Island Spirit Adventures - Trek Sardinia

When is the best time to travel to Sardinia?  Sardinia is a fabulous vacation destination from March through November, depending on what sort of experience you desire. The spring and fall offer very pleasant weather; it is warm and sunny during the day and the temperature drops in the evenings which make these seasons the best for hiking.   The summer, specifically July and August, is very hot.  August is the busiest month for tourism.  If you do not like crowds and high prices then avoid the island during this time. 

How do you get to Sardinia?  Sardinia can be reached by plane or passenger ship.  There are three main airports on the island which receive plans from major European cities along with five flights a day arriving from mainland Italy.  The Italian airlines that fly daily to Sardinia are Alitalia (www.alitalia.it) and Meridiana (www.meridiana.it). Two other airlines that depart from major European cities are Ryan Air (www.ryanair.com) and Air One (www.flyairone.com).   You can also arrive by ship which leaves from major port cities in Italy of Genova, Livorno and Civitavecchia.  The companies are Moby Lines (www.moby.it) and Tirrenia (www.tirrenia.it).  The schedules and prices vary through-out the year. 

What is the minimum and maximum number of travelers per trip?  The minimum number of people on our hiking and cultural tours are four and the maximum is sixteen.  The minimum number of people for our sailing tours is two and the maximum is six.

How long do ISA tours last?  Most of our trips start on Saturday and end the following Saturday.  The exceptions are our Explorer tour which starts on Saturday and finishes the following Friday and our Enthusiast tour which starts on Sunday and finishes the following Friday.  The length of the tours has been calculated for these reasons to accommodate peoples traveling schedules as well as the style of the tour.

What does the price of the trip cover?  We at Island Spirit Adventures enjoy it when our clients never have to take their wallet out of their pocket.  The better question is What isn’t included in the price of the trip?  The answer is:  your flight, any activity outside of our itinerary, some meals and tipping for ISA guides which is left to your discrepancy.  Please see the list of inclusions for each individual trip.

How much hiking experience do you need?  The hiking is no stroll in the park.  Some days we climb 3,000 ft in a few hours.  The paths vary from pebbles to stones to dirt.  Sometimes we hike straight across massive boulders. Many people appreciate walking sticks or poles.  While the hikes can be challenging, our guests always find appreciation in the views and the wild nature that you experience.  Most importantly, everyone is encouraged to travel at their own pace and there is always a guide at the head and back of the pack.

What type of footwear and other clothing should I bring?  Comfortable and stable footwear can make or break your hiking vacation.  Solid hiking shoes or boots with hard rubber soles are highly recommended.  Socks that pull moisture away from your feet while form fitting your foot is very important as well.  Dressing in layers is key.  The mornings and evenings are cool while mid-day is very hot.  Pants that can transform into shorts are comfortable and convenient.  A beanie is great to have and takes up little room in your pack.  Remember your swimsuit for that refreshing dip in the afternoon after you have arrived to your resting spot! 

During the hikes, what types of facilities are there?  We hike in the most rugged part of the island.  The only means to relieve yourself during the hike is to find a juniper tree; and there are plenty of those!  Each daily destination however, does have bathrooms and shower rooms.

I have never been on a sailboat before and I think I may get seasick.  What are natural steps to avoid that?  To start out, eat lightly and stay away from sugary foods and coffee.  It is better to eat salty foods.  Stay out on deck rather than in the cabins.  Fresh air is the key.

What emergency qualifications do ISA guides have?  All of our guides are qualified and updated annually for American Red Cross First Aid and CPR.  Some guides are certified First Response and all of our guides have extensive back country and life guarding experience. 

What type of food is served?  Fresh and authentic meals are one of our highest values.  Whether it is a fresh sandwich with prosciutto, pecorino cheese, and garden tomatoes or a 5 course traditional Italian meal on the deck of the boat at sunset, you can be assured of a dining experience that will leave imprints on your heart and palate!  Vegetarian meals can be provided upon request.

Do Sardinians speak English?  Most Sardinians are bi-lingual yet neither of those languages is English.  In fact very few Sardinians speak English.  Sardinians speak their own language called Sardo which is an official Latin based language. The majority of them also speak Italian.

Are there opportunities to go shopping? Yes.  While most of our tours are spent in the mountains or on the sea, there are opportunities to shop locally.  We can also recommend places to find nice Sardinian souvenirs.  If there is something in particular you are looking to buy, just ask!

Is Sardinia safe?  Sardinians are a rather reserved and prideful culture showing respect towards each other and their natural surroundings.  They certainly notice non-islanders and will gratefully receive a smile or any attempt to communicate with them.  There are small pockets of extremists who would like to separate from mainland Italy and be their own country, but they pay no attention to tourists and are basically harmless.

Quick weather changes could provide danger in the mountains or at sea, but our guides are fully aware and equipped to take all steps necessary to insure everyone’s safety.