Rome, but the coast. Head to the Marine protected area the Sinis, where pink flamingos and herons roam. From here we will take some more wild routes alone white beaches. Next will take us through an enchanting fishing village that is home to one of the most important early Christian churches in Sardinia. From here you will go to Tharros, a coastal archaeological site with fascinating discoveries to learn about, for example Phoenician and Roman remain.

After breakfast it’s time to say your farewells