A Culinary and Cultural Immersion into One of the World’s Original Blue Zones

This deeply immersive journey through Sardinia invites you into one of the world’s original Blue Zones, a place where food, land, movement, and community quietly shape long, vibrant lives.

Over seven days, we move intentionally through villages, countryside, and coastline—cooking alongside locals, meeting centenarian grandmothers, baking bread in wood-fired ovens, and gathering at tables where food remains a daily expression of care, identity, and connection.

Curated in collaboration with Carte & Compass and led by Chef Jeremy Rock Smith, the retreat features special local guidance from Simonetta Bazzu, a Sardinian food steward and expert in traditional, plant-based foodways, featured in Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy. Through her long-standing relationships with local families, shepherds, and village elders, Simonetta opens doors rarely accessible to travelers, offering moments of connection grounded in lived tradition rather than observation.

This is not a fast-paced tour designed to check boxes. It is a thoughtfully paced and intentionally intimate experience, allowing time to settle into place, build meaningful relationships, and carry the rhythms, flavors, and wisdom of Sardinia home long after the journey ends.

Chef Jeremy Rock Smith- Chef, Author

Former Executive Chef of Kripalu Yoga Center, retreat leader, and whole-foods educator with over two decades of experience guiding people toward health through delicious, seasonal cuisine. Jeremy brings warmth, wisdom, and an infectious love for food and connection. Learn more about Jeremy

Simonetta Bazzu is a Sardinian native, cultural guide, and storyteller at heart. Born and raised in the Gallura region, her relationship with food, land, and community was shaped early on by family traditions and the quiet wisdom of everyday life on the island. After years of studying, traveling, and living abroad, Simonetta felt a deep pull to return home—back to the rhythms, flavors, and values that had always grounded her.

Through her work with Vittoria Arimani—named after the Gallurese word for “yesterday”—Simonetta shares the lived experience of Sardinian longevity: cooking alongside local families, honoring ancestral foodways, and slowing down enough to truly connect. Her approach is intimate and heartfelt, rooted not in theory, but in a way of life passed down through generations, including her own centenarian grandmothers. Spending time with Simonetta feels less like a lesson and more like being welcomed into the story of Sardinia itself. Learn more about Simonetta

The accommodations are thoughtfully chosen to reflect Sardinia’s sense of place, offering comfort, beauty, and character rooted in tradition and landscape. Rather than conventional luxury, these stays emphasize authenticity, craftsmanship, and ease, creating spaces that support rest, connection, and immersion throughout the journey.

Tramas Hotel & Spa
https://www.tramashotel.it/

Night 1

Guests stay in comfortable, modern rooms in the heart of Olbia’s historic center, offering an easy place to land after travel. The walkable location provides access to local cafés and the waterfront, while the hotel’s spa and wellness area offers a chance to unwind before the journey continues into the heart of Sardinia.

Hotel Su Gologone
https://www.sugologone.it/en/

View the Brochure

Nights 2–3

Guests stay in Deluxe Rooms, approximately 20–25 square meters, designed for two guests. Each room is uniquely decorated in a rustic yet artistic Sardinian style, with vibrant colors contrasting beautifully against traditional white plaster walls. No two rooms are exactly alike, adding to the hotel’s character and strong sense of place.

Rooms feature charming iron or wooden four-poster beds inspired by village homes. All rooms include a private shower, air conditioning, minibar, Nespresso machine, kettle, bathrobes, slippers, LED TV, and thoughtful details that reflect the hotel’s deep connection to Sardinian culture and craftsmanship.

▶️ A Glimpse Inside Hotel Su Gologone

Stazzo Lu Ciaccaru
https://www.luciaccaru.com/
Nights 4–6

Accommodations at Stazzo Lu Ciaccaru are set within restored traditional stone stazzi, offering a quiet countryside retreat rooted in Gallura’s rural heritage. Each room is individually designed with rustic-chic character, featuring exposed wooden beams, handcrafted furnishings, terracotta floors, and soft, natural textures.

Rooms are equipped with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, minibar, safe, flat-screen TV, telephone, hairdryer, and en-suite bathrooms. The overall feeling is warm, understated, and grounded—an ideal setting to rest, reflect, and integrate the experiences of the week.

• Seven nights of accommodations across three distinctive Sardinian settings:
  one night at Tramas Hotel & Spa (Olbia), two nights at Hotel Su Gologone, and four nights at Stazzo Lu Ciaccaru

• Daily breakfast from Sunday morning through departure morning (Saturday)

• All group meals included from Saturday evening through Friday dinner, with local wine included at all group meals

• Three signature dining experiences, including a traditional Sardinian welcome dinner, a longevity-focused dinner at Hotel Su Gologone, and a farewell dinner at Stazzo Lu Ciaccaru

• Hands-on culinary workshops, including traditional Sardinian pasta making, sweets, and pane carasau bread baked in a wood-fired oven

• Pastoral food experience, exploring traditional sheep and goat husbandry, Sardinian cheese-making techniques, lecture, and tastings

• Full-day immersive experience at Arimani, including carasau bread baking, an introduction to Sardinian food traditions, a guided Cannonau wine tasting, and a fully plant-based, centenarian-inspired meal

• Cultural experiences with local hosts, including time with centenarian grandmothers, village artisans, and a traditional ceramics workshop with a local maker

• Traditional Tenores vocal performance shared during a communal meal

• Wine and olive oil tastings with local producers

• Optional yoga and on-property wellness activities at select lodging locations

• All group transportation included, from the Sunday morning transfer into the interior of Sardinia through Saturday departure, including transportation for all scheduled activities and site visits

• Group transfer to Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport on departure day

• On-site guidance and facilitation throughout the retreat by Chef Jeremy Rock Smith

• All gratuities for drivers, guides, local hosts, and service staff are included

• International airfare to and from Sardinia

• Travel insurance (strongly recommended)

• Optional activities not listed in the itinerary

• Alcohol outside of included local wine with group meals

• Personal expenses, spa services, or incidentals

Who is this retreat for?
This retreat is designed for curious, thoughtful travelers who value food, culture, and meaningful experiences over sightseeing alone. It’s ideal for those interested in Mediterranean living, longevity, traditional foodways, and slowing down to experience a place from the inside out. You do not need to be a cook—just someone who enjoys good food and shared experiences.

How active is the retreat?
The pace is intentionally balanced. Most days involve walking through villages, standing during cooking workshops, and time outdoors, but nothing is strenuous. There are hiking trails available at our countryside accommodations, which guests are welcome to explore at their own discretion. Optional gentle movement is also offered later in the week. Guests should be comfortable walking on uneven village streets and standing for short periods.

Do I need cooking experience?
Not at all. All cooking experiences are hands-on but fully guided. The focus is on learning through participation, tradition, and shared meals rather than technical skill.

What airport should I fly into?
Please fly into Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport. Detailed arrival and transfer information will be provided after registration, including recommended flight arrival and departure windows, to ensure a smooth transition to and from our hotels.

How do transfers work?
Guests arrive independently on Saturday. A group transfer departs Sunday morning into the interior of Sardinia. Group transportation is provided throughout the retreat from Sunday morning through Saturday departure.

Are meals included?
Yes. All group meals from Sunday dinner through Friday breakfast are included, along with tastings and special food experiences outlined in the itinerary. One dinner on arrival day (Saturday) is not included.

Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?
Yes. Because we are exploring the Blue Zones, meals throughout the retreat are predominantly lacto vegetarian, with an emphasis on vegetables, legumes, grains, olive oil and cheese. That said, certain traditional meats, including pork and goat will be included at select meals, as they are part of the mountain cuisine and cultural heritage of the region. At meals, guests will have both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.

The full day spent at Simonetta’s ancestral village is entirely plant-based, with no meat options, reflecting the traditional foods of that setting.

Please note that multiple hands-on workshops, particularly pasta making, use traditional Sardinian semolina wheat flours native to the region. While we’ll do our best to accommodate where possible, this retreat may not be suitable for those with severe gluten intolerance. Please reach out before booking if you have any questions or concerns.

What is the accommodation style like?
Accommodations are thoughtfully chosen to reflect Sardinia’s sense of place—comfortable, beautiful, and authentic without excess or pretense. Rooms are shared double occupancy unless otherwise noted.

Will I have free time?
Yes. While the retreat is curated and guided, there is built-in space to rest, explore, or simply enjoy the surroundings, particularly in the afternoons and evenings.

How many people will be on the retreat?
The group is limited to 14 guests, allowing for intimate experiences, meaningful connections, and access to people and places not available to larger groups.

What should I pack?
Comfortable walking shoes, layered clothing, casual attire for village life, and one or two nicer outfits for dinners. A detailed packing list will be provided before departure.

Is travel insurance required?
Travel insurance is not required but is strongly recommended, especially coverage for trip cancellation, interruption, and medical care.

What is the payment structure?
A 30% non-refundable deposit is required at booking to secure hotel accommodations. The remaining balance is paid in two installments. Full details are outlined in the Payment & Cancellation Policy.

Why is the deposit non-refundable?
Hotel accommodations require non-refundable deposits that are paid immediately upon registration. This allows us to secure limited rooms and offer a seamless experience.

What happens if I need to cancel?
Refunds are issued according to the cancellation timeline outlined in the Payment & Cancellation Policy. All refunds are subject to applicable processing, credit card, ACH, and administrative fees.

Is this retreat luxury?
Luxury here is defined by access, intimacy, craftsmanship, and care, not excess. While our accommodations may feel like paradise and the attention to detail can feel luxurious, the experience itself is grounded, authentic, and deeply connected to place rather than overtly opulent.

The true value of this retreat lies in rare experiences, deep cultural connection, and thoughtful curation, from the people we meet and the kitchens we’re welcomed into to the pace, setting, and care with which the week is designed.

How will I receive final details?
Guests will receive a detailed pre-departure packet within seven days of registration, including arrival instructions, recommended flight timing, packing guidance, and final logistics to ensure a smooth and well-supported experience.

Payment and cancellation policy

Please note: deposits are non-refundable once accommodations are secured.

Please review the following policy carefully before booking. Registration confirms acceptance of these terms.

Payment schedule
A 30% non-refundable deposit is required at booking to secure accommodations. The remaining balance is due in two installments:
– 35% due February 15
– 35% due April 1

Guests are encouraged to use ACH when available to minimize processing fees.

Cancellation by participant
Because accommodations require a non-refundable deposit once bookings are confirmed, the following terms apply.

Cancellations requested in writing within 30 days of purchase are eligible for a refund of payments made, excluding the non-refundable deposit.
119–90 days before the retreat start date: deposit is non-refundable; 75% refund of additional payments.
89–60 days before the retreat start date: deposit is non-refundable; 50% refund of additional payments.
59 days or fewer before the retreat start date: no refunds.

All refunds are subject to applicable processing, credit card, ACH, and administrative fees, which are non-refundable.

Missed payments
If a scheduled payment is missed, the organizer reserves the right to cancel the booking. Refunds will follow the timeline above.

Cancellation by organizer and force majeure
If the retreat is canceled by the organizer for reasons not related to force majeure, a full refund will be issued. In the event of force majeure, including natural disasters, government restrictions, or other circumstances beyond reasonable control, refunds will be handled according to this policy. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.

Guests arrive independently into Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport and make their way to Tramas Hotel to settle in after travel.  https://www.tramashotel.it/

In the evening, we’ll gather for a welcome dinner just next door at Essenza Bistrot, a small, intimate osteria where chef Max Villani highlights Italian and Sardinian cuisine, prepared simply with beautifully sourced, seasonal ingredients.

https://www.essenzabistrot.it/

It’s a relaxed, local first meal together and a wonderful way to begin our time on the island.

After breakfast, we gather for a group transfer departing at 10:00 AM and begin our journey into the heart of Sardinia, moving from the coast into the rugged, mountainous landscapes of the island’s interior.

Along the way, we step into Sardinia’s pastoral world, where food traditions have shaped daily life for centuries. We visit a local sheep and goat operation to learn how milk moves from herd to table, gaining insight into traditional cheese production methods, followed by guided tastings.

Lunch is shared communally, featuring sheep, goat, and vegetarian dishes prepared in the local style.

During lunch, we are joined by a traditional Tenores vocal performance, offering a glimpse into one of Sardinia’s oldest musical traditions and its role in rural community life. Antonio, our host, is personally connected to this tradition, deepening the cultural context of the experience.

In the afternoon, we continue onward to Hotel Su Gologone, located at the edge of the Supramonte mountains. Upon arrival, we’re welcomed with a guided introduction to the property with family owner Marco, who shares the story of this celebrated hotel and its deep ties to Sardinian culture, art, and food traditions.

The remainder of the afternoon and evening are intentionally unhurried, allowing time to settle in, explore the grounds, or rest after travel.

The day concludes with a traditional Sardinian welcome dinner at the hotel, introducing the mountain cuisine and rhythms that will shape our time in the interior.

Today we spend the morning in and around the village center of Oliena, guided by Simonetta and shaped by the people who live here.

Moving slowly through village streets, we meet locals and connect with centenarian grandmothers whose daily lives reflect Sardinia’s Blue Zone traditions. Through conversation and shared presence, we gain insight into how food, routine, and community are woven into everyday life.

The experience includes a one-hour, hands-on traditional Sardinian desserts workshop led by Simonetta together with the local grandmothers. Cooking and tasting naturally unfold into a long communal lunch, experienced as one continuous flow rooted in generational knowledge. Lunch features a generous spread of traditional dishes, including handmade pastas and the rare ancestral Barbagia recipe pratu e caccia, prepared in a private home using a traditional copper vessel.

Our time in Oliena lasts approximately three hours. At 1:00 pm, we transfer back to Hotel Su Gologone, with the afternoon open to rest, explore the property, or take part in on-site activities. In the evening, we gather for Su Gologone’s signature longevity dinner — a refined expression of Sardinian cuisine grounded in tradition.

We depart Hotel Su Gologone and spend the day with Simonetta as part of a full-day immersive experience at Arimani, rooted in her ancestral village of Battista — a 200-year-old settlement of restored stazzi that feels beautifully suspended in time.

The day is an immersive exploration of food as culture, memory, and daily practice. Guests take part in a hands-on pasta-making experience using traditional semolina flours that have been used for centuries, combined simply with water.

Several Sardinian pasta shapes are taught, from everyday forms to rarer expressions, alongside the stories and techniques that accompany them.

Throughout the day, Simonetta shares what she considers the three secrets of longevity, revealed not through theory but through lived tradition. These insights unfold naturally through cooking, shared meals, and conversation, and are further deepened by a visit to her small artisanal wine cellar.

Lunch is vegetarian and seasonal, prepared from garden-harvested vegetables and served as a generous spread that includes the Gallura specialty Zuppa Gallurese, along with breads, cheeses, fruits, and baked goods.

Bread baking is another highlight, as guests prepare pane carasau and bake it in a wood-fired oven using the same traditional process Simonetta demonstrated on Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy.

Time is also available to explore the village museum and surrounding spaces before returning to Stazzo Lu Ciaccaru in the late afternoon. In the evening, we enjoy a light meal before settling in for the day.

https://www.arimani.com/

Today is designed as a day on the property at Stazzo Lu Ciaccaru, allowing us to fully settle into the slower rhythm of life in the Gallura countryside.

The morning is intentionally open, offering time to sleep in, enjoy breakfast at leisure, walk the grounds, or simply rest and absorb the landscape around us. This unstructured time is an important part of the experience, creating space to integrate what we’ve learned so far.

In the afternoon, we gather on property for a hands-on cooking class, working with seasonal ingredients and traditional techniques that reflect the everyday food of this region. The experience emphasizes simplicity, flavor, and the social nature of cooking together.

The afternoon also includes a guided wine tasting, offering insight into local varietals and how wine fits naturally into daily life and meals in Sardinia.

The day concludes with a shared meal together on property, continuing the themes of connection, ease, and nourishment that define life in this rural setting.

Today offers a striking contrast to the inland villages and countryside experienced earlier in the week as we explore Sardinia’s northeastern coast.

Our day begins in the village of San Pantaleo, where guests may choose to visit the morning market (optional), a lively gathering place for local produce, crafts, and everyday village life set beneath dramatic granite formations.
https://www.costasmeralda.it/en/article/what-to-do-what-to-see-san-pantaleo/

In the afternoon, we head to the coast for time at Oasi Beach Club, where crystalline waters, soft sand, and a relaxed seaside rhythm invite swimming, lounging, or simply soaking in the Mediterranean atmosphere.
https://www.oasibeachclub.it/en/

In the evening, we gather for dinner at Li Finistreddi with Chef Giuseppe, located within a luxury hilltop hotel overlooking the sea. Surrounded by rolling hills and sweeping coastal views, the setting is truly magical and offers a beautiful closing note to the day before returning to Stazzo Lu Ciaccaru for the night.
https://www.finistreddi.it/en/index

Our final full day is spent at Stazzo Lu Ciaccaru, offering space to integrate the experiences of the week.

Guests may choose to join optional gentle movement outdoors, such as morning yoga or a countryside walk, take a refreshing swim, or make use of the on-site gym facilities.

The day also includes curated tastings on property, with visits from local wine and olive oil experts who share how these foundational foods are grown, produced, and traditionally enjoyed in Sardinia.

In the evening, we come together for a farewell dinner at Stazzo Lu Ciaccaru, joined by Simonetta. It’s a reflective and celebratory close to the week, honoring the food, places, and connections that shaped the journey.

After breakfast and checkout, there’s time to say goodbye before we return to Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport for onward travel and flights home.

We'll depart carrying a piece of Sardinia’s rhythms, flavors, and way of living, along with the inspiration to weave these elements into our everyday lives long after the journey ends.