From Olbia we head for Palau  where a ferry boat  will take you to La Maddalena Island . La Maddalena Archipelago  includes the islands of Caprera, Santo Stefano, Spargi and Budelli , with the famous pink beach.  Next  a panoramic drive  around the island and a visit of  the town centre. In the parish church there are two candelabras and a Crucifix both   donated to the island’s  community by  Admiral Nelson. We will have some free time at leisure for shopping in Garibaldi Square, which contains some great shops, or may be have a stroll  along the lovely promenade, Then  board the ferry back   to Palau and the ship.

The Gallura by train

This beautiful excursion will give you the opportunity to relish the true scent of Sardinia.  We head out on coach to the village of Arzachena, where you will board a train equipped with old carriages, for a journey through the Gallura region. On the way you will admire beautiful ever changing landscapes, dominated by granite rocks shaped by the wind,  sweet valleys and hills.   You will arrive to Tempio Pausania, a nice little town located in the mountains, 566m above sea level.  Tempio Pausania  is known for its various tin cocks located on the house roofs and on the bell tower of the Cathedral (built in the 17th century), which remind us of the famous Gallura cock, which Dante refers to in his Divine Comedy.  Other elements that made this town re-known are granite rocks and the related industry, the famous muscatel wine and the hot springs of the Fonti di Rinaggiu, in the surrounding green area.  Walking  tour of Tempio and  snack time to taste some typical Sardinian products, such as “Carasau” bread, tangy cheese and local wine.  Then reboard the coach and drive back to Olbia and the ship.  

The Costa Smeralda tour

In march 1962, a small group of international financiers, headed by Prince Karim Aga Khan, founded the Emerald Coast Consortium with the aim of developing tourism in the sites bought in the area. A series of high quality structures were gradually created, and this, together with the beauty of the area, led Porto Cervo and the Emerald Coast to become one of the top level destinations of international exclusive tourism. The territory of Emerald Coast covers more than 80 Kilometers of coast line, with a vast well watered hinterland of rolling granite hills covered with Mediterranean vegetation and woods of wild olive trees. On the coast a number of resorts with a strong tourist vocation have been created and developed and are now internationally renown. Porto Cervo was built from scratch and became the heart of the Emerald Coast.
After the visit of Porto Cervo excursion continues to Baia Sardinia, one of the island’s finest beaches  and on to  the village of San Pantaleo,  where you have opportunity to enjoy some  free  time at leisure, before returning to the ship.