Cycling in Sardinia

Start Cabras, in the Sinis peninsula, approximately 68mi (110km) from Cagliari Airport. Take time to settle in, our cycling starts tomorrow.

We start the week with a ride across the Sinis wetlands, where pink flamingos and a wealth of other birdlife populate the lagoons in season. We cycle to the coast and take a short ride down the peninsula to San Giovanni Sinis. San Giovanni Sinis takes us to the Punic and Roman city of Tharros, one of the most important archaeological sites from this era on the island, overlooking the emerald sea (optional guided visit of the site). We then head to the town of Oristano, crossing the medieval historic centre to reach Arborea, where we spend the night (B).

Today we tackle one of the more challenging cycling days on the tour in Costa Verde (Green Coast), named after the wild vegetation that covers much of the mountainous surroundings and the colour of the water. We cycle across reclaimed farmland to the picturesque fishing village of Marceddi and to the long beach of Piscinas, bordered by huge dunes – some more than 165ft (50m) high. From Piscinas, we head back to our cosy accommodation (B/D).

We tackle one of the more challenging cycling days on the tour, but are rewarded with superb scenery. After a fantastic descent to the Mannu River, we reach the start of miles of remote golden beaches around Portixeddu. We cycle past the abandoned mines of Pranu Sartu and the stunning inlet of Cala Domestica before reaching the 425ft (130m) high sea stack of Pan di Zucchero and the former mining village of Nebida (B).

Our route starts with a beautiful descent to Fontanamare, followed by an undulating coastal ride to Portoscuso. Here, we board the local ferry to the fishing village of Carloforte, the only existing one on Isola di San Pietro (San Pietro Island). We have time to explore this delightful islet with its sandy coves, dramatic rocky headlands and tiny hamlets, before rejoining the ferry to the equally unspoiled island of Sant'Antioco (B).

This morning, we cycle through the lush meadows of Sant'Antioco before returning to the mainland and visiting the Pisan sanctuary at Tratalias, which dates to the Romanesque period. From here, we ride across the quiet country lanes of Sulcis until we reach the village of Sant'Anna Arresi. Nearby are the pinewoods, lagoons and beaches of Porto Pino (B).

We pedal across the beautiful southern countryside over the jagged coastal plains of the Costa del Sud, a wild and unspoiled region of gleaming white beaches, coastal pools and imposing high cliffs punctuated by 16th-century Spanish watchtowers. We cycle as far as Cape Teulada, the southernmost tip of Sardinia, where cliffs rise 755ft (230m) above the crystal-clear sea. We stop in Pula, which was founded in the ninth century BCE and is now partly submerged under the sea (optional guided visit). From the end of the ride, we take a transfer to Cagliari, where we celebrate the end of a great cycling week with our final dinner (B/D).

The tour ends after breakfast. If you're keen to explore more, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay (B).