Flavours of Sardinia
Alghero is an unspoiled fishing port in Southern Sardinia.
Invaded by Catalan colonists in the 14th century, Alghero offers an attractive mix of two nations: delicious Catalan cuisine served in Italian piazzas, impressive monuments erected during Aragonese rule and Italian vineyards. The ruling families even gave Alghero the nickname Barcelonetta, “Little Barcelona”, and all the street signs are bilingual.
You will start your day with a walking tour of the historic centre.
You will then start your panoramic drive up to Capo Caccia.
On the way to Capo Caccia, you will have the chance of admiring one of the typical nuraghe (no stops included).
Nuraghi dot the Sardinian landscape. There are over 7000 examples of them on Sardinia. A nurague (plural: Nuraghi) is a monumental tower made of huge stones roughly worked. Nuraghes appeared on the island in an undetermined epoch (not earlier than 6th millennium BC).
You will then reach a family run farmhouse producing their own wine and olive oil. You will have the chance of tasting traditional salumi and sheep’s cheese with the pane carasau (shepherds flat bread).
Sardinian cooking offers delicious fresh ingredients simply prepared: cheese is usually made from sheep’s milk and it can be either fresh and herby or strong and salty – like the famous pecorino sardo. The island is also famous for the quality and variety of its bread, ranging from carta da musica wafers to chunky rustic loaves intended to sustain shepherds on the hills. As in Sicily, there is an abundance of pastries, frequently flavored with lemon, almonds or orange flower water.
Alghero and Nuraghe Palmavera
After meeting the guide at the port you will depart to Nuraghe Palmavera and you will visit this extremely interesting settlement consisting of a complex Nuraghe, surrounded at least by 50 “huts” which are mostly circular. The main tower of the Nuraghe which still has its dome shaped ceiling dates back to 1100 years BC.
The complex, which was abandoned in the 5th century B.C., due to fire, shows the different phases of social life and political organization at the tribal community. Of extreme interest is the “Reunion Hall” where political debates and magical religious cults were held. You will enjoy also a panoramic drive with views of the coast of the area called Riviera del Corallo before returning to Alghero.
Once in Alghero your guide will take you around for a guided tour of the town.
A friendly town of about 45,000 inhabitants with a particularly Spanish flavor, Alghero is also known as “Barcelonetta” (“little Barcelona”). Spanish themes appear in stone portals and bell towers. The town was built and inhabited in the 14th century by the Aragonese and Catalans, who constructed seaside ramparts and strong towers surrounding narrow, winding streets with beautiful palazzi. The native language spoken here is closer to Catalan than Italian, although you probably have to attend one of the masses conducted in Algherese (or listen in on stories swapped by older fishermen) to hear it.
Castelsardo
