… a journey to sail on an emerald sea among small and big coves with snow-white sand … this is Sardinia, an Island that strikes its visitors with natural contrasts, the lights and colors of a region that guards old traditions, amid wilderness and pure nature. Situated in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, Sardinia is a mainly mountainous region, without high peaks, with a vast and charming, yet bittersweet, natural environment. In fact, the presence of man does not seem to affect this territory; great surfaces still preserve their natural composition, with woods, deserts and marshes, but also deers, wild horses and raptors. The sea reigns over this region with its colors and creeps in the coves, along the coasts, the beaches and the most popular resorts. The Emerald Coast with its pearl, Porto Cervo, combines the sweet shades of colors of the sea with the history and culture of a region that has old traditions, as well as a cheerful and colorful night life. Porto Cervo (Deer Port) was named after its enchanting cove, which looks like the antlers of a deer; its Old Port is considered the best-equipped tourist port in the Mediterranean Sea. In the north of the Bay, we can find new Porto Cervo Marina, a charming and picturesque location where you should definitely visit the church of Stella Maris, which contains a painting by El Greco and an organ of the 17th century. Porto Rotondo is a famous location, too; it overlooks the ample Gulf of Cugnana and is full of villas and piazzas embedded in a splendid natural environment. Those who prefer the mountain instead of the sea can explore the area of Gennargentu, the biggest range of mountains in Sardinia, with its peculiar landscape, where Man and Nature met and decided that the former should have the priority. This region is rich in flora and fauna, with its mouflons, golden eagles, Sardinian deers and several species that are now dying out. The provinces of the region are: Cagliari (regional capital), Carbonia-Iglesias, Nuoro, Olbia-Tempio, Oristano, Medio Campidano, Sassari, Ogliastra.
It is really hard to list of the amazing beauties of Sardinia. Places like San Teodoro, Santa Teresa di Gallura, Poltu Quatu, Baia Sardinia are only some of the charming locations that deserve a visit. Visiting the Maddalena Archipelago and its “seven sisters”, the main islands of the archipelago, and sailing along the coast of the Maddalena National Park with its lively seabeds, perfect for scuba-diving lovers, is an incredible experience. Caprera, the second biggest Island after Maddalena, is full of pastures and pinewoods, and shows its visitors the places where Garibaldi lived, with a museum-house in the typical Mediterranean vegetation, which guards the memorabilia of the “hero of two worlds”, as well as his and his family’s grave. Sailing from Caprera to the Bocche di Bonifacio, you will be struck by the beauty of Budelli Island, wild and uninhabited, with its enchanting Pink beach, a natural masterpiece called after the pink color of its special corals and shells, which you can admire from the sea. Again in the north-west of the Sardinian coast, in front of the Natural Park of Asinara Island, we can find one of the most famous tourist resorts, Stintino, which combines the charm of a lively fishing village with high-level accommodation facilities. This small seaside town, that looks like a painting with its white houses and the contrast between the crystal-clear sea and the light blue sky, offers endless leisure possibilities, from golf to excursions and scuba-diving, from cycling to horse-riding. In front of the well-known Pelosa beach, is the homonymous Tower, a sixteenth-century Aragonese building, one of the oldest sighting towers in Sardinia. On the central-east coast of the island, in the Gulf of Orosei, are extraordinary beaches made up of white sands and wild nature. Many caves and coves are the destination of tourists who want to discover unparalleled views and sensations; Cala Gonone, Grotta Bue Marino, Cala Liberotto, Cala Goloritzè are some of those natural sceneries where time seems to stand still. Sardinia combines sea and nature with folk traditions, mysticism and curiosities, like the mysterious giant’s tombs and the domus de janas, the house of witches, ancient caves dug out of the ground which are scattered around the region, just like the nuraghi. These stone towers are the biggest and best-preserved megalithic monuments in Europe; the most important town with nuraghi is Su Nuraxi di Barumini, near Cagliari, inscribed on the World Heritage List by Unesco. In Cagliari, besides admiring the several colonies of flamingos of the lagoon, it is really worth joining the traditional festivals and fairs that take place round the year, like the beautiful festival of S. Efisio, one of the most important religious and folk events in Sardinia, where all of the participants coming from other towns of the region wear their traditional costumes. Heading back to Oristano, you should definitely visit the Roman archaeological site, Tharros, and enjoy its breathtaking view overlooking the sea.
Stintino offers endless leisure possibilities: golf, boat excursions and scuba-diving, relaxing strolls, cycling or even horse-riding, as well as explorations of the hinterland to admire the typical Mediterranean vegetation or ancient archaeological finds, like the nuraghi of nearby Porto Torres. Staying in this area is even more interesting if you can watch and join the “Regata della Vela Latina” (Latin Sail boat race), an important International event dedicated to old sails at the end of August, when hundreds of traditional sailing boats coming from all over Italy reach in the crystal-clear sea of Stintino. The Vela Latina was the typical Mediterranean sail since the period of the Maritime Republics. The archipelago of La Maddalena with its windy islands, full of natural inlets and picturesque landing places, is the ideal destination for sailing, but also for horse rides and mountain bike trails, an alternative way to enjoy the sunset on the beach, as well as granitic views and natural sceneries among kists and Spanish brooms. It is worth taking a trip to the National Park of Asinara on the homonymous island, considered as one of the most charming the Mediterranean Sea, amid colonies of white donkeys that still live in a natural state. You can choose from a wide range of activities to do, within the rules of the park: from trekking along thematic routes, to cycling, riding the horses that were born and bred on the Island, sailing, guided scuba-diving and train tours that allow admiring the landscapes of the area stopping at the most charming spots. In Gennargentu, a big and particularly beautiful mountain range, you can do several activities, like trekking and excursions to archaeological sites, as well as skiing on the slopes of Bruncu Spina, one of the highest peaks with its 1829 mt, and Mount Spada, where you will find good skiing facilities and restaurants.
Sardinian food satisfies the most demanding palate with its simple and natural ingredients, and with its delicious recipes made with both delicate and strong local products. The main ingredient is wheat, which is used for making the famous pane carasau, but also the well-known malloreddus, culurgiones and fregola. You cannot leave the island without tasting the savoury porceddu, a grilled suckling pig which is served on cork trays and covered in myrtle branches. As for fish, the lobster of Alghero, the bottarga of Cabras and Carloforte tuna fish are absolutely excellent. Other exclusive fish dishes are clam soup and spaghetti with sea urchins. Sausages and cheeses are some of the tastiest local products and Sardinian pecorino is certainly the most renowned. Sardinian people accompany their dishes with excellent wines like Vermentino di Gallura or Cannonau. Myrtle liqueur is delicious as well.
