Published on August 19, 2024
By Molly Waldstein, Travel Writer
On VBT’s Italy: Sardinia, Carloforte, Sulcis & Chia Self-Guided Tour you’ll find quiet roads with smooth, low-trafficked pavement, unhurried coastal villages, and a unique culture you won’t find anyplace else.
Funny thing about the island of Sardinia: it’s an Italian province, yet culturally distinct from mainland Italy. You won’t find the cypress trees and vineyards of Tuscany here—instead, get ready for tropical flowers, azure waves, and even the occasional flamingo. Along the island’s southern coast, you’ll find vast, unsullied expanses of smooth sand beaches lapped by the clear turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, and quiet days untroubled by the throngs of tourists that litter the island’s popular northern coast. Far from the hustle-bustle, the southern shores of Sardinia are a tranquil retreat—especially as the heat of high summer begins to wane. “October is so fantastic,” says veteran VBT Trip Designer Katia Torre. “The sea is wonderfully warm—even into November. And best of all, there are very few people.” Instead of crowded tour buses and yachts full of tourists, on VBT’s Italy: Sardinia, Carloforte, Sulcis & Chia Self-Guided Tour you’ll find quiet roads with smooth, low-trafficked pavement, unhurried coastal villages, and a unique culture you won’t find anyplace else.
VBT’s self-guided Sardinia cycling adventure was designed by cyclists, for cyclists. And while the ascents are within easy reach of E-bike riders at any skill level, avid cyclists looking for some good climbs will certainly find them in Sardinia. Cyclists ourselves, we know what a pleasure it is to pedal on smooth, well-maintained pavement, untroubled by car traffic—and that’s the beauty of Sardinia’s serene south. “There’s not really any major industry on the south side of Sardinia,” explains Katia. “Which means there are no big trucks on the roads. The last mine was closed in 2018, and the area is now entirely preserved as a vast, open-air archeological park. This part of the island sees much less tourism than the north side—so the roads are very quiet, and you often feel you have the road all to yourself. Sheep outnumber the cars by far!” This Sardinia self-guided adventure was designed to enjoy the island’s most scenic low-traffic routes.
Despite its proximity to the Italian mainland, Sardinia feels like a different world—with a language all its own. Although Italian is the official state language of Sardinia, Sardo is a completely distinct romance language—heavily influenced by Latin and Arabic with some flavors of Spanish, Italian, and Catalan mixed in. “Sardinians are a proud people,” observes Katia. “They have a unique culture and heritage that is very special—you will not find any other place like this on Earth.” As you pedal the scenic southern coast, you might pause to explore ancient watchtowers and nuraghe, discover the remarkable cliffside tunnels at Porto Flavia, and perhaps experience the fascinating Museum of the Sardinian Knife in Arbus. Historically mined for silver, copper, and lead, Sardinia has a strong metalworking tradition that has been passed down for generations within local families. Snuggled next to the southwestern coast of Sardinia, the island of San Pietro has a unique culture of its own. Heavily influenced throughout its history by both Ligurian and Tunisian sailing ships, an Italian dialect is spoken more widely than Sardo on the island. Situated along the natural migratory path of the tuna, seafood plays a central role in the island’s cuisine—with profitable tuna exports supporting the island’s prosperity over the years. Here, you’ll find exquisitely fresh tuna steaks on the menu—as well as fregulacun còciula (Sardinian pasta with clams) and aragosta alla catalana, a dish made with local lobster served Catalan-style. “The seafood in Sardinia is just incredible,” says Katia. “Particularly on San Pietro Island where we stay for two nights in the town of Carloforte—the tuna is out of this world. Locally made Sardinian cheeses are marvelous as well, and the lamb which is raised here is incredibly delicious. For Italians, Sardinia is a paradise—and every meal, every beach, every coastal ride is better than the last.” As you stroll out from your charming waterfront hotel to explore this delightful town, you’ll find the perfect spots to shop for colorful Sardinian textiles, whimsical ceramics, and high-quality local tuna products such as bottarga—a type of preserved fish roe sometimes called “Sardinian Gold.”
If you’re new to VBT’s self-guided cycling adventures, there are three important things to know. First, self-guided adventures are less expensive than VBT’s guided tours—so if you’re an independent traveler looking for a low-cost cycling adventure, self-guided vacations are a great option. Second, self-guided adventures are more flexible than guided vacations—so you can bike at your own pace without feeling any obligation to socialize or conform to a group’s schedule. And third, VBT provides all guests with a high-quality, well-maintained bicycle—so you can enjoy pedaling in comfort, safety, and satisfaction. After all, nobody wants to go on a cycling vacation with a run-down bike that isn’t any fun to ride! VBT’s Sardinia bike fleet is beautifully maintained—including our awesome carbon fiber road bikes and brand-new E-bikes with step-through frames. VBT’s Sardinia Self-Guided Adventure even includes a built-in visit with a local bike mechanic along the route—so you can have your bike checked out and adjusted for the smoothest, safest, most pleasant ride there is.
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