Day 1: Arrival in Sardinia

After landing at the Alghero airport, we'll reach the ancient city of Alghero in the western part of the island. Its unofficial name is the "Barcelona of Sardinia," and indeed, it bears a significant Spanish influence, from the Catalan spoken there to the architecture reminiscent of the mother city. We'll stroll through the picturesque harbor, the city streets, and the walls surrounding the old quarter. After resting at the hotel, we'll have dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stay in Alghero.

Day 2: Neptune's Grotto - Carnival in Gavoi

After breakfast, we'll take a tour to the beautiful Neptune's Grotto cave. We'll descend a long staircase overlooking the stunning sea cliffs and listen to the crashing waves between the coves. In the impressive cave, we'll be accompanied by a local guide. In the afternoon, we'll arrive in Gavoi - a high village nestled in the wild and mountainous area of the Barbary Coast. On the opening day of the carnival, we'll participate in the local celebration where residents wear masks representing wild animals, paint their faces black, wear black clothes, drum lively rhythms on tambourines, and play the shepherd's flutes with ecstatic music. Overnight stay in a hotel in the high village of Fonni.

Day 3: Museum of Tenores in Bitti, Nuragic Site, Panoramic View from Mount Ortobene

After breakfast, we'll embark on a wonderful journey through oak forests to the village of Bitti. We'll visit the ancient Nuragic site Su Romanzesu, where a cult to springs and sacred wells once thrived. We'll visit the Museum of Tenores in Bitti, where we'll hear about Sardinia's wonderful shepherds' singing. In the afternoon, we'll have a workshop where we'll learn to make ricotta cheese, enjoy a "shepherd's" meal, and visit a local goat farm. We'll end the day with a short trip to Mount Ortobene, from which we'll have a sunset view of the massive mountains of Barbary and the town of Nuoro. Overnight stay in a hotel in Fonni. Tenores Singing

Day 4: Wall Paintings in Orgosolo, Winery Visit, Mask Museum and Artisan

After breakfast in Fonni, we'll tour the wonderful village of Orgosolo and its unique wall paintings. The village is a magnet for Sardinian artists who, through their beautiful wall paintings, represent a long tradition of art and the social, cultural, and political perceptions prevalent in the mountain villages of Barbary. We'll visit a winery and taste several types of Cannonau wine unique to Sardinia, while learning about the making of this exquisite wine, which has heavenly flavors and healthy elements. After wine tasting, we'll enjoy a rustic meal at a restaurant in the Mamoiada area. After dinner, we'll visit the Mask Museum in Mamoiada, which will provide us with initial explanations about the traditional carnival held in the village. In the museum, we'll see masks used in carnival celebrations across Europe. From there, we'll continue to visit the mask artisan Antonello, who will show and tell us about the process of making masks and costumes typical of the carnival in Mamoiada. Overnight stay in a hotel in the village of Fonni.

Day 5: Ponni Wetlands Area - Mamoiada Village and Traditional Mask Carnival

After breakfast, we'll go for a short walk in the Ponni wetlands area. It's a high area that, at this time of year, offers a winter view of the Barbary Mountains. After lunch, we'll visit one of the world's top carnival celebrations - the famous Mamoiada Mamuthones dance. It's a dark, creative, and ancient carnival rooted in pagan traditions from ancient times when the sensual god Dionysus set hearts on fire with his wine. In the afternoon, we'll witness the men dressing in furrows and masks before they go out to dance traditionally. We'll continue to watch the dance in the processions and the fascinating festivities, which we'll celebrate together with the residents of Mamoiada and their guests by eating local pastries. Overnight stay in the beautiful village of Oliena.

Day 6: Nuoro City

After breakfast, we'll visit the beautiful Su Gorroppu waterfall and nature reserve, where a stream of crystal-clear blue water flows from a waterfall in the mountains. From there, we'll continue to the "Giant's Tombs" - fascinating prehistoric graves shedding light on the Nuragic civilization that preceded the Nuragians. Nearby is the Ilghia farm, a farm that combines traditional agriculture with tourism. With our host Antonella, we'll learn the secrets of traditional Barbary cooking through a practical workshop, and we'll eat the results ourselves. After satisfying our hunger, we'll travel to the capital of Barbary, the city of Nuoro, where at the Folklore Museum, we'll learn about the traditional costumes of Barbary residents and their traditional way of life. After the museum visit, we'll have dinner and free time in downtown Nuoro. Overnight stay in the picturesque village of Oliena.

Day 7 : Carnival in Oristano

After breakfast, we'll say goodbye to Oliena and head south to the city of Oristano, which hosts unique carnival events every year. In the city streets, there's a jousting tournament where horse riders, dressed in masks and white costumes, try to spear a silver star during an exciting and thrilling competition. Some say this is a reference to the competition that took place among the knights of the Second Crusade before their departure to the Holy Land. Later, during the carnival celebrations, we'll witness the performances of horse riders who compete skillfully between one horse and another, while performing amazing acrobatics. It's an extraordinary experience. Before leaving, we hope to visit cultural and historical sites in the heart of the city of Oristano. In the evening, we'll continue our journey to the capital city of Sardinia, Cagliari. Overnight stay in a hotel in the city of Cagliari.

Day 8: Cagliari City - San Antioco Island

After breakfast, we'll travel about an hour to San Antioco Island, connected today to the mainland by an artificial bridge. We'll visit the ancient burial sites of the Phoenician culture that conquered Sardinia thousands of years ago. These are catacombs - underground burial caves that teach us about the religious traditions of the Phoenicians, the seafaring people whose Phoenician origin settlements were in North Africa. From there, we'll return to a tour of the ancient walled city of Cagliari with its fascinating walls and streets. We'll have a traditional Cagliari culinary lunch, and from there, we'll head to the airport for a flight to Rome and then back to Israel.