The Island of Phoenicians
Sardinia and its history through a visit in its most important and imposing archaeological sites: this is what this experience offers you. A route through the ancient phoenician town of Tharros, one of the main ports Sardinias at the time of Phoenicians and one of the first point of contact with navigators that came from east. Tharros was an important outlet for the exchanges of value handmades, also thanks to the Carthaginians, that taught the local population the new typs of coultivation as well (in the opinion of some scholars also the vine from which the Vernaccia is produced). Another step backward to know the nuraghic culture and its ruins visiting the Nuragh Losa and the nuragh par excellence, Su Nuraxi of Barumini, which have been included on UNESCO's World Heritage List since 1997. From Barumini you will move to the Giara of Tuili, a wild corner of Sardinia to discover, where you will admire the last specimen of wild horses in Europe. You will spend a morning dedicated to the traditional flavours of our island. You will take part to a workshop of bread and sweets with a savoury tasting in the country town of Turri, where you will also visit the park of the centuries-old olive trees, the monumental cemetery and the old town center. Then you will visit the phoenician town of Nora and you will have a revitalizing walk in the uncontaminated wood of Pantaleo. You will take a leap into the present admiring the works of one of the most important living sculptor in Sardinia, Pinuccio Sciola and you will visit the capital of Sardinia, Cagliari, with its bastions with fine view over the Golfo degli Angeli.
Programme (Period: all year round apart from August - Lenght: 8 days/7 nights):
Day 1: -->Arrival of participants at the airport of Cagliari, welcome by the guide which will be with the group during all trip. Transfer to Villanovaforru, dinner in hotel.
Bus track: Cagliari/Elmas airport -Villanovaforru: 52 km
Day 2: -->Breakfast, transfer to Tharros and visit of the ruins of the phoenician town. At the end of the visit transfer to Abbasanta and lunch. In the afternoon visit of the Nuragh Losa, one of the most important example of “protosardo” culture. Transfer and dinner in hotel.
Bus track: Villanovaforru-Tharros: 81 km (1hour and 27'); Tharros-Abbasanta: 55 km; Abbasanta-Villanovaforru: 83 km
Day 3: -->Breakfast, transfer to Barumini and guided visit to Su Nuraxi, beautiful polylobed nuragh. Free time at lunch. In the afternoon visit of the Giara of Tuili. Transfer to the hotel, dinner in hotel.
Bus track: Villanovaforru-Barumini: 22 km; Barumini-Tuili: 4 km; Tuili- Villanovaforru: 14 km.
Day 4: --> Breakfast, transfer to Turri, guided visit of the centuries-old olive trees, of the monumental cemetery, of the Church of San Sebastiano, walk in the suggestive streets of the old town center, workshop of bread and typical sweets with final tasting. Typical lunch. In the afternoon transfer to Cagliari and panoramic visit of the town. Dinner in hotel
Bus track: Villanovaforru-Turri there and back: 24 km
Day 5: -->Breakfast, transfer to Nora and visit of the roman-phoenician town. At the end of the visit, transfer to the wood of Pantaleo in Santadi, and typical lunch. In the afternoon, revitalizing walk in the wood of Pantaleo. In the evening transfer to the hotel in Cagliari and dinner.
Bus track: Villanovaforru-Nora: 92 km; Pula-Santadi 52 km; Santadi-Cagliari: 61 km
Day 6: -->Breakfast, guided visit to the old town center of Cagliari, visit of the “Cittadella dei musei” (the area of the wall of the “tenaglia”) you will go through Porta Cristina (Cristina's door), the Towers of the Elephant and the tower of San Pancrazio , the bastions and the medieval walls (Santa Croce), the “museo di Castello” and the Church of Santa Maria del Monte. Visit of the Cathedral and walk through the alleys of Castello. Free time at lunch. In the afternoon, transfer to San Sperate and visit of the house-museum of the sculptor Sciola with his “sounding sculptures” which are famous all around the world. In the evening, transfer to Cagliari and dinner in hotel.
Bus track: Cagliari-San Sperate there and back: 58 km.
Day 7: --> Breakfast, historical-naturalistic excursion to Capo Sant'Elia, in a naturalistic oasis rich in vegetable species not far from the town center. A not demanding walk to discover one of the first prehistoric settlement in the area of Cagliari, a phoenician trade settlement dedicated to Astarte, the protector Goddess of trade. You will reach the top of the “Sella del Diavolo” (the devil's saddle) from which you will enjoy the enchanting view over the beach of the Poetto and over the cove of Calamosca and, when the visibility is good, over the east coast as well. Free time at lunch and in the afternoon. Dinner in hotel.
Bus track: about 20 km in Cagliari
Day 8: --> Breakfast, possibility of visiting the Castle of San Michele in Cagliari, transfer to the airport, departure.
Bus track: Cagliari- Elmas Airport: km 12
Services included:
• Transfer from to airport, bus with driver + guide for 8 days
• Accommodation in 3 stars hotel in HB, in double room for 8 nights and 7 days
• Visit and entrance fee for the archaeological sites of Tharros, Losa Nuragh, Su Nuraxi of Barumini, the town of Nora, the quarter of Castello in Cagliari, Capo Sant'Elia, San Sperate and Giara of Tuili
• Workshop of taste
• 3 typical lunches
Services not included:
• Tips, drinks and extras
• All that is not listed in the paragraph “services included”
For information, call us or email us at our reference numbers in the section "Contacts"
N.B. length, departure date, visits, excursions, lunch, dinner and hotel locations can be changed according to groups' particular needs
