Sardinia Coast to Coast

Sardinia is an other-worldly island in the center of Mediterranean Sea. For centuries it has remained one of the most isolated areas in all of Europe, retaining many of its ancient and even pre-Roman customs. A clear testament to this is that the Sardinian language is universally recognized as the closest living relative to Ancient Latin. But despite its isolation, Sardinia is by no means small; it’s actually the second largest island in the Mediterranean. All the most famous travelers who have explored Sardinia have described it as a land that seems more like a continent in its own right, given the diverse variety of landscapes in each region and the many smaller satellite islands that surround it.

Today Sardinia is famous for its wonderful beaches and turquoise sea, yet there is much more to discover. The island has a coast of about 1,180 miles, but most of the island is actually hilly and wild, even along the coast, and has a central mountain range with many road passes at about 1,000 meters asl (3,280 ft). It’s a terrain of unhinged riding and the last edition (in 2011) of Sardinia’s Pro-cycling race, Giro di Sardegna, was won by Sagan!

The island has a primeval and unique history, with the particular emergence of a megalithic culture known as the Nuragic Civilization that endured every period from the Bronze Age up to the Roman invasion. Nowadays it is possible to see about 7000 Bronze Age towers, Nuraghe that dot the landscape of the island as well as temples devoted to water rituals and megalithic tombs. Some of them are still massive and really worth a visit.

Highlights:
The coral coast and Capo Caccia Bay
Alghero's old town and marina
Ride the fantastic coastal road from Alghero to Bosa
Bosa, the medieval town along the river
Excellent wine and seafood
Cabras lagoon, the ruins of the Phoenician town of Tharros, Vernaccia di Bosa, bottarga (mullet roe): the "Gold of Cabras"
Visit the Bronze Age site of Santa Cristina with its unique water temple  
Thermal spa in Fordongianus, visit to the old Roman spa
Ride across the primordial Gennargentu Mountain Range
Orgosolo, the painted village, famous for its murals rich with social commentary
“Canto a tenores," traditional songs with the most ancient of origins
Tiscali or Serra Orrios, hiking to the nuragic site
Fantastic ride to Genna Silana Pass
Day cruise sailing along the limestone coast: Cala Luna, Cala Goloritze