Itinerary Barcelona & Sardinia

Our journey begins in BARCELONA, a cosmopolitan city, rich in history and in architecture, an important centre of culture, the 4th most visited touristic city in Europe and the Mediterranean’s main port of call for luxury cruises.

SARDINIA is the second largest island in the Mediterranean. On it we will encounter vestiges of one of the oldest known civilizations, dating from the Bronze Age: the mysterious Nuraghi are a constant presence in this landscape that we will gradually discover during our tours and visits.
Sardinia is a paradise of contrasts, regarding the people and the cooking, their history, their traditions and the expression of their folklore.
Both wild and welcoming, the island is becoming a tourist destination for the international jet-set, who spend their holidays here because of the magnificent landscapes and natural environment, untouched and pure.

During these bewitching days we will become acquainted with the treasures that the Mediterranean coast and its peoples have kept intact, and which will, with no doubt whatever, make us want to repeat the experience.

Day 1
Arrival at Barcelona.
Meeting with the tour guide. Panoramic sights of the city, visiting the historic centre: Barrio Gótico (the Gothic Quarter), with the Cathedral and the Barrio de la Ribera, the old seafarer’s district, with the magnificent church of Santa María del Mar.
The Panoramic tour continues to Plaza de España and the mountain of Montjuïc, which offers a splendid view of the entire city and the port.
Arrival at the hotel, check in and evening meal.
After dinner, enjoy a tour of Barcelona by night and free time in the city centre.

Day 2
We will experience the world of Antonio Gaudí, visiting Park Güell, the Sagrada Familia Church and the houses Batlló and La Pedrera. Typical midday meal: Paella or Tapas.
Free time on Las Ramblas, the most popular street in the city, location of the Boqueria Market, shops, artists, cafeterias, restaurants ….

Day 3
Excursion to the mountain of Montserrat, 60 km (37 miles) from Barcelona, its extraordinary geological landscape and the monastery that keeps the image of the patron saint of Catalonia, the Black Madonna or “Moreneta”.
Return to Barcelona and free time to continue visiting the city on your own, its museums (Picasso, Miró, MNAC, Barcelona FC Stadium….), a paradise for shopping, beautiful public parks, the Aquarium, the Sea Front Promenade…

That night we will board the Grimaldi Lines Ferry taking us to Porto Torres in Sardinia (it is possible to undertake the journey by plane). Meeting with the guide who will accompany us during our stay on the island.

Day 4
Arrival at the harbour of Porto Torres, from where we will proceed to the town of Alghero for lunch at our hotel.
In the afternoon we will visit the Grotte di Nettuno caves, the most spectacular of the Carsiche Caves of Sardinia. The caves are reached by boat leaving from the port of Alghero towards Capo Caccia, a fine calcareous promontory about 12 km (6 miles) from the town (duration of the excursion: about 2h 30m).
Return to the port and visit the Old City: bustling streets, the Catalan-Gothic Cathedral, the church of St Francesco and the charming squares and bastions overlooking the sea. Return to the hotel. Evening meal and retire for the night.

Day 5
Get to know the Mediterranean: Bossa and Nuraghe S. Antine
We shall leave the hotel on the road towards Bosa, from where we can enjoy the beautiful views. Located on the estuary of the River Termo, the town was founded in medieval times by the Malaspina family from Genova. Bosa conserves the atmosphere of the medieval walled citadel, and the Serravalle Mountain is still crowned with the remains of its twelfth-century castle.
We shall proceed towards Ittiri, where we shall enjoy a typical meal with the shepherds, based on the specialities of Sardinia’s rural economy.
In the afternoon we will take the road to the Nuraghe of St Antine, the most imposing of the prehistoric buildings that define the island’s “Civilization of the Nuraghe”.
Return to the hotel. Evening meal and retire for the night.

Day 6
Leave the hotel and travel towards the region of La Gallura, across the fertile plane of the River Coghinas. Short stop at the Valle della Luna, to enjoy a magnificent view of the striking and many-shaped landscape of granite crags. Arrival at Tempio Pausania, a small town surrounded by the granite heights of the Limbara Mountains. Visit the city and the charming historic centre with buildings made of granite.
Midday meal at the restaurant.
Get to know the Mediterranean: Olbia, Costa Esmeralda and CastelsardoWe will continue towards Olbia, the capital of the La Gallura region, that gives its name to the gulf where it is located. Visit the Basilica of San Simplicio, a church built in the Romanesque style of Pisa in the twelfth century.
Evening meal and retire for the night.

Day 7
Leave the hotel in the direction of Costa Esmeralda, following the coastal road. Stop and visit Porto Cervo, the small capital of the best known seaside area of Sardinia.
Continuing along the coast we will reach Sant Teresa di Gallura, at the north-eastern tip of the island.
Midday meal at the restaurant.
In the afternoon we shall drive to Castelsardo where we will visit the fortified medieval centre, founded by the Genoese family of the DORIA at the beginning of the twelfth century.
Free time to shop for souvenirs and hand-made objects made by Sardinian craftsmen. You may taste the famed Licor del Mirto (myrtle liqueur) and other typical products.
Arrival back at Porto Torres. Evening meal and retire for the night.

In the morning we shall embark on the Grimaldi Lines Ferry towards Barcelona.