Sardinia suggested itineraries

Our journey begins in Orosei, an important medieval city in the province of Nuoro, which gives its name to the large bay overlooking the Tyrrehenian sea, the crystal clear waters of which have repeatedly been awarded the Blue Flag by Legambiente. The heart of the city - amidst 17th century courtyards and elegant palazzi - is its Piazza del Popolo, home to a total of four churches: the majolica-domed Church of San Giacomo Maggiore, the Church of Santa Croce, the Church of the Rosario and the Church of the Anime.

From Orosei we head to the Grotta di Ispinigoli, where to admire Europe's largest stalactite, a 38meter long column which connects the base of the cave with its roof. The cave is open to the public ten months of the year, and visits include a 45 minute guided tour.

Travelling southbound, amidst Mediterranean vegetation and impressive rocks, we come to Dorgali. The remains of the prehistoric settlement of Dorgali are situated a few kilometers to the north, in the Nuraghic Village of Serra Orrios, accessed by foot, by way of a pathway. This is one of the best conserved ruins of the pre-historic era in the whole of Sardinia, famous both for its size (the site contains traces of some 80 edifices) and for the way in which the urban plan is articulated. Six kilometers from the Villaggio di Serra Orrios we find another impressive Nuraghic construction: the so-called Giant's Grave.

Cala Gonone, the Marina of Dorgali, is the first place we come to on the Gulf of Orosei and, since the 1960's, is one of Sardinia's most popular holiday destinations. From here, every half hour, boats depart for the Grotta del Bue Marino and the beaches of Cala Luna and Cala Sisine, characterised by their sparkling white sand and spectacular rock formations.

The historic center of Nuoro, capital of the Barbagia and home city of Grazia Deledda, the Sardinian writer who, in 1926, received the Nobel prize for literature, is best visited on foot. Just a few meters from Piazza San Giovanni we find the Casa Museo, brimming with fascinating documents. Equally interesting is the Museo della Vita e delle Tradizioni Populari Sarde - on the nearby hill of Colle Sant Onofrio - which houses a fabulous collection of traditional costumes, textiles and jewellery.

Moving just a little further South, we arrive in Oliena, from where to attempt any number of trekking routes: the most famous of which being the ascent of Mount Tiscali, during which participants scale the sheer rock cliffs in order to reach the only recently discovered Nuraghic village constructed on the summit of the mountain, within a Karst depression.

Back on the coast, once past Baunei, we proceed to Santa Maria Navarrese, an elegant tourist resort, from where excursions commence towards the southern part of the Gulf of Orosei. Our final destination is Arbatax, fraction of Tortolì, in the province of Ogliastra, home to a busy tourist port and an airport. Much loved by holiday makers, the town boasts a magnificent beach (known as Cea), famous for its stunning red rocks.