Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Italy - Cagliari – Oliena - Arzachena – France -Bonifacio - Corte - Oletta
100% customisable for you
Your much-anticipated family summer holiday starts today. After the usual rush of last-minute packing and headcounts, head to the airport, whizz through security and enjoy some peace and quiet in the airport lounge before take-off. Your flight to Cagliari, in southern Sardinia, is just under three hours – enough time for the youngsters to practice their Italian while you dive into your holiday read.
On arrival, collect your hire car and head to your charming accommodation in the coastal capital, which will be your home for the next two nights. Spend the rest of this evening relaxing in your new environment, and for dinner, tuck into a hearty meal prepared using local produce.
Wake up bright and early: your first full day in Sardinia is dedicated to discovering Cagliari with a knowledgeable local guide. Wander the narrow streets and uncover the city’s layered history, shaped over centuries by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Pisans, Aragonese and Spaniards. Explore the old town and be sure to take advantage of the diverse dining scene (your Concierge can help recommend the best restaurants in town).
If you fancy spending today in the great outdoors, our team can arrange a hike to the Sella del Diavolo, or the ‘Devil’s Saddle’, with a private guide. Gather the youngsters and stretch your legs on this gentle walk to the summit for swoon-worthy views from Poetto beach on one side to Molentargius lagoon on the other. Snap a family selfie before continuing along the limestone path, admiring the Golfo Degli Angeli and the city’s towers and military forts.
It’s time to swap the city for the countryside. After a delicious breakfast at your hotel, bundle the family back into your hire car and travel north for about three hours to Oliena, tucked away in the rugged mountains of central Sardinia. Settle in for two nights in a peaceful hotel, bordered by verdant vineyards and olive groves.
From here, the Lanaitto Valley is right on your doorstep. During your stay, set off on a 4x4 tour with a private guide to explore the valley’s limestone ridges, canyons and caves. Visit Sos Carros, a prehistoric village dating back to the Bronze Age, and discover the Sa Oche cave, a labyrinth of tunnels and pools carved by water over millennia. Along the way, keep the youngsters on wildlife-spotting duty, looking out for roaming wild boar and soaring eagles.
Today you’re heading north to the charming village of Arzachena, where an unspoilt coastline dotted with plenty of picturesque coves awaits. Settle in for two nights in an elegant farmhouse surrounded by classic Mediterranean flora. For dinner this evening, tuck into a delicious meal based on local Sardinian specialties.
Rise and shine, you have a full day to enjoy the delights of Arzachena, with two ways to experience it. For the keen adventurers among you, why not explore this pristine coastline on a sailing cruise around the Maddalena archipelago? Stop at several islands, including Spargi, Budelli (famous for its pink beach) and Razzoli, while uncovering hidden coves.
If you’d like to explore independently, there’s plenty to keep the whole family busy. Visit the hilly, agricultural Gallura region, home to plenty of archaeological sites, including the famous Fungo – a mushroom-shaped granite rock formation that’s hard to miss. Then head to the Costa Smeralda and soak up the sun on its superb beaches, from Spiaggia Capriccioli to Spiaggia del Principe. Round off your day at Baja Sardinia, a 360° panoramic viewpoint which makes the perfect spot for a family sunset.
It’s time to bid farewell to Sardinia and catch the one-hour ferry from Santa Teresa di Gallura to Bonifacio, a Medieval city perched on a rocky outcrop on Corsica’s southern coast. Once on dry land, head to your peaceful hotel overlooking the city and settle in for two nights. The rest of today is yours to play with. You can head out for a swim at one of the nearby beaches or kick back and relax at the hotel.
Today is all about discovering Bonifacio and the wonderful southern coast. Perhaps best-known for its dramatic white cliffs, which have been carved, hollowed and layered by centuries of erosion, there’s plenty to explore in the city. This morning, uncover the upper part of town, surrounded by imposing ramparts and dotted with Medieval buildings.
This afternoon, it’s time for some family fun. Head out from the Gulf of Santa Manza on a RIB skippered by an enthusiastic local. This is a great opportunity to admire some beautiful sights along the coast, including the beaches of Canetto and Cala Longa – perfect spots for a swim. Marvel at the Lavezzi islands, cruise past the cliffs of Pointe de Sperone and capture photos of the tranquil Piantarella Lagoon.
After a hearty breakfast at your hotel, hop in your hire car for a two-and-a-half-hour journey to Corte. Along the way, tune into one of our destination-specific playlists and keep the youngsters entertained with our family activity packs.
On arrival, check in for two nights in your hotel and unwind. During your stay, tap into your adventurous side and embark on a hiking and river-trekking experience in Vizzavona. First, stretch your legs on a walk through forested terrain to reach the Agnone River. From here, the journey turns aquatic – wading, scrambling and canyoning downstream through dramatic landscapes. Dry off then hike the short distance back via a stretch of the famous GR20 trail, where sweeping mountain views await.
Today you’ll drive about an hour to Oletta, a picturesque village of terracotta roofs, olive groves and sprawling vineyards. Unpack, check into your charming accommodation and settle in.
During your stay, set off on a private 4x4 tour of the Agriates desert. This family day trip will take you across vast ridges, valleys and rocky summits, offering stunning sea views towards Cap Corse. Once known for its thriving agriculture and livestock, today the Agriates region is Europe’s only officially recognised desert – dominated by rugged shrubland and rocky outcrops instead of rolling sand dunes.
Sadly, the time has come to embark on your journey home. Enjoy one last Corsican breakfast this morning before driving to the airport to drop off your hire car. Whizz through security, relax in the airport lounge and board your two-and-a-half-hour flight back to the UK.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
