Day 1 starts with a bus trip following the stunningly scenic coastal route South from Alghero down to the medieval town of Bosa. For rugged coastal panoramas this is one of the better stretches of road in Sardinia, passing also through the area home to the rare Griffon Vulture which nests in the cliffs high above the road.
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Bosa |
The stop in Bosa of a few hours can be pleasantly spent wandering through the medieval section of town including a climb up to the 11th century castle overlooking the town. Even when the castle is closed (approx. November to March) it is still worth the climb to walk around Via Nino Gavino which runs around the base of the castle and provides good views up the valley of the river Temo, across the top of the medieval quarter, and down the valley to the ocean and the Spanish watch tower.
In and around the medieval quarter are several shops selling artifacts and souvenirs however be aware that most of these shops shut around 12:30 which in any case leaves sufficient time for a leisurely café at one of the bars in Piazza Costituzione before returning to Piazza Zanetti for the bus to Macomer.
A brief change of transport at Macomer and you board the small narrow gauge train departing around 14:30 which serves some of the remoter communities of the Marghine area for the trip to Nuoro. This leg of the journey is quite pleasant passing through countryside dotted with groves of cork and olive trees before the final climb up to Nuoro affording wonderful views down along the deep valley
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Nuoro |
towards the distant bulk of Monte Albo in the East, and up to Nuoro perched in its saddle between the mountains. If for any reason you miss this train, then there are buses departing from the Macomer Bus station later in the afternoon but they arrive in Nuoro much later than the train.
Upon arrival in Nuoro there is just sufficient time to head straight for the Museo Della Vita e Delle Tradizioni Popolari to see this highly recommended Museum before it closes around 6:30pm, after which a stroll back towards the centre of town will see you ambling along Corso Garibaldi around 7pm when the shops are open and the street is full of life.
If all this seems a little rushed then the Museo Della Vita e Delle Tradizioni Popolari can be left till the morning of the second day allowing a more leisurely taste of the city of Nuoro.
