MAKE THE MOST OF THE COAST

Don’t miss the opportunity to discover Sardinia’s remarkable cultural and geological legacy on this full-day excursion. You will dip a toe into the island’s unique history on a tour of the quaint port town of Alghero, then marvel at nature’s tireless creativity as you wander through the chambers of a spectacular sea cave.

Protected by robust honey-hued walls and presided over by seven sturdy towers, Alghero lies along a bay on Sardinia’s western shoreline. Yachts and fishing boats bob in the glimmering waters of the marina and along the coast, fringed with long, sandy beaches that curve away to the north. A distinctive Spanish atmosphere pervades its maze of narrow alleys lined with Gothic-style palazzi and street signs bearing inscriptions in both Italian and Catalan, vestiges of the town’s foreign heritage as an Aragonese colony. Indeed, as you will have the chance to ascertain on a private walking tour, three hundred years under the rule of the Spaniards have not only left an indelible mark on Alghero’s urban fabric and buildings but have also influenced the customs and language of its inhabitants.

Your guide will meet you at your accommodation and lead you on a trail through the historic centre, pointing out all its major landmarks. You will saunter through the Civic Square, the pulsing heart of old Alghero lined with several noble palazzi, and gaze up at the octagonal campanile, soaring above the 16th century Cathedral of Santa Maria Immacolata. You will also spot the brightly coloured majolica tiled dome of the Baroque Church of San Michele and enjoy the peace and shade of the cloister of the Church of San Francesco, one of the finest examples of Catalan-Gothic architecture in Sardinia. While strolling through the streets it would be hard to resist a peek inside one of the jewelry shops selling exquisitely crafted red coral artefacts, a source of local pride and a symbol of the town of such fundamental importance for the economy that it even appears on Alghero’s coat of arms. Wind up the morning with a leisurely walk along the seafront promenade, from where you can admire the original town walls and the shimmering blue Mediterranean Sea.

After some free time for lunch, rejoin your guide, reach the harbour and hop aboard a shared boat. Take in the sights of the rugged coastline as you sail towards the mighty cliffs of the promontory of Capo Caccia. Here, hidden at the foot of the crag, one of Sardinia’s most magnificent and mesmerizing natural wonders awaits you.

An accidental discovery by a fisherman in the 18th century brought to light the Cave of Neptune which has exerted its fascination on generations of visitors ever since. This must-see for anyone travelling to the island’s western shores consists of a network of karstic grottoes and passages covered with gleaming white stalactites and stalagmites. Over millions of years the unceasing efforts of a trio of skilful artists, the wind, the rain and the waves, have carved a true architectural masterpiece out of the solid limestone rocks. Complete with majestic arches, towering columns, a sandy beach and one of the largest salt-water lakes in Europe, these grandiose crystal caves would have made a residence not just for the ruler of the waves but for the King of Spain himself. Intriguing names such as the “Royal Room”, the “Lace Room”, the “Balcony” and the “Baptismal Font”, assigned by speleologists to these awe-inspiring grottoes and rock formations, give a sense of how their shape and splendour continue to spark the imagination.