Invented in Hawaii in the Thirties, paddle boarding has become one of the world’s fastest-growing watersports. Two bits of kit are essential to this sport and the name is a bit of a clue – you need a board and a paddle. The board is similar to a surf board and the paddle looks like a canoe oar. At the start of this session, you’ll meet at Camping Mariposa for a briefing. This place was the first camp site to be built in Sardinia, and it’s surrounded by pine woods and juniper trees. Once you’ve been briefed, you’ll get in the water with a qualified instructor and learn the key paddle boarding techniques. Group sizes are limited to 4 people, so you won’t have to fight for the teacher’s attention.
If you’ve been there and got the t-shirt as far as learning to kayak is concerned, this trip will appeal to you. It begins on Lazzaretto Beach, where you’ll launch your kayak into the water. From here, an experienced guide will lead you along the coast in the direction of the Capo Caccia headland. As you paddle, you’ll pass through Porto Conte marine park. The naturalist Jacques Costeau once called this place ‘one of the most beautiful corners of the Mediterranean’, and it’s characterised by pretty cliff faces and gin-clear waters. This whole trip will last roughly 2-and-a-half hours.
Windsurfing was invented in Pennsylvania, USA, in the Fifties. Since then, the sport has spread around the world like wildfire. There’s a lot to like about it. Professional windsurfers can reach speeds of up to 55-kilometres-an-hour. Over the years, the Mediterranean has become a hub for windsurfers, thanks to its warm waters and reliable sea breezes, and Sardinia is no exception. This particular session is open to both beginners and experienced windsurfers. You’ll start your day with a briefing at Sardinia’s first camp site, Camping Mariposa, before getting your kit together and heading into the water. A qualified instructor will join you in the sea to either show you the ropes or help you fine-tune your technique. The entire session will last a couple of hours.
Countless empires have moulded Sardinia, but this trip is all about getting to know the island that existed before man made his mark. Your transport for the morning tour will be a pontoon boat, which will take you along the Coghinas River. This unspoilt waterway scores its way through a verdant green valley until it meets a lagoon and, eventually, the sea. The river’s 6-kilometre course is lined by sand dunes, leafy woodland and olive groves. The countryside around the river is also a magnet for birds, both migratory and nesting. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot purple herons, with their distinctive mauve feathers, Sardinian warblers and egret. There will be a guide on board the boat with you, who will be able to point out the most interesting flora and fauna.
Set sail with French soil in your sights on this Corsican adventure. The Gallic island is almost within touching distance of Sardinia, just a short boat ride away. First thing's first, you'll enjoy a coach ride to the north of the island before being whisked across the water to Corsica. You'll visit the most breathtaking town in Corsica, Bonifacio. A fortress town perched so close to the cliff edge, you'll wonder how it's not toppled into the sea. The town's fjord-like harbour is a real talking point, too. Virtually landlocked, a crack in the rock face opens out onto a marina that bulges with super-size yachts. The chic harbourside restaurants are a real hit with the Med-cruising jet set who love to sit and soak up the view. But the real must-see here is Bonifacio's 'Haute Ville'. Save your legs and take the little train up the hill. Follow in the footsteps of the famous vertically challenged Emperor, Napoleon, as you wander the cobbled streets. Browse for antiques, handicrafts and jewellery in the shops that now fill the ancient houses. Or head back to the harbour to watch the yachts come and go.
This trip essentially covers the 7 ages of Sardinia. You'll begin your tour with a visit to the Giants' Tombs. These huge burial chambers are the island's equivalent of Stonehenge. Legend has it, they were built by supernatural giants from space, but they're more likely to have been constructed by the Nuraghic people, who lived in Sardinia around 1,500 BC. Once you've decided which story of origin you believe, you'll move on to Porto Cervo, which has its feet firmly in the present. This seaside town's zeitgeist can be found in its yacht clubs, designer boutiques and beach clubs. The last stop of the day will be the Surrau vineyards. This winery is a new venture with age-old roots. The equipment here is state-of-the-art, but the choice of grapes is informed by Sardinian wine-making tradition. While you're here, you'll get a guided tour of the cellars and be able to sample a few glasses of wine.
Asinara is a beautiful island with an ugly past. Back in the 19th century, the island was a quarantine station, where crews of ships carrying contagious diseases were sent to ride out their sicknesses. During World War 2, it was home to a concentration camp for Austro-Hungarian soldiers. And, in the Seventies, it was the site of a maximum-security prison, which shackled mafia bosses. Asinara’s shady history has actually done it some favours. The natural landscape of the place is completely unspoilt. Wildlife and flowers have colonised here instead of people, and rare species like peregrine falcons and white donkeys are native to the island. On this 4x4 trip, you can judge the island for yourself. While you’re standing in the former cells of mob fathers you might think the island is worthy of its old nickname – Devil’s Island. But, when you’re picnicking on one of the rugged beaches, you might change your mind.
This trip lifts the lid on Sardinia's traditional side. After a scenic drive along the coast, you'll arrive in Bosa. Mass tourism has overlooked this authentic town. Streets are still cobbled, piazzas are still overlooked by wrought-iron balconies, and the whole place is surrounded by rocky hillside and verdant valleys. You'll have a couple of hours here. Duck into a café, browse around an art gallery, or follow our guide on a tour of the old town. The next stop of the day will be Rocca Doria, where you'll head straight to the bread museum. To begin with, you'll bypass the exhibits and go straight up to the terrace to tuck in to a traditional Sardinian aperitif. Plates of cheese, salami, fresh bread, and glasses of Sardinian wine will vie for your attention against the views of Lake Temo. After you've eaten, there will be time to explore the museum properly. As you wind your way around the display cases, you'll learn the basics of bread decorating.
This trip puts the Coral Riviera under the microscope. You'll start your experience by boarding a boat in Alghero, then you'll raise anchor and sail north along the coast, passing the beaches of Lazzaretto and Le Bombarde on the way. The white sands here are backed by sandstone rocks and leafy countryside. Twice during your boat trip, the captain will make a pit stop for snorkelling. One of these sailing breaks will take place in Porto Conte. This protected marine park is home to the full spectrum of Mediterranean fish and other aquatic animals. Keep your eyes peeled for gruber fish, pincer lobster and conger eels. The underwater gardens here are planted with sponges, Margarita flowers and red coral formations. After a morning or afternoon on the water, you'll sail back to Alghero.
On this trip, you'll discover how Isola Rossa got its name. After boarding a dinghy at the harbour, you'll sail along Sardinia's north west coast. From the boat, you'll be able to see how the seaside of white sand is backed by a fringe of red rock formations. The rock is red granite, and its colour makes you feel like you're looking at the coast through rose-tinted glasses. Your guide will point out Marinedda Beach, which is one of the prettiest easily-accessible bays in the area. You won't stop here, though. Instead, you'll pull up at a much more exclusive beach :one you can only access by boat. Tinnari Beach is a small smile of sand and pebble, secluded from the rest of the world by a screen of cork trees. You'll have time to unroll your towel for a spot of sunbathing or to take a dip in the sea.
Food is a cardinal part of Sardinian culture. And, as a rule, it’s at its best in an agriturismo. These rustic restaurants are located on farms, so the food on their daily-changing menus goes straight from field to fork. On this trip, you’ll dine at Agriturismo Sa Mandra, in Nurra, near Alghero. This place is run by a Sardinian family – mum and dad Rita and Mario, daughter Maria Grazia, and sons Michele and Giuseppe. The menus they create are inspired by the food of Barbagia, a mountain area of inner Sardinia. Dishes typical of this region include salamis, fregola pasta, which is shaped like tiny round beads, and malloreddus dumplings. Roast meat dishes are also regulars on the menu and suckling pig, flavoured with myrtle, is often cooked on the outdoor fireplace. The eating area at the Agriturismo Sa Mandra is inside a traditional farmhouse with stone walls, tiled floors and exposed beamed ceilings.
You only need to look at the ship to realise this boat trip is a cut above the rest. The Andrea Jenson was built in 1938 and was used as a fishing boat in the North Sea for 50 years. It took its retirement in the late Eighties, and its wooden hull and winged sails have carried pleasure seekers round the Sea of Sardinia ever since. On this trip, you'll sail north from Alghero, towards the Capo Caccia. A maximum of 12 people are allowed on each tour, so you won't be short on deck space. This isn't a dolphin-watching cruise, but if you're lucky, you might spot a few fins in the water as you sail. The boat has a slow-turning propeller and the sound has been known to attract the mammals, which come and play in the boat's bow wave. At lunchtime, the boat will dock at Porto Conte for lunch. If you've got cash to splash, head to one of the hotel restaurants for dishes like carpaccio and spaghetti with fish eggs and clams. After lunch, you'll sail back down the coast. If the weather is right, the captain will hoist the main sail, and you'll have the opportunity to help him.
It's you, not a tour guide, who calls the shorts on this coach trip. Tickets for the Big Red Bus work on a hop-on hop-off basis, so you can cherry pick the sights you want to see and dictate the times you see them. The service begins in Alghero old town and travels north. The Nuraghe Palmavera is one of the first sights accessible on the route. The beehive-shaped huts here are thought to have been built in the 14th century BC. Neptune's Caves crop up next. These caverns were discovered by fishermen in the 18th century and named after the god of the sea. Inside, they're dripping with stalactites and spiked with stalagmites. The bus schedule also gives you the chance to stop off at Mugoni Beach. This slither of white sand is rated as one of the prettiest beaches in Sardinia. The bus has an open top, so you can take photographs without having to worry about your flash reflecting off the windows. Plus, there's an audio guide on board, which will give you top tips on all the points of interest.
Sardinia's underground is a honeycomb of more than 300 caves and caverns, and this trip will take you to one of the most famous. Neptune's Caves were discovered by fishermen in the 18th century and named after the god of the sea. The caves can be accessed by road, but this tour will take you on the scenic route. You'll board a boat in Alghero and sail north along the coast. The journey takes less than an hour and sails you past the sheer cliffs at the Capo Caccia. When you arrive at the caves, you'll have the opportunity to purchase a ticket to go inside. A series of passages will take you through a cross section of the 4-kilometre cavern. You'll see stalactites biting down like incisors from the roof of the cave and stalagmites stabbing up from the floor like daggers. There's a salt water lake down here, too, which stretches out for 120 metres. After an hour or so of exploring, you'll return to the boat and sail back to Alghero.
You’ll see 3 different sides to Sardinia today. First up, we’ll discover a part of the island’s history at the Church of Saccargia. It’s one of the most important Romanesque sites in Sardinia, and features a distinctive monochrome exterior. From here, we’ll travel to glamorous Porto Cervo – browse the designer boutiques, check out the million-pound yachts in the harbour, or pull up a chair at a pavement café and people-watch. From here, it’s a quick journey to Baja Sardinia, where you’ll have some more free time to explore and grab some lunch. Our agenda for the afternoon focuses on the island traditions, starting with wine making. Our destination will be the Surrau vineyards, where we’ll tour the cellars and sample a few of the vineyard’s wines, accompanied by fresh-baked bread and olives. There’s a shop where you can pick up a few bottles, as well as local produce and artisan goods. We’ll round off the day at Calangianus’ Cork Museum – the town is known as the capital of cork-producing.