The North East
Where better to start than in Porto Cervo at the heart of Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast) in NE Sardinia. The marina provides a pleasant environment for a quiet stroll to view the luxury yachts, or you can take the free boat taxi across to the town for window shopping and a cocktail. It has a charm of its own and is central to beautiful beaches such as Grande Pevero and Cala di Volpe. The latter beach is used by exclusive hotels but is also open to the public and was one of the locations used in 007’s “The spy that loved me”.
Even in August the roads are never too busy to prevent you exploring the region at a relaxed pace. Porto Rotondo and Poltu Quatu are short drives away with pleasant marina environments to relax in the evening as well as the day. There are many locations from which you can take you can take boat excursions to the islands of the Archipelago of La Maddalena, including Budelli with its famous Spiagga Rosa (Pink Beach). From Palau, further north, you can take a car ferry across to the island of La Maddalena and the island of Caprera which is a national park and the resting place (and museum) of Giuseppe Garibaldi the hero of Italian unification.
Visits further afield include Santa Teresa di Gallura in the north, which has a typical seaside resort atmosphere with good shops and eating places as well as great beaches. From Santa Teresa di Gallura you can also take a ferry across to Bonifacio, built on sheer cliffs on the southernmost tip of Corsica , or a boat excursion to La Maddalena islands. A short journey from Porto Cervo is the mountain village of San Pantaleo and offers a pleasant day out with art galleries and craft shops offering works from local artists. The mountain views are also spectacular.
An idyllic location about 45 minutes drive from Porto Cervo with a beautiful small beach and a background of traditional villas blending into the hillside.
Golfo di Orosei
Spectacular limestone coastline with underwater caves and hidden coves including Cala Luna, Cala Sisine, Cala Biriola, Cala Mariolu and Cala Goloritze. Reached only by boat from Cala Gonone or Santa Maria Navaresse, or a long walk taking two to five hours. Cala Luna was one of the beaches featured in Madonna’s movie ‘Swept Away’.
