Mandas to Laconi

Michael Portillo’s railway tour of Sardinia heads inland towards the island's dramatic mountain landscapes, which he discovers were frequented by DH Lawrence, who is revered in this remote spot.

Michael visits the spectacular Nuraghe, mysterious Bronze Age conical stone structures unique to Sardinia where remarkable artefacts have been unearthed to reveal an advanced society of engineers, navigators, and craftsmen.

Immersing himself in Sardinian traditions, Michael visits a family-run agriturismo, where he learns the art of making delicate ravioli. Finally, he embarks on a nostalgic journey aboard Il Trenino Verde, one of Europe’s longest narrow-gauge railways, which winds through Sardinia’s rugged interior.