Cycling Holidays in Italy – Exploring Sardinia

One of the best aspects of a holiday to a warm and inviting Mediterranean country is the chance to really get away from it all and totally relax. In the more rural areas of Italy, not only can you explore gorgeous beaches and stroll through quaint villages and towns, but you can also take advantage of the many miles of trails dedicated to cycling.

Holidays in Italy are never more fulfilling than with a visit to the stunning island of Sardinia. As the second largest island in the Mediterranean, Sardinia is one of the oldest land formations in this part of the world, inhabited since the Mesolithic Period. Today, cycling holidays in Italy that take in Sardinia can open up a world of fantastic sites to visit, including the Nuragic complex of Barumini, and the islands of the Maddelena Archipelago. Nuragic complex of Barumini While on holiday, getting out in the open air and exploring your surrounds is a perfect way to immerse in a local culture. Cycling holidays in Italy are a great way to see the sights as well as stay active. While cycling in Sardinia, it's not hard to do a self-guided tour, taking your time at historic sites that take your interest – like the Nuragic complex of Barumini. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, it is home to an architectural structure unique to the island, dating back the second millennium B.C. The round defensive towers have unusual cones on top, and are built with stone and supported with corbel-vaulted interior chambers.

You can cycle right to the site and then wander around at your leisure to get up close and personal with these ancient ruins of historic protective buildings. Once you've had your fill, you can cycle back to your accommodation enjoying the stunning rural views of the interior of the island. Maddalena Archipelago If you want to offset your cycling holidays in Italy with a bit of island hopping, you may want to head to the Maddalena Archipelago, off the northeastern coast of Sardinia. The group of consists of seven main islands and many smaller ones; together they make up the Parco Nazionale dell’Archipelago di La Maddalena, which is a protected national park. All except for the main island of Maddelana are deserted, save for just a few houses and small holdings, which makes this area perfect for those keen to 'get back to nature.'

One of the best ways to explore the region is take your bike with you over to the islands and explore the winding trails that meander up into the forests and down to the striking blue water, in turns. There are several routes you can follow in order to get the very best out of your experience, but if you would prefer company, you can hire a local guide to accompany you to ensure you don’t miss a thing.

Carolyn Spinks is COO of ABTOI - The Association of British Travel Organisers to Italy. If you’re looking for cycling holidays in Italy their LoveItaly website provides information, contact details of tour operator members to help you plan the best Italian holiday, ‘insider’ tips, year round special offers and information on everything from beach holidays in Sardinia, cycling in Sicily, to a wedding or honeymoon in Tuscany.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.