Savor Sardinia A journey for the senses on our favorite Mediterranean island On this tour we ll sample the many flavors of Sardinia and discover how its unique regional cuisine varies from mainland Italy. Here, food is sacred and is the link that connects the locals to the land - it is the element that brings village communities together. On our journey we ll discover this connection and delight our palates with some of these delicious local dishes and regional wines. Sardinia, as a region, actually produces the largest number of grapes of all Italian regions there are more than 100 different local grapes. Legend has it that the wines created in Sardinia about three thousand years ago were exported to all of the Mediterranean by the Phoenicians. ITINERARY OUTLINE Trip Essence / Page 2 Daily Itinerary / Page 3-4 Arrival & Departure / Page 5 Bike Information / Page 5 Terms & Conditions / Page 6 Reserve Your Space! / Page 6 Ciclismo Classico 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 1
TRIP ESSENCE The Montiferru pastures and olive oil groves Phoenician and Roman settlement of Tharros and Nora Cabras lagoon and its flamingos Explore the long, white sandy beaches of the Sinis Peninsula Pedal along the twisting coastal road of south Sardinia and its beaches Lunch at a Michelin-Star restaurant WHAT S INCLUDED Bike rental (see page 5 for details) Service of local, professional guides throughout the program Ciclismo jersey and water bottle All accommodations All breakfasts, 5 dinners, 4 lunches Full van support 1 wine tasting TRIP DETAILS 2018 Trip Dates May 7 - May 12 May 14 - May 19 May 28 - Jun 2 Jun 4 - Jun 9 Aug 27 - Sep 1 Sep 3 - Sep 8 Sep 24 - Sep 29 Oct 1 - Oct 6 Check website for departure dates Ability Level Athletic beginner Summary of Daily Distances Day 1: 15 miles Day 2: 37 miles Day 3: 44 miles Day 4: 41 miles Day 5: 40 miles Day 6: Arrivederci! Total: 177 miles Optional extra loops available Trip Price $3,995 Single Supplement: $600 1 cheese-making demonstration with a local shepherd Entrance to the Cabras Archaeological Museum Shuttles to the start and at the end of the tour RECOMMENDED PRE-NIGHT: HOTEL CALABONA To start the tour well-rested, we recommend you spend a pre-night in Alghero at the 4-star Hotel Calabona The pre-tour shuttle will pick you up on day 1 around 11:30 a.m. To book your pre-night, please call us at 800-866-7314 Hotel website: www.hotelcalabona.it/ Have something else in mind? Itinerary available as a private tour or... Create a custom itinerary with help from our experienced travel consultants! Contact Us 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com Ciclismo Classico 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 2
DAY 1 TRESNURAGHES Daily Mileage - 15-mile warmup ride Terrain - Easy rolling with one climb Hotel - Villa Asfodeli Location: Tresnuraghes Duration: 1 Night www.asfodelihotel.com Welcome to Sardinia! Upon arrival in Alghero, we ll take a breathtaking 1.5 hour transfer to Tresnuraghes. At 1 pm we meet for lunch and introductions followed by bike fittings and a quick warm up bike ride into the tranquil countryside. We ride through the wine vineyards of Malvasia di Bosa. After the ride, we ll have time to relax or take a dip in the pool at our charming hotel overlooking the sea. Offering the most modern comforts for an unforgettable stay during your holiday in Sardinia, the 4-star Villa Asfodeli has a wellness area with gym, Turkish steam bath and whirlpool. Meals - L, D DAY 2 TRESNURAGHES TO CABRAS Daily Mileage - 37 miles Terrain - Easy rolling with one climb in the morning Hotel - Aquae Sinis Location: Cabras Duration: 2 Nights www.aquaesinis.it We begin our day in Montiferru and set out in the pristine countryside where nature is interrupted only by the sound of cowbells. You will feel as though you are in a painting - feel free to stop and talk with local shepherds about their lives in this peaceful part of the world. Along the ride, we ll stop at an olive oil mill to taste the local olive oil from Montiferru. We end our ride in Cabras, a beautiful village built among lagoons. In Cabras, visit the Contini winery, where Mr. Contini himself is keeping the delicious, citrus flavors of Vernaccia alive in Sardinia. Here we ll also discover how bottarga (a delicacy of salted, cured fish roe) is made. Located in the heart of Cabras, the 4-star Aquae Sinis is the ideal spot to experience the hospitality of the Sinis peninsula. Meals - B, L, D, R DAY 3 CABRAS LOOP Daily Mileage - 44 miles Terrain - Easy rolling with one climb in the morning Hotel - See Day 2 Meals - B, L, D On today s ride we ll explore the peninsula of Sinis with its long sandy beaches, cycle into the area of Vernaccia wine and then climb a gentle slope into the olives groves of Seneghe. If time permits, we will visit the museum of Cabras that hosts the incredible Giganti di Monti Prama, sand stone gigantic statues that were discovered in the seventies in Sinis that pre-date ancient Greek history. Back at the hotel we will have an aperitivo on the beautiful terrace while we watch the sun set, and we will be joined by a famous Sardinian Tenores group who do an impressive polyphonic throat singing, making a sound that can touch the deepest chords of the soul. Tonight we have dinner at the hotel. Ciclismo Classico 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 3
DAY 4 CABRAS LOOP Daily Mileage - 41 miles Terrain - Hilly Hotel - Nora Club Hotel Location: Pula Duration: 2 Nights http://www.noraclubhotel.it/ en/ Meals - B, L DAY 5 CABRAS TO SIDDI, SHUTTLE TO PULA PULA LOOP Daily Mileage - 40 miles Terrain - Few short uphills along the coastal road We ll start our day pedaling through the Marmilla, a beautiful area where small and rounded hills are covered with massive fields. Our cycling stage ends in Siddi where we will visit Casa Puddu and S Apposentu restaurant, the food temple of Chef Roberto Petza. After lunch we ll shuttle to Pula. Upon arrival in Pula, a delightful village south of Cagliari, we ll spend the afternoon exploring on a relaxing ride through the village, its stunning beaches, and scenic countryside. Dinner is on your own. Nora Club Hotel & SPA is an elegant 4-Star hotel in Pula. Close to the beach and to the archaeological site of Nora, it is surrounded by the greens of a well-tended garden with a spacious pool, including a hydro-massage area. On our final full day of riding we ll cycle a loop around Pula. Delight in the absolute beauty of a road that caresses small golden coves and embraces landscapes spotted with solitary Spanish watch towers. Stop to visit Chia, a beach that leads into emerald green water. Then in Piazza del Popolo, Pula s main square, enjoy an aperitivo while watching the laid back local scene. Tonight s final dinner will be a delicious end to an exciting journey exploring Sardinia s cuisine. Hotel - See Day 4 Meals - B, D DAY 6 ARRIVEDERCI! Meals - B After breakfast, your guides will transfer you to the Cagliari Airport (about a 45-minute drive) to continue on to your next connection. Ciclismo Classico 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 4
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE GETTING TO TRESNURAGHES Fly to Rome Da Vinci Airport (FCO) or Milan Malpensa (MXP), then take a oneway regional flight to Alghero (AHO) to meet our 11 a.m. group shuttle* on day 1 to Tresnuraghes. If you wish to book a pre-night, we recommend staying in Alghero at Hotel Calabona. Please call us to reserve and the shuttle will pick you up on day 1 around 11:30 a.m. * Please inform the office if you plan on taking this scheduled group shuttle at least one month in advance via this form: www.ciclismoclassico.com/travel-plans DEPARTING FROM PULA OTHER INFORMATION For Flight Reservations Valerie Wilson Travel Call: 1-855-780-2022 or E-mail: ciclismoair@vwti.com Travel Insurance MH Ross Call: 1-800-423-3632 http://bit.ly/mhross_insurance Transportation Rome2rio http://www.rome2rio.com After breakfast, around 9 a.m., we provide one 45-minute group shuttle to Cagliari Airport (CAG) where you can fly to Rome (FCO) or Milan (MXP) to catch your connecting international flight home. BIKE INFORMATION Bianchi Via Nirone 7 Bianchi carbon fork, Shimano 105 triple groupset, an adjustable stem, and a wheel set laced with 32 spokes and 25mm tires. Included on all tours. Aluminum Hybrid More relaxed riding at a look-around-you pace, this is our custom-built, highperformance aluminum hybrid bicycle with straight handlebars. We also have a woman-specific frame. Included on all tours. Bianchi Intenso and Vertigo The carbon frame guarantees maximum performance with minimum stress for the riders, thanks to Bianchi s special C2C (Coast to Coast) frame design/ geometry and different material combination. Carbon bikes are equipped with compact crank and 11/32 cassette. Available for $250. Bianchi Intenso or Vertigo with Shimano included on all intermediate and advanced tours at no extra charge. Tandems Cannondale road or hybrid: racing posture with 700c wheels, or a more straight up position and 26 inch wheels. Available for $400. Co-motion Periscope: accommodates smaller team or even children. Available for $400. Honey tandem: light and responsive and perfect for experienced tandem riders. Available for $400. ebikes Available on all easy and athletic beginner tours, some intermediate and advanced tours. Please contact us for more information. Available for $400. ON THE BIKE Included Ciclismo Classico water bottle Two water bottle holders Map holder on handlebars and Garmin Edge GPS Handlebar bag Tire pump Combination bike lock Gel-padded saddle Choice of pedals Card with your tour leaders mobile phone numbers Garmin Edge GPS Included on all bikes Pedal Options Flat pedals Half-toe pedals (without straps) Top cage pedals Things to Bring Helmet Optional: clipless pedals with shoes Optional: your own saddle Ciclismo Classico 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 5
INSURANCE, TERMS & CONDITIONS Insurance Ciclismo Classico will not assume responsibility or liability for any loss or damage of personal effects or for any injury or loss during the duration of the tour. Therefore, we highly recommend that you obtain travel insurance. Information on travel insurance will be sent to you via email once trip deposit is received. We recommend MH Ross, but travelers may choose the insurance carrier of their choice. Cancellations and Refunds All requests for refunds must be submitted in writing as soon as possible to Ciclismo Classico. Exceptions to their cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including weather or personal emergencies. There is no refund for unexpectedly leaving a trip early or arriving late. The purchase of short-term travel insurance policy is strongly recommended. Cancellation fees are determined as follows: Days before departure Cancellation fee 121+ days - 50% of the deposit* 91-120 days - 100% of the deposit* 61-90 days - 30% of the trip price 31-60 days - 60% of the trip price 0-30 days - 100% of the trip price *You may transfer your trip deposit to another departure in the same tour season up to 90 days before your original departure with payment of a $100 per person transfer fee. Prices quoted are subject to adjustment without prior notification. OR your deposit (currently $600) may be carried forward to the following year as a credit toward the final balance of a tour. At the time of booking, we will ask for another $600 deposit to secure your spot. Carried-forward credits expire at the end of the year to which they are applied. Alterations to the tour itinerary Sometimes modifications may be made to the itinerary. We will notify you of any changes that may affect your arrival, departure or lodging. Any changes to the program are made in the best interest and safety of the group. To review our policies, please visit http://www.ciclismoclassico.com/plan-your-trip/policies/ RESERVE YOUR SPACE! To reserve a space, call Ciclismo Classico at 800-866-7314. Or, mail your deposit and contact information to: Ciclismo Classico attn: Rosa 30 Marathon St Arlington, MA 02474 At the time of registration, a deposit of $600 per person is due, payable by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or check, made payable to Ciclismo Classico, along with your full name, mailing address, phone number(s) and email address. We cannot confirm reservations without a deposit. Final payment is due 90 days before departure payable by check, credit card, wire transfer or money order. All travelers must review and sign a terms and conditions statement and a waiver form. Ciclismo Classico 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 6