savoring sardinia with chef karen akunowicz
Dates
July 2 - 9, 2024
Trip Length
8 Days / 7 Nights
Group Size
Limited to 14 Spots
Rate
From $8,990
(for double occupancy)
Tasting Notes
age-old island riches from a mythic bounty of land and sea
amuse bouche
July 2 - 9, 2024
(8 Days / 7 Nights)
Limited to 14 Spots
$8,990 /
per person,
based on double occupancy*
$10,500 /
per person,
based on single occupancy* **
*Airfare not included. **The number of single occupancy rooms is extremely limited and subject to availability at time of booking
Anchors Away
Bask in the beautiful sunshine and bathe in the sparkling sea while setting off for the stunning Maddalena Archipelago during an exquisite private boating adventure.
A Culinary Tapestry
Meander through a quintessential Italian mercato to uncover the sites, smells and sounds that make up the diverse culinary tapestry of Sardinia.
Delicacies for Days
Sip on award-winning Vermentino and Cannonau at Sardinia’s most exciting wineries and sample its best regional delicacies, from bottarga to roasted porceddu, guided by passionate local food and wine experts.
the tasting menu
July 2 - 9, 2024
July 2, 2024
Benvenuti a Sardinia! Our epicurean voyage with Chef Karen Akunowicz will begin upon arrival at Olbia Airport. We will be transported to five-star Hotel Marinedda Thalasso & SPA, our idyllic seaside home for the next four days. After settling in, we’ll regroup at the hotel’s breathtaking beachfront for a welcome aperitivo to celebrate the start of our island escape. This tasty Italian tradition will open our appetite for a sumptuous welcome dinner to follow, featuring a delectable array of locally caught seafood.
Meals: D
Overnight: Hotel Marinedda Thalasso & SPA
July 3, 2024
Our day will begin with a trip to Sassari, one of Sardinia’s oldest cities and its second largest. Rich in art, neoclassical architecture and centuries of history and culture, in Sassari we will meet with a local cook who will guide us on a gourmet shopping expedition for the island’s famed bottarga, a salted seafood delicacy, along with other local and seasonal ingredients at the city’s Mercato Civico. Our next stop will bring us to a local fainerie for a taste of traditional Fainè, a traditional Genovese chickpea porridge. Next we’ll sit down to a private lunch hosted in the home of a local food expert who, alongside Chef Karen, will prepare Sardinia’s signature spaghetti con la bottarga. We will next nourish our minds with a visit to the intriguing Bronze Age archaeological site, Nuraghi Tomba dei Giganti (The Giant’s Tomb). We’ll end our day with a private visit to Tenuta Dettori winery to enjoy a multi-flight wine tasting accompanied by light bites and a beautiful backdrop.
Meals: B, L, Light Dinner
Overnight: Hotel Marinedda Thalasso & SPA
July 4, 2024
This morning we’ll enjoy free time to bask in the Sardinian sunshine at Hotel Marinedda’s private beach and pool. The day will continue as we travel to the olive oil mill of artisan producer Giuseppe Brozzu, where a private tour followed by a guided tasting of his acclaimed organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil awaits. From there we’ll make our way to Castelsardo, where we will have time to explore the beautiful coastline location. For tonight’s dinner we will be treated to traditional castellanese seafood dishes, including granseola crab and spiny lobster, all hosted at a beautiful panoramic restaurant overlooking the sea. With our appetites satiated, we’ll be transported back to our hotel to rest before another day of new adventures.
Meals: B, D
Overnight: Hotel Marinedda Thalasso & SPA
July 5, 2024
The day will begin with a visit to a renowned organic farm with a tiny ecological footprint of only 0 kilometer, where they produce mouth watering artisanal cheeses. Here we will learn the art of traditional pecorino cheesemaking, including a tour of the creamery itself, and an educational tasting of the delicious cheeses the farm has to offer. Our next epicurean experience is sure to be a highlight, with a hands-on pasta making class hosted by none other than Chef Karen herself with the support of a local chef. Karen will lead our group through the process of making her favorite Sardinian pasta, culurgiones, a pillowy potato stuffed pasta flavored with mint and, of course, pecorino. Lunch will be a beautiful meal of our own creations, accompanied by farm specialties and perfectly paired wines. We will next make our way to the historic seaside city of Alghero. Here we’ll have time to take in the beauty of Alghero’s old city, the Alguervella, to learn about its heritage as a former Genovese settlement turned Spanish Aragonese and Catalonian colony. Along the way, we’ll stop at an acclaimed local bakery for some traditional tiliccas de sapa cookies to fuel our wanderings. This evening we will enjoy dinner like a local with free time to find a fantastic spot for savoring the city’s Catalan-influenced cuisine and local seafood, before returning to the hotel to retire for the evening.
Meals: B, L
Overnight: Hotel Marinedda Thalasso & SPA
July 6, 2024
This morning we say goodbye to the stunning Hotel Marinedda before making our way to the island’s illustrious Vermentino wine route. Here we will enjoy a private winery visit to taste award-winning white wines made from vivacious Vermentino and Carignano grapes that are indigenous to the region. Next we will visit Tenute Olbios, run by Daniela Pinna, Sardinia’s female winemaker of the year, for an exclusive private tour and tasting. Lunch will consist of modern and delicious Sardinian fare at a gourmet trattoria in the heart of Olbia. Our only obligation this afternoon will be checking into our five-star hideaway, the plush Petra Segreta hotel, leaving the evening free to explore our new sumptuous stay located just outside of San Pantaleo.
Meals: B, L
Overnight: Petra Segreta Resort & Spa
July 7, 2024
An exquisite private boat voyage to the breathtaking serenity of the Maddalena Archipelago awaits us on this sixth day of our joy filled journey. We’ll appreciate captivating Mediterranean scenery as we boat along crystal blue waters to the Maddalena islands, nestled between captivating Corsica and spellbinding Sardinia. A lunch of sea to table fare hosted onboard promises a parade of the freshest seafood and other coastal delights. We’ll return to our hotel sunkissed and satisfied to enjoy a free evening at our leisure.
Meals: B, L
Overnight: Petra Segreta Resort & Spa
July 8, 2024
Our day will start with a bespoke baking experience in the city of Nuoro, where we’ll learn the secrets of crafting local Pane Carasau. A visit to the hilltop town of Orgosolo will tell us the story of Sardinia’s political past through its vivid series of murals. Tonight’s closing dinner will be an ode to Sardinia’s farmstead heritage and vast interiors with the ancient tradition of a shepherd’s supper, featuring traditional porceddu or outdoor grilled suckling pig, a local delicacy. Together we will break bread and raise glasses alongside the talented winemakers, chefs and artisans who guided us through our wonderful island voyage. With full bellies and happy hearts, we will return to the hotel in the early evening to prepare for tomorrow’s departure.
Meals: B, D
Overnight: Petra Segreta Resort & Spa
July 9, 2024
This morning we bid farewell to la bella Sardinia, and savor the last moments of our Italian escape, before making our way to Olbia Airport, our point of departure.
Meals: B
Overnight: N/A
meet the tastemaker
chef karen akunowicz
Chef Karen Akunowicz is the 2018 James Beard Foundation Award winner for Best Chef: Northeast and the 2020 James Beard Award finalist for Best New Restaurant in America. She is the Chef/Owner of Fox & the Knife Enoteca in South Boston, Fox Pasta Co. and Bar Volpe Ristorante & Pastificio. Chef Karen has been touted “Boston’s Queen of Pasta” and her first restaurant Fox & the knife was called an “Instant Classic” by Food & Wine Magazine and named one of their “Best New Restaurants in America”.
Chef Akunowicz became a fan favorite when she competed on Bravo’s Emmy-nominated show, “Top Chef” Season 13 and Top Chef “All Stars”. She was a finalist on The Food Network’s “Tournament of Champions 3 and 4. She has appeared as a judge on Top Chef, Top Chef Canada, America’s Worst Cooks, America’s Test Kitchen Next Gen and is a recurring Judge on “Beat Bobby Flay”.
She was named one of the “21 Badass Women Changing the Food World” by Marie Claire Magazine and her second cookbook Crave: Bold Recipes That Make You Want Seconds” will be published by Countryman in the fall of 2023.
In 2019 Chef Karen opened Fox & the Knife, inspired by her time spent living and cooking in Modena, Italy. Fox & the Knife is a casual and contemporary homage to the food, wine, culture and spirit of that city, all presented with a warm welcome in a high energy atmosphere. Fox & the Knife menu highlights Akunowicz’s flair for the soul-satisfying, graceful Italian food that she honed while working in Italy as a pasta maker and Chef of L’Avian Blu Enoteca. At Fox & the Knife, the bold flavors of exceptional ingredients are expressed through both traditional and modern techniques to introduce new versions of beloved classics.
In 2020 Chef Akunowicz created a fresh pasta retail business called Fox Pasta Company that now ships sauces and her handmade pasta Nationwide and is carried in specialty shops in Boston and New York. Her second restaurant “Bar Volpe” opened in 2021 is a restaurant and pastificio (pasta shop) focused on wood-fired Southern Italian cuisine. With a glass encased pasta room in the middle of the dining room and a stunning market and wine bar capping off the sprawling space, Bar Volpe continues the conversation Chef Karen has started about Italian cuisine and culture at Fox & the Knife.
She has been profiled on CBS Saturday Morning’s “The Dish”, “The Today Show” “The Kelly Clarkson Show”, “Pickler and Ben” and Hallmark’s “Home & Family”. She has been featured in commercials for Orbitz, Martini and Rossi and Zepher Design. Akunowicz has also been interviewed for national publications such as The New York Times, Entrepreneur Magazine, People Magazine, Bon Appetit, Food & Wine, Forbes and Wall Street Journal Magazine.
sumptuous stays
Hotel Marinedda Thalasso & SPA
A pearl of Sardinia’s Gallura region, Hotel Marinedda envelopes guests with seaside elegance along the pristine beaches of the Costa Rossa, while offering plush island comforts from which to discover the best of northern Sardinia.
Petra Segreta Resort & Spa
Gastronomy and wellness come together in perfect harmony at this five-star hideaway in the serene hillsides above coastal San Pantaleo, where Michelin-starred cuisine, refined design and archipelago views characterize this chic haven of taste.
What's Included
- Elegant handpicked stays with gourmet spirit, including five-star Hotel Marinedda Thalasso & Spa and five-star Petra Segreta Resort & Spa
- Full-time assistance of a Palatum Trip Leader
- All ground transportation from pick-up to drop-off
- Select touring with local guides & epicurean experts
- Daily breakfast
- Seasonally inspired lunches & dinners showcasing regional wines
- Exclusive dining at awarded gastronomic restaurants
- Hands-on cooking experiences highlighting heritage recipes
- Premium winery visits & tastings at storied producers
- Special visits with acclaimed food artisans & organic farmers
- Tastings of local delicacies unique to each region
- Signature cultural touring & all associated tickets/entrance fees
- Palatum Welcome Package in advance of departure
What's Not Included
- International or regional airfare
- A-la-carte food orders, alcoholic beverages or wines outside of pre-arranged menus during organized meals
- Any meals or beverages during free time
- Hotel incidentals including room service, laundry services and hotel bar tabs
- Hotel room upgrade requests and/or fees/supplements incurred from any room changes
- Personal expenditures and personal spending money
- Expenses for activities/excursions not included in the tour itinerary
- Transportation expenses incurred during free time, such as taxi or bus fares
- Travel insurance including health, accidents, lost baggage and trip cancellation
- Passport and Visa expenses
- All other items that are not mentioned or included in the tour itinerary
book now
Reserve your spot today with a deposit and completion of our booking form.
Looking for a privatized experience or specific dates? Look into booking a Private Palatum Expedition.
supplemental information
your trip specifics
The group rendezvous point for the start of the tour is Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport. It is strongly recommended that you arrive in Sardinia one or two days prior to the commencement of the tour, to allow for any delays or rerouting that may occur while in transit to Italy. Please note that all participants must arrive by 1:00 PM to Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport on July 2, 2024 to take advantage of the group transfer to Hotel Marinedda Thalasso & Spa in Isola Rossa. Participants who choose to arrive earlier or later than the outlined group transfer time can contact The Palatum about private transfer options, which can be arranged at an additional cost.
Suggested Airport: Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport
Pick-up Location: Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport
Pick-up Time: Approximately 1:00 PM
The end date of the tour is July 9, 2024 with group drop-offs at 9:30 AM at Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport. If you are planning to depart from Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport on July 9, 2024 we would strongly recommend that you book a departing flight that leaves no earlier than 12:00 PM, to allow for ample time following the scheduled drop-off.
Suggested Airport: Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport
Drop-off Locations: Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport
Drop-off Times: Approximately 9:30 AM
Your trip balance is due no later than April 1, 2024 (approximately 90 days prior to the tour start date).
Payments may be made by MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover, or by check made payable to The Palatum.
more to know
This tour may at times be physically active and interactive, so you must be in good health to participate. If you have any physical, mental, visual, or other medical impairment that may hinder your ability to successfully complete this Palatum small group tour, you must submit a letter from your physician stating that you are able to safely participate in the tour at least 90 days prior to departure. The Palatum reserves the right to decline any Participant whose condition, in The Palatum’s opinion, may negatively affect the health or safety of that Participant, other Participants, our staff/agents, or third parties.
The Palatum has crafted this exclusive epicurean tour to highlight seasonal vinicultural and gastronomic experiences of the highest caliber. As this tour has been specially designed to take you off the beaten path and introduce you to authentic local food and wine experiences, it may require that necessary adjustments be made to the tour schedule either prior to departure or during the tour. Rest assured, we will make every effort to provide you with the touring experience outlined in the itinerary. Please be advised that we cannot provide refunds for any touring days, activities, excursions, tastings, etc., that you have chosen not to participate in, or any costs associated with opting out of a planned activity or excursion (i.e. taxi or bus fare).
If you cancel by or before December 1, 2024: You will receive a 100% refund of your paid deposit minus a $500 processing fee.
If you cancel between December 2, 2024 and January 14, 2024: You will receive a 50% refund of your paid deposit.
If you cancel between January 15, 2024 and March 31, 2024: You will receive a 25% refund of your paid deposit.
If you cancel after April 1, 2024, 2024 all monies paid will be non-refundable.
Trip cancellation must be made by calling The Palatum at 1-888-466-4381, and must be followed up by written confirmation via email or mail.
the palatum way
Palatum tours feature the full-time assistance of a Palatum Trip Leader, as well as select touring with local guides and experts in gastronomy and oenology.
Every Palatum tour is designed to celebrate the culinary traditions, seasonal produce, and local food products that make the regions being visited, such diverse gastronomic destinations. During the tour you will enjoy a wide variety of gourmet foods, as well as both typical and creative dishes, intended to delve deep into the authentic food landscapes we will be exploring. This means that you can look forward to sampling regional delicacies that highlight a cornucopia of ingredients, from the familiar to the unfamiliar. As culinary experiences and organized meals are planned well in advance, it is important that you advise The Palatum of any food allergies and/or dietary restrictions you may have, so that we can do our very best to meet your needs.
You can look forward to receiving an online link to your digital Palatum Portfolio approximately two weeks prior to departure. Your digital Palatum Portfolio will include the final, detailed tour itinerary, providing a more granular portrait of your travel experience, including daily touring schedules with times and all pertinent details, as well as other supplemental travel information, such as weather resources, emergency contact information, and other useful travel tips.
An amuse-bouche for the feast that awaits, your Palatum Welcome Package will include some gourmet surprises to get you dreaming about your upcoming trip, which will be mailed out to arrive prior to your departure on the tour. Once shipped, you will be notified via email and provided with the tracking number for your package.
getting there
Optional travel insurance is available to provide peace of mind during your travels in the event of accident, sickness or unexpected cancellation. In evaluating travel insurance options you may want to review all forms of insurance coverage for your upcoming trip, such as your credit card or medical and homeowner’s insurance company benefits, in addition to other third party insurance providers. Trip insurance can also be purchased through The Palatum’s preferred provider Travel Guard®. If you are interested in obtaining a quote or purchasing a policy, you can email The Palatum at info@thepalatum.com.
Today’s travel landscape offers many resources available for booking airfare. As such, we encourage you to explore your options, such as booking your airfare through a trusted ticketing agent, an online airline resource, or using your frequent flier miles or credit card rewards points. As you research your preferred flights, you will want to review your pre-tour and post-tour travel plans, and select airline routes that make sense logistically with regard to the start and end dates of the tour.
All Palatum tours require a valid passport, with a minimum 6 months validity. As visa and entry requirements can vary from country to country, and change with little or no notice, it is your responsibility to contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, and to carry the proper travel documents.
Each tour participant is allowed a total of one medium sized suitcase (25” to 27” inches) and one standard carry-on. Please note that this luggage allowance will be strictly enforced, as the size of the tour vehicle will only accommodate the set number of tour participants and the outlined luggage allowance per participant. Any deviation from the outlined luggage allowance will result in unnecessarily cramped tour bus conditions.
Arriving before the start of tour, or perhaps staying after? Just let us know and we can provide you with pricing for a pre- or post-tour extension, such as private transfers and additional nights at hotels included on the tour.