Trip to Sardinia, a unique tour
Through ancient traditions, food culture, hospitality and magnificent views
Ancient traditions, food culture, hospitality and magnificent views
A 7-day tour to discover stunning places off the beaten track in the rural area of Marmilla with meaningful experiences, from ancient artisan crafts to well-kept traditions
The perfect balance between customs and manners, hospitality and magnificent views. Actively participate in a cheese making class with the shepherd Michele, and learn how to prepare the original orange-flavoured sweet “ravioli”. Enjoy some hiking trails immersed in the natural mediterranean landscapes of the dormant volcano of Monte Arci, or in the fishing village of Cabras, to relish a special lunch with local food and wine. Discover the ancient art of handloom weaving to create coloured carpets and tapestries, and learn about the virtuous realm of nomadic beekeeping. A special tour from Cagliari to the unspoiled villages scattered along the southwest part of the island; with its mountains, woods and nuragic sites to be explored by peaceful slow walks, horse riding tours and bicycle trips.
From April to June and from September to November.
The travel day by day
Itinerary
Day 1: Cagliari Downtown
In the afternoon, you’ll be wecomed by your English-speaking local insider at the train station of Cagliari.
Guided tour to discover the city, its anecdotes and legends with a visits of the historic districts of Villanova and Castello from where, getting lost amidst the maze of narrow alleys, we will reach the belvedere to enjoy a breathtaking view.
Dinner in the multicultural Marina district and overnight stay in a charming restored old guest house located in an ancient stately building in the downtown area.
Day 2: Hand weaving workshop in Mogoro
After breakfast we will move to Mogoro, the largest town in the old geographic region of Marmilla, where the local authority and its citizens have been awarded the “Comuni Virtuosi d’Italia” prize in 2015 for their commitment to the cause of environmental sustainability.
Outdoor lunch in the rural area of Santa Maria Cracaxia, with typical seasonal food and wine. After lunch, we will head to “Su Trobasciu”, an all-female cooperative society, repository of the ancient tradition of hand weaving. The experience, involving local artisans, will be held in their laboratory adopting manual looms and Sardinian sheep wool. You will enjoy a rare opportunity to catch a glimpse and learn about the ancient craft of weaving and how to translate visual inspiration (flowers, horses…) into woven fabric patterns.
In the evening, dinner and overnight stay at the Cuscusa’s farm.
Michele Cuscusa and his three brothers are third-generation shepherds and cheesemakers nestled on the hills of Gonnostramatza with hundreds of sheep, goats and horses. The Cuscusa brothers have founded Italy’s first Italian Milk Academy, the “Accademia del latte”.
Day 3: Sardinian cheese, nuragic treasure and ancient music
In the morning, you will be delighted with a hearty breakfast, followed by an engaging hand-on group activity; the preparation of ricotta cheese and fresh pasta (ravioli del Campidano) according to the genuine Sardinian traditional recipe.
Lunch with self-produced edibles from the farm.
In the afternoon, departure for the “Mitza Margiani” woodlands in the natural park of Monte Arci where, at a slow pace and walking amidst thick holm oaks, we will reach the prehistoric village of Bruncu e S’Omu. Visit to the nuragic complex, dating back to 1000 B.C., and silent hiking through the woods.
At a certain point during the walk, the landscape will turn into a natural scenography, where Simone Grussu’s enchanting music performance (with the accordion – the typical Sardinian instrument) will take place.
In the evening, we’ll get to the farmhouse in Gonnostramatza, with dinner served and overnight stay.
Day 4: Sardinian organic wine and environment-friendly agriculture
After breakfast, we will head out to discover Ussaramanna and “Cantine Lilliu”: an excellent family-run winery in which permaculture principles are respected and practiced, according to nature’s needs and without the use of synthetic pesticides.
A walk through the countryside and the vineyards with Michele Lilliu and his son Pietro will reveal all many secrets that lie behind the production of a good-tasting organic wine.
From the red Bovale to the white sweet Malvasia, from the world wide known Cannonau to the unique Sirah, we will indulge in wine tasting in the cellar and follow up with a convivial lunch, adorned with typical local products.
In the evening return to the farmhouse in Gonnostramatza, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: Medieval village of Santu Lussurgiu and its waterfalls
After breakfast, we will move driving to the north and to Montiferru, which takes its name from the eponymous extinct volcano range. Later on, we will be welcomed in the “Antica Dimora del Gruccione”, in the Santu Lussurgiu medieval “borgo”. An ideal stop that will allow us to taste and experience the vibrant flavours of traditional Sardinian cuisine.
Tour of the eighteenth-century labyrinthine house and accommodation in the rooms.
We will them reach the San Leonardo Park, located in an area known as “seven fountains” due to the seven springs trickling nearby. A small oasis of peace where we will be lucky to share a picnic and chill out with a walk in the woods. Visit to Sos Molinos waterfalls.
Evening return to the hotel in Santu Lussurgiu, with dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6: Sardinian honey and holywell of Santa Cristina
Departure for Norbello, where we will meet Nino; he will introduce us to the world of bees and nomadic apiculture. Preparation of beauty creams based containing beeswax and herb oils; theses are extracted from local botanicals hand-foraged in Sardinia (helichrysum, lavender, myrtle…depending on the season).
Lunch and honey tasting served with mead (Hydromel), the ancient Ambrosia also known as “nectar of the Gods”.
After lunch visit to the Sanctuary of Santa Cristina in the city of Paulilatino. The most important water temple of prehistoric Sardinia, this archaeological site is surrounded by green patches scattered around and hosts centuries-old olive trees. It is composed of a nuraghe and a “well temple”, dating back to the end of the Bronze Age, embraced by a sacred enclosure shaped in a manner that resembles a ‘lock’. Inside, there is a vestibule, a descending staircase and rooms with a Tholos vault, made of concentric rings. Outside the enclosure around meeting hut; ten-metre diameter, it is paved with cobblestones and displays a circle-shape seating hosting about ten rooms; presumably these acted as lodgings for the High Priests and market workshops that accompanied religious festivities.
In the evening we’ll reach our hotel in Santu Lussurgiu, to enjoy our final dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7: Sardinian cuisine: traditional sweets
This last morning will host a typical Sardinian sweets workshop; a souvenir to bring home a piece of Sardinia.
Greetings and transfer to the airport to catch your flight home.
Travel information
Dates and any rescheduling of the programme can be agreed upon with the tour operator.
The itinerary may be subject to change based on its availability. Any changes will make up for an equivalent value and quality.
It should be noted that the enogastronomic products offered will be exclusively seasonal and Km 0; where possible organic as well.
The package can be rearranged in a different number of days.
Please promptly notify any intolerances, allergies and other food requests in advance.
(The tour operator does not assume responsibility if problems related to undeclared food allergies or intolerances are to arise.)
Possibility to plan a charity music concert.
Local representative
During the stay, Mariposas de Sardinia (partner of ViaggieMiraggi ONLUS) will be at your disposal for assistance or particular needs.
Level of difficulty
This programme does not pose noticeable difficulties.
Available dates
This programme is available for the dates mentioned on the website www.italy.viaggiemiraggi.org.
Prices
| Price per person from | ||||
| 10-15 people | ||||
| Adults | € 1150 | |||
FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONCERNING THE PRICING TAB YOU MAY CONTACT THE AGENT
What is included:
- 6 overnights in a double room accommodation with breakfast
- full-board meal treatment
- weaving workshop
- all private transfers
- cooking lessons
- guided visits and hiking tours
- entry tickets for cultural visits
- Association Mariposas de Sardinia membership fee
- expenses and guiding fee
What is not included:
- return trip to Sardinia
- single room supplement (total € 180,00)
- travel insurance
- personal expenses, anything not expressly mentioned in the included items
All quotations are subject to availability at the time of confirming a reservation.
Conditions
The minimum number of participants required to activate the trip is 10 people. Travellers will be informed 15 days prior to departure, in order to confirm.
Registrations
For registration terms and conditions please consult the following website: How we travel – italy.viaggiemiraggi.org
For information do not hesitate to contact us:
• italia@viaggiemiraggi.org
- 7 days starting from €1150
- Tour type Art&Culture Travels, Food&Wine Travels
- Destination Sardinia
