E-Bike Cycling on the Costa Smeralda

Sardinia's north western coast, the aptly named Costa Smeralda, has been enchanting visitors for years with its stunning rugged coastline, beautiful inlets, impeccable white sandy beaches and of course impossibly turquoise seas.

This 7 night self guided holiday takes you to some of the highlights of the Emerald Coast, as well as to its lesser known inland wine area, inner heartlands and traditional hilltop villages, which sit perfectly placed between Sardinia's craggy mountains and the glittering sea.

Explore la Maddalena, an island of simply exquisite beauty encapsulating the very best coastal vistas of pristine shores, deserted coves and shimmering waters. Pedal into the heart of the Gallura countryside, once the territory of smugglers and bandits that hid in the age old cork forest. Sample some of the best wines Sardinia has to offer from its abundant Vermentino vineyards and discover the mysterious nuraghe - remarkable Bronze Age remains that are unique to Sardinia. Pick up a souvenir at the lively market in the artists' village of San Pantaleo and wander the chic, pastel coloured lanes of elegant Porto Cervo before ending the trip in Cannigione, the gateway to the Costa Smeralda.

Visa

Italy

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Italy. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/italy
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/italy
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Italy.html

Please note: it is compulsory to carry ID with you at all times in Italy.

Vaccination

Italy

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Eating and Drinking

The food on Sardinia is as unique as it is, with simple dishes packed with intense flavours. Rich sheep cheeses served with the traditional, crisp shepherd's flat bread, saffron infused ravioli and to finish, cheese and lemon seadas drizzled in honey can be found everywhere, as well as, of course, freshly caught seafood, all washed down with the excellent local Carignano and Vermentino wines. Fregola – a kind of giant couscous often served tomatoes and seafood – is also  popular. Of course, you also get the more traditional Italian dishes including pizza, and grilled or roasted meats – like suckling pig – which make tasty secondi. To compliment the end of your meal, try a glass of Mirto - Sardinia’s after dinner liqueur, which is made from the leaves of the myrtle plant.

Weather

Sardinia enjoys a Mediterranean climate, usually warm in spring and autumn and hot, dry summers. April, May, September and October usually have an average daytime temperatures around 20-25ºC. Rain is unlikely but possible throughout the year.

Weather Charts

Is this trip for you?

Cycling Conditions
Classification: Self-Guided
Average daily distance: 29km (18 miles).
No. of days cycling: 6
Terrain and route: 12% of the trip is on strada bianca, and the rest is on tarmac

Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to cycle independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodations, provide you with a map and route notes so that you can cycle at your own pace, while your bags are transported from one hotel to the next. Your bikes will be delivered to the start hotel, all set up relevant to your height and ready to go. Our local agent will be on call throughout the trip should you need.

The agent on this holiday will require you to sign a disclaimer form for the hire of the bike. They will also require a pre-authorisation on your credit card as a guarantee in the event of any damage to /loss of the e-bike.

It is important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked. Where possible we stick to cycle tracks and quiet roads to make the journeys as pleasant as possible, however, on occasion we have to use busier routes into larger towns and cities.

As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There maybe others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The route notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the local agent is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.

Whilst every effort has been made to avoid main roads on this trip, some small sections are unavoidable. Roads in Sardinia are generally quiet, but there is a notable increase in traffic to this popular part of Sardinia in the hot summer months of July and August. If you prefer quieter roads and to avoid very hot weather, it's better to come outside these months

Families
Self-guided cycling holidays are a perfect option for families as they offer the freedom for you to take your holiday at your own pace. You can stop as and when you want and need, at the cafes and restaurants that suit your family and the sites that interest you. We have suggested that 12yrs is the minimum age for this trip, but as it is self-guided and you will be leading your own family we will ultimately leave this decision up to you. The daily distances are all published in the trip notes along with a description of each day's cycling so you have a good idea of what to expect. However, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact one of our experts. The principle idea is that these holidays can be as flexible as you like, with logistical support but no group or leader to dictate the daily activities. Please consider the weather when choosing to book, temperatures can be high in the middle of summer.