Exploring the captivating streets of Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia, with an Ape Calessino buggy tour.
Hassle-free tours in English, Spanish or Italian
Simone Accalai isn’t just a guide, he’s a storyteller, an historian, and a Sardinian at heart who does tours in English, Spanish or Italian. We set off for a two-hour afternoon tour in his Ape Calessino buggy that can seat up to three people. Simone can also do one-hour tours, and this form of transport is the ideal way to see Cagliari up close, by day or by night, soaking in the sights, scents, and sounds of the city without the hassle of hopping on and off tour buses. The size of the Ape is also ideal for a city like Cagliari, as Simone can easily fit into even the tightest alleyways. 
pink flamingoes
Pink flamingoes and a 10-kilometre golden beach
Our adventure began at the Salina salt flats that stretch into the Regional Molentargius Nature Park and are a peaceful sanctuary for the hundreds of delicate pink flamingoes that have made it their permanent home. Simone then brought us to Poetto Beach where the city’s 10-kilometre golden stretch of sand and turquoise waters is lined by palm trees and still has old beach lidos that rent out deckchairs and sun umbrellas.
The hilltop Castello district is the oldest in the city
Shifting gears from nature to history, the tour brought us up to the Castello district, perched high above the city. This oldest quarter of Cagliari is a labyrinth of cobblestone streets and ancient houses, with the majestic Cathedral of Santa Maria at its heart. The cathedral’s blend of Gothic, Baroque and Neo-Romanesque style is as awe-inspiring as the views from this hilltop neighborhood. Moving back down towards Villanova, we entered a quieter, colorful enclave. Simone’s buggy revealed Villanova’s cobblestone alleys where every second doorway overflows with potted trees and plants and the old facades, weathered yet vibrant, offer a charming glimpse of the city’s daily life.
Local cuisine and magnificent sunsets
As the day unfolded into evening, we found ourselves at the Santa Croce Bastion that pairs historic grandeur with romantic ambiance. Here visitors relax and watch the sun sink into the horizon, as the twinkling lights of the port and the city reflect in the water. No visit to Cagliari, said Simone, would be complete without diving into its culinary heritage, and the city is very liberally sprinkled with restaurants, which in the warmer months, offer alfresco dining. On the menus there are local specialties like tender porceddu roast suckling pig, delicious fregula hand-rolled pasta with baby clams called arselle, and sebadas, which are golden puffed ravioli filled with ricotta and honey. For information: www.facebook.com/p/Calessino-Cagliari-Tour-Simone-Accalai-100063588192941/
