Sardinia

       
Sardinia lies about 120 miles west of the Italian peninsula and is the second largest island in the Mediterranean. It is formed by a series of mountainous massifs, hills and narrow highlands.

Its coastline is probably Europe's most spectacular with beguiling, translucent sea, isolated coves, long sandy beaches and caves. The waters around Sardinia, thought to be the cleanest in Italy, are home to a rich array of flora and fauna for the snorkeller or scuba diver to explore.

Sardinian’s speak a language incomprehensible to all other Italians, celebrate more saints' days than anyone else in the nation; some soberly Christian, others with pagan roots and love to dress up in elaborate costumes at the drop of a finely-embroidered hat.

In summer, the heat in Sardinia can be blistering. Winter winds, however, are some of the most vicious in the Mediterranean.

Other important cities of the region are Sassari, Alghero, Nuoro and Oristano.

COSTA SMERALDA is only 10 kilometers long but manages to offer an incredible 56-kilometre coastline of sandy beaches and rugged coves. It is Sardinia’s most exclusive coastal area developed in the late 1950’s by a consortium formed by the Aga Khan into one of the world’s most opulent holiday resorts.  The seaside landscapes here are among the most beautiful in the world. Numerous small, enchanting islets are scattered in front of the coasts.

PORTO CERVO is a village of multicolored buildings, recently built in front of the natural port and the surrounding hills. It is a picturesque little town at the heart of the Costa Smeralda, catering for the seriously rich, crowned heads and pop stars with its very best designer shops.

The Port is visible from the sea and makes reference to Capo Ferro, a 46 m high promontory with a lighthouse indicating north of Porto Cervo.  From the sea you can also admire the lights of the numerous tourist resorts present in the area.

CAGLIARI located on south coast is the capital of Sardinia. The city rises behind Via Roma culminating in the ancient majesty of the Castello quartiere. The old core of Cagliari has an appealing North African character. Bastione San Remy on Piazza Costituzione in the high Castello district, offers magnificent views over the city and stranding country side.

SASSARI is situated on a limestone tableland, tilted towards the Golf of Asinara and is surrounded by a hilly area on the south-eastern part and vast plains called "Nura" to the northwest. The coastline is 32 km. long, high, jagged, sandy and enriched with beautiful beaches like Platamona, Fiume Santo, Argentiera, or Porto Ferro.  It has a maritime climate and usually is mild and temperate.

It is one of the most ancient Sardinian towns, and contains perhaps the best collection of Sardinian art.

Its university is the oldest in Sardinia (founded 1562).

The most important monumental buildings are: the St. Nicholas Church, Palazzo Ducale, Palazzo Giordano, Piazza Italia and the Rosello Fountain.

In May, Sassari becomes very populated due to the famous and spectacular Cavalcata Sarda festival on Ascension Day (Sardinian Horse ride).

ALGHERO lies on the north-west coast of Sardinia. It has retained the architecture and the language of its Catalan colonial past. Today the Catalan language and culture is enjoying a revival and the look of old Alghero is consistently Spanish. Filled with labyrinthine alleys and cobbled streets, the lively port of Alghero is flanked by battlemented walls and defensive towers on all but the landward section.
The coastline, known as the Coral Riviera, boasts beautiful sandy beaches, secluded coves and turquoise water. Porto Conte Bay, 12km north-west of Alghero, is almost circular and attracted Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor to build a home here. Sardinia's most famous vineyard, the Sella & Mosca Estate, is situated nearby.

NUORO , commonly considered the capital of the Barbagia region, is located in the heart of Sardinia, occupying the middle of the island from the east to the west coasts. Nuoro is the most typical Sardinian town, the one where Sardinians feel their roots lie and it is regarded as the cultural and intellectual centre of the island. Over the centuries the remoteness of this region has created a culture in which ancient customs and traditions infuse everyday life to a greater extent than just about anywhere else on Sardinia. In many villages magnificently colorful traditional clothing is still worn, and visitors who witness one of the countless festivals that are held here will come away convinced that the ancient rituals still thrive in this region.

ORISTANO is situated in the Campidano Oristanese plains, a vast area in the centre of Sardinia along the West coast. The Piazza Roma is the centre of town. The Tower of St. Christopher stands on the square and dates back to the 13-th century. The Corso Umberto is the main axis of town and takes you from the Piazza Roma to the Piazza Eleonora d'Arborea. On summer evenings many young Oristanesi can be found on this street, flirting and rambling.

A few blocks away, at the end of Via Castro, the Church of San Francesco dates from the beginning of the 19-th century but inside the church you find many works of art that go back a lot further. The Duomo down the Via d'Arborea is an amalgam of styles and well worth a visit. If you want to see some more churches head out to the Basilica of Santa Giusta 2 km out of town on the road to Cagliari, a Pisan style construction form the 12-th century with many typical Sardinian elements.

Oristano is not on the coast, but the beautiful Torre Grande beach is not very far from it. Torre Grande is a famous tourist destination with plenty of resorts and in the summertime has over 20.000 inhabitants.

GETTING AROUND Ferries from a wide range of ports on the Italian mainland dock at Cagliari, Olbia and Porto Torres.  International and domestic flights use the airports of Cagliari, Olbia and Alghero.  He Island is neatly cut by S131.  It skirts the Gennargentu mountains, which are accessible only by tortuously winding passes.  Branches of S131 reach Olbia and Nuoro.  Express bus and excellent, fast train services connect the major cities, while slower, daily bus services and narrow-gauge trains operate between the smaller towns.