Off-road tour to Argentiera and Porto Ferro from Alghero

Market day in Bosa with guided tour and free time

The pretty fishing village of Bosa is just a short scenic drive along the coast from Alghero. It's considered one of the most beautiful of Sardinia's seaside retreats. And on this excursion, you'll have plenty of time to explore the handicraft market and old town, sit down for some lunch and soak up the laidback vibe. Valentina, one of our expert local guides, says, 'Apart from the castle, river and colourful houses climbing the hillside, Bosa is also famous for its Malvasia wine. It's a good bet if you are looking for a local variety to try with lunch.'As soon as you set foot in Bosa, you'll feel as if you've been transported back in time. Pastel-coloured houses flank the River Temo and character infuses every square centimetre. Lording it over the town is the hilltop Malaspina Castle – also known as Castello di Serravalle - which while a shell of its former glory boasts a remarkable medieval chapel adorned with fragile frescoes. Valentina adds, 'The oldest part of town is near the river. It wasn't until the castle was built that people chose to live away from the river, hoping for protection from the castle.'You'll enjoy a guided tour of the town to discover some of its secrets, and then free time to be able to browse the stalls at the weekly market where artisans and locals sell their own produce and goods. You'll also have time to find a restaurant to tuck into a local lunch, if you like. There's no rushing around on this tour, so you'll truly experience authentic Sardinia.

Neptune’s Caves Boat Tour

It may be named after the Roman god of the sea – but Neptune's Grotto was discovered only a couple of hundred years ago. Hidden just above the water level at the base of the towering and remote Capo Caccia cliffs, the grotto is one of Sardinia's most dramatic natural attractions.After sailing from the harbour, you'll pass rugged coastline before reaching the grotto in under an hour. On arrival, you can choose whether to go in to Neptune's Grotto or not. If you do, you'll see stalactites biting down like incisors from the roof of the cave and stalagmites stabbing up from the floor like daggers, and a saltwater lake that stretches out for 120 metres – all while having the geology expertly brought to life by your local guide.If you choose not to take the subterranean tour, you can stay on board basking in the sunshine. Either option is a great way to spend some time before a leisurely trip back to port.

Castelsardo guided tour

Perched on a cliff overlooking the Gulf of Asinara on the northwest coast of Sardinia, Castelsardo is just as dramatic as it sounds. You'll spend the morning there, exploring the old town before stopping by Castello dei Doria where you can pay a little extra to go inside if you want. You'll also have some free time to delve a little deeper. Plus, there's also a photo stop at Elephant Rock on the way there.You'll drive along the coastal road, stopping by Elephant Rock – which, true to its name, is a rock that oddly resembles an elephant. And after arriving in Castelsardo, you'll catch the shuttle bus up to the top of hill from where your tour will start.You'll meander your way through the cobbled alleys of the historic centre to the castle – which also hosts a basket-weaving museum – and catch sight of the sea-facing cathedral. Enjoy some free time for a cappuccino at one of the cafes lined up along the zig zags of stairways, then meet up with your guide before heading back down the hill.

Guided vineyard tour with wine-tasting

Look around a vineyard and winery before a wine-tasting on this guided tour. Start with a stroll under the shade of the porch outside, where you'll see the cliffs of Capo Caccia surrounded by the clear waters of the Mediterranean. You'll continue with a tour of the vineyards and dry garden, which cover more than 7,000 square metres and have over 80 different plant species growing there, all developed to thrive off very little water. Then, you'll head down into the cellar to see where the magic happens. During this part of the tour, you'll learn how the flavours of the wines really come to life, using techniques inspired by local tradition.Afterwards, you can settle back in above ground into a room with views of the surroundings and furniture by local designer, Antonio Marras. Sit back and relax while you taste three wines, accompanied by Sardinian cheese, cured meats and locally produced bread, all chosen to bring out the qualities of the wines.