All tours on this holiday have now departed. Future departure dates will be confirmed in due course.
• The gorgeous and exclusive Costa Smerelda
• Ancient Bronze Age “nuraghi” fortified towers
• Medieval town of Castelsardo
• Day trip to Bonifacio in Corsica
• Boat trip to the islands of La Maddalena and Caprera
Closer to Africa than Italy but with an ambiance that fits neither, Sardinia is an exceptionally beautiful place with spectacular coastline and fiercely independent attitude. The Costa Smeralda, known as one of the most exclusive destinations in Europe, is fringed with powdery sand, dramatic cliffs full of hidden coves and picturesque villages - what better place to relax and explore.
Day 1: Fly from London Gatwick to Olbia.
On arrival in Olbia, transfer by coach to Santa Teresa di Gallura (approx. 1 hour) and the Hotel Corallaro. This evening there will be a welcome drink and dinner.
Day 2: Morning orientation tour of the Costa Smeralda with the afternoon free.
This 10 kilometre stretch of coastline is one of Europe’s most exclusive beach destinations for a good reason – it is breathtakingly beautiful. Lovely beaches and rugged cliffs and rocky coves give way to crystal clear waters whilst on land, purposeful subtle development has created glamorous resorts set against a backdrop of lush hills. Today we will visits San Pantaleo with its lovely old square and country church; Cala di Volpe, a Moorish style resort; and opulent Porto Cervo, the centre point of the coast.
Day 3: Full day tour to Tempio Pausania and Nuraghe Majori.
Amongst wild scrub and spectacular cork forests, Tempio Pausania is a small village with a history that can be traced back to the 16th century BC. Once a prosperous town, its Byzantine granite Cathedral is set against harsh, austere ground-level dwellings and small stone buildings. We then explore nearby Nuraghe Majori, an early bronze age fortified tower on a natural rock outcrop. One of the most important prehistoric sites in the region, its ogive corridor is well preserved along with the high parapet which allowed observation the district’s other principal nuraghe.
Day 4: Full day guided tour of Castelsardo.
The beautifully preserved medieval town of Castelsardo perches picturesquely on a promontory above the Golfo dell’Asinara. The town grew up around its castle, which now houses a museum of basketwork, built in 1102 as the seat of the powerful Doria family of Genoa. The historic centre is a warren of atmospheric medieval streets, perfect for strolling – keep an eye out for old women sitting in front of their houses weaving traditional baskets.
Day 5: Full day tour to Bonifacio on the French island of Corsica.
Boarding a ferry in Santa Teresa di Gallura, we cross the straits to the Corsican port of Bonifacio which takes approx. 1 hour. The town sits on a narrow peninsula of white limestone, its magnificent haute ville overlooking the Mediterranean. A natural harbour formed by the peninsula and the mainland means that the town has a long seafaring history, and was, in fact, once a colony of Genoa. The haute ville is a splendid maze of streets – the citadel was begun in the 9th century, though the area was inhabited during the Greek and Roman Empires. Late afternoon return ferry to Santa Teresa.
Day 6: Full day to relax and explore at your leisure.
Day 7: Full day tour to the northern Sardinian islands of La Maddalena and Caprera.
La Maddalena is the only island of the Maddalena archipelago that is inhabited – the town of Maddalena has a lovely compact historical centre to stroll about – the local church houses a crucifix and two candelabras that were donated by Admiral Nelson. The island is also known for its excellent beaches, many of which remain undeveloped. La Maddalena is connected by a causeway to the nearby island of Caprera, known for being the home of the Italian revolutionary Giuseppe Garibaldi. Whilst here we will visit the Compendio Garibaldino, the house where Garibaldi lived his simple farming life on Caprera which now houses some of his possession and interesting artefacts.
8: Transfer by coach back to Olbia airport for your return flight to London Gatwick.
NB: Exact order of excursions may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion
Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 40 passengers.
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
Hotel Corallaro, Santa Teresa Gallura
Located just 200 metres from the golden sands of Rena Bianca beach and a short walk (approximately 10 minutes) from Santa Teresa di Gallura's main square with shops, bars and restaurants, the four-star Hotel Corallaro offers a restaurant serving traditional cuisine, bar, sun terrace and outdoor pool. Bedrooms are all en-suite with shower, air-conditioning, TV, telephone, safety deposit box, minibar and hairdryer. Rooms can be upgraded (supplement applies) to include a balcony with or without sea view. Rooms can also be upgraded to the superior category which have recently been refurbished with fresh pastel colours and are bright and more spacious; upgrades are also available to include a balcony with or without a sea view. Please note that supplements apply to all room upgrades.
Hotel Corallaro Website
OUR VIEW OF THE HOTEL
The hotel is excellently located giving you easy access to both the golden sands and crystal clear water of Rena Bianca beach and is just a short walk from the bustling town centre of Santa Teresa di Gallura. Please note that to walk to the centre of Santa Teresa di Gallura there is a short steep hill. Rooms are bright, comfortable and well-furnished and the room upgrades give you a chance for a slightly bigger room with balcony with or without a sea view.
We love to receive feedback from our customers. Their views help us to keep improving the ours we offer. If you have been on this tour and would like to submit a review, please log in to our client area here and fill in the short form.
Lovely hotel and the staff couldn't have been more helpful. Weather wonderful and Tessa couldn't have worked harder.
Review by Mrs Margaret Ashley who travelled 27-September-2016
We would have given the tour an excellent rating overall but for the fact that the area, although very beautiful, lacks great buildings, museums and galleries. We felt that we were very lucky to have superb weather; poor weather would have made the visit rather underwhelming. Nevertheless we had a great break and an enjoyable time.
Review by Dr Richard Lewis who travelled 27-September-2016
Review by who travelled 27-September-2016
Review by who travelled 30-April-2025
Very enjoyable trip with excellent guide. Very minor grumble was the execrable coffee at the hotel! However food was generally very good and staff were very helpful. Hotel very comfortable!
Review by Mrs Paula McInnes who travelled 27-September-2016
Review by Marriott who travelled 30-April-2025
I think that you need to indicate that the town is hilly and very steep from hotel to town.Not a great deal to do on free days if not beach lovers.However hotel and their staff excellent. Tessa our tour guide excellent- well organised , efficient and pleasant.
Review by Smith who travelled 30-April-2025
The hotel had a great site and the staff were very good.
Review by Mr Francis Cummins who travelled 27-September-2016
We enjoyed beautiful weather and good company.
Review by Mr Colin Thurston who travelled 27-September-2016
Hotel was in a superb location, minutes from both the beach and the town centre. Staff very friendly and courteous. The tour was well planned but the road system of Sardinia meant there was quite a long journey to reach some of the destinations. Ferries were great. A fantastic holiday especially as the weather was perfect!
Review by Mr Philip Hardie who travelled 16-September-2015
WE cannot speak too highly of our guide, Barbara - she was superb! Kept us all organised without making us feel like schoolkids. A perfect balance of "free to do as you please" while maintaining the essential organisation of 31 disparate souls.
Review by Mr Graham Ikin who travelled 16-September-2015
Thanks for the reminder. We enjoyed the tour however there are some aspects of which you should be aware and we don't want to be too negative.We thought that 2 1/2 days in Santa Teresa was too much in just one place and although the bus tours were interesting they were all much the same although we enjoyed them especially the trip to Corsica. The buses used were a little cramped for leg room. The tour manager, Barbara, did a good job but seemed to lack some local knowledge and she used her initiative to get the party to Capo Teste on one of the spare mornings. We have done 3 Riviera tours and I suppose our expectations were high for Sardinia - we were a little disappointed with the final outcome nevertheless we are booked with Travel Editions again already for next year for a trip. Please feel free to contact us if you need any more info.
Review by Mr Raymond Todd who travelled 23-September-2014
Travel Editions feedback:
Thank you for your very constructive comments and we are reporting back all feedback to the hotel for them top improve on certain aspects for 2015.
We had a very enjoyable holiday, this is the first time we have travelled with Travel Editions. The only comment is that the food in the hotel was about average. Wonderful tour Manager.
Review by Mrs Patricia Boylett who travelled 23-September-2014
Travel Editions feedback:
So pleased you enjoyed the tour and we are liaising with the hotel with regards to food, for future tours.
Accommodation was excellent in that it was very clean and a lovely position. However there were some grumbles about the food. Also, I don't like the idea that because you are on a tour you have to eat at the same time as everyone else ina sort of school dinner format
Review by Mrs Patricia Barham who travelled 23-September-2014
Travel Editions feedback:
Thank you for comments and we have taken up the issue with regards to the catering with the hotel direct, to ensure they understand the level of food and service expected by the UK market.
We felt this was an excellent 7-day trip and we thought it was a lovely island, with some good excursions. The hotel was also excellent. We just received your new train brochure and will probably travel with you in 2015.
Review by Mr David Cook who travelled 23-September-2014
Good hotel, well positioned for trips out and plenty to do locally on free days, but very hilly. The coach driver was excellent but the coach itself was poor in respect of the extremely restricted legroom. The trip to Porto Cervo did not give us enough time there.
Review by Mr Anthony Widdows who travelled 23-September-2014
On the whole everything was really good in the Hotel, but however there were some issues with the food and the arrangement of selecting the food menu for the evening meal. Although the problem was resolved in the end by our tour manager, Barbara. We must say my wife and I enjoyed our holiday and we thought the tour manager was very helpful especially when my wife wasn't feeling very well at one point, and went out of her way to assist us.
Review by Mr John W Hynd who travelled 23-September-2014
Travel Editions feedback:
Thank you for your constructive comments and we will be passing all the thouights of tour members as to the quaility of the food onto the hotel, to improve for future groups.
Hotel room excellent and all hotel staff friendly but hotel restaurant food and drinks service was often disorganised and unpredictable, certainly below 4 star standards experienced elsewhere. The first day trip to the coast was largely a waste of time with a "little train" tour of the walls and gates of the super rich very annoying and the place largely unattractive.
Review by Mr Roger Shaw who travelled 23-September-2014
Flights by easyjet bog standard so, really, no comment. Hotel excellent in almost all respects, except that attitude to food tended to be quantity over quality. With so much fresh veg in the markets, we would have liked to see a bit more on the plates.
Review by Mr M Richards who travelled 23-September-2014
Review by who travelled 23-September-2014
Review by who travelled 23-September-2014
Review by Mr David Dopson who travelled 14-May-2014
Review by Mrs Hazel Conway who travelled 14-May-2014
Although the hotel, staff & facilities can't be faulted, it's location was somewhat restrictive. An evening stroll after dinner would be more of a route march. There was not sufficient interest in Santa Teresa, to keep one occupied for two leisure days. Otherwise, the tours were interesting, the driver heroic and the guide informative.
Review by Mrs Susan Collins who travelled 14-May-2014
Everything lovely, but all things considered, the food at dinner in the hotel could have been better
Review by Mrs Angela Cooke who travelled 14-May-2014
