Cycle Sardegna (Sardinia) - Coast to Coast
Date: October 5 - 12, 2008
(Dates can be changed upon sufficient request)
Terrain: Hilly | Daily Miles: 55 - 80
Difficulty Level: 4
Was $4,295 - NOW $3,295
This tour has taken us, literally, 10 years to organize. It was worth the wait.
Stage One • Alghero Loop. 30 mile loop to Capo Caccia. (You can fly right to Alghero. It's a short cab ride from the airport to town.) We start our tour at a modern 4 star hotel right next to the walls of the old center and from our balcony can look out over the ships in the harbor. After building bikes we do a rolling ride along the coast with views of the ocean the entire way. We ride to a rocky promentory to the extreme northwest of Alghero called Capo Caccia, famous for the Grotto of Neptune, an underground grotto reached by the sea. This is why people come to Sardinia! We return to town with plenty of time to explore the narrow alleys, towers and churches of the historic center before dinner. Alghero, long colonized by Spain, was know as the little Barcelona. The local dialect sounds much like Catalan and the people still have strong ties to Spain.
Stage Three • Alghero to Fordongianus. 72 miles. Today we follow the route of the Giro d'Italia as we ride down the coast to Bosa, a quaint fishing village. Heading inland we get our first glimse of the interior of the island passing herds of sheep, fields of olive trees and wild fennel growing along the road. Riding through little villages, we see the many wall paintings on the buildings depicting rural life. We descend into the ancient town of Fordongianus, along the river Tirso, to the Roman ruins of the thermas spa. We arrive at the Grand Hotel and relax in the jacuzzi or turkish bath. The pool is heated by the thermal water and is half indoors, half outdoors. There are underwater lounge chairs that make bubbles when you lie on them. A rustic dinner at a local trattoria is perfect.
Stage Four • Fordongianus to Fonni. 60 miles. Fonni is the highest town in Sardegna at over 1000 meters. Riding there, we pass a deep blue lake and into the wilderness. Many small towns are along our route as we head into the mountains. Fonni is beautiful and parts of it are quite old. The murals show the local religious festivals and rituals. Our hotel has recreated a shephards hut. Dinner is cooked over the open fire and local townspeople dance for us while we enjoy an amazing meal.
Stage Five Rest Day (Optional Fonni Loop). 45 miles. Fonni is in the heart of a national preserve. On our rest day, we have a variety of options. Choose from treking, a walking tour of the town, a jeep excursion into the preserve or more. Or go for a wonderful, challenging loop ride in the surrounding area where we visit the town where torrone nougat candy is made and the "paese del pane", or town of bread. Dinner on your own tonight.
Stage Six • Fonni to Santa Maria Navarrese. 70 miles. This ride takes us along a ride of the mountain with amazing views on either side. We make our way down to the coast and are thrilled when we see the pure white sand and aqua water. Our hotel has an outdoor patio where we can relax with a beer after your swim.
You have two choices of how you would like to finish your tour depending on your travel arrangements:
Stage Seven • Option 1 • Santa Maria Navarese Loop. Ride up to the Pian di Golgo, a plain on top of the mountian filled with wild animals and nuraghi. At the end of the plain is a lovely old church.
Stage Eight • Option 1 • Santa Maria Navarese Loop - Depart Enjoy your last day at the beach and take the midnight ferry from nearby Arbatax back to Rome. There are sleeping compartments or seats for the overnight journey.
OR
Stage Seven • Option 2 • Transfer to Cagliari.
We will arrange bus transport to take you to the city of Cagliari, the capital of Sardegna. Spend the night in Cagliari (accommodation included in price of tour) and catch a flight from the airport in the morning.
Stage Eight • Option 2 • Depart from Cagliari
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