Italy — Europe — Explore Worldwide 2008/09 online holiday brochure

EUROPE SARDINIA Typical beach in Sardinia/Gaby Drinkwater Hidden Trails of Sardinia TREKKING GRADE B JFMAMJJASOND JFMA Ref SD 8 DAYS HOTELS MOUNTAIN & COASTAL HIKES Hidden Trails of Sardinia Ref SD TYRRHENEAN SEA ruins of a Nuraghic settlement an evocative reminder of the island's distant past. Barbagia & the Gennargentu Massif We continue to Aritzo, a small town in the heart of Barbagia, the so-called barbarous' region never conquered by the Romans. From here we follow a rocky trail into the brooding Gennargentu Massif, climbing to the island's highest point Punta la Marmora (1833m). From the summit there are panoramic views of distant mountain ranges in all directions with most of the island visible on a clear day. Coastal hikes to remote beaches From Aritzo we head to the pretty seaside town of Santa Maria Navarrese, where we can hire a boat to explore the cliffs and coves of the island's eastern shoreline. Inaccessible except from the sea, some of the beaches here are amongst the finest in the Mediterranean and give access to spectacular coastal walking. A fitting end to a week of stunning walking. ITALY Cycling along the Sardinian coast SARDINIA ( I T A LY ) Sos Nidos 1348m Cycle Sardinia CYCLE GRADE C Ref CSD OLIENA Tiscali Orgosolo CALA GONONE Optional boat trip Cala di Luna Cala Goloritze JFMAMJJASOND JFMA 8 DAYS HOTELS EXPLORE THE STUNNING COASTLINE AND HINTERLAND OF THIS BEAUTIFUL AND TRADITIONAL MEDITERRANEAN ISLAND Ge M ARITZO nn as ar si g Optional boat trip Punta la Marmora 1833m Flumendosa Valley SANTA MARIA NAVARRESE km 0 30 To Cagliari The intriguing and often volatile history of this forgotten island stretches back millennia to its mysterious Nuraghic cultures and beyond. Each passing civilisation from the Carthaginians to the Arabs has left its mark, but the fiercely independent spirit still remains. The landscape is extraordinarily varied: golden sand beaches punctuate the rocky coast, while towering peaks and stony plateaux are dotted with lush pastures and dense oak forests. Walking some of Sardinia's little known trails and staying in small local hotels, we uncover its complex soul. Cala Gonone, Oliena & the Supramonte From Cala Gonone we hike to the remote Cala di Luna, an exquisite crescent of golden sand flanked by dramatic cliffs. Next we venture inland to the Supramonte, a dramatic limestone massif famous locally for the purity of its beautiful freshwater springs. Based at Oliena, formerly a haunt of bandits but now better known as the producer of some of Sardinia's best wines, we follow ancient trails up Monte Tiscali to a vast cavern housing the Springtime in Sardinia Stunning coastal scenery, tiny fishing villages, ancient ruins, fantastic beaches and superb local food await the cyclist who takes time to discover wonderful Sardinia! All islands have a peculiar fascination, and Sardinia is no exception with its own language and distinct customs, the island boasts an independent character while remaining unmistakably Italian. Our route follows the network of smaller asphalt roads that wind through the countryside, small towns and villages of the southwest, with the spice of some smaller dirt tracks and some more difficult sections that will appeal to the more regular cyclist. Flamingos & Phoenicians We start cycling the flat coastal plains of the Sinis wetlands where salt ponds attract thousands of pink flamingos in season, as well as a wealth of other birdlife. We can see the Phoenician ruins of Tharros with their 2,500-year history and perhaps enjoy the sherry-like vernaccia made in local wine cellars. Next we follow the Costa Verde, across reclaimed farmland, to the colourful fishing village of Marceddi where rice, soft fruit and vegetables are grown for the cucinas of Sardinia. Coastal Scenery & Village Life Next the beautiful beaches of Portixeddu, bounded by dunes to the west and the impressive massif of Monte Linas to the east. Our ride now follows the undulating coastal ride to Portoscuso where we board the local ferry to Carloforte on Isola di San Pietro. There is time for a short exploration of the island, exploring sandy coves, dramatic rocky headlands and tiny hamlets before rejoining the ferry to continue to equally unspoilt Isola di Sant' Antioco. The Dramatic & Historic Costa del Sud After a short cycle ride around Sant' Antioco to enjoy its coves, meadows and little villages we cross to the mainland and visit the Pisan sanctuary at Tratalias one of the region's most important Romanesque monuments. Following the shoreline of Lago Monte Pranu we cross the rolling plains of Sulcis to enter a remote, wild and beautiful region of bush, gleaming white beaches and imposing 200metre high cliffs. We end our journey in the little town of Pula with a chance to once again enjoy superb local food as we reflect on a week of superb biking. en tu MEDITERRANEAN SEA Trek length and gradients 2400m 2000m 1600m 1200m 800m 400m 0m Day 2 3hrs Oliena Oliena Aritzo Aritzo Santa Maria Navarrese For information, inspiration and latest tour availability visit www.explore.co.uk f Mountain trails/Ian Thompson FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Cagliari, transfer to Cala Gonone. 2 Coastal walk from Cala Gonone to Cala di Luna (3hrs); drive to Oliena. 3 Walk to prehistoric settlements on Monte Tiscali, visit Su Gologone Springs. 4 Walk to Punta Sos Nidos; drive to Aritzo. 5 Full day walk to the Flumendosa Valley. 6 Walk to Punta la Marmora summit, PM drive to Santa Maria Navarrese. 7 In Santa Maria Navarrese, various optional walks and boat trips. 8 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 7nts hotel; 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 4 dinners included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/On foot/Optional boat trips. Comment: This short, hotel-based walking trip is graded moderate. Walking the trails of the mountainous interior and the dramatic east coast, the paths are generally well defined but you should expect much of the walking to be across rocky terrain. Boat trips are optional and may not operate out of season or in bad weather. Please note that some departure flights may be from London to Olbia/return; the itinerary remains as described above. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16. Cycle Sardinia Ref CSD Sinis Wetlands SAN SALVATORE Tharros Riola Sardo FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Cagliari; drive San Salvatore. 2 Cycle around Sinis wetlands and Tharros. 3 Transfer by road to Arborea; cycle to Marceddi and transfer to hilltop town of Arbus. 4 Cycle to beaches of Portixeddu past stunning scenery to the hamlet of Nebida. 5 Ride to Fontanamare and Portoscuso; ferry to Carloforte and, after exploring, Calasetta. 6 Explore island; ferry to mainland and ride via Tratalias and Lago Monte Pranu to Sant' Anna Arresi. 7 Beautiful riding along the Costa del Sud to Pula. 8 Drive to Cagliari; fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 7nts hotel; 7 breakfasts & 4 dinners included. See insert p2.. Bicycle: 24-gear aluminium-frame hybrid/touring bikes with panniers, water bottle holder, bell and footstand. Male and female versions available. Grade & Terrain: Grade C 296km/6 days, (average 50km per day). We cycle mainly on asphalt roads but with some dirt tracks for variety and to avoid the occasional traffic. Participants should enjoy regular cycling at home to get the most from this trip. Whilst two days (days 2 and 3) are more challenging a support vehicle is always available for those who prefer to avoid some of the steeper sections. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader(s) who accompany the group on each ride and take turns to either lead or drive the support vehicle. Our support vehicle moves on luggage; you carry only what you need for the day. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16. Gulf of Oristano Arborea Marceddi Costa Verde Piscinas ARBUS Monte Linas 1236m Portixeddu Buggerru Fontanamare Carloforte NEBIDA SARDINIA ( I T A LY ) Portoscuso San Pietro CALASETTA Lake Monte Pranu Cagliari airport Tratalias Sant' Antioco km 0 Gulf of Palmas 30 SANT' ANNA ARRESI PULA Nora Day 3 5hrs Day 4 4hrs Day 5 7hrs Day 6 6hrs Day 7 4-5hrs Costa del Sud 31

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