Day 1: Fly from London to Sardinia; Railway Museum and Workshops
Board the morning-scheduled flight from London Gatwick to Olbia, where you check in to a four-star hotel. Day 2: Steam from the Coast to the Mountains
After breakfast, leave Olbia and head south by coach to Villa Grande, where IRT has arranged lunch in a good local open-air restaurant. After lunch, join a special steam hauled narrow gauge train to Arbatax, a route with fantastic views over high mountains down to the sea. On arrival in Arbatax there is a very short walk to the hotel, the four-star Arbatasar Hotel. Day 3: Steam from the Coast to the Mountains
In the morning, take a short walk to Arbatax Station, by the harbor, to join a special vintage train steam hauled by 2-6-2T No 400 or 402. Soon after leaving Arbatax Station, begin the long climb to Villa Grande, where a typical Italian open air lunch awaits.
You’re back on the train for the final dramatic climb through the spiral to Gairo, and then by coach to the Arbatax hotel. Day 4: Narrow Gauge Steam in Spectacular Scenery
Travel by coach to Gairo station, where a vintage steam hauled train will be waiting. The climb up to the summit at Anulu is spectacular and the drop down to the fascinating little town of Seui – where the locomotive is serviced – is equally dramatic. At Bertilli, stop for lunch at the station beside the train; it is a superb place to stop and the wine will flow freely! Onwards across some of the most beautiful scenery you’ve ever seen through Nurri, Mandas and Senorbi. From Senobi, transfer to the Jolly Hotel in Cagliari where a well deserved dinner and a good night’s sleep await! Day 5: By Steam Train to Carbonia
Today, transferring to Cagliari main station with its splendid overall roof, travel on a superb vintage train hauled by 740 Class 2-8-0 740.303. Leaving around 10:00, steam through the hilly countryside to Villamassargia. There, head off along the little used Carbonia branch wthat runs past old collieries, evidence of an industry long gone from this region. At Carbonia, reverse and head north to Iglesias, where you break for the first of your splendid Italian lunches complete with wine. Early in the afternoon, travel back to Cagliari under steam, from where you can either return to the hotel or enjoy a guided tour of this fascinating city. Day 6: Narrow Gauge Steam Train to Sorgono
The narrow gauge train, made from restored wooden-bodied vintage coaches and a diesel locomotive, awaits at Monserrato station.
Head north to Mandas to visit the local depot and explore some old steam locomotives. Then continue northwards hauled by a narrow gauge 2-6-2T steam locomotive No 400 or 402 on the scenic Sorgono branch, a line no longer open to regular traffic. At Ortuabis, enjoy a delicious Italian style barbecue complete with local folk group for entertainment. After lunch, travel to Sorgono, where you say goodbye to the steam locomotive and hello to your coach, which will take you to the Hotel Taloro, right by Lake Gusana. Day 7: From Nouro Down to the Sea
Board the coach to Nouro, where a narrow gauge train will take you to Bosa, a small town on the left bank of the River Temo on the island’s west coast. Bosa is packed with ancient history and there will be time to explore the town, see its cathedral, and visit the Piazza Umberto, complete with lovely marble fountain. At Macomer, enjoy a typical Italian lunch in a local restaurant before heading over the escarpment to the coast and truly magnificent views of the sea. Today’s adventure over, rejoin the coach for a glorious coastal ride down to Alghero and check into the Hotel Calabona. Day 8: Alghero to Palau by Narrow Gauge Train
At Alghero station, board a special vintage train, traveling in style aboard a first-class coach sporting plush velvet seats. Pass through the mixed gauge station of Sassari before heading into the hills, winding your way through pretty rural villages. Pause at Nulvi for another excellent local feast before continuing through more of Sardinia’s dramatic uplands. The train climbs right up to the town of Tempio for a short break before gradually descending to Palau Marina, down by the sea. From Palau Marina, transfer to a four-star hotel in Palau. Day 9: Cruising the Emerald Coast
After a leisurely breakfast, join the specially chartered boat at Palau Harbour. Once wild, this stretch of coastline was developed in the 1950s as a millionaire’s playground. Now, it is well cared for and kept in pristine condition. Enjoy a day’s cruise, taking in the picturesque Maddalena Island for lunch, then continue along the Emerald Coast. You call at Spargi Island along the way, where you can swim at the beach. At the end of the day, the boat returns you to
Palau Harbour. Day 10: Return to London Gatwick
After breakfast, take in a quick visit to Olbia for last-minute shopping, followed by a farewell lunch in a local restaurant. Then transfer by coach to Olbia Airport for a late afternoon flight to London Gatwick. |
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