1. Cagliari: Conti Vecchi Salt Flats Train and Tour
Discover the "white gold" of the Saline Conti Vecchi on an individual walking tour and train ride through the expansive salt flats of the Santa Gilla Basin. Learn how Luigi Conti Vecchi drove the region's economic development, watch for flamingos, and wander by Macchiareddu, a historic salt-mining village. Begin your tour by visiting a still-operational salt plant and museum. Listen as your guide details the history of the salt workers and how the industry's success drove Cagliari to economic prosperity. Browse through historical documents and wander through a historical workshop and chemical lab. Then it's time to take a train to the Santa Gilla Basin, Sardinia's most important wetland. Watch for pink flamingos, marvel at the mountains of white salt and saltpans, and learn more about life in the historic village of Macchiareddu. Take a few photos before ending your trip back at the museum.