Autumn Tales & Rails
Special Edition
Autumn arrives, bringing back the rhythm of everyday life. After a scorching summer, the crisp air awakens our desire to enjoy a carefree Sunday and experience the season at its best.
That is why we offer 11 Special Autumn dates through the Sarcidano, designed for those who prefer something different from a traditional coach tour and want to escape crowded festivals. Discover the colours and scents of autumn, historic villages, museums, nature and the unique experience of travelling aboard a historic train along the entire Mandas–Laconi railway line.
We meet in Mandas at 9:30 am — you can join us until 11:00 am — and visit the evocative 13th-century medieval complex of Sant’Antonio Abate, where historic homes open exclusively for our group, including the Barber’s Shop, Weaving Room and Wine Room.
A short walk through the historic centre takes us to the museum of vintage vehicles, with 16 cars dating from 1892 to 1976 and 6 motorcycles from 1938 to 1956. Our Guides reveal their stories, while we enjoy memorable photographs, hand-crank engine demonstrations, unusual horns and much more.
At 11:15 am, a 45-minute panoramic bus journey takes us through the Sarcidano, among colourful vineyards, freshly ploughed fields, Nuraghe Is Paras, Lake Is Barroccus and the forests surrounding Laconi.
Here we explore the historic centre and the spectacular Aymerich Park, with its centuries-old trees, flowing water, waterfalls, lake and medieval castle ruins surrounded by the golden and copper shades of autumn — a truly fairytale setting.
A two-hour break allows time for a picnic, further exploration of Laconi or an optional full meal at the renowned Oasi Francescana.
We then reach Laconi Railway Station, where our Guides introduce the history, operation and legends of the railway before we board the train.
The whistle blows, the train hisses and we set off for Mandas. For around two hours, the historic narrow-gauge railway takes us through wooded mountains, olive groves, vineyards and wheat fields, passing once again through Nurallao, across Lake Is Barroccus and beneath Nuraghe Is Paras.
Finally, we arrive back in Mandas, completing a unique journey through the Sarcidano.
Not simply a day trip. Not simply a train ride. A slower, more authentic way to experience Sardinia in autumn.
09:30 – Meeting point in Mandas with the Guides, who will accompany the group throughout the day.
09:40 – Entrance and guided visit to the medieval courtyards of Sant’Antonio Abate (13th century), including the Weaving Room, Barber’s Shop and other historic rooms belonging to local Mandas families, now part of the Ethnographic Museum.
10:10 – Visit to the collection of vintage cars and motorcycles at the Regional Museum “A. Mocci Demartis”.
11:10 – Departure by coach heading north through the Sarcidano hills, with their changing autumn colours, vineyards and cultivated fields. Along the way, we admire Nuraghe Is Paras, Lake Is Barroccus, the village of Nurallao and the distant Giara plateau, before continuing through the forests towards Laconi.
12:00 – Arrival in Laconi, birthplace of Saint Ignatius. Guided visit to the sites associated with the Saint, the historic centre and, above all, the magnificent Aymerich Park, spectacular during the autumn foliage season.
13:30–15:30 – Free time for a packed lunch. Optional: full lunch featuring local specialities at Oasi Francescana.
15:30 – Meet the Guides and continue the visit through Laconi’s historic centre, walking towards the railway station.
16:00 – Arrival at Laconi Railway Station. The Guide introduces the railway line and its history before we board the train.
16:30 – Departure for Mandas aboard the historic Green Train. Guided commentary during the journey as we travel through the territories of Nurallao, alongside the ancient valley now transformed into Lake Is Barroccus, with its island and the rural church of San Sebastiano; across the countryside around Isili, passing beneath Nuraghe Is Paras; and finally through the hills leading back to Mandas.
18:30 – Arrival in Mandas and end of the day.
09:40 – Entrance and guided visit to the medieval courtyards of Sant’Antonio Abate (13th century), including the Weaving Room, Barber’s Shop and other historic rooms belonging to local Mandas families, now part of the Ethnographic Museum.
10:10 – Visit to the collection of vintage cars and motorcycles at the Regional Museum “A. Mocci Demartis”.
11:10 – Departure by coach heading north through the Sarcidano hills, with their changing autumn colours, vineyards and cultivated fields. Along the way, we admire Nuraghe Is Paras, Lake Is Barroccus, the village of Nurallao and the distant Giara plateau, before continuing through the forests towards Laconi.
12:00 – Arrival in Laconi, birthplace of Saint Ignatius. Guided visit to the sites associated with the Saint, the historic centre and, above all, the magnificent Aymerich Park, spectacular during the autumn foliage season.
13:30–15:30 – Free time for a packed lunch. Optional: full lunch featuring local specialities at Oasi Francescana.
15:30 – Meet the Guides and continue the visit through Laconi’s historic centre, walking towards the railway station.
16:00 – Arrival at Laconi Railway Station. The Guide introduces the railway line and its history before we board the train.
16:30 – Departure for Mandas aboard the historic Green Train. Guided commentary during the journey as we travel through the territories of Nurallao, alongside the ancient valley now transformed into Lake Is Barroccus, with its island and the rural church of San Sebastiano; across the countryside around Isili, passing beneath Nuraghe Is Paras; and finally through the hills leading back to Mandas.
18:30 – Arrival in Mandas and end of the day.
EXCURSION BASE PRICE
Adult: €43.00
Child (4–12 years): €30.00
Infant (0–3 years): €10:00
OPTIONAL ADD-ON
Option 1 | Free time in Laconi (No additional cost)
Option 2 | Lunch in Laconi at Oasi Francescana(+€25/adult | +€15/child)
PETS
Small size: €10.00 (in a pet carrier, maximum dimensions 50 × 30 × 25 cm)
Medium/Large size: Admission upon request by phone.
Adult: €43.00
Child (4–12 years): €30.00
Infant (0–3 years): €10:00
OPTIONAL ADD-ON
Option 1 | Free time in Laconi (No additional cost)
Option 2 | Lunch in Laconi at Oasi Francescana(+€25/adult | +€15/child)
PETS
Small size: €10.00 (in a pet carrier, maximum dimensions 50 × 30 × 25 cm)
Medium/Large size: Admission upon request by phone.
Green Train journey from Laconi to Mandas (2 hours);
Panoramic bus tour through the Sarcidano (45 minutes);
IT/EN tourist guide service on the shuttle bus and train, at station stops and during visits to the local area;
Entrance and guided visit to the Sardinia Museum of Vintage Cars and Motorcycles in Mandas;
Entrance and guided visit to the Ethnographic Museum of Mandas;
(Only with Option 2 – Lunch included): 5-course lunch (appetisers, first course, main course, side dishes and dessert), including bread, water and wine;
Travel insurance coverage provided by our Tour Operator, Travelling Sardinia.
Panoramic bus tour through the Sarcidano (45 minutes);
IT/EN tourist guide service on the shuttle bus and train, at station stops and during visits to the local area;
Entrance and guided visit to the Sardinia Museum of Vintage Cars and Motorcycles in Mandas;
Entrance and guided visit to the Ethnographic Museum of Mandas;
(Only with Option 2 – Lunch included): 5-course lunch (appetisers, first course, main course, side dishes and dessert), including bread, water and wine;
Travel insurance coverage provided by our Tour Operator, Travelling Sardinia.
ONLY WITH OPTION 2
Lunch at the renowned Oasi Francescana in Laconi includes:
Selection of cured meats and grilled vegetables
Homemade pasta
A main course featuring strictly local meat
Oven-roasted potatoes and fresh vegetables
Fresh fruit
Artisanal ice cream
Water and ¼ litre of house wine
To accommodate different dietary requirements and any food allergies or intolerances, the meal will be served buffet-style.
Lunch at the renowned Oasi Francescana in Laconi includes:
Selection of cured meats and grilled vegetables
Homemade pasta
A main course featuring strictly local meat
Oven-roasted potatoes and fresh vegetables
Fresh fruit
Artisanal ice cream
Water and ¼ litre of house wine
To accommodate different dietary requirements and any food allergies or intolerances, the meal will be served buffet-style.
OPTIONAL VISITS IN LACONI
For guests who have chosen Option 1 – Free Time, the following optional visits are available:
Menhir Museum (€5.00 per person)
Villa Liberty of Notary Sulis
Genna Manna Winery
Lugas Liqueur Factory
- Anything not specifically listed under “What’s Included” is not included in the service.
For guests who have chosen Option 1 – Free Time, the following optional visits are available:
Menhir Museum (€5.00 per person)
Villa Liberty of Notary Sulis
Genna Manna Winery
Lugas Liqueur Factory
- Anything not specifically listed under “What’s Included” is not included in the service.
Water
Confortable shoes
Confortable shoes
+/- 3 km in total with some uphill and downhill stretches. Comfortable shoes recommended
-No cancellation penalty is applied for cancellations 8 or more days before the departure of the excursion.
-A cancellation penalty equal to 50% is applied for cancellations less than 8 days before the departure of the excursion.
-A cancellation penalty equal to 70% is applied for cancellations less than 3 days before the departure of the excursion.
-A cancellation penalty of 100% is applied for cancellations less than 24 hours from the departure time of the excursion or in case of no show.
-A cancellation penalty equal to 50% is applied for cancellations less than 8 days before the departure of the excursion.
-A cancellation penalty equal to 70% is applied for cancellations less than 3 days before the departure of the excursion.
-A cancellation penalty of 100% is applied for cancellations less than 24 hours from the departure time of the excursion or in case of no show.
9:30 am – Piazza del Ducato, Mandas (in front of Mandas Town Hall)
from october with departure every Sunday and holidays
THE OTHER JOURNEYS