Golfo di Orosei in Sardinia, Italy

Sardinia Off the Beaten Path

A winery in Sardinia

Sardinia Off the Beaten Path

A herd of sheep on a farm in Sardinia, Italy

Sardinia Off the Beaten Path

Orosei Gulf in Sardinia, Italy

Sardinia Off the Beaten Path

Discover Sardinia's Villages, Coast, and Mountains on the Path Less Traveled

Days: 9 | From: $15,150/per person

  • Enjoy accommodations at best-in-class boutique hotels.
  • Curated tours with outstanding private guides: you’ll have an instant local friend with insider access.

This Sardinia journey focuses on the island’s quieter corners, combining coastal scenery, small villages, and long-standing traditions. Begin in Cagliari with guided exploration and local food tours before heading inland to discover Oristano, Samugheo, and Oliena, where crafts and daily life reflect Sardinia’s deep cultural roots. Explore the dramatic coastline of the Golfo di Orosei by boat, then spend time in Lollove learning traditional culinary techniques from local artisans. Visits to Orgosolo and Mamoiada provide insight into the island’s artistic and ritual traditions, followed by a hike through the Montalbo mountains along historic shepherd paths. End in the north with time on the water in the La Maddalena Archipelago, moving between secluded coves, dramatic cliffs, and white-sand beaches.

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We tailor itineraries to your dates and interests, adjusting hotels, excursions and length as desired.

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At a Glance

  • Cagliari
    2 nights: begin your journey in this coastal Sardinian city
  • Oliena
    4 nights: remote villages, cooking classes, local wine, and untouched stretches of dramatic coastline
  • Arzachena
    2 nights: hike into Sardinia's mountains and end your trip on sparkling beaches

All itineraries are fully customizable. We will send you a personalized variation that reflects your interests and travel dates at no extra cost. Call to discuss your travel plans with one of our Specialists who know this region firsthand.

5-Star Reviews

Find out why our discerning travelers consistently rate us with 5-stars.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Cagliari

Welcome to Sardinia! Upon arrival at Cagliari’s airport, a private transfer will take you to your hotel. Meet your expert guide over lunch before setting out on a walking exploration of the city, where layers of history span from prehistoric times through the Savoy period.

Visit the Castello district, set on the city’s highest hill, with views over the surrounding neighborhoods and sea. Explore its historic streets, including landmarks such as Palazzo Regio, Palazzo di Città, and the Cathedral of Santa Maria. The medieval towers of San Pancrazio and dell’Elefante still mark the old entrances to the quarter.

Continue into Villanova, connected by the Bastion of Saint Remy, where everyday life unfolds among narrow streets and local shops.

Accommodations: Casa Clàt, 2 nights

Casa Clàt is a boutique hotel located in the historic center of Cagliari, within walking distance of the harbor and the city’s main piazzas. The property has nine individually designed suites, each with a distinct aesthetic that blends contemporary style with Sardinian influences and curated artwork. Facilities include a restaurant focused on seasonal Mediterranean cuisine, a craft cocktail bar, and a garden courtyard with a small outdoor pool with shady outdoor lounge areas.

Day 2: Cagliari Cuisine

Explore Cagliari through its food with a guided food tour that reflects the island’s seasonal ingredients and local specialties, with stops that vary based on what is freshest that day.

Enjoy a free afternoon to explore at your own pace, with time to browse local craft workshops and wander through the city’s lively streets.

Accommodations: Casa Clàt, 2 nights

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 3: Oristano, Samugheo, and Travel to Oliena

Travel north into the interior of Sardinia, leaving the coast behind as the landscape shifts to wide, rugged scenery. Stop along the way to take in the views before arriving in Oristano, a town with roots dating back to the Phoenician period.

Walk through the historic center and pause for lunch in one of the main piazzas. Continue to the Antiquarium Arborense, where a collection of ancient ceramics offers insight into the island’s early cultures.

In the afternoon, visit Samugheo, known for its long-standing textile traditions, where intricate patterns and techniques have been passed down through generations.

Continue to Oliena and check in at Su Gologone. This evening, enjoy dinner at the hotel and meet a local ceramist who will introduce the techniques you will explore during your hands-on workshop.

Accommodations: Su Gologone Experience Hotel, 4 nights

Su Gologone Experience Hotel is set in the countryside near Oliena in Sardinia, at the foot of the Supramonte mountains and close to the natural spring of Su Gologone, surrounded by olive groves, vineyards, and rugged limestone landscapes. The property is designed as a celebration of Sardinian culture, with handcrafted furnishings, ceramics, textiles, and artwork created by local artisans throughout the rooms and public spaces. Facilities include multiple restaurants and dining areas serving traditional Sardinian cuisine, a bar, a wine cellar, and a rooftop terrace for drinks and views over the countryside, along with gardens, courtyards, and shaded terraces. The hotel also features a wellness area with massage treatments, a swimming pool, yoga classes, a gym, and a variety of creative and cultural spaces such as art studios and exhibition areas, reflecting its strong connection to local heritage and craftsmanship.

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 4: Golfo di Orosei National Park

Set out this morning to explore the Golfo di Orosei National Park by private boat, following a stretch of coastline known for its limestone cliffs, hidden coves, and azure water. Many of the beaches along this coast are accessible only by sea, offering a different perspective of the island.

Cruise past secluded inlets with time to stop for a swim or relax along the shore before returning to your country hotel for the evening.

Accommodations: Su Gologone Experience Hotel, 4 nights

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 5: Sardinia Villages and Culinary Treats

Enjoy a relaxed morning at your own pace before heading to Lollove, a small village where traditional ways of life are still very much present. Take part in a series of hands-on culinary experiences, including cheese-making and traditional bread preparation, led by local artisans. Throughout the visit, sample a range of regional specialties while learning about the techniques and traditions behind them.

Accommodations: Su Gologone Experience Hotel, 4 nights

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 6: Sardinia Wine and Artisans

Set out to explore more of Sardinia’s quaint villages. Start at Orgosolo, a village known for its striking murals that began appearing in the late 1960s. Walk through the streets to see these large-scale paintings, which reflect local life, political themes, and social history.

Continue to Mamoiada and stop at a local winery for a tasting of Vermentino. If time allows, visit the Museum of Mediterranean Masks to learn about traditional Sardinian mask-making and the Mamuthones carnival, an ancient ritual still practiced today.

Accommodations: Su Gologone Experience Hotel, 4 nights

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 7: Hiking in the Montalbo di Siniscola Mountains

Depart early and travel north for a hike through Sardinia’s interior, following traditional shepherd paths near Punta Cupeti in the Montalbo di Siniscola range. The landscape here is defined by limestone formations, open views, and a long-standing pastoral culture.

Along the route, pass natural springs and traces of past settlements that reflect the area’s history of rural life. Reach a high vantage point in the late afternoon, where you can pause to take in the changing light and enjoy a tasting of local Sardinian food and wine.

Accommodations: Cascioni Eco Retreat, 2 nights

Cascioni Eco Retreat is set in the countryside near Arzachena in northern Sardinia. The property is designed with a focus on sustainability and local materials. Facilities include a restaurant serving seasonal Sardinian cuisine with locally sourced ingredients, a bar, and a large outdoor swimming pool set within landscaped gardens, along with a spa offering treatments and wellness experiences and a gym. Additional spaces include gardens, terraces, and outdoor lounging areas that take advantage of the natural setting, with the retreat’s emphasis on eco-conscious design and connection to the landscape as a defining feature.

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 8: Cruise the La Maddalena Archipelago

Spend your final day in Sardinia exploring the La Maddalena Archipelago, a protected area known for its clear water, granite formations, and white-sand beaches. Discover the islands by private boat, moving between quiet coves and small inlets that are best reached by sea. There will be time to stop for swimming and to take in the changing coastal scenery throughout the day.

Accommodations: Cascioni Eco Retreat, 2 nights

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 9: Departure

Say goodbye to Sardinia and head to the airport to catch your departing flight.

*Includes: Breakfast

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