Grand Tour Olbia I

Today’s day can only begin by crossing the Costa Smeralda, a destination for the international jet set, where a panoramic road perched above the crystal-clear sea, yachts, and dreamlike villas nestled in nature will make you daydream with your eyes wide open. You will pass through the tourist spots of Palau and Santa Teresa, where at the foot of the Capo Testa lighthouse you can refresh your spirit with a good coffee while admiring the Strait of Bonifacio and the white cliffs of Corsica. Then continue toward Castelsardo, keeping the sea to your right along the coastal road that runs through the entire northern part of Sardinia: the Mediterranean scrub and the scent of myrtle berries will be your travel companions. Once you arrive at Castelsardo, an ancient village perched dramatically above the sea, we recommend visiting the castle and having lunch at the restaurant “L’incantu,” accompanied by the splendid view that characterizes it. After an excellent seafood lunch, head toward Alghero, crossing the entire province of Sassari.

Start your day with a visit to Neptune’s Grotto: from the marina, you can take a boat that will bring you to the entrance of the largest cave in the Mediterranean, formed over more than 2 million years. After the visit, hop back on your motorcycle and head south toward Bosa, a renowned fishing village famous for its canal port and medieval castle. To get there, you will ride along a coastal road nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its cliff-hugging curves and breathtaking views. After a seafood lunch and a stroll through the charming historic center, the afternoon awaits you with some curves heading toward Villanova Monteleone, passing through several mountain villages before returning to Alghero. For dinner, we recommend the pizzeria “El Pultal”: located in the heart of the city’s historic center, here you can try Luigi’s famous pizza by the meter—a true guarantee.

Head toward Villanova Monteleone to cross all of Sardinia eastward, passing through the vast Burgos Forest between Bono, Nuoro, and Oliena, arriving at the foot of the Monte Corrasi mountain range. Your destination is the restaurant “Su Gologone,” just steps away from the homonymous spring, which we highly recommend you visit. Here, you can savor a lunch featuring the best of Sardinian culinary tradition, accompanied by a unique atmosphere and attention to detail. After lunch (which will surely be abundant!), be sure to visit the restaurant’s Art Workshops, where the very kind staff will share the history and origins of this corner of Sardinia with you. In the afternoon, quickly descend in altitude along a stretch of road with breathtaking sea views that will lead you from the mountains of Dorgali to Cala Gonone, a lively seaside village famous for its beaches accessible only by boat.

This morning you will ride through the oldest part of Sardinia, finding yourselves at high altitude among the mountain towns of Oliena, Orgosolo, Fonni, Desulo, and Aritzo. These are magical places, rich in history and centuries-old traditions; here you will notice how different nature and people are compared to the coastal areas, but the warmth and kindness of the locals will accompany you throughout the journey. After crossing the mountains, you will reach the plain of the Giara di Gesturi where, after a quick lunch, we recommend visiting the Nuragic Palace of Barumini: the largest Nuragic settlement dating back over 4,000 years. In this magical place, the guides will immerse you in the island’s oldest history and tell you about the life of Sardinia’s inhabitants—covering wars, religion, society, and customs. After the visit, head east toward Portu Maga, where you can dine and spend the night.

Today you will wake up to a breathtaking sea view breakfast. You will visit Piscinas, the largest natural desert in Europe, with its tall white sand dunes overlooking a crystal-clear sea—definitely one of the most magical places on the island. Don’t worry, feeling a little lost is the least that can happen to you! Then you will head towards Portixeddu, deciding whether to cross the desert off-road (checking that conditions allow it) or to bypass it, passing through Ingustosu. A road full of stunning landscapes awaits you and won’t disappoint. You will enter the island’s most important mining area as you make your way to Masua, where along the coastline you’ll be amazed to see a huge sea stack. This is the “Pan di Zucchero” (Sugarloaf), named after the very light color of the rock it is made of. We recommend a guided tour of Porto Flavia, a mine perched dramatically over the sea that will leave you speechless. You will continue south, reaching the island of Sant’Antioco for lunch in Calasetta. If you love fish, you’re in the right place—tuna fishing has been the main source of income in this area for centuries. Before heading to Cagliari, don’t miss the 50 km of coastline that outline this unique island. After over 250 km of journey, you will be eager to enjoy an evening of relaxation in the most elegant city in Sardinia.

Today’s day is all about riding, curves, and fun. You’ll start right away on the first stretch of the SS125 Orientale Sarda, which connects Cagliari to Santa Teresa. The southernmost part of this fantastic road, around the Burcei area, is truly unique because in just a few kilometers the scenery around you will quickly change, making you feel like you’re inside an American canyon. Just before Tertenìa, turn towards Perdasdefogu and enter the oldest part of Sardinia: the Barbagia. Here you will be surrounded by the mountains of the Gennargentu in the province of Nuoro. Curves, forests, and mountain landscapes will be the main features of this day. After having lunch in Seui, you’ll cross Gairo Vecchia, an abandoned village at the foot of a landsliding mountain, then pass through Ulassai and Lanusei before reaching Arbatax, where you can relax and spend the night.

Head north toward Dorgali along the most beautiful stretch of the SS 125 Orientale Sarda, the one that connects Dorgali to Tortolì: the mountains, the Su Gorroppu gorge, and the landscapes of this unspoiled corner of Sardinia will give you intense emotions. Pass through the tourist towns of San Teodoro, Siniscola, and Budoni until you reach Porto Taverna, where you can enjoy lunch with your feet in the sand at the beautiful restaurant "12.1," admiring the Island of Tavolara. In the afternoon, make your way to the Costa Smeralda, a favorite destination of the international jet set, where the panoramic road cliffs overlooking the crystal-clear sea, yachts, and dream villas nestled in nature will make you daydream with your eyes wide open.