Alghero & Wine Tasting
Alghero is a beautiful and unspoilt fishing port.
Invaded by Catalan colonists in the 14th century, Alghero offers an inviting 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, including the outside visit of San Francesco church (or the Cathedral, depending on the itinerary), Via Carlo Alberto and Alghero’s narrow streets which enclose the old world charm of the town, Palazzo Albis, a typical example of the 16th century Catalan-Aragonese architecture which housed Charles V Emperor in 1541 (outside visit).
Before boarding your bus, you will enjoy some free time to wander around and then start your panoramic drive up to Capo Caccia: you will be driven North of Alghero up to the dramatic coastline surrounding the limestone headland.
While reaching Capo Caccia, you will have the chance of admiring from your bus window one of the typical nuraghe (not internal visit).
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 (cold cuts) and sheep’s cheese with the pane carasau (shepherds flat bread).
Sardinian cooking revolves around scintillatingly fresh ingredients simply prepared: cheese tend to be made from ewe’s milk and are 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 parchment-like carta da musica wafers to chunky rustic loaves intended to sustain shepherds on the hills. As in Sicily, there is an richness of light and airy pastries, frequently flavoured with lemon, almonds or orange flower water.
Castelsardo
You will depart from the pier with your guide for the scenic, approximately 45-minute drive along the coast and through the countryside en route to Elephant’s Rock, a striking dark trachyte rock sculpted by the wind to resemble an elephant, at whose base open prehistoric chamber tombs, the domus de janas.
You will then reach Castelsardo and enjoy your walking tour.
Castelsardo is a charming coastal town whose destiny has always been linked to the sea. In ancient times it was both a defence post and a strategic watch point. The old town, perched on a hill beside the sea, has preserved its medieval fortress structure, with soaring bastions, steep stairways and a maze of narrow streets and alleys.
On top of the plateau rises the Doria castle, which houses the Museum of Mediterranean Weaving.
A short walk from the castle stands the 14th century cathedral of Sant’Antonio Abate, with its tall bell tower topped by a dome in coloured majolica tiles. On the slopes of the Castello stands the Medieval church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, with a wooden crucifix of the Black Christ dating from the 14th century.
Porto Torres and its Surrounding
Alghero & Nuraghe Palmavera
