Sardinia A Mine of Memories – 8 Days
Type of tour: Guided
Level: 3
Duration: 7 Nights
Distance: 31 Miles/day average
Dates: Jun 13, Sep 12, 2015
Tour price: €1040
Start city: San Salvatore di Sinis, Italy
End city: Pula, Italy
Tour Description
Sardinia’s southwest forms a rugged wedge of land that juts south of the main body of the island into the Mediterranean, its craggy coastline mitigated by some fine beaches. Forests cling to the slopes of its predominantly hilly landscape, which is densely strewn with towns, temples and fortifications founded by Phoenicians, settled by Carthaginians and occupied by Romans.
The best preserved ruins are at Tharros, strategically positioned on the southernmost tip of the Sinis peninsula and Nora, a Roman harbour town, dramatically situated on a promontory overlooking the Golfo di Cagliari. The Carthaginian remains at Sant’Antioco occupy an equally evocative location on an island joined to Sardinia’s coast by a road causeway; the isle and its neighbour San Pietro, are among the tour’s highlights. Historically, the region’s importance was due mainly to the mining of ores and minerals. Nowadays, mining is over, and the evidence of mineworks, often in a poignant state of abandon, can be seen around Arbus and Nebida, where the Pan di Zucchero outcrop sprouts dramatically out of the sea.
The costa del sud offers a highly scenic sequence of inlets punctuated by Spanish watchtowers and Chia has an almost unbroken succession of beaches, probably the best in Southern Sardinia.
Your tour starts in the Sinis peninsula, a wet area whose lagoons have attracted some of Sardinia’s most abundant bird life and are also the place to see the flat-bottomed fassonis, boats still used by the lagoon’s.
Highlights: Guided Daily Program: Guided Day 1: Arrival Day 2: The Sinis Peninsula (33 miles/52 km) Day 3: Costa Verde and dunes of Piscinas (29-34 miles/46-54 km) Day 4: The mines of Sulcis (26 miles/41 km) Day 5: The island of Carloforte (27 miles/43 km) Day 6: Town and island of Sant’Antioco (25 miles/40km) Day 7: The South Coast (38 miles/60 km) Day 8: Departure Included Services: Guided Bike Rentals: Guided The hybrid touring and electrically assisted bikes come equipped with: Pedals: Seats: Helmets:
Transfer or independent arrival to San Salvatore Sinis.
Travel through the fascinating Sinis wetlands where we will see colonies of pink flamingos and finally reach one of the most beautiful spots on the island: the white quartz beach of Is Arutas and the Phoenician ruins of Tharros.
Overnight in San Salvatore Sinis.
After a transfer to Arborea, we will cycle through the natural beauty spots of the Costa Verde, some of the most savage scenery on the island, to the Piscinas beach with its sands dunes over 164 feet/50 m high – some of the highest in Europe.
Overnight in Arbus.
This leg takes us back into the ancient mining past of Sardinia, as we pass the fascinating abandoned mines of Ingortosu and Planusartu. After the golden beach of Portixeddu and looming mass of Pan di Zucchero cliff, we admire the old ore washery at Nebida.
Overnight in Nebida.
After a beautiful descent to Fontanamare, we will reach Portoscuso, and board on the ferry to Carloforte, where locals still fish the Red Tuna fish. From Carloforte, we continue to the island of Sant’Antioco and end our day in Calasetta.
Overnight in Calasetta.
Today, we pedal through the meadows, green in springtime and golden yellow in the summer, of Sant’Antioco. At Tratalias, visit the Pisan sanctuary, one of the most important monuments of the Sardinian Romanesque period.
Overnight in Sant’Anna Arresi.
Final catwalk of our tour is the beautiful Costa del Sud with its gleaming white beaches, unspoilt natural landscape and imposing cliffs: Cape Malfatano with its 16th Century tower and Cape Spartivento. At Nora we will visit the ancient Phoenician settlement.
Overnight in Pula.
After breakfast, end of services.
Bikes availaible to be rent (in advance at the time of booking):
The bikes will havw FLAT pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.
If you plan to bring your own seat, please ensure that it is a universal seat post.
Helmets are available to be rented (to be paid locally). You must book in advance, it is not possible to rent it upon arrival to the tour. We recommend, for safety and hygiene reasons, that you bring your own helmet.
