Sardinia
About Sardinia
Sardina has quite simply some of the most unspoilt beaches across Europe. Glorious stretches of sand are combined with some world class hotels and places to stay it’s no wonder the place caught the eye of the Aga Khan in the early 1960s. He liked it so much – he built an exclusive resort! On top of these, the island is blessed with forests, rugged mountains and rivers in the interior which makes it a great choice for those seeking adventure as well as relaxation. It is also home to 3 golf courses of international reputation.
Whether it’s sipping cappuccino in the glamourous Porto Cervo, exploring the pristine beaches and secluded coves some of which can only be reached by boat, or exploring the glorious interior filled with ancient ruins and white hilltop villages, Sardinia has something for everyone. It’s also a place where no-one can go hungry – the local cuisine fuses Italian with Spanish and Arabic influences to ensure a delicious choice of food at any time of the day. Be sure to try Mirto – the local after-dinner liqueur made from the leaves of the myrtle plant.
The island (the second biggest in the Mediterranean) was once a stopping off point for the many empires that journeyed through the Mediterranean. The Phoenecians, Vandals and Byzantines all left their mark before the Spanish which remains the most obvious. Some places still have signs written in Catalan.
The north of the island is blessed with over 80 coves and beaches. The Caribbean-like beaches here are some of the best across Europe – Isola Rossa for example, lays claim to a standout arc of white sand with crystal clear waters making it ideal to swim and snorkel too.
Porto Cervo is the modern day creation of the Aga Khan and today it is filled with international jetsetters with the likes of Rihanna, Bradley Cooper and Bill Gates having been spotted here. It’s not difficulty to see why the Aga Khan was so smitten – gentle hills tumble down to an aquamarine lagoon pitted with time islets. Beaches look they could be in the Caribbean and they are powder-white sand.
Nearby are Budoni and Baia Sardinia. These are just 10 minutes from glamourous Porto Cervo and also have more of those stunning white powder-sand beaches lined with green cliffs. They are ideal for swimming as well as sailing, windsurfing and scuba diving. A short walk from the beaches, the town square has a good choice of restaurants, bars and shops. From the island, the La Maddalena Archpelago national park can be seen with its group of barely-inhabited islands all protected under the geomarine park status. Up close from the regular boat trips from the area, the scenery gets even better. Spiaggia Rosa beach is pink from the coral and shells amongst the sand. Whilst many of the hotels offer private beaches, there are plenty of public beaches too. The largest is Spiaggia Liscia Ruja is the largest with some of the clearest waters around. Spiaggia Romanzzino is backed by fragrant rosemary bushes. Celebrities such as Julia Roberts, Donatello Versace and Tom Cruise have been spotted on this coastline. One of the most renowned activities in the area is at Phi Beach where the beach club offers VIP lounges with large beds to watch the stunning sunset.
Away from the beaches, it’s a very different scene. Life in the tiny hilltop villages is much more laid back. Markets sell the locals wine and cheeses, seafood linguine is on the menu at al-fresco cafes and the rugged mountain scenery begs to be explored. The area is also an easy starting point for day trips to neighbouring Corsica with its equally pretty seafront villages, scenic national parks and the typically French joie de vivre. It’s all just an hour or so on the ferry.
Olbia has a heart that is bursting with boutiques, full of café-surrounded piazzas and ancient sites. It’s a fascinating city to visit along with the verdant vineyards and farmlands of the surrounding countryside. Spending time getting lost in the alleyways and courtyards is all part of the fun.