Cook the Farm Sardinia
01-11 November 2026
11 days
12 max.
DURATION
COHORT
DATES
When you think of Sardinia you may picture turquoise coves and white-sand beaches, but far beyond this vacation paradise lies another story: an inland shaped by pastoral life, artisan traditions, and communities who live by the rhythms of the land. It is a story of shepherds and cheesemakers, of forests and fields of wild edibles and landscapes that continue to nourish both body and culture. This is the island we invite you to explore during Cook the Farm: Sardinia.
Your journey begins with seven nights in the village of Gergei, followed by three nights in the coastal town of Orosei. Domu Antiga will be our base for gathering, learning, and sharing meals, with nearby restored historic homes offering comfort and a strong sense of place. Life in Gergei provides a glimpse into small-town Sardinia: daily rhythms, familiar faces, and genuine hospitality. Our hosts, Samuel Lai and his family, who also run the village creamery Sinnos, welcome us into a community where food and friendship go hand in hand. In Orosei, a family-run inn in the historic center offers a warm, simple, locally rooted stay.
For generations, Sardinian foodways have revolved around pastoralism, sheep and goat herding, handmade cheeses, wheat cultivation, and a cuisine defined by seasonality and resourcefulness. Village kitchens, artisanal workshops, and coastal communities all reveal how Sardinians have cooked, preserved, celebrated, and endured, with food as a bridge between land and identity.
Cook the Farm Sardinia
Dates: 1-11 November 2026 (11 days)
Cohort: 12 people, maximum
Single Occupancy: €7,000 | Double Occupancy: €7,900
An invitation into this living heritage. Over eleven days, we’ll explore pastoral traditions with Sinnos Formaggi, make cheese and pasta by hand, forage wild greens, share meals with shepherds, and meet artisans whose craft is shaped by the landscape. More than a culinary journey, it is an exploration of place, connection, and the stories that endure.
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Arrive in Cagliari and transfer to the village of Gergei. Settle into Domu Antiga, meet the group, and share a first dinner together.
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An overview of Sardinia's landscape, history, and pastoral heritage, followed by an afternoon visit to a sheep farm for milking.
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A full day at Sinnos Formaggi: hands-on cheesemaking from milk to pecorino and ricotta, ending with a tasting of eight house-made cheeses.
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Morning cooking class: culurgiones, lorighittas, and seada. Afternoon visit to the island's last copper blacksmith try your hand at making a sheep bell.
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A full day with a local shepherd and his herd exploring the link between land, animals, and food quality. Rustic barbecue lunch at the shepherd's house.
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Visit a local winery: tour the vineyards, explore native varietals and fermentation, and enjoy a slow lunch with wine tasting. Evening aperitivo and group reflection back in Gergei.
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Morning foraging for wild edibles in a nearby nature reserve. Afternoon final cooking class, preparing Sardinian specialities for a celebratory farewell dinner.
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Depart Gergei. Stop at the Nuraghe of Barumini, a Bronze Age icon among 7,000 archaeological sites on the island. Continue to the coastal town of Orosei for an evening stroll.
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A day devoted to Sardinia's most iconic bread: the thin, twice-baked pane carasau, nicknamed "music bread" for the sound it makes when broken. Observe and participate in its preparation.
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Witness the making of filindeu, the world's most intricate pasta, and taste it at lunch in a traditional mutton broth. Afternoon visit to a local olive mill during harvest season.
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After breakfast, depart Orosei and transfer to Cagliari airport or train station. Arrivederci.
Projected schedule. Activities and presenters are subject to change without notice and dates of events may be adjusted to suit venue and/or producer needs. The program is an idea of themes, activities, and topics that may be covered.
Life in Gergei and Orosei: The program begins with seven nights in Gergei, a charming rural village in southern Sardinia surrounded by plains and rolling hills. Life here unfolds at a pastoral pace with familiar faces, genuine hospitality, and a community where food and friendship go hand in hand. The final three nights move to Orosei, a small town on the northeast coast known for its vibrant network of food producers and artisans, with local bars and shops to explore in the evenings.
Language: Most programming is in English. Translation will be provided for Italian and Sardinian lecturers and/or experiences.
How to get there: Fly into Cagliari (CAG) for arrival and CTF will provide group transfer from Cagliari airport or city centre at a set time on Day 1. For departure, plan to fly out of Olbia (OLB), as the group transfer on the final day goes to Olbia airport or city centre. Booking an open-jaw itinerary arriving to Cagliari & departing Olbia is the simplest approach. Independent travel is not included and is your own responsibility.
Accommodation: In Gergei, participants stay in restored traditional houses within walking distance of Domu Antiga, where all meals are shared. Options include Domu Antiga itself, Mario Cesare, or Mola & Prentza, all of which are locally run and chosen for their connection to the community. In Orosei, the group stays at Su Barchile, a modest family-run hotel in the historic centre. Rooms can be single or double occupancy (limited availability).
WHAT IS INCLUDED
Accommodation
Lodging in comfortable cottages with living areas. Rooms are in various cottages just minutes walking from the main house Domu Antiga where we gather for meals:7 nights in Gergei at Domu Antiga, Mario Cesare, or Mola&Prentza. Rooms are assigned based on sign ups; 3 nights at Su Barchile, a family-run hotel in Orosei.
Shuttle Transfer
Transfer from Cagliari airport or city center at a set time on arrival date. Transfer to Olbia airport or city center at a set time on departure date.Meals
All meals (including wine with dinner and lunch) and activities outlined in the program, and transfers to all activities.
NOT INCLUDED
Flight
Airfare to and from Sardinia is not included (we suggest an arrival in Cagliari, departure from Olbia).
Additional meals
Two meals are not included in the pricing.Insurance
Travel insurance must be arranged independently by participants.Extra
Laundry is available at a small fee per wash. Gifts and or extra provisions you’d like for yourself on outings.
