My Perfect Slow Travel Day in Sardinia October 10th, 2021

This summer, I spent 3 weeks solo traveling around Sardinia by bus. I had a marvelous time…the beaches and swimming were magnificent and the food exquisite. That being said, there was one day on the trip that I will always remember as my perfect day in Sardinia.

Previous to my trip, I had the opportunity to connect with Claudio and Bea, proprietors of Sardinia Slow Experience.

Having checked out their website, I thought that the experiences they were offering lined up well with the travel experiences that I focus on at Roads Less Traveled Italy, as well as, of course, my personal interests. With travel just reopening due to covid, we stayed flexible and were able to find a day where I could join them to get to know them a bit and get a better flavor of their offerings.

So, one morning I set off on the bus from Nuoro and got off at a stop where they were able to pick me up. For our first stop, I was able to join a ceramics workshop with some folks from Poland. We were taught by Mario, a very helpful 4th generation artist. It had been about 30 years since I’d been at a pottery wheel, and I was reminded of how much I had enjoyed it!

After a couple of hours, Bea and I said goodbye to the family from Poland, and headed for our next stop, at the agriturismo where Claudio and Bea live.

As with all agriturismi (my absolute favorite accommodation type in Italy), this farm was lovingly cared for and filled with delights for the senses. While we waited for Claudio to return with a hiking group from the Netherlands, Bea showed me around the farm and offered me a “snack”. True to Sardinian hospitality, this included at least four types of cheese, a local salami, bread, marmalade, and wonderful homemade wine. While I knew that lunch would be happening before too long, it was really hard to limit myself in my enjoyment of these treats!

Lunch took place under a charming gazebo, covered in greenery. The young adults from the Netherlands made for excellent dining companions, and we enjoyed an interesting cross-cultural conversation. Missing my dog, I got a special treat from the resident Labrador, who laid at my feet throughout the entire meal. As lunch came to an end, Claudio plied us with various homemade digestivi, while the son of the agriturismo owner played Italian and Sardinian music on an accordion.

Once we said goodbye to the group from the Netherlands and had a nice rest, Claudio and Bea showed me some parts of the Sardinian coast I had not yet made it to. These included the lovely La Caletta and Santa Lucia, with their hiking trails just above the coast, a stop at one of the famous ceramic studios in the area, as well as a visit to the bakery owned by Claudio’s mother.

The entire day was a confirmation of what I had hoped for when I first contacted Sardinia Slow Experience. Claudio and Bea really take the time to show guests to the area all the best that is on offer, as well as the genuine hospitality that all travelers hope for when they are far from home. There wasn’t any better day that I could have imagined!