- Italy Escorted Tours
- Sardinia & Corsica: Coastal Wonders and Hidden Heritage with Sardinia Beach Stay

This journey through Sardinia and Corsica reveals the rugged beauty, layered history, and vibrant blend of cultures of these unique islands. From the glamorous shores of the Costa Smeralda to the dramatic cliffs of Bonifacio in neighbouring Corsica, the region offers striking contrasts of landscapes and traditions. Inland, mysterious Bronze Age ‘nuraghi’, dense cork forests, and family-run ‘agriturismo’ offer an alternative perspective of Sardinia, rich in heritage and local flavour. Explore coastal towns like Alghero, showcasing the island’s Catalan influences, and sample excellent wines from nearby vineyards. Blending relaxation with discovery, this tour captures the essence of two of the Mediterranean’s most characterful islands.
Spend a few extra days soaking up Sardinia’s relaxed coastal vibe. Lounge on golden beaches lapped by crystal-clear waters, delve deeper into the island’s intriguing history at ancient sites, or embark on a scenic boat trip to discover rugged cliffs and hidden coves. Whether you crave sun, culture, or adventure, these days are yours to enjoy Sardinia exactly as you wish.

Dinner
Depart the UK on your flight to Olbia. On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel in the coastal town of Cannigione. Join your tour group in the evening for a welcome dinner at the hotel.
Breakfast & Dinner
Your tour begins with a visit to the dazzling Costa Smeralda, perhaps the best-known part of Sardinia and yet completely unlike anywhere else on the island. In the 1960s, the Prince Aga Khan hand-picked this corner of paradise to carve out a luxury tourism and yachting destination. Your first stop will be in the picturesque traditional town of San Pantaleo, before proceeding to Porto Cervo, renowned as an exclusive playground for the rich and famous. The town’s pristine appearance and pale colour palette are a result of strict building regulations. Admire the area’s fascinating juxtaposition between the rugged and refined: the naturally rocky coastline is populated by gleaming yachts and designer boutiques. Pass through a selection of serene villages, seeing locals going about their days in attractive town squares and charming green spaces, before returning to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure.
Breakfast & Dinner
Drive to Santa Teresa di Gallura on Sardinia’s north coast to take the ferry to Corsica. A highlight of the 50-minute ferry ride is the marvellous views of the grand approach to Bonifacio, at the southernmost point of the island. Bonifacio is home to an expansive citadel perched atop a limestone promontory, poised over the glittering harbour and chic marina.
Corsica has been a part of France for centuries, however the island has a unique local identity thanks to strong Italian influences – Bonifacio, for example, has a distinctly Italian feel, with narrow streets flanked by Genoese tenements. Listen to the local dialect, which is based on Ligurian and is a living legacy of the days when Corsica was under Genoese control. Even Corsica’s most famous son, military general Napoleon Bonaparte, was born to a family of Italian origins.
Gain a better understanding of Corsican history and culture on a guided tour through Bonifacio’s old town before enjoying free time to soak up the local atmosphere and admire the views before returning to Sardinia.
(Ferries between Santa Teresa di Gallura and Bonifacio do not run-in adverse weather conditions. In such an event, an alternative itinerary will be offered)
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Venture inland to experience a vastly different aspect of Sardinia. Here, the landscape is a sun-baked stretch of ‘macchia’ grassland and jagged granite mountains, reminiscent of the Dolomites in Italy. Ascend hills covered in dense forests of cork trees: during harvest season, you may notice that many trees have been stripped of their bark for cork production. Much of Italy’s cork is produced in Sardinia. Visit a local cork factory to learn about the fascinating production techniques and many uses of this versatile material. For lunch, enjoy a feast for the senses at a family-run agriturismo, a converted farmhouse serving hearty traditional meals made with produce fresh from the farm. The rustic surroundings, displays of old farming equipment, and crackling open fires create a wonderful, authentic atmosphere, perfect for enjoying Sardinian dishes made with local ingredients. Continue to your hotel on the beachfront in Porto Conte, the perfect location to unwind after a day of exploration.
Breakfast & Dinner
The beautiful city of Alghero is a medieval jewel, known for its independent spirit and intriguing history. Founded in the 12th-century by the Genoese and seized in 1353 by the Aragonese, much of the old town’s striking architecture has a Spanish flair, and a dialect of Catalan is still spoken here. A walking tour through labyrinthine alleyways unveils the remarkably preserved old Alghero, defended by robust walls and four bastions dedicated to famous explorers. Admire the city’s 16th-century cathedral, which is primarily Catalan-Gothic apart from its Aragonese portal. Spend some time at leisure to wander the streets, enjoy lunch, and browse the many shops in Alghero’s vibrant centre. In the afternoon, travel along the coastline, taking in beautiful views over the sparkling sea, before heading inland towards one of the finest wine-growing areas in Sardinia, where the prestigious Cannonau and Vermentino wines are produced. Winemaking is an important part of the local economy: learn more about the production process at a family-owned wine estate, including a tour of the vineyards and a wine tasting.
Breakfast & Dinner
A day at leisure provides time to relax by the pool, make the most of the hotel’s private beach, or explore the local area at your own pace.
Breakfast & Dinner
This morning, drive through the Valley of the Nuraghi. Dotting Sardinia’s verdant countryside are striking conical stone structures called ‘nuraghi’, left by the mysterious Nuragic civilisation. Little is known about them: theories determine these Bronze Age structures were palaces or forts, or possibly simply domestic dwellings. Examine the impressive Nuraghe Santu Antine up close, seeing its 17-metre-high tower protected by three bastions. The final stop of your tour is Bosa, a picturesque hillside town at the mouth of the Temo, Sardinia’s only navigable river. Here, enjoy time to discover this quintessential Sardinian town at your own pace, wandering among Bosa’s colourful houses and cobbled alleys and marvelling at its scenic surroundings. After a day of sightseeing, wind your way along Sardinia’s coast, across a rocky landscape carpeted by Mediterranean plants, and finish your journey with a superb view of the island’s beautiful coastline, before returning to the hotel for your final night.
Breakfast
Extend your stay in Porte Contre to fully experience its unique charm. Take time to explore local shops, enjoy the surrounding views, or simply unwind in a quiet spot. In the afternoon, perhaps consider a light activity such as a walk along the waterfront or a visit to a nearby landmark. This extra time gives you the chance to slow down and appreciate the destination without rushing.
Breakfast
Following breakfast, transfer to the airport in Olbia for your flight home.
Use discount code TOUR200 at the checkout to save £200 per person on selected tours departing in January 2027, February 2027, March 2027, April 2027, May 2027, June 2027, July 2027, August 2027, September 2027, October 2027, November 2027 and December 2027
Use discount code TOUR100 at the checkout to save £100 per person on selected tours departing in October 2026

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The order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. The schedules of the domestic airlines in country are subject to frequent changes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. The driving times listed are point to point and do not include the duration of excursions or stops en route. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however, order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions.
If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of £295.00pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
It is your responsibility to check your passport validity. To enter Italy and France your passport must: have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive and have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave. Sources of information include https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
Please note your final documentation will be sent to you approximately 21 days before departure. Check in baggage is included with your flight. Weight restrictions will be finalised on your final documentation. Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check-in. Check-in should be at least 3 hours before departure. If you wish to arrange Airport car parking or accommodation at preferential rates, we recommend you book this in advance with Holiday Extras on 0333 188 0407, quoting HX313.
IMPORTANT: A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport to the staff at the desk and your boarding pass will be given to you. Please note that you should carry your invoice with flight details on it as you will need to show this at the airport.
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras, including up to a 20% discount, which is given to all Mercury Holidays customers. To arrange your insurance with Holiday Extras, please visit https://www.mercuryholidays.co.uk/info/insurance for more details. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
All our tours feature a “Tour Pace” to help find the right holiday for you. To travel on any of our tours requires unaided mobility and the ability to stroll around the sights, climb stairs and get on and off coaches and boats. The tour pace is rated Easy Going. A good level of fitness is required as you may be on your feet for approximately four hours in a day, though this will be interspersed with regular breaks and will vary from day to day. You will be walking around the sights, getting on and off coaches, trains and boats and climbing steps and modest hills and streets, that maybe cobbled. You will stay in variety of hotels throughout the tour. Our guides will always endeavour to provide the highest level of service and assistance; however, they cannot be expected to cater for customers who are unfit to complete the itinerary.
The currency in Italy and France is the Euro, we recommend that you exchange your currency before you leave the UK, however cash machines are available in all the major cities to withdraw money in the local currency.
As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit. MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels as well as American Express.
You will need to take money with you to cover any personal purchases such as souvenirs, laundry, any meals not included in the itinerary as well as drinks and any additional snacks. Approximately £300- £400 per person will be sufficient for the duration of the tour. It is a good idea to try and maintain a supply of small notes and change in the local currency for tipping or small purchases.
It is customary to tip your guide and driver at the end of your tour, this is at your discretion, but we recommend you allow approximately €2 per person per day. Optional excursions are at an additional cost.
The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 15, and the maximum will be 35. If in the unlikely event there are less than 10 people booked on your tour date, we will endeavour to reduce any disruption to your holiday and try to operate your tour with lower passenger numbers. If we are not able to operate your departure date, then you may be asked to change to a different date, and a full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.
There is no minimum number of travellers for this extension however the main tour passenger numbers will apply for the main part of the tour. If in the unlikely event there are less than the required number of people booked on your main tour date then you may be asked to change to a different date. A full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.
This tour does not operate as a fully escorted programme. Your English-speaking guide will be with you on all scheduled excursion days, however, on free days when there are no planned activities, your guide will not accompany you. This allows you the flexibility to explore at your own pace and indulge in personal interests. You will still have access to a local team member who can assist you in case of emergencies on your free days.
Your extended stay is not escorted by a tour guide and your time will be free to explore the area at your own pace. Transfers are included.
Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort or character, and can range from business hotels to leisure hotels. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist compared to what you might expect in the UK. All group tours hotels have private bathroom facilities and air-conditioning, where needed. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs.
Breakfast will be at set times in the morning, and dinner (when included) will be at the hotel.
It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way.
Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information.
On your arrival in Sardinia, you will be met by a representative from our local agent, Michelangelo Internation Travel, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays”. The Mercury Holidays/ Michelangelo Internation Travel representative will show you to your transfer vehicle. Your local guide will be on hand 24 hours a day should you have any queries.
If you need to contact your representative during your stay the details are:
Michelangelo Internation Travel: Address: via Monte Misone 109, - 38066 Riva del Garda (TN)
Contact number: Lisa Bassi 0464 571 166
Email: lisa.bassi@michelangelo.travel
Emergency contact information:
Please find below the 24-hour emergency contact details for Michelangelo Internation Travel:
0039 345 1180977 outside office hours (no sms, no whatsapp)