Those who love walks in the countryside and mountains may not think to Sardinia
as their holiday destination but you will be surprise to discover the beautiful
colours of its vegetation and flowers in the springtime. If you love orchids
then, you will be really impressed by Sardinia’s wild
ones…more than fifty different varieties.
If you like the snow instead, you can take some lovely walks in the months
of January and February around the village
of Fonni. Do not expect great skiing
facilities though! Sardinia’s mountains are not very high and skiing is not
our thing really but you can still enjoy lovely views, meet our wild goats and
taste great food in some cozy farmhouse…
Top tips: We have some friends that run some lovely tours about orchids if you are interested:
http://www.sumori.it/viaggi_orchidee_en.html
Ciao
Manu
After departing from the arbour of Cagliari, the boat stopped in the little “Isola dei Cavoli”, Villasimius’ arbour and finally, the splendid beach of Punta Molentis. We were staggered in little groups to be taken to the beaches and left there to enjoy a swim for an hour or so. A light lunch was served on board but we could not sit down as there were not enough seats! probably the company had overbooked as it was a Sunday… Because of the same reason it took ages to be taken up and down the beach at each stop.
Despite this, everybody liked the experience, more because of the spectacular views and sights we could see than the service we received. It is magic to swing between the blue of the sea and the sky of this stunning coast…
If I was you though, I would go on a less busier day during the week and I would not bother to go down the “Isola del Cavoli”. Although the idea sounds good the beach is very poor where the boat lives you. No commentary in English was given or available, I am afraid!
Also, some other companies with smaller boats offer this service from Cagliari or Villasimius, maybe you can try one of those. In some of these lunch consists in what is fished on the same day from the boat!
Ciao
Manu
It is a really tiny train that goes very slowly and allows you to enjoy stunning wild views and small hidden villages. Probably the very first British persons to board one of these trains were DH Lawrence and his wife in 1921.
There are four lines:
From Nulvi to Palau and return (North Sardinia)
From Bosa to Macomer and return (East Sardinia, Bosa is not too far from Alghero)
From Isili to Sorgono and return (centre of Sardinia)
From Mandas to Arbatax and return (West Sardinia)
There are many stations in-between so you can jump in at any time, but you do need to check timings very well, as even small part of the journey can take around 3 hours or more! It is an experience for people who like to observe, explore and take it easy. You can buy the ticket at the train station or on the train itself and this is valid for 3 days. Then, you can stop in some of the villages for a walk and take the following train or also spend a night there and continue the day after. It is not even expensive, depending on which route you choose it will cost you 12-15 euro. The normal train service also connects you to some of the routes.
So, if your holiday in Sardinia is not just about lying on the beach, it is definitely worth trying!
I have used this number in the past for information: 0039 070 343 112 but you can also ask at any tourist information point when you are there.
TOP TIP:
Even if D.H. Lawrence said “it does not matter where the train goes just catch it”, do check timing and routes in advance and be aware that some trains do not run every day…!
Manuela
The Costa Verde, is on the south-east side of Sardinia. My favorite place here is Piscinas, located at about 25 KM from Arbus. What it is so special about it are the huge dunes of unbelievable thin amber sand that dominate this side of the coast, together with the usual stunning crystal waters of the sea. It is such a powerful and spectacular view that made Piscinas one of the Unesco world heritage sites. It is not so easy to get here (do not worry, we will give you directions!) which means no crowds (yes!) but also not bars or toilets..
This area of Sardinia used to be full of mines, then dismissed, which have being turned into fascinating geo-mineral parks open to visitors in recent times. If you visit Montevecchio, you will have the chance to explore the mines galleries and some of the historic villas that were built by the owners of the mines. Montevecchio is surrunded by woods and if you love trekking you may be lucky and see a some of the beautiful Sardinian deers or wild boars!
Other interesting places to visit are Ingortosu (ex miners village), Fluminimaggiore & Gonnosfanadiga (archeaology) and Guspini. There are many activities that you can take in the Costa Verde: trekking, horse riding, snorkeling, diving, excursions by Quad..and apparently you can take a tour on carriages pulled by donkeys (never tried this last one but let us know if you do!!).
If you want to spend some days in Arbus try clicking on our Hotel category on the right.
Enjoy!
Manuela
PS. Be aware that there are two places called Picinas in Sardinia!
Again, a piece of paradise on earth.. a place of rock and crystal water
Cala Gonone is a little fishermen village located in the Gulf of Orosei. It looks over a stretch of cost where you will find some of the most beautiful beaches in the med. Some are wilder, such as Cala Luna & Cala Mariolu, others also suitable for families such Palmasera, or even Centrale. The nearest airport is Olbia.
Apart from the incredible beaches, it is also a great destination for those who love trekking or even free climbing and bungee jumping (not my case!). Su Gorroppu, S’Abba Durche, Cala Fuili – Cala Luna are all enchanting and very popular itineraries for the trekking lovers.
Finally, you can take a boat excursion to the grottoes of del Bue Marino or visit some of the nearby archaeological sites like Tiscali (yep…this is where your broadband name comes from!). To visit the Bue Marino’s grottoes you will need to visit the information point in Cala Gonone’s pier.
Actually I forgot the food! Superb! Do not miss the local gnocchi: “anzellottos”
Manu
Now, I can not wait to go there again !
The Cape of Saint Elia lays in the center of the Gulf of Cagliari and it consists in limestone rocks that were once covered by the sea (that is why there are so many fossils!). Despite the wind that constantly blows on these dry rocks, a wild & strong vegetation flourishes here. It is a very particular mix of Mediterranean vegetation with evergreen bushes.
The cape is formed by two hills (Saint Ignazio and Saint Elia) which look of a different colour every season depending on the flowers that bloom on that period. From November to January you get romantic light blue and purple and in spring an amazing bright red. Many other flowers and “officinali plants” (herbs and plants that have a beneficial influence on human body) grow there as well.
For its strategic location, with spectacular views on the south coast, the cape has always been a natural defense point and a safe place where to live. Defensive towers and underground tunnels were built over the centuries and in use until to the Second World War.
Today you can, as I do, have lovely walks around this not very visited area of Cagliari enjoying great views and breath some marine fresh air! Definitely worth it!
Massimo
It only takes about an hour to drive from Cagliari to another not very well known but beautiful spot of Sardinia: the peninsula of Sinis, located in the Oristano Gulf on the west coast.
{{post id=”tharros-driving-directions” text=”Driving directions” target=”_self”}}
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Since I was a teenager Alghero was one of the top favourite places to go for my summer holidays, main reasons being its fabulous night life, good camping sites and lots of nice beaches nearby…(Le Bombarde was my favourite one).
But now that I am older and wiser… Read the rest of this entry »
Which is the best part of Sardinia Manuela?
I have been asked this question so many times and here is my answer for you: Sardinia is all beautiful from north to south. Where you go depends on what you are looking for, but if you are looking for the unusual and the most authentic side of Sardinia, then you have to aim for its rocky heart.
From the villages of Oliena and Orgosolo with those beautiful and controversial Murales (graffiti) to Mamoiada and its mysterious carnival masks; from the spectacular views of the “supramonte” of Oliena down to the woods of Gavoi, Tonara, Fonni. And if you still miss Sardinia’s blue waters among all this green, head for Tortoli and visit its golden beaches, or go all the way up to the Gulf of Orosei stopping every now and then to enjoy its paradise bays. Read the rest of this entry »
Last summer, for the first time, we hired a boat and went sailing.
As usual, at the end of this post some useful info and a link for driving directions, but now I would like to begin from the end of the story: at the end of our sailing weekend, my sister and her boyfriend, who is an experienced sailorman, asked me if everything was all right, it didn’t look like I had fun. The truth is that I was speechless and a bit sad that the amazing experience was over. Thanks again guys, I really did have fun!
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