Sardinia travel guide - Wikitravel Understand[ edit ] Sardinia, with its quintessential Mediterranean beauty, is mainly loved for swimming, boating, windsurfing, hiking, climbing, and camping, with coastal areas tending to become over touristed especially in the warmest month, August. The inner life of the island away from the tourist spots takes longer to appreciate and requires you to peel away the layers of apparent Italianization. After all, the ancient Nuragic civilization of Sardinia of ca. 1500 BC, whose stone monuments still dot the land, predates even the Etruscan civilization in mainland Italy by several hundred years. Physical Geography of Sardinia Geology and Geography[ edit ] Sardinia is the only region in Italy of Hercynian origin; actually, the Southwest is even older (Cambrian). The mineral riches of Sardinia are the consequence of heavy hydrothermalism during the Permo-Triassic. As in the rest of Hercynian Europe , erosion has taken its toll since the orogeny and has reduced elevations considerably. 30 million years ago, the Sardinia-Corsica block started to detach from mainland Spain and tilted toward its present position.

The island is both aseismic and non volcanic. Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (24090 sq. km [9300 sq. mi]); only Sicily is larger. The island is dominated by the Gennargentu Range (culminating at Punta La Marmora, 1834 m [6017 ft], highest elevation in Sardinia), along with the Monte Limbara, Monte di Ala', and Monte Rasu ranges (all below 1500 m [4900 ft]); isolated are the Sulcis-Iglesiente hills (1236 m [4055 ft]) of Southwestern Sardinia, once home to a large mining district. Plains are quite rare and reduced in extent, with the exception of the Campidano Plain from Oristano to Cagliari, which divides the main hill system from the Sulcis-Iglesiente, and the Nurra plain in the northwest (between Sassari, Alghero, and Porto Torres), which was once a mining district and quite forested, but is today mostly given to pasture.

Sulcis proper (in the extreme Southwest) was a marshy area where malaria was still present in the 1940's (but eradicated since). Cagliari's neighbourhood is also flat and boggy; exploitation of salt is a major industry there. Coasts are generally rocky and tall, especially along the Eastern half; large beaches are found however on the North and Northeast (Logudoro and Gallura), the South (from Teulada to Pula) and the Southwest (Sulcis-Iglesiente). Apart from the Strait of Bonifacio (famed for its often rough sea) which divides Corsica from Sardinia, the surrounding sea is quite deep at short distances from the shore. Population is low (a little more than 1 650 000 inhabitants in 2010), with heavy concentration in the Cagliari (one third of the total population) and Sassari (one fifth) areas; Olbia is the only other town exceeding 50 000 inhabitants. Other centres include Alghero, Nuoro, Oristano, Carbonia and Iglesias.

Sardinia, along with the Valle d'Aosta region at the French border, has the lowest density of population in Italy. Climate[ edit ] Sardinia enjoys, for the most part, a Mediterranean climate. It is, however, heavily influenced by the vicinity of the Gulf of Genoa (barometric low) and the relative proximity of the Atlantic Ocean. Sardinia, being relatively large and hilly, weather is not uniform; in particular the East is drier, but paradoxically it suffers the worst rainstorms: in Autumn 2009, it rained more than 200 mm (8 inches) in a single day in Siniscola. The Western coast is rainy even for modest elevations (for instance Iglesias, elevation 200 m, average annual precipitation 815 mm against 750 mm for London). Climate Climate of Cagliari, source Global Historical Climatology Network Summer is dry with very warm weather. However, contrary to the islands of Greece for instance, shade and wind are plenty. Autumn typically can be mild till mid-November), but is subject to heavy rainstorms as noted above.

Winter is generally mild on plains (cold spells being however not unheard of) but cool to cold at higher elevations. Spring is mild and rainy, but not as autumn. The island is very windy, especially from September to April (northwest winds called locally Maestrale); southeast winds (Scirocco) are frequent during summer and bring invariably hot weather. History[ edit ] Lake Omodeo Sardinia is home to the old but somewhat mysterious Nuragic civilization (ca 1500 BC); cylindrical towers (called Nuraghes [Italian "Nuraghi"], sing. Nuraghe) dot the Sardinian landscape, and fortified villages can still be found, as in Barumini (Medio Campidano province). The Phoenicians arrived around 1000 BC, founding Cagliari (Karalis, ca 800 BC) and other emporia; Tharros (near Oristano) and Nora (near Pula, Cagliari province) are a must-see for the archeology-minded tourist. Sardinia was contended during the First Punic War between Carthage and Rome, but went finally to the latter.

Rome had often trouble with the rebellious locals, but managed quite a large income out of grain and metal mining. With the fall of the Roman Empire, heavy raiding of the coastal areas by pirates forced the population to the hinterland; Sassari for instance was founded by refugees from Porto Torres. The four Kingdoms of Calaris (Cagliari), Arborea (Oristano), Torres (Sassari) e Gallura (Olbia-Tempio Pausania) sprang forth during the Middle Ages, but were rapidly colonized (except for the Oristano area) by Pisa and Genoa; in particular the Pisans (the famous Conte Ugolino della Gherardesca of Dante's Inferno and his family) held between 1200 and 1350 the southernmost part of the island, deriving a large income out of the silver mines near Iglesias, which they themselves founded. Spain then seized the whole of Sardinia by the end of the 14th century, and for nearly 400 years the island would be a Spanish territory.

With the rise of the House of Savoy, to which the island had been ceded by the Spanish Crown in 1720, the constitution of the Sardinia-Piedmont realm was the starting point for the unification of all the Italian peninsula. When this was achieved, Sardinia was once again left to its own devices, except for the exploitation of its large mineral resources. Fascism saw important work (in particular the reduction of marshy areas), and in 1948, given the unique socio-political context of the island, Sardinia received the status of autonomous region which it still retains to the present day. With the end of the exploitation of the mines, but with the fast growth of the tourist industry (especially in the Costa Smeralda ["Emerald Coast"] area), Sardinia is slowly converting itself into a popular tourist destination, while traditional stock-herding (in particular sheep) is still a frequent sight.

Language[ edit ] Along with Italian , Sardinians speak one of the dialects of Sardinian (Sardu), considered by many scholars to be one of the most conservative Romance languages; it is not, by any means, an Italian dialect and saying that is often perceived as an insult by local people. However, it should be noted that there are other linguistic minorities as well within the main one, where Sardinian has long disappeared or not very well understood: in Gallura and Sassari they speak Corsican, whose local variety goes by the name of Gallurese (Gadduresu), and a transitional dialect between medieval Tuscan and Sardinian (Sassaresu), in Alghero Catalan (Alguerés), while in San Pietro Island a Ligurian dialect (Tabarchìn) is spoken. Nowadays, as a direct consequence of the island-wide assimilation policy carried out by the Italian government, Sardinians generally speak Italian with a distinctive accent as their mother tongue, which is taking over the indigenous languages, especially when addressing people they do not know, even if it's other Sardinians they are talking with.

Outside of the cities English is not widely spoken, with the exception of maybe the young; you might have better luck with French, especially with 50+ year-old people in the cities, but do not expect anything but Italian (often combined with the Sardinian language or one of the dialects listed above) elsewhere. Respect[ edit ] Sardinians (when compared to the Italian mainlanders, that they call "Continentals") are generally a quiet and reserved people, especially those from the interior where they are, more than the other islanders, deeply attached to their land and culture; they may prove to be different from the archetype of the outgoing and talkative Mediterranean. Get in[ edit ] The following budget airlines can get you there cheaply: Jet2.com [2] , Ryanair [3] , Easyjet [4] , Airberlin.com [5] , Germanwings.com [6] , and Meridianafly (Meridiana and Eurofly have merged) [7] . By plane[ edit ] There are airports near Cagliari, Olbia, and Alghero.

Cagliari-Elmas Airport (Aeroporto "Mario Mameli" [8] , IATA: CAG, ICAO: LIEE) is located in Elmas, approximately 6 km West from central Cagliari. It is situated on the SS130 and is conveniently reached by bus (operated by the publicly-owned ARST [9] ) from the train station; frequency is every 30 minutes, for a 10-minute trip. The airport is the busiest in Sardinia, the 13th busiest in Italy and the 97th busiest in Europe with 3 333 421 passengers (2009). Cagliari is served directly by domestic and international flights from Western Europe; the well-connected Milan-Linate (IATA: LIN) and Rome-Fiumicino (IATA: FCO) airports can also serve as intermediate stops to Cagliari.

Olbia Airport (Aeroporto di Olbia-Costa Smeralda [10] , IATA: OLB, ICAO: LIEO) is the second busiest airport in Sardinia and the 17th in Italy (1 694 089 passengers in 2009); it is the gateway to the Costa Smeralda and the main hub of Meridiana Fly. It is situated 3 km Southwest from central Olbia and is easily reached by bus (ASPO [11] , every 30 minutes). The airport has slightly less routes than Cagliari, but is nevertheless connected to France, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, Norway, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium and Netherlands. Alghero-Fertilia Airport (Aeroporto internazionale "Riviera del Corallo" [12] , IATA: AHO, IACO: LIEA) is the third busiest in Sardinia and the 20th busiest in Italy (1.507.016 passengers in 2009).

It is situated in Fertilia, 10.5 km Northwest of Alghero; there are buses (Ferrovie della Sardegna [13] ) from Alghero (every hour, 20-minute trip) and Sassari (9/day, 30-minute trip). Alghero-Fertilia is essentially a domestic airport, but is also connected to London and Frankfurt, among others. By boat[ edit ] There are ferry services to Cagliari (south coast), Porto Torres (north coast), and Olbia, Golfo Aranci and Arbatax (east coast). Have a look at the state-owned ferry service Tirrenia (year-round service) and the private companies Moby Lines , Sardinia Ferries , Grimaldi , Snav . Daily ferries link Northern Sardinia with Corsica (it is possible to take a day trip to Bonifacio , Corsica) from Santa Teresa di Gallura. Ferry services are also available from Barcelona, Spain to Porto Torres through Grimaldi Lines. They usually run twice a day during the summer and cost 55 EUR for a single one way ticket.

Ferry services also available from Trapani, Sicily, to the port in Cagliari, Sardinia. Summers tend to attract lovely warm days and crowds of millionaires and luxury yachts, especially to the prestigious Yacht Club at Porto Cervo, perfect place for yacht charter in Sardinia . By car[ edit ] While it is possible to get around Sardinia by bus and train, doing so may well limit how fast you travel and where you go. If you can choose, amigoautos rent a car. It is well worth the outlay, and it will allow you to visit some of the more remote and enchanting places and areas. You may find many companies offering car hire like, Aiguarentacar, Avis, Hertz, Only Sardinia Autonoleggio. Also know that most petrol stations does not accept credit cards like Visa and Mastercard, only local cards or cash. Consult the article on Italy for general information about speed limits, urban areas, police forces, etc. What follows is specific to Sardinia.

There are no toll highways in the island; the main axes are Porto Torres-Sassari-Oristano-Cagliari (Strada Statale [State Road] 131, European denomination E25) and its bifurcation to Nuoro (SS131 d.c.n.), Iglesias-Cagliari (SS130) [the SS130 and SS131 are the only fully 2 x 2-lane roads in Sardinia], the SS125 (Cagliari-Villasimius), SS126 (Sant'Antioco-Carbonia-Iglesias-Guspini-Terralba), SS127 (Olbia-Tempio Pausania-Sassari), SS128 (East-Central Sardinia), SS129 (Orosei-Nuoro-Macomer), SS195 (Cagliari-SS126 through Pula), and the SS291 (Sassari-Alghero).

Many other roads are also of great interest for the tourist, such as the SS133 (Tempio Pausania-Palau) or the Chia-Teulada 'panoramica'. Many roads are narrow and wind through hilly terrain; be careful and do not hesitate to use your car horn to signal your presence: because of the light traffic, oncoming drivers may not expect to encounter other vehicles. Remember that locals know their roads: they can drive faster than you because of that, do not try to race with them! Beware also of domesticated animals (sheep, goat, cows, pigs) crossing roads in large or small units, especially in rural areas. Engine overheating may happen in summer because of the heat/topography combination; take the usual precautions. Paving is generally good on the main axes; it may vary for secondary axes and urban areas, but is often in correct conditions. There are local unpaved roads of touristic interest; these can be in any state, especially after heavy rains, so it is better to go there with a sturdy 4-wheel drive car.

Traffic can become heavy during summer in and around touristic areas, in particular on the SS 125, 126, 127, 195, 291. A roadmap and a GPS tracking unit (handheld ones are also useful for trekking) are recommended: road signs, in particular directions, are somewhat lacking, especially on secondary roads, whereas crossroads are generally well signalled. Beware of high winds; gusts in excess of 100 kph (60 mph) are common from September to April. Many villages have installed speed traps and automated cameras at the entrances: these are almost always signalled and fines for speeding are generally heavy. Quite often, you will cross villages with no pavements, and find elderly people there: drive with caution. By bus[ edit ] Regular, cheap buses between the main centres: Cagliari , Sassari , Alghero , Nuoro etc. You may end up changing buses (or trains) in Macomer. Less frequent buses, but worth persevering for the smaller villages. The main bus company is the public-owned and managed ARST [ [14] ].

The buses are not so frequent and always late, if not on the starting point. The timetables can be found on ARST website and Google Maps public transport section has reliable times and connections, but due to the usual delay some connections can be lost. By sailboat[ edit ] Sailing is one of the best ways to see Sardinia. Most charters offer many options from bareboat to crewed and cabin charter, with various types of boats being available. By train[ edit ] Regular trains from the edge of Alghero to Sassari and from Sassari to Cagliari , although buses are usually quicker. Change at Macomer for trains or buses to Nuoro . Less frequent trains on this and other routes. Both Trenitalia and Ferrovie della Sardegna operate trains in the Island. Turistic train routes, called "Trenino Verde" cover some of the most stunning rural and mountainous areas: Sassari-Palau, Mandas-Arbatax and Nuoro-Bosa.

The routes are garanteed by steam locomotives during the cooler seasons (Autumn-Winter and Spring) and by old diesel trains in the summer [15] By bicycle[ edit ] At many places it is possible to rent a bike quite cheaply, for as little as 9 euros per 24 hours. Compared to the scarce local bus connections a bicycle provides great flexibility for local exploration. With high quality roads and great scenery the bike is very pleasant to ride. By Yacht[ edit ] Silver Star Yachting is a charter company with many kinds of Motor Yachts or Sailboats available in Sardinia to charter. [ [16] ][ [17] ] Smart Yacht offers an extensive range of luxury yachts for shared yacht ownership in the Mediterranean, including Sardinia. Sardinia is a perfect yachting destination, with its pristine beaches and crystal blue water.

Do[ edit ][ add listing ] The northern entrance to the Cave of San Giovanni (Domusnovas, Carbonia-Iglesias province), near the end of winter 2008-2009 There is much to do in Sardinia, but the island will probably appeal more to nature lovers than to clubbers (with the exception of the Costa Smeralda area, one of the 'hot spots' of the Italian show-business jet set). Sea: sailing has become increasingly popular in the last thirty years, in particular in the Costa Smeralda area; the first Italian challenge in the America's Cup hailed from there. There are many ports everywhere, and some places are reachable only by boat. Do not miss this opportunity if you like to sail. Islands: while not many, the islands are generally of interest; check in particular the Asinara National Park (famous for its Albino Donkeys) and the Maddalena archipelago in the North, the islands of San Pietro (a community of Genoese fishermen) and Sant'Antioco (actually connected to the main land since Roman times) in the South.

Beaches and coasts: the North and Northeast (from Stintino to Budoni) boast many beautiful beaches. The Eastern coast is also very interesting: Cala Gonone, Arbatax, Muravera and Villasimius, to name a few. The deep South (Chia, Pula) is quickly growing as a major tourist attraction. The western coast is of a very different character; large beaches some kilometres long can be found (Porto Pino, Marina di Gonnesa, Marina di Arbus). Of note is Piscinas (Marina di Arbus) with its 60 m-tall sand dunes. Finally, the Alghero area is renowned for its underwater caves and grottoes and attracts many scuba divers. Hills and 'Mountains': while Sardinia's highest elevation does not reach 2000 m (6500 ft), do not be fooled: terrain is steep, snow falls in winter, and there are four ski resort in the Gennargentu area. Hills are everywhere in Sardinia, from the Northeastern Monte Limbara Range to the Iglesiente area in the Southwest, even at the outskirts of Cagliari.

Advantage is that people (including Sardinians) generally fill the beaches and leave the rest nearly deserted. A popular destination for mountain climbers is the Domusnovas area (close to Iglesias), with its nice vertical walls of limestone. Large caves are accessible (Dorgali, Oliena, Santadi, Domusnovas, Fluminimaggiore, Alghero). There are many hiking trails (though not always well signalled) for beginners and veterans alike. Horseback Riding: Sardinia has a long tradition of horse riding. The Sardinian Anglo-Arab is a horse breed that was established in Sardinia. Nowadays there are several farms and B&Bs offering horseback riding or horse trekking tours. Riding through woods an along beaches is a very popular tourists attraction. Monuments and sites: Sardinia has few known monuments but many are well worth visiting. Check in particular Cagliari (Sard. Casteddu, Castle), Oristano, Sassari, Alghero, Olbia, and Nuoro. Nuraghi and Domus de janas (Sard.

for witch houses) are found in many places, in particular in Barumini (Su Nuraxi, in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites since 1997) and around Alghero. Tharros, Nora, and Monte Sirai (just off Carbonia) are fine examples of the Phoenician/Carthaginian presence. Roman remains are also found in Sardinia, among which Nora, the Sant'Antioco bridge or the Amphitheatre in Cagliari; the Antas site in Fluminimaggiore is also of interest, even if the present temple is actually a reconstruction of the original. Pisans have left important traces in the South (Cagliari, Iglesias) and the well-preserved Castello di Acquafredda (It. for cold water castle) near Siliqua is worth a visit, as well as the back country. Bosa is of interest for its medieval urbanism; Burgos (Castle of Goceano) is also worth a visit. Some fine churches are found in the island, from the early Christian times to the Baroque period, in the aforementioned cities but also in Porto Torres and Iglesias (Spanish for church).

Examples of industrial architecture can also be found in and around Cagliari, in Porto Torres, and in the Sulcis-Iglesiente area, where organized tours can be booked to visit mines, for instance the Buggerru mines with galleries just above the sea. Finally, several museums dedicated to Sardinia are of interest; the Museo sardo di antropologia ed etnografia and the Museo Archeologico Nazionale in Cagliari, and the Museo etnografico sardo in Nuoro are important starting places. Folklore: Sardinia has strong traditions which are expressed also through costumes and celebrations. Quite often, even small centres have local celebrations where people dress in rich traditional costumes. However, it is simpler to go to the major venues as there is a considerable afflux from all over Sardinia.

A non comprehensive list includes: Sant'Efisio (Cagliari, 1 May, actually lasts several days), Sagra del Redentore (Nuoro, last Sunday of August), Cavalcata sarda (Sassari, penultimate Sunday of May, horse parade and races), Faradda di li candareri (Sassari, 14 August), Sa Sartiglia (Oristano, Carnival period, horse races), and everywhere the celebrations during Carnival and the Holy Week. Eat[ edit ][ add listing ] The traditions and habits are very strong. You will not get any pizzas in restaurants before 7PM, furthermore be aware that you will get nothing to eat in restaurants between 4PM and 7PM, besides 'panini' that is usually a cold sandwich with ham and cheese. The exception may be some tourist-oriented restaurants in tourist-oriented places. Try the Culurgiones. They are similar to Ravioli (made with typical pasta of Ogliastra) with a filling of potatoes, 'Pecorino' cheese (sheep's milk cheese, see below), egg, onion, mint and garlic - available in many Sardinian restaurants.

Malloreddus are a type of gnocchi that are served al dente with a tomato, meat or cheese sauce. There are a number of Pizzerias serving fresh, stone oven baked authentic style pizzas as well as pasta dishes. Porcheddu is a local specialty of inner Sardinia, it's a young pig roasted in a special manner over a wood fire with an aromatic local shrub called mirto. The pig is frequently basted. Sausages are of many types, for instance the Salsiccia di cinghiale (wild boar sausage). Stufato di capretto is a rich casserole made from kid goat, artichokes, wine and also egg. Try the mediterranean fish (pesce azzurro). Look for a fish market in any small coast town and buy early in the morning, cook and eat: it's simply fantastic barbecued. The Bottarga (the dried roe of tuna [Bottarga di tonno] in Carloforte or of flathead mullet [Bottarga di muggine] elsewhere) is rather expensive but quite good.

Many locally-produced vegetables and fruit are very tasty, as they are grown in small farms and are mostly organic; vendors along the roads are a frequent sight. Apart from the usual assortment of typical Mediterranean products (such as eggplants, bell peppers, orange, grapes, etc) you will also find among others wild asparagus, figs, water-melons, and nuts (hazelnuts, chestnuts, walnuts, almonds). Spices (such as thyme, rosemary, fennel) are found in abundance in the country. Pecorino cheese (It. Pecora, sheep) is found everywhere with all degrees of ripeness from fresh to seasoned (the latter being stronger in taste). Sale of Casu marzu (Sard. for rotten cheese) is forbidden; but its production is perfectly legal and it may be found with the help of locals. As usual with this kind of product, precautions must be taken; it is highly recommended to eat it with trusted locals. Goat cheese can also be found. A Seada (pl. Seadas or Sebadas), typical of Barbagia, is a dessert similar to Ravioli.

It comprises of a characteristic filling of fresh cheese and lemon rind, and melts when Seada is cooked. It must be fried and served with honey. There are numerous types of Sardinian bread and pastries, with specialties such as Carasau (a type of thin crispy bread), sponge biscuits and almond pastries. What distinguishes Sardinian pastry is the use of pig lard for fat and honey for sugar. The torrone (Sardinian version of nougat), with honey instead of sugar, and almonds, hazelnuts, and walnuts (all locally produced); the torrone capital of Sardinia is Tonara (Nuoro province): just going there is worth your time. Drink[ edit ][ add listing ] Ichnusa is the most common beer in Sardinia. Sardinia boasts the highest consumption of beer per capita in Italy, 60 liters per person per year, almost double the national average. Cannonau is a famous red wine, it gets the highest levels of polyphenols of any wine in the world. Monica di Sardegna is a lighter, more accessible red wine. Mirto is an alcoholic drink that's a local speciality.

It is made of wine spirit flavoured with the berries of mirto, a local shrub. Fil'e ferru is another alcoholic local speciality. Its name means "iron wire" because in the 19th century it was clandestinely distilled and hidden in small holes covered with soil. Only a small iron wire came out from the soil, to remember where the bottles were hidden. Vernaccia di Oristano is a high alcoholic wine produced in Oristano zone. It's a special wine to drink with pastry. Vermentino di Sardegna is light wine with a strong minerally taste. Stay healthy[ edit ] A few basic precautions are generally enough to stay out of trouble, especially during Summer and Autumn. Sardinia is sparsely populated, particularly near the center; help is not always easily found, and there remains large patches of land where mobile-phone coverage is non-existent (e.g. at the bottom of sheltered valleys). Terrain, despite the lack of high elevations, is generally rugged and steep. The terrain's characteristics combined with heat and lack of water, can quickly lead to disaster. Beware! Summer is generally hot and the sun quite strong.

The usual precautions to avoid heatstroke and sunburns apply. Always take a lot of water with you, especially so when hiking, even if you plan a short trip. While tap water is generally (but not always) safe, it is recommended to buy bottled mineral water. Sardinia unlike Sicily and mainland of Italy is not earthquake prone. Autumn is generally fine, but can become very unpleasant because of the heavy rainstorms and hilly topography, creating possibilities for land- and mud- slides. Check the weather before planning a trip, even with your car. Winter and Spring are generally safer, with pleasantly mild weather (especially during the day) and abundance of water. Remember that to higher elevations correspond with increasingly colder weather and larger precipitation. Much of Sardinia (especially the Western part) is very windy from September to April. All drivers, and in particular those with campers, must exercise caution. Some open-sea beaches are notorious for strong underwater currents, but more so on the West Coast. Beware that warning signs are not always posted. Ask at your hotel or locals. The Mediterranean Sea is no lily pond; every year, there are several people killed by drowning in Sardinia.

Be careful when hiking in old mining districts such as Sulcis-Iglesiente, Sarrabus, and Nurra. Local authorities have sealed off many dangerous areas, although some still remain. Always avoid dark galleries because they might hide vertical ventilation shafts. Do not venture into closed areas (look for the word Pericolo [Danger] or the usual warning signs). If you want to explore mines, go to the local tourist information agencies who will direct you to organized tours. There have been tales of individuals (mostly ex-miners) running their own private tours. Avoid these as they are illegal and extremely unsafe because of cave-in risks, water infiltration, etc. Local fauna and flora can be dangerous or source of discomfort. Three examples: - Ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) carry infectious diseases and are endemic to certain areas: avoid tall grass fields or close prolonged contact with domesticated animals (in particular sheep). - Lethal mushrooms (among which Amanita phalloides) are found in the island. Consult specialized texts for expert advice.

Stay safe[ edit ] According to a survey realized in 2013 by Confesercenti( Italian association of trade, tourism and services) Sardinia is ranked at the 1st position for tourist safety in Italy. Sardinia has a very low criminal rate; even kidnapping, which targeted wealthy (and at times not so wealthy) individuals until the mid 1990s, has completely disappeared. Beware that some urban areas (in particular the Sant'Elia district near the football stadium and the San Michele district, both in Cagliari) are unsafe. Be wary of game hunters during the September-February period; check with locals, hotel employees, and the website of the Sardinian Region [18] for legal hunting dates. Do not hike in the wilderness during these days! There are protected areas (It. Oasi di protezione della fauna). From May to September, fires plague Sardinia as the rest of the Mediterranean area; some are spontaneous wildfires, but most are due to negligent behavior (accidental ignition of fires). Observe the usual precautions. It is, of course, forbidden to start domestic fires in forests.

Check with local authorities; Sardinia is an autonomous region and Italian laws might be superseded by local provisions. North or South Sardinia? Find out the main differences of Sardinia coasts Find out the main differences between the northern and southern coast of the Island From North to South, the island has some common traits: crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches, a delicious cuisine and an ancient wine culture , welcoming tourist towns and inner areas where old traditions are still alive. But Sardinia is a large region. The coastline changes continuously and towns and tourist destinations are quite different from each other. The maximum distance from North to South is the one from Capo Falcone, in the extreme northern tip of Sardinia, to Capo Teulada, in the south of the island: about 270 kms. From West to East, there is a maximum distance of 145 kms from Capo Comino to Capo dell'Argentiera. The latter is much closer to the North African coast than to Italy. North Sardinia The coastline in the North of the island is much more indented then in the South. There are many small rocky bays and coves and only a few long sandy beaches.

The North Eastern part is mountainous, while and the Gallura subregion is characterized by granite cliffs. In Northeast Sardinia, each village and tourist destination has its own peculiarities: the Costa Smeralda is characterized by a crystal clear sea and a glamorous atmosphere. The La Maddalena Archipelago features a stunning sea and breathtaking views. Santa Teresa Gallura is the closest town to Corsica. Here you can take a ferry to visit Bonifacio. Driving along the North-western coast of Sardinia, you find Isola Rossa, Stintino and Alghero . These are the most popular tourist destinations, not only for the beaches (which are growing longer every year), but also for the lively nightlife, especially on July and August. South Sardinia The inland of the Southern part of the island is dominated by a vast green plain called Campidano. The shoreline here is more heterogeneous. The coast is quite regular and it features many long sandy beaches, less crowded than in the North, even during the high season. Many beaches in Sardinia are so spectacular that recall those of the Caribbean islands. Cagliari, the capital city of Sardinia, is located right in the middle of the Southern coast.

Both East and West of Cagliari there are some wonderful beach resorts, such as Chia and Santa Margherita di Pula to the West , and Villasimius and Costa Rei to the East . Your travel style To sum up, there is no doubt about the beauty of the sea and the beaches in the whole island, but before choosing where to spend your holidays, there is one fundamental question you have to ask yourself: what kind of holiday are you looking for? If you are looking for a glamorous holiday in a luxury hotel, the Costa Smeralda is the right place for you. If you wish to find peace and quiet and less crowded beaches, you can choose among many resorts in the North , which have just what you need. If you love hiking, snorkeling and bike tours and you want experience an active holiday in order to to explore a different bay everyday and walking in the mountains, the Ogliastra region is your goal. It is located in Central Eastern Sardinia and it is considered as an “island in the island”. Both the Southern and Northern beaches, with fine sand and shallow waters, are perfect for a family holiday . You can find several children friendly hotels with services and activities dedicated to small guests.

Furthermore, the Sardinia Family Hotels are usually placed at a short distance from small towns and beach resorts with nice restaurants, lovely shops and boutiques. In order to discover the most traditional and fascinating side of the island you might explore the central part of Sardinia or choose to visit the island during the low and mid season . Sardinia Beaches, Costa Smeralda, Sardinia Beach Resorts, Beaches in Sardinia, Best Beaches in the world, Beach Holidays, Beach Holidays in Sardinia North East & Costa Smeralda Archipelago di Maddalena 7 beautiful islands, 5 of which are uninhabited, all surrounded by a national marine park ideal for snorkelling and swimming, accessed from Cannigione, Palau, Porto Pozzo and Santa Teresa. Pittulongu There is a beautiful long white sandy beach with electric turquoise sea and the coastline from here to Golfo Aranci has numerous picturesque coves. San Teodoro The coastline is characterised by numerous white sandy bays including La Cinta and Cala Brandinchi known as ‘Tahiti’ due to the fine white sand and azure blue sea.

Santa Teresa Stunning town beach of Rena Bianca and the Spiaggia dei Due Mari double bay at Capo Testa. Both have white sand and turquoise sea surrounded by fascinating rock formations carved by the wind. Valle dell’Erica A wonderful location with secluded coves and long white sandy beach of La Licciola, with stunning sea views to the Maddalena islands and Corsica beyond. Costa Smeralda 'The Emerald Coast' stretches 55km (34 miles) with more than 80 bays and coves such as the famous Capriccioli beach, Spiaggia di Principe and Baia Sardinia. Golfo di Marinella Near the glamourous yacht marina of Porto Rotondo, a beautiful bay with clear waters and white sand. North West & Alghero Sardinia Guide | Italy Travel | Rough Guides Europe » Italy » Sardinia Closer to the North African coast at Tunisia than the Italian mainland and with a fierce sense of independence, Sardinia (Sardegna) can feel distinctly un-Italian. D.H.

Lawrence found it exotically different when he passed through here in 1921 – “lost”, as he put it, “between Europe and Africa and belonging to nowhere”. The island may seem less remote nowadays – and it’s certainly more accessible, with frequent flights serving Cagliari, Olbia and Alghero – but large tracts remain remarkably untouched by tourism, particularly the interior. The island’s main draw, however, is its dazzling coastline, with some of the cleanest beaches in Italy, which can be packed in peak season (particularly August), when ferries bring in a steady stream of sun-worshippers from what the islanders call il continente, or mainland Italy. The weather is generally warm enough for a swim as early as May, however, and October is bright and sunny – reason enough to avoid the summer crowds. Although not famed for its cultural riches, the island does hold some surprises, not least the remains of the various civilizations that passed through here.

Its central Mediterranean position ensured that it was never left alone for long, and from the Carthaginians onwards the island was ravaged by a succession of invaders, each of them leaving some imprint behind: Roman and Carthaginian ruins, Genoan fortresses and a string of elegant Pisan churches, not to mention some impressive Gothic and Spanish Baroque architecture. Perhaps most striking of all, however, are the remnants of Sardinia’s only significant native culture, known as the Nuraghic civilization after the seven-thousand-odd nuraghi (ancient stone towers) that litter the landscape. On the whole, Sardinia’s smaller centres are the most attractive, but the lively capital, Cagliari – for many the arrival point – shouldn’t be written off. With good accommodation and restaurants, it makes a useful base for exploring the southern third of the island. The other main ferry port is Olbia in the north, little more than a transit town but conveniently close to the pristine beaches of the jagged northern coast. The Costa Smeralda, a few kilometres distant, is Sardinia’s best-known resort area and lives up to its reputation for glitzy opulence.

Both Olbia and Cagliari have airports, as does the vibrant resort of Alghero in the northwest of the island, which retains its distinctive Catalan flavour and a friendly, unspoiled air despite its healthy tourist industry. Sardinia’s biggest interior town, Nuoro , makes a useful stopover for visiting some of the remoter mountain areas. Of these, the Gennargentu range, covering the heart of the island, holds the highest peaks and provides rich evidence of the island’s traditional culture, in particular the numerous village festivals. Brief history Of all the phases in Sardinia’s chequered history, the prehistoric Nuraghic era is perhaps the most intriguing. Although little is known about the society, plenty of traces survive, most conspicuous of which are the mysterious, stone-built constructions known as nuraghi, mainly built between 1500 and 500 BC both for defensive purposes and as dwellings, and unique to Sardinia. The Nuraghic culture peaked between the tenth and eighth centuries BC, trading with the Phoenicians, among others, from the eastern Mediterranean.

But from the sixth century BC, the more warlike Carthaginians settled on the island, with their capital less than 200km away near present-day Tunis, and their occupation continued gradually until it was challenged by the emergence of Rome. Caught in the middle, the Sards fought on both sides until their decisive defeat by the Romans in 177–176 BC. A core of survivors fled into the impenetrable central and eastern mountains, where they retained their independence in an area called Barbaria by the Romans, known today as the Barbagia. The most impressive remains left by the Romans can be seen in Cagliari, at nearby Nora, and at Tharros, west of Oristano – all Carthaginian sites later enlarged by Roman settlers – and strong Latin traces still survive in the Sard dialect today. After the Roman withdrawal around the fifth century, the destructive effects of malaria and corsair raids from North Africa prompted the abandonment of the island’s coasts in favour of more secure inland settlements. The numerous coastal watchtowers still surviving testify to the constant threat of piracy and invasion.

In the eleventh century ecclesiastical rights over Sardinia were granted to the rising city-state of Pisa, with its influence mainly concentrated in the south, based in Cagliari, and Pisan churches can be found throughout Sardinia. By the end of the thirteenth century, however, Pisa’s rival Genoa had established itself in the north of the island, with power bases in Sassari and on the coast. The situation was further complicated in 1297, when Pope Boniface VIII gave James II of Aragon exclusive rights over both Sardinia and Corsica in exchange for surrendering his claims to Sicily. Local resistance to the Aragonese was led by Arborea, the area around present-day Oristano, and championed in particular by Eleanor of Arborea, whose forces succeeded in stemming the Spanish advance. Following her death in 1404, however, Sardinian opposition crumbled, beginning three centuries of Spanish occupation. Traces of Spain’s long dominion survive in Sardinia’s dialects and in the sprinkling of Gothic and Baroque churches and palaces, with Alghero, in particular, still retaining a strong Catalan dialect.

In the wake of the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–20), Victor Amadeus, Duke of Savoy, took possession of the island, which became the new Kingdom of Sardinia. Garibaldi embarked on both his major expeditions from his farm on one of Sardinia’s outlying islands, Caprera, and the Kingdom of Sardinia ended with the Unification of Italy in 1861. Since then, Sardinia’s integration into the modern nation-state has not always been easy. Outbreaks of banditry, for example, associated with the Gennargentu mountains in particular, were ruthlessly suppressed, but there was little money available to address the root causes of the problem, nor much interest in doing so. The island benefited from the land reforms of Mussolini, however, which included the harnessing and damming of rivers, the draining of land, and the introduction of agricultural colonies from the mainland. After World War II, Sardinia was granted semi-autonomous status, and the island was saturated with enough DDT to rid it of malaria forever.

Such improvements, together with the increasing revenues from tourism, have helped marginalize local opposition towards the central government, at the same time creating a bolthole for wealthy mainlanders and holiday-makers. Sardinia

Question: What island is located due north of Sardinia?
Answer: Corsica