In Pursuit of Blue Zone Longevity Secrets in Sardinia, Italy

The Trip

“It all began on a small island off the coast of Italy.” 

In Dan Buettner’s 2008 book, The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest, the Barbagia region of Sardinia was identified as the first “Blue Zone”: one of four places of the globe where a remarkably high rate of the longest living people manage to avoid many of the diseases that kill Americans, and live active lives beyond 100 years of age. Buettner’s Blue Zone premise is that if you can optimize your lifestyle, you can gain back an extra decade of good life you’d otherwise miss.

What is the Sardinians’ secret? Buettner attributes their longevity primarily to their shepherd lifestyle, diet, wine, and importance given to family. In pursuit of their secrets, we will enjoy introductions to the local customs, food, and way of life; hike their mountains; partake of their diet and wine; and enjoy 8-9 days exploring this island region’s breathtaking scenery.

The word “sardonic” has its roots in Sardinia. Men have a strong will, high self-esteem, and great stubbornness. Women are strong, their family comes first, and their health comes from the rugged hills — a combination of genes, environment, and lifestyle. They have a sense of humor, and a positive attitude toward elders—respect increases with age.

Sardinia is located 120 miles west of mainland Italy, in the center of the Mediterranean Sea, and offers an incredible range of landscapes, biodiversity, and spectacular scenery. It has been inhabited since Paleolithic times, with its most representative civilization being the indigenous Nuragic, which flourished from the 18th century BC to the 6th century AD in the Barbagia (Blue Zone) region. Sardinia has been ruled by the Phoenicians, Carthage, Rome, Byzantines, Iberian Crown of Aragon, House of Savoy, and others. Today it is one of five regions of Italy that have been granted some degree of domestic autonomy. Its official name is “Regione Autònoma della Sardegna” or “Autonomous Region of Sardinia."

This is a moderate hiking trip with hike lengths of approximately five to seven miles over rocky, uneven terrain. During our trip we experience the Sardinian culture and scenery, with a mix of dramatic coastal and mountain hikes, and intriguing prehistoric sites. Sardinia is known for its rugged granite mountains of the Supramonte, as well as its cerulean blue seas. Due to the variety of Sardinia’s ecosystems, it has been described as a micro-continent.

The trip begins in Cagliari and ends in Olbia. The majority of our time is spent in Sardinia, with a one-day excursion by ferry to Corsica, where we hike above the cliffs of Bonifacio and enjoy lunch.

The leader will make every reasonable effort to meet the goals outlined in the itinerary. Please keep in mind that weather or other conditions beyond our control may cause us to modify the itinerary in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the group. While it is not the rainy season, boating excursions could be canceled due to rain or rough seas. Mileage and elevation gain are approximate and may be adjusted based on the fitness level and experience of group members.

Day 1: Meet in Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia

We meet our group in Cagliari at our hotel in the late afternoon/early evening for our orientation. Afterward, we walk to Cagliari’s historic “Castello” district of the old city and get to know each other over a welcome dinner. Overnight in our hotel in the port area of Cagliari.

Day 2: Cagliari to Barbagia

We begin our day after breakfast with a visit to the ancient archaeological site of Su Nuraxi di Barumini, a UNESCO World Heritage site. These beehive-like, Bronze age defensive structures are unique to Sardinia. We have a shepherd’s lunch in the countryside of the "Blue Zone" region of Barbagia, and have time in the afternoon to visit the Grotta di Ispinigoli, a karst cave in the Supramonte range, or take a short-to-moderate hike before settling into our hotel for the evening. Overnight in Barbagia region.

Day 3: Gulf of Orosei, Cala Gonone, Cala Luna

Today we head to the east coast of Sardinia at the Gulf of Orosei and Cala Gonone, where we enjoy a scenic hike to Cala Luna, one of the most beautiful coves on the island. Centuries-old junipers bent by the wind dot the steep limestone walls and beautiful oleander and elder groves extend down to the beach. The bays in Sardinia are often outlets to the sea for narrow gorges that the locals call codule. We will make our way back by boat, stopping en route to explore one of several sea caves. Overnight in or near Cala Gonone. (6 miles / 1,000-foot elevation gain)

Day 4: Alghero, Porto Conte

We cross to the west coast, to Alghero, where we enjoy a moderate hike in Regional Natural Park of Porto Conte. Since 2002 it has included the Capo Caccia marine area, fundamental for the preservation of Mediterranean biodiversity. Here are bits of limestone rich with fossils, including the bones of an extinct variety of deer, and rare plants perched on coastal cliffs. Overall, the park contains 35 identified species of mammals and 150 of birds. Weather dependent, we’ll explore Neptune’s grotto, a marine stalactite cave on the coast accessed by boat or 654 steps along the escala del cabirol (goat's steps) carved into the Capo Caccia cliffs (300 feet high). Overnight in or near Alghero.

Day 5: Capo Testa

Today takes us to Capo Testa, where we hike to a granite promontory and lighthouse with rock formations that resemble a vast sculpture garden of giant boulders strewn on the grassy slopes. Their forms are the result of centuries of wind erosion. The Romans and Pisans quarried granite here. Weather permitting, we enjoy an afternoon or evening Catamaran sail. Overnight: near Santa Teresa Gallura. (4 miles / 500-foot elevation gain)

Day 6: Bonifacio, Corsica

In the morning we take a 50- to 60-minute ferry from Santa Teresa Gallura to Bonifacio, on the island of Corsica (France), where we reach one of the most spectacular coastlines in the world! The cliffs around Bonifacio have been undercut by the ocean so that the city now sits on the very lip of a precipice -- an amazing sight. We hike along a trail overlooking the cliffs and enjoy lunch (at participants’ expense) with time to walk around town on our own. We then ferry back to Sardinia, where we return to our hotel. Overnight: near Santa Teresa Gallura. (5 miles / 450-foot elevation gain) 

Day 7: La Maddalena & Caprera Island

Today we drive to Palau and take a ferry to La Maddalena, considered one of the most enchanting coastal districts of the Mediterranean. Created in 1996 to protect the local flora and fauna, La Maddalena National Park is home to many kinds of birdlife, including the kestrel, the peregrine falcon, the common buzzard, and sea birds such as the European shag, Cory's shearwater and the Manx shearwater.

Here we hike along the coast on the island of Caprera, where we learn a bit about Italian history as we visit the house of Giuseppe Garibaldi, one of the most beloved of Italian heroes. Overnight in La Maddalena. (6 miles / 800-foot elevation gain) 

Day 8: La Maddalena, Olbia

On our last full day we have a relaxing morning, then ferry back to Palau, where we have a two-hour hike between Palau and Olbia, with time to enjoy the beach. We continue to Olbia for our last night together. Overnight in Olbia.

Day 9: Depart

You are free to depart at any time. Breakfast is included, but special arrangements may be necessary if you have an early flight. Airport transfers are not included. 

Getting There

Note: The trip begins in Cagliari (CAG) and ends in Olbia (OLB). Both airports are connected to the rest of Italy and Europe via standard and budget airlines.

You should plan to arrive at least a day early in order to overcome jet lag and to give yourself a cushion in case of delayed, canceled, or missed flights. 

Most of our time is spent in Sardinia, but we will take a one-day excursion to Corsica by ferry and hike along the cliffs of Bonifacio.

Your passport should be valid for at least six months past your departure date. At this time there are no visa requirements, but that is always subject to change.

Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

We will be staying in inns, agriturismos, and/or charming small hotels. Lodging is double-occupancy with private baths. Singles will be assigned a roommate. If the accommodations have a single room available and you prefer a single room, there will be an extra charge. You must inform the leader well in advance if you wish the single-supplement option.

Pre-arranged check-in: Passports are required to be shown and handed over in hotels in Italy. Because we collect your passport information ahead of time when our group arrives, we should be able to check in to our rooms immediately, with very little waiting and no tipping.

All meals are included except one lunch, at your own expense. The Slow Food Movement began in Italy, and we will enjoy meals of mostly organically grown and locally sourced food and wines. The diet in Sardinia is one element of their longevity secret, according to the Blue Zone research. They eat a lean and largely plant-based diet with an emphasis on beans, whole wheat, and garden vegetables, all washed down with wine. (Goat's milk and mastic oil, which were a standard part of their diet, are not as common today). We will sample plenty of Sardinian bread, pecorino cheese, fava beans, and their locally made Cannonau red wine. In the Blue Zone Barbagia region, their typical diet includes meat once or twice a week, such as roasted lamb, but no seafood (in the mountains). Not to worry, though, we will be enjoying meats as well as seafood, and vegetarian options can be accommodated.

Trip Difficulty

The beautiful and rugged terrain of Sardinia's granite mountains is best suited for those currently involved in regular hiking activities. The hikes will vary in rating, from one or two easy hikes to a couple moderately strenuous. Agility is needed to negotiate rocky trails and climb over rocks without difficulty. 

Hike lengths are from approximately 4 to 7 miles, with elevation changes from approximately 400 feet to 1,200 feet. Each participant must carry a day pack with lunch, drinking water, rain gear, and any other items needed during the day. Hiking poles are strongly recommended. Due to the rocky nature of the trails, some hikes may be changed or eliminated due to wet conditions.

Equipment and Clothing

A detailed packing list will be sent to each participant. Plan to bring good, well-broken-in hiking boots, clothes for hiking and swimming, and a day pack with water bottle, first-aid kit, sunscreen and rain gear. Hiking poles are strongly recommended.

References

• Buettner, Dan, The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest. National Geographic Society, 2008.
• Honore, Carl, In Praise of Slowness: Challenging the Cult of Speed. Harpers Collins, 2004.
• Heatherington, Tracey, Wild Sardinia: Indigeneity & the Global Dreamtimes of Environmentalism. University of Washington Press, 2010.
• Lawrence, D. H., Sea and Sardinia. Penguin Books, first published 1921, (c) 1997.
• Anderson, Neil, The Lead Goat Veered Off. Cycle Logic Press, 2004.
• Down to Earth with Zac Efron, Netflix Series, Episode 4 -- Sardinia

Conservation

The Sierra Club is an environmentally focused entity. We are concerned about conservation and sustainability of resources both locally and globally. Our work, which is accomplished by volunteers and aided by a salaried staff, encourages grassroots involvement. Our outings seek to empower participants to understand the parallels between environmental concerns at home and abroad.

The trip provides lots of opportunities to discuss the effects of climate change, cultural preservation, migration of birds, marine environments, and locally sourced and organic farming.

Cultural preservation: Our focus will be on exploring the sustainable lifestyle of this ancient culture, including the Slow Food Movement and 'Blue Zones.' Sardinia is one of four Blue Zones initially identified in the world -- locations where a significant number of habitants live active lives past 100. In 2004, Dan Buettner teamed up with National Geographic and hired the world’s best longevity researchers to identify pockets around the world where people lived measurably better. In these Blue Zones they found that people reach age 100 at rates 10 times greater than in the United States. After identifying the world’s Blue Zones, Buettner and National Geographic took teams of scientists to each location to identify lifestyle characteristics that might explain longevity. They found that the lifestyles of all Blue Zones residents shared specific characteristics. We will share some of the lessons from the world’s longest-living people to create environments of health.

We will discuss and experience what makes Sardinia and the Barbagia region in particular unique. Sardinia has a history that goes back thousands of years and we visit many UNESCO World Heritage sites. With its self-imposed economic isolation and traditional social values, the Sardinian lifestyle hasn’t changed much since the time of Christ, as there has been less pressure to adapt to outside forces on the island.

Due to the isolation of several small villages and settlements through time, there remain interesting linguistic and cultural pockets that are an incredible source of research for anthropologists and linguists.

Sardinia has its own dialect. In 1997, the indigenous language of Sardinia, as well as the other minority languages spoken on the island, are officially recognized by the regional law as having “equal dignity” with Italian.

Evacuation and Travel Insurance

The Sierra Club provides evacuation insurance to all participants on international trips. Since this coverage does not include any trip cancellation or interruption insurance, we suggest you purchase another policy separately to provide coverage for your trip and other travel costs. This policy also does not cover pre-trip and post-trip travel. Please note the evacuation insurance provided does not cover claims resulting from any pre-existing condition that occurs within 60 days of the trip departure. If you have specific questions about this exclusion, please review the insurance brochure. For information on purchasing a separate policy, please see our travel insurance page.