Following your arrival in Sardinia at Alghero-Fertilia Airport (AHO) in the north of the island, we transfer you to your accommodation in Alghero where you can prepare your bikes and you can relax a little after your flight. Due to its strategic position at the Mediterranean Sea, Alghero was built around a fortified port and its small winding streets make a great place to explore. Depending on the flight times, you can perhaps enjoy a short warm up pedal to explore the nearby countryside.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 845 Metres Approx.

Leaving Alghero, you follow the spectacular coastline to Bosa. The road is a rollercoaster of a route with high cliffs ascending from the coast, interspersed with little rocky bays and ancient watch towers. Make sure you keep an eye out for the sea birds, including griffon vultures, that can be spotted perched precariously high up on the rocky cliffs.

Situated on the Planargia flatlands, Bosa is a charming town situated in the Temo River Valley close to the sea. It is overlooked by the Serravalle Castle, from where the houses of the medieval centre start and then descend to the river bank. Tonight you can take your evening meal in the centre of Bosa. With the local cuisine based on fish and seafood and traditionally accompanied by a glass of Malvasia, Bosa’s lovely wine, it makes for a fitting end to a day on the bike.

• Meals: Breakfast, dinner
• Ascent: 1,115 or 1,415 Metres Approx.

Leaving Bosa and the coast, you head inland and ride on to Cuglieri, passing through the villages of Tresnuraghes and Sennariolo. From Cuglieri you have two options:

Option 1 – the longer route carries on along the coast to Santa Caterina di Pittinuri, allowing for a swim and visit of the famous S‘Archittu arched rock, before looping back north towards Santu Lussurgiu.

Option 2 – shorter but with a bit more climbing, heading inland up towards the Montiferru range passing woods, barren ragged slopes and view of the Abbasanta plateau.

Either option sees you arriving at the charming village of Santu Lussurgiu and your accommodation set in a centuries’ old mansion. Here you can set some time aside to explore the wonderfully narrow cobbled streets before sitting down to enjoy a very special dinner.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 300 Metres Approx.

Today you continue your journey south. Leaving the cobbled streets of Santu Lussurgiu, you start with a lovely gradual descent towards the coast and the low wet-lands of Cabras, a natural habitat for birds and famous for its mullet fishing. On a short detour we ride to the Sinis Peninsula famous for the Phoenician, Punic and Roman remains of Tharros and some of the earliest Paleo-Christian remains on the island. The peninsula was a strategic location for the Phoenicians and Carthaginians alike for both the exploration of the Mediterranean but also offered access to the interior of Sardinia in search of minerals and land to exploit.

San Salvatore and San Giovanni in Sinis are paleo-Christian churches built not far from Tharros, their simplicity in design and architecture a reflections of basic times. You have plenty of time to explore these sites.

Moving on, you’ll ride through the flat marsh lands to Oristano, a bustling town. Here you stay the night and can enjoy a stroll through the streets.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 935 Metres Approx.

Leaving Oristano, you’ll ride through the flat agricultural region of Arborea, where most of Sardinia’s milk and vegetables are farmed. Arborea town, built during the Mussolini era is a sharp contrast to Sardinian traditional towns. Reaching Marceddi on the southern side of the fertile plains, the little fishing hamlet is your last stop on the coast before crossing the Marceddi lagoon and start heading inland.

After reaching Guspini, you’ll climb back towards the coast for a final 9km descent to Fluminimaggiore and the long sandy beach of Portixeddu. Here there should be time for a dip in the sea and a drink at the local bar before heading to your hotel slightly futher on in the coastal village of Buggerru.

• Meals: Breakfast, dinner
• Ascent: 985 Metres Approx.

Continuing along the coast you will enjoy stunning views of long sandy beaches and rugged promontories. Next on the agenda is a quick ferry crossing* to St Peter Island, and the unique small town of Carloforte.

The town of Carloforte on the island was founded by the coral fishers of Genoa, who moved to the island from Tunisia where they had lived since the middle of the 16th century. This influence is felt in the architecture on the island as well as the cuisine. With its pastel coloured houses set along narrow cobbled lanes, this makes it an interesting place to pootle around, maybe stopping for a fine meal in one of the town’s delicious fish restaurants. Don’t miss the island’s famous fresh tuna! Since ancient times, fishermen have awaited the arrival of schools of tuna that stream by along the same route, not far from the islands.

The ferry timetables should allow time to take lunch here and sample some of the finest fish cuisine in the Mediterranean, as well as explore the southern part riding a loop through the countryside characterised by low stone walls and meandering back to Carloforte via the coast. Another ferry will take you across to the island of St Antioco, known for its ancient settlements and catacombs under the town. A final ride through cultivated fields will then lead you to your next hotel.

*Approx 20 Euros per person including your bikes for both ferries.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 860 Metres Approx.

Alas you’ve reached the final riding day of your tour. There is no reason to be sad however because you have a beautiful day ahead as your route takes you to some of the finest stretches of beaches on the island.

Setting off the Calasetta, your first stop of the charming town of St Antioco, riding past the fishing port.

Leaving the island by the causeway across the bay of Palmas, you’ll carry on cycling south riding through the fertile flatlands around Trattalias and Sant‘Anna Arresi. As you cycle past vineyard after vineyard, it will become obvious that you are entering the wine region, known for Carignano wine. The next section is the highlight of this trip, the Costa del Sud is a wonderful 12 mile / 20 km spectacle of twisting, turning road above rugged cliffs that plunge into the deep blue sea. There are many outlook points and small sandy coves to stop and enjoy the sea. Cala Tuerredda is one of the most stunning beaches along this coast, protected by two impressive promontories and with turquoise blue waters – it’s like something out of a picture book.

From here the road climbs away from the coast, dropping back toward the long sandy beach of Chia. A short detour to the right will take you to Chia tower, from where you can enjoy a spectacular view of the long stretch of Chia beach and the islands. The next section follows the main road north, then along a quiet coast road, finally reaching the little town of Pula, where your trip officially comes to an end. The excellent gelateria in the main town square, serving home made ice-cream, is a must-visit for a well deserved treat and reward after your long journey from the north to the south of Sardinia

• Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast we will transfer you to Cagliari Elmas Airport for your return flight home. If you have opted to depart from Alghero we will transfer you to the bus station to meet your bus transfer up to the north of the island.