ANCIENT CRAFTS

Sardinia, a land of traditions, customs and traditions whose origins are lost in the mists of time.
The influences from other Mediterranean populations through cultural exchanges began in the late Neolithic period from 4000 years before Christ. The isolation of the interior of the island’s territory has allowed the intact preservation of some arts and crafts that have been handed down from father to son for centuries. Discover with us what remains of the ancient arts that helped to write the ancestral history of the island in the center of the Mediterranean.

See our packages and feel free to contact us for any further information, customization, different durations or combinations.

In collaboration with one of the leading specialized service companies the Hotel Villa Selene proposes the following package:

Program

Day 1 - Arrival and transfer from the airport (Cagliari or Olbia or Alghero) to Lanusei, pretty town in the heart of Ogliastra. Accommodation in the hotel

Day 2 - THE SHEPHERD AND THE PRODUCTION OF ‘Fiore Sardo’

Transfer to Barbagia to visit a sheep farm where you can spend a whole day side by side with the pastors who produce the characteristic ‘Fiore Sardo’ (type of cheese) using techniques passed down for thousands of years from father to son.After milking you can attend all the adjustments relate to the production of the famous cheese. Characteristic lunch at the fold. In the afternoon visit of an important archaeological site of the nuragic period. In the late afternoon, transfer to hotel, dinner and free evening.

Day 3 – MASTERS OF BELLS AND THE ANCIENT ART OF MERGING

Transfer to Tonara, a small town nestled in the mountains of THEGennargentu. The town is famous within the agro-pastoral activities for the production of bells that all farm animals wear around the neck as a hallmark of property and to facilitate the farmers to find their flocks at night. We will attend all phases of production, from cutting the metal sheet to the fusion of brass, from the arrangement of the clapper to the tuning, phase in which each bell will get its feature “voice”(sound). 
Lunch at a typical restaurant in the historic center of the town. In the afternoon visit of a workshop of another excellent product: the Tonara nougat, a traditional candy that pastry chefs pack for the festivals. In the late afternoon, transfer to hotel, dinner and free evening.

Day 4 – TRADITIONAL SARDINAN KNIVES “SA LEPPA”

In Sardinia, century-old, continues the tradition of building the switchblade knife.Each village has its own knife and each knife has its own village! This is not a cliché, but for many small needs and traditions, by the particular shape and workmanship of the knife, its village of origin and artisan can be reckognized. Transfer to Gavoi, small village in the heart of the Ollai Barbagia. In the old town there is a small workshop, where from Tziu Zua’s (uncle John) skilled hands raise the traditional Sardinian knives. From the forging of the blade the processing of the ram's horn for the handle we will follow all the steps necessary to create “Sa leppa”.Lunch at a local restaurant.In the afternoon visit of the historical center of the small town, orange flag of the Italian Touring Club. In the late afternoon, transfer to hotel, dinner and free evening.

Day 5 – THE CARPETS AND THE SARDINIAN WEAVERS

The tradition of carpets, in Sardinia certainly dates back to the nuragic
period (1500 - 520 a.C., many are the findings of classical weights used in the vertical looms. Transfer to Sarule, small village of Barbagia, famous for its handicrafts. A visit of the carpet manufacturing center of Sarule to discover the secrets of the ancient art of webbing. Lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon visit of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Orani, dedicated to the famous local artist Costantino Nivola. In the late afternoon, transfer to hotel, dinner and free evening.

Day 6 - THE ART OF PLAITING AND THE SARDINIAN BASKETS

Man has always used all the elements found in nature to dress, to build shelters and to produce tools and objects which were used daily in their homes. The visit will be dedicated to Urzulei, small town in high Ogliastra known for the production of baskets made with the dried stalks of asphodel. 
The craftsmanship of asphodel by female hand dates back to ancient times, possibly also to the nuragic period. The visit of the laboratory, will let you assist in all stages of processing and understand this ancient tradition. Lunch at local restaurant and in the afternoon visit of the workshops in the village, where skilled craftsmen produce leather goods, wood and ceramics. In the late afternoon, transfer to hotel, dinner and free evening.

Day 7 – DEPARTURE

After breakfast in the hotel transfer to the airport.

Information

Type: Guided tour of Ancient crafts (of cultural and gastronomical interest) 7 days / 6 nights

Periods: from April to October, excluded August

Minimum 6 participants

PRICE PER PERSON

• - April, May, September, October 740 Euro
• - June 760 Euro
• - July 780 Euro

Includes:

• 6 HB (breakfast and dinner) in hotel in double room
  4 lunches in restaurants
• 1 lunch at shepherds’
• Touristguide for 5 days
• Transfers by Land Rover and/or GT bus
• Daily cultural visits
• Insurance
• Assistance for the duration of the tour

Not included – transfer airport/hotel/airport, a/r flight, 1 lunch, extras, , anything not specified under “includes”

Optional services – single room supplement € 12

VARIANT PACKAGE

The Ancient crafts- package can also have a duration of 3 nights with the following itineraries:

THE SHEPHERD AND THE PRODUCTION OF ‘Fiore Sardo’ and TRADITIONAL SARDINAN KNIVES “SA LEPPA” for a price of:

• - April, May, September, October – 370 Euro per person in double room on HB
• - June 380 Euro per person in double room on HB
• - July 390 Euro per person in double room on HB