Author's tour: Luxurious Sardinia, Corsica and Maddalena

Tour start date(s):	13-05-2025, 19-06-2025
Duration:	6 days
Location:	Rome (arrival) - night ferry to Sardinia - Olbia - Costa Smeralda in Sardinia (3 nights) - Porto Cervo-Stella Maris - Bonifacio (Corsica, France) - Maddalena archipelago (extra) - Bari (3 nights) - Alberobello - Matera - Castel del Monte - Trani - Rome
Price (including tax):	DBL 2050USD; SNGL 2650 USD (without flight)

Visit THREE Islands in the Mediterranean Sea with just your family or a group of friends! In 2025, we offer a personalized tour of the islands of Italy and France for six people, with a private guide speaking Russian.

Dates: May 13-18, 2025, and June 19-24, 2025 (6 days/5 nights)

Custom dates available upon request. The program remains unchanged. Price upon request.

Highlights:

A unique tour of the most beautiful islands in Italy and France. We will visit the most exclusive part of Sardinia, the world-famous Costa Smeralda. The atmosphere of the Emerald Coast, with its mega yachts, beautiful beaches, and azure coves, will captivate us. We’ll taste exquisite Sardinian wines, stroll through the most colorful Mediterranean city, Alghero, shop for unique coral products, and set off to conquer Corsica, the island of pirates and the birthplace of Napoleon. You'll have an excursion to the Italian Maldives—the Maddalena Archipelago—and we’ll walk among ancient cork oak groves, buy unique cork souvenirs, and marvel at Neptune’s mystical sea caves! We’ll explore the mysterious towers of the ancient Nuragic civilization, built from the 2nd millennium BC to the 9th century BC, a symbol of Sardinia.

Bright, sunny islands in Italy and France will forever stay in your heart!

Day 1: The Luxurious Emerald Coast (Costa Smeralda) and the Giants' Tombs

Arrival at Olbia Airport (morning flights only before 10:30 AM, or you may need to book an additional night before the tour). Meeting with the guide at Olbia Airport (Sardinia). We set off on a journey through Costa Smeralda, the most exclusive part of Sardinia. We will visit Porto Cervo, where the most famous boutiques and restaurants are located. Porto Cervo harbor hosts a luxury yacht club where oligarchs from around the world dock their mega yachts. We'll see the Cala di Volpe hotel, where the film The Spy Who Loved Me was shot. We’ll discover the "treasure chest"—the charming Stella Maris church, which holds a valuable Madonna painting by El Greco, and we’ll have free time for lunch at a typical restaurant. During lunch, you can try the pride of local winemakers, Vermentino di Gallura, which has been produced here since the 14th century.

We will visit the megalithic Giants' Tombs, mysterious towers of the ancient Nuragic civilization, built during the Nuragic period. These structures are a symbol of Sardinia, and visiting the Nuraghes is essential for anyone exploring the island.

Next, we head to a medieval village famous for being a pilgrimage site and a place for healing. In the church, we’ll see the Holy Door, which is opened once every 7 years, a right granted by the Vatican 400 years ago. Overnight at a hotel on Costa Smeralda.

Day 2: Corsica – The Island of Pirates

After breakfast, we take a ferry to Corsica. The ferry ride itself is a stunning visual experience. The town of Bonifacio is perched like a swallow's nest on imposing white limestone cliffs. The town lies beneath a massive 13th-century fortification built by the Genoese, the Citadelle de Bonifacio. We’ll see stairs carved into the cliffs, and you’ll want to take photos at every step!

We’ll take a walk along the Comparetto Promenade, where you’ll hear fascinating stories and legends of the island, then ascend to the historic center of the ancient town-fortress, located 60 meters above sea level. The narrow streets lead us to squares with massive churches and attractions related to famous historical figures like Emperor Charles V, King Alfonso of Aragon, and, of course, Napoleon Bonaparte. We’ll also visit another Bonifacio attraction—the marine cemetery, the only active marine cemetery in Europe. For the adventurous, we offer a chance to descend from the town directly to the sea via an ancient steep staircase with 189 steps, known as the "Corsican Scar." At lunchtime, in one of the cozy Bonifacio restaurants, you can indulge in fresh oysters with a glass of French wine. If you prefer Corsican cuisine, we recommend trying stuffed eggplant Bonifacio-style with a glass of chestnut beer. In the remaining time, you can explore the town or enjoy some shopping.

Return by ferry to Italy. Overnight at a hotel on Costa Smeralda.

Day 3: The Coral Capital – Alghero, Cape Caccia, and Neptune’s Mystical Grottos

After breakfast at the hotel, we head to the western coast of Sardinia. We’ll visit the famous Neptune's Cave (entrance fee paid on site). You’ll descend into the cave via a picturesque staircase with 654 steps, and you’ll return to Alghero by boat. Together with your guide, we’ll take a walk around the historical center of Alghero. This charming town was built by the Catalans in the Middle Ages, and is often called "Little Barcelona." Alghero will greet us with the grandeur of its fortress walls, towers, churches adorned with majolica, colorful houses, unique souvenir shops, and fashionable boutiques. Only in Alghero can you find original red coral products, which are abundant along the coast. Free time for lunch, where you can try pasta with sea urchins or tuna roe (bottarga), as well as delight in local wine and the famous Seadas dessert—large ravioli filled with cheese and drizzled with asphodel honey.

Overnight at a hotel on Costa Smeralda.

Day 4: The Maddalena Archipelago – The Italian Maldives

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the port. Visit the Maddalena Archipelago. Depending on the season, we’ll explore this Mediterranean pearl by boat or mini-van. Maddalena is a National Marine Park of Italy, known for its crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and scenic coves.

This excursion is for those who want to explore the largest and most beautiful islands of the La Maddalena Archipelago, which is often referred to as "the European Maldives." We’ll stroll through the town of La Maddalena, called "Little Paris," swim in the turquoise lagoons of the islands, and admire breathtaking landscapes. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight at a hotel on Costa Smeralda.

Day 5: Masterclass on Sheep Cheese Making. Tempio Pausania. Cork Groves

Breakfast at the hotel. We visit a farm where we’ll watch how sheep are milked and take part in the process of making fresh cheese. What could be better than tasting cheese made by your own hands?

After that, we head to Tempio Pausania. The name of the town, "Tempio," translates from Italian as "temple." On the way, we’ll visit a beautiful place—a garden with millennia-old olive trees. The oldest tree here has a circumference of 12 meters and is about 4,000 years old. Sardinia's mild winters and hot summers create ideal conditions for growing cork oaks. The cork harvesting process is an art, and we’ll learn all about it. You’ll also have the chance to buy unique cork souvenirs, including wallets, bags, hats, fashion accessories, and kitchenware. Overnight at a hotel on Costa Smeralda.

Day 6: Departure from Sardinia

Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out at 10 AM. Group transfer to Olbia Airport and departure from Italy.

Tour Price for 6 Participants:

DBL: 2050 USD; SNGL: 2650 USD (excluding flights)

Tour Includes:

• 5-night stay at a hotel on the Emerald Coast of Sardinia in a double room

• Breakfasts at the hotel

• Transfers as indicated in the program by air-conditioned bus

• Licensed guide in Russian on Sardinia

• Ferry from Sardinia to Corsica and back

• Excursions to Porto Cervo, Costa Smeralda, Alghero, Castelsardo, Bonifacio in Corsica, Tempio Pausania

• Visit to the Maddalena Archipelago

• Sheep cheese-making masterclass with tasting

• Entrance tickets to Neptune’s Caves and boat ride from the caves to Alghero

• Entrance ticket to the Giants' Tomb Nuraghe.

Not Included in the Tour:

• City taxes at the hotel (3.50 euros per person per day)

• Lunches and dinners

Hotel:

Hotel La Vecchia Fonte [Link](https://hotelpalau.it/la-vecchia-fonte/or similar)

Additional Night:

An additional night can be requested before the tour.

Cost of an Additional Night:

½ DBL $95.00
Single Supplement $100.00

Transfer from the airport to the hotel is priced depending on the number of people.

Notes:

Marine excursions depend on weather conditions. In case of unfavorable weather, we reserve the right to replace them with other excursions.

I hope this translation helps! Let me know if you need any further assistance.