Olbia, cruises to Italy | MSC Cruises dec Crystal-clear waters and wild nature Wedged into the coastline, Olbia is the largest town you’ll see on an MSC Mediterranean cruise around north-eastern Sardinia, its recent phenomenal growth due to the huge influx of tourists and cruisers bound for one of the Mediterranean’s loveliest stretches of coast, the Emerald Coast. Olbia has a first-class museum, plus numerous bars and restaurants, usually abuzz with tourists. Long a magnet for Italy’s glitziest celebrities, in the 1960s the five-star development of the Costa Smeralda helped to transform the economy of the entire island. With its typical rustic-red architecture, Porto Cervo, the main resort on the Costa Smeralda, embodies the dream of an idyllic Mediterranean village without any of the irritations of real life. Graffiti- and litter-free, Porto Cervo exults in its exclusivity, with a glittering yachting marina as its centrepiece. You can enjoy many cruise excursions from Olbia: La Maddalena island invites aimless wandering and offers a variety of sandy and rocky beaches in mostly undeveloped coves.

The beaches on the northern and western coasts are most attractive, particularly those around the tiny port of Madonetta, 5 km west of La Maddalena, and at Cala Lunga, 5 km north of town. Attached to the main island by a causeway is neighbouring Caprera, the island on which Garibaldi spent his last years. Santa Teresa di Gallura is Sardinia’s northernmost port. The town gets extremely lively in summer, with a buzzing nightlife, but the main draw is the beaches, many enjoying superb views over to Corsica, just 11 km away. There’s one stretch of sand right at the edge of town, but some of the finest beaches on the whole island are a short bus ride away, with Punta Falcone and La Marmorata to the east, and, 3 km west of Santa Teresa, Capo Testa, with its wind-sculpted granite rock formations.

Must see places in Olbia A short cruise to Maddalena Island Excursion code: OLB04 After leaving the port of Olbia by coach, the first stop on this enjoyable tour will be in San Pantaleo, a lovely little village located in the hills of the amazing Costa Smeralda, the Emerald Coast. Look forward to a short stop in the village to stroll around, browse in the small shops and visit the craft workshops. The excursion then continues up through the northernmost part of the island to Santa Teresa di Gallura, a coastal resort that faces the Strait of Bonifacio and Corsica. A guided tour of this small, but pretty town will follow, after which you will also have some free time to stroll around on your own. Return to the port. Please note: guests using a wheelchair are advised that they must be accompanied by a paying helper to provide assistance with getting on and off the coach and that wheelchairs must be collapsible/foldable since the coach has neither a ramp nor a lift. Guests using a wheelchair who would like to participate in this tour are requested to contact the Shore Excursions Desk promptly once they are on board so that arrangements can be made.

May involve a limited quantity of steps, uneven surfaces and/or periods of standing Difficulty Level Costa Smeralda Golf Resort - Sassari, Sardinia, Costa Smeralda, Italy Costa Smeralda Golf Resort The Resort The Resort On the northern tip of Sardinia, the trendy Costa Smeralda has become over the years the favourite playground of the rich and famous. Preserved from massive real estate operations, it has nevertheless retained its exclusiveness and pristine natural beauty in a stunning natural setting. Starwood Hotels & Resorts operates five property on the Costa Smeralda: a Sheraton hotel, three hotels from The Luxury Collection and the Pevero Golf Club. Costa Smeralda's golf course at Pevero Golf Club is a Robert Trent Jones Senior masterpiece. This championship course, host to various italian Open, stretches between the bays of Pevero and Cala di Volpe. Situated in a magnificent setting between pink granite boulders and scented Mediterranean shrub, the fairways offer stunning views over the emerald waters of the aptly named Costa Smeralda - or "emerald coast".

All inclusive golf packages are available at any property and a complimentary shuttle runs between the four hotels and the Golf Club. There is another R.T. Jones' masterpiece at Sperone GC, just across the Bonifacia Strait on the neighbouring French island of Corsica - A perfect one day excursion including a short and scenic ferry crossing. The views from Sperone course to the strait and Sardinia are stunning! For more details and photos on this destination, use the tags above ... Costa Smeralda Resort At the heart of Porto Cervo Marina Starwood Hotels / Sheraton Hotels & Resorts At the heart of Costa Smeralda Resort, Cervo Hotel overlooks Porto Cervo famous marina. Built as a traditional Mediterranean village around a shady courtyard, this five star hotel also includes the Cervo Tennis Club and the Cervo Conference Centre. Accommodation is distributed between the hotel's main building, with 90 rooms, and the Tennis Club, open all yera and featuring 16 rooms.

5 Stars Leisure & Business Hotel 106 Rooms & Suites On Pevero Golf Course Starwood Hotels / A Luxury Collection Hotel Perched above a scenic bay, Hotel Cala di Volpe is a picturesque hamlet style hotel. The buildings mix indigenous materials and handicraft to recreate a timeless Mediterranean atmosphere. A perfect retreat for golfers, Cala di Volpe has its own putting green and lies adjacent to Pevero Golf Club. 5 Star DeLuxe Costa Smeralda Resort Dining Large selection of à la carte, table d'hôte and buffet restaurants, as well as pool, cocktail and piano bars at all properties.

According to season and property, gests on full board have the possibility to have meals at any hotel or restaurant of the resort at no extra charge Leisure Swimming pools, Fitness facilities and private beaches at all properties • Porto Cervo Marina + Marinasarda sailing and motor boat fleet • Cervo Tennis Club • Free shuttle service to private beaches, Porto Cervo Marina and Pevero Golf Club Cervo Conference Centre 9 Meeting room accommodating up to 1.000 people (largest meeting room: 600 m2) • Full meeting and event facilities + All supporting services • Conference Centre close to Cervo Hotel Pevero Golf Club Robert Trent Jones, Sr. (1972) 18 holes - 6,681 yds - Par 72 Venue of the Italian Open The course is nestled in between the glittering emerald waters of the bay of Cala di Volpe and the Gulf of Pevero, at the very heart of the Costa Smeralda. Its sweeping fairways and lush greens are maintained in top notch condition by near perfect greenkeeping. The layout is highly strategic and distance is a matter of relative importance here.

A good score at Pevero calls for virtuosity and technique rather than power or length off the tees. The course is extremely difficult from the championship tees, but more accessible from the front tees. This is an ideal course for match-play and an extremely stimulating challenge for low and high handicappers alike. According to golf insiders, the Pevero Golf Club - with its unforgettable panorama - is heralded as one of the most stunning golf courses in the world. Opened in 1972 under the direction of legendary golf course and landscape architect Robert Trent Jones, the course gained international acclaim so rapidly that it was elected to host the 1978 Italian Golf Open. To this day, the Pevero Golf Club attracts a loyal clientele of the most experienced and passionate golf players from across the globe. • Practice Facilities In addition to the spectacular course, the Pevero Golf Club features an expert putting and pitching green, a bunker and chipping green, and a driving range with 20 outdoor and four indoor spaces perfect for instruction and practice. A golf pro is available for private lessons. The club requires that soft spike shoes are worn during play. Children over the age of six are welcome under the supervision of an adult.

Golf in Sardinia & Corsica Golf in Sardinia & Corsica Both other golf clubs on the island are over 200 km. away, so your best alternative in the region for a day golfing excursion is Sperone (Bonifacio), on the neighbouring french island of Corsica and a 30 min. ferry crossing away. • Sperone Golf Club (Corsica) Robert Trent Jones, Sr. (1990) Sperone is located on a breathtaking site at the southern tip of Corsica, overlooking the Mediterranean, the tiny islands of Cavallo and Lavezzi, and Sardinia across the Bonifacio strait. Set over a 135 hectare estate on a peninsula jutting into the sea and covered with Mediterranean heathland. On this privileged piece of land, Robert Trent Jones has designed a masterpiece and surely one of its best course ever, as he himself admits. Many holes on the sea shore may perfectly be compared to the sequences of oceanside holes at Pebble Beach.

• Is Arenas Golf & Country Club Robert von Hagge (2000) Halfway down the west coast, this majestic golf course extends over 2500 acres of dunes and woodlands, amidst an unspoilt pine forest extending all the way down to the mile long sandy beach. In these beautiful natural surroundings, the fairways wind their ways through pines, eucalyptus, myrtle trees and mimosas, the natural habitat for jays, weasels and foxes. The several and often dangerous water hazards are naturally part of the course and also provide a refreshing touch, at least visually ! • Is Molas Golf Club Henry Cotton & Frank Pennink + Piero Mancinelli (1975) On the sourthern tip of the island, Is Molas has hosted the Italian Open on three occasions and it is a regular stop of the European PGA Challenge Tour. Although a classic Mediterranean course, most of the tees afford panoramic view of the emerald sea, Is Molas light, wind and surroundings are somewhat reminiscent of Scotland and California.

Costa Smeralda & Sardinia Costa Smeralda & Sardinia The Resort sits on a spectacular 55-kilometer stretch of Sardinian coastline known as Costa Smeralda—or “Emerald Coast”, due to the deep green colour of the Mediterranean sea. Dramatic rock formations, windswept into sculptural reliefs by the Mistral wind - are as characteristic of the area’s astonishing beauty as the fragrance of laurel, oleander, and juniper carried by the ocean breeze. The meandering coast forms hidden inlets of aqua blue water perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Open from April through October of each year, the resort enjoys endless sunshine and balmy temperatures from 20 to 27º C, while the ocean warms up to an ideal 23º C. Sightseeing La Maddalena Islands - Take a motor boat to this famed archipelago, with its enchanting coves of “Manto della Vergine”, crystal clear water and pristine white sand beaches. Explore the lovely islands of Caprera, Budelli, Spargi, La Maddalena, and Santa Maria along the way.

San Pantaleo—Visit the open-air market, held every Thursday in the charming church square of this traditional Sardinian village. Musicians play in the shade of pink and red oleander trees, while local artisans and farmers offer a colourful display of crafts and produce. Nuraghi Stone Structures—Appealing to history enthusiasts, these massive Bronze Age shelters of symmetrically laid stones offer a fascinating glimpse into the legacy of the Nuraghi—Sardinia’s ancient indigenous people. Tours may be arranged to the most prominent structures scattered across the island. Porto Cervo—Truly Mediterranean in spirit, this idyllic port town of graceful archways, pastel-hued homes and flowering cascades of bougainvillea is a shopper’s dream, where international designers easily mix with locally crafted ceramics, textiles, and jewellery. At night, Europe’s glitterati mingles in the chic outdoor cafés or dances into the early morning hours at one of the many glamorous nightclubs.

Address & Contact Cruise to Olbia port, Sardinia - Italy - Mediterranean Cruises with MSC Cruises dec Crystal-clear waters and wild nature Wedged into the coastline, Olbia is the largest town you’ll see on an MSC Mediterranean cruise around north-eastern Sardinia, its recent phenomenal growth due to the huge influx of tourists and cruisers bound for one of the Mediterranean’s loveliest stretches of coast, the Emerald Coast. Olbia has a first-class museum, plus numerous bars and restaurants, usually abuzz with tourists. Long a magnet for Italy’s glitziest celebrities, in the 1960s the five-star development of the Costa Smeralda helped to transform the economy of the entire island. With its typical rustic-red architecture, Porto Cervo, the main resort on the Costa Smeralda, embodies the dream of an idyllic Mediterranean village without any of the irritations of real life. Graffiti- and litter-free, Porto Cervo exults in its exclusivity, with a glittering yachting marina as its centrepiece.

You can enjoy many cruise excursions from Olbia: La Maddalena island invites aimless wandering and offers a variety of sandy and rocky beaches in mostly undeveloped coves. The beaches on the northern and western coasts are most attractive, particularly those around the tiny port of Madonetta, 5 km west of La Maddalena, and at Cala Lunga, 5 km north of town. Attached to the main island by a causeway is neighbouring Caprera, the island on which Garibaldi spent his last years. Santa Teresa di Gallura is Sardinia’s northernmost port. The town gets extremely lively in summer, with a buzzing nightlife, but the main draw is the beaches, many enjoying superb views over to Corsica, just 11 km away. There’s one stretch of sand right at the edge of town, but some of the finest beaches on the whole island are a short bus ride away, with Punta Falcone and La Marmorata to the east, and, 3 km west of Santa Teresa, Capo Testa, with its wind-sculpted granite rock formations.

Must see places in Olbia A short cruise to Maddalena Island Excursion code: OLB04 After leaving the port of Olbia by coach, the first stop on this enjoyable tour will be in San Pantaleo, a lovely little village located in the hills of the amazing Costa Smeralda, the Emerald Coast. Look forward to a short stop in the village to stroll around, browse in the small shops and visit the craft workshops. The excursion then continues up through the northernmost part of the island to Santa Teresa di Gallura, a coastal resort that faces the Strait of Bonifacio and Corsica. A guided tour of this small, but pretty town will follow, after which you will also have some free time to stroll around on your own. Return to the port. Please note: guests using a wheelchair are advised that they must be accompanied by a paying helper to provide assistance with getting on and off the coach and that wheelchairs must be collapsible/foldable since the coach has neither a ramp nor a lift. Guests using a wheelchair who would like to participate in this tour are requested to contact the Shore Excursions Desk promptly once they are on board so that arrangements can be made.

May involve a limited quantity of steps, uneven surfaces and/or periods of standing Difficulty Level The Costa Smeralda The Costa Smeralda The Costa Smeralda lies on the North-Eastern coast of the isle of Sardinia, which is one of the main Italian islands, right in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, just one or two hours flight from the main European cities. It is an ideal sea-side resort, world renowned for its unique natural beauty and for the impeccably refined development, carried out by His Highness the Aga Khan, in perfect harmony with the natural environment. Nowhere in the world has such a large resort, of over 3000 hectares, been so well developed by only one person, with an overall Master Plan, contemplating a 50 year development and has received so much loving care for detail. The result is there to be seen: beautiful buildings on a human scale, designed by Europes very best architects, hand built by top Sardinian craftsmen, with their millennial experience in the working of granite, the natural stone of the island and the perfumed juniper wood.

On the Costa Smeralda you will find the most spectacular villas and apartments, designed by the world's most famous architects and built by Sardinia's finest craftsmen. All properties are protected by the efficient organisation of the Consortium Costa Smeralda, that guarantees all basic services and infrastructure, water supply, road repairs, beach cleaning, road cleaning, medical services, fire protection, security, etc., which in turn guarantee a perfect, care-free holiday in the resort, as well as the stability of the investment. On the Costa Smeralda you will find the most spectacular villas and apartments, designed by the world's most famous architects and built by Sardinia's finest craftsmen. All properties are protected by the efficient organisation of the Consortium Costa Smeralda, that guarantees all basic services and infrastructure, water supply, road repairs, beach cleaning, road cleaning, medical services, fire protection, security, etc., which in turn guarantee a perfect, care-free holiday in the resort, as well as the stability of the investment.

Within a couple of hours, you can visit so many extraordinary places: Tiscali, Su Goruppu, the deepest gorge of Europe, Cala Luna, Bosa, the Phoenician towns of Nora and Tharros, the Nuragic villages of Barrumini and Sant Antine, the sand dunes of Piscinas and many, many more. There are endless opportunities for sight-seeing, shopping, trekking in the spectacular Sardinian hinterland and for discovering the fascinating and mysterious archeological monuments dating back many millenniums.

Costa Smeralda, Olbia and the North East of Sardinia, North Eastern Sardinia, northeast Sardinia, Arzachena, Bassacutena, Cala Capra, Cannigione, La Maddalena, Palau, Porto Pollo, Santa Teresa di Gallura, Santa Teresa, Capo Testa, Sant Antonio di Gallura, Lago di Liscia, Sardinia, Italy, Olbia Airport ,Â Porto Rotondo, San Pantaleo.Â Arzachena hotels> Baia Sardinia Baia Sardinia is a beautiful beach resort, looking out to Caprera Island, with a stunning white sandy beach and turquoise bay surrounded by villas, hotels and a lively piazza with shops, café bars and restaurants. There are watersports available on the beach and boat trips out to the islands to really appreciate the beauty of this coastline. Aquadream Water Park for children is located just out of the town.

Baia Sardinia hotels > Bassacutena Bassacutena is a small village situated in the heart of the natural Galluran countryside, in the middle of nowhere yet equidistant between Santa Teresa and Palau for beaches, Arzachena for shops, banks and weekly market, and Tempio up in the mountains. The village itself has a few small shops for everyday supplies, a couple of café bars and Agriturismo (farm) restaurants nearby. Bassacutena villa > Cala Capra Cala Capra is a beautiful bay between Cannigione and Palau with coves and beaches nestled into the coastline and the stunning headland of Capo d’Orso above, with Bear Rock perched on top. There are wonderful views to Baia Sardinia, with the Costa Smeralda beyond, and also to the island of Caprera. Boat trips leave from the small exclusive marina at Capo d’Orso and there is a very good restaurant adjacent for lunch or dinner.

Cala Capra hotels and apartments > Cannigione Cannigione is a popular holiday destination with a port and marina offering boat trips and boat hire to visit the nearby beaches and islands of the Archipelago of La Maddalena. The town has a selection of shops, supermarkets, weekly market and night market (high season), plus good restaurants, pizzerias, café bars and gelaterias. Costa Dorata & Porto San Paolo 12km south of Olbia and situated on the coast is Porto San Paolo which has a few shops, bars and restaurants. Costa Dorata is a quiet stretch of coastline with many beautiful coves and beaches to explore. Isola Tavolara The island of Tavolara is a limestone massif 5km long and 1km wide located just off the Costa Dorata. A cove and beach can be found at each end of the island, Spalmatore di Fuori at the northeast, and Spalmatore di Terra at the southwest. Currently, the island is inhabited by only a handful of families, and has a small cemetery and summer restaurant.

The water around the island is a popular spot for scuba diving as part of the Tavolara and Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Preserve created in 1997. In the 19th and 20th centuries, an imaginary state was set up on the island by the Bertoleoni family as the Kingdom of Tavolara. After Italian unification, King Paolo actively sought recognition from Italy. During his reign, in 1868 the Italian government began operating a lighthouse on the northeast end of the island. The present claimant is an Italian citizen named Tonino Bertoleoni, who runs 'Da Tonino', a restaurant on the island. Costa Smeralda Costa Smeralda ‘The Emerald Coast’, a name inspired by the azure colour of the sea, nestles in the north east corner of the island. It was designed and developed by the Aga Khan in the 1960’s, to preserve and protect this earthly paradise.

With Porto Cervo at its centre, the Costa Smeralda coastline stretches for 55km, with a harmonisation between Mediterranean architecture, natural landscape and seascape encompassing more than 80 beautiful bays, coves and sandy beaches. Golfo di Marinella hotel > La Maddalena La Maddalena Island is the largest of the 7 that make up the Archipelago of La Maddalena and it can be reached by regular daily ferries from Palau in approximately 15 minutes. There is a thriving port and yacht marina surrounded by little café bars, restaurants and gelaterias and a wonderful place to stop to watch the boats and the world go by. The town has a good selection of shops and attractive side streets. There is a lovely circular coastal road with spectacular views and giving access to some superb beaches and Caprera Island by bridge. Olbia Olbia is the gateway to the Costa Smeralda on the north east coast with an international airport, ferry port, marina and interesting old town. The town overlooks the Gulf of Olbia and the dramatic Tavolara Island.

It has a good selection of shops, café bars, restaurants and in high season a night market with live music. Poltu Quatu hotels > Porto Rotondo Porto Rotondo is an attractively designed world class yacht marina (second to Porto Cervo) surrounded by exclusive hotels and villas on the hillside. It has stunning views of the Costa Smeralda with azure blue sea, granite outcrops, sun bleached beaches and hidden coves. There are stylish boutiques, restaurants and café bars to enjoy a drink and watch the world go by and the huge yachts moor up in the marina. San Pantaleo San Pantaleo is a village situated up on the hillside behind the Costa Smeralda. It is sheltered by rugged mountains that are clearly visible from all over the north east of Sardinia and are a distinctive feature of the island’s unique and diverse landscape. The village itself is typically Mediterranean with terracotta buildings and a few shops, café bars and restaurants. The old folk still sit on the steps around the small piazza watching the world go by.

San Teodoro 30km south of Olbia airport, San Teodoro is a buzzing holiday resort in high season with a good selection of shops, café bars, restaurants, pizzerias and gelaterias. On summer evenings there are market stalls in the town piazza to buy typical Sardinian handicrafts and Sardinian specialities are available, including local wines and cheeses, from the small food shops. There is a 9 hole golf course at Punta Aldia and horse riding, mountain biking and nature trails at Monti Nieddu, the hills behind San Teodoro. Santa Teresa & Capo Testa Santa Teresa di Gallura and Capo Testa are situated on the northern most tip of the island enjoying wonderful views over the Straits of Bonifacio to the island of Corsica. There are some beautiful beaches with clear turquoise sea, ideal for swimming and snorkelling, and fascinating rock formations carved by the wind on the headland and in the Valley of the Moon. The town offers a good selection of shops and restaurants and from the port, boat trips to the islands and daily ferries to Corsica. The town beach of Rena Bianca is lovely.

Santa Teresa hotels > Sant’Antonio di Gallura and Lago di Liscia The small village of Sant’Antonio di Gallura with a couple of shops, restaurants and café bars is 2km away from Lake Liscia, an artificial basin in the heart of the Galluran countryside, created in the sixties. It is possible to walk round and fish in the lake which is surrounded by evergreen oaks, centuries-old wild olive trees, wind sculpted granite rocks, with native flora and fauna. There is a small railway station nearby where the scenic ‘Il Trenino Verde’ passes on its way between Palau and Tempio during the summer months. There is also the archaeological site of ‘Nuraghes’ at 340m above the sea level to visit. Tempio Pausania Tempio Pausania lies inland in the heart of Gallura at the foot of Monte Limbara (1,359m), 32km from Olbia and 69km from Sassari in the north east of Sardinia.

The town has original cobble streets, shops, churches and restaurants yet is famous for its cork products, granite stone production and vineyards producing Muscat and Vermentino wines. The typical granite stone architecture of the historical centre has many similarities with southern Corsican towns and its granite plateau provided the materials for the 15th century Cathedral and Oratorio del Rosario, which with some 19th century reconstruction gives a combination of late Romanesque and Baroque architecture. In the surrounding countryside, there are several Nuraghic-period remains including the nuraghes of Monti Pinna, Tanca Manna Izzana, Culbinu, Agnu and Majori. The area is also known for thermal springs and the mineral water from the Rinaggiu springs at the foot of Monte Limbara has excellent curative properties. Hiking is popular in the Gallura mountains with trails and waterfalls to discover. Il Trenino Verde offers a scenic narrow gauge train route to Palau on the coast on some days in the summer months.

Olbia, cruises to Italy | MSC Cruises dec Crystal-clear waters and wild nature Wedged into the coastline, Olbia is the largest town you’ll see on an MSC Mediterranean cruise around north-eastern Sardinia, its recent phenomenal growth due to the huge influx of tourists and cruisers bound for one of the Mediterranean’s loveliest stretches of coast, the Emerald Coast. Olbia has a first-class museum, plus numerous bars and restaurants, usually abuzz with tourists. Long a magnet for Italy’s glitziest celebrities, in the 1960s the five-star development of the Costa Smeralda helped to transform the economy of the entire island. With its typical rustic-red architecture, Porto Cervo, the main resort on the Costa Smeralda, embodies the dream of an idyllic Mediterranean village without any of the irritations of real life. Graffiti- and litter-free, Porto Cervo exults in its exclusivity, with a glittering yachting marina as its centrepiece. You can enjoy many cruise excursions from Olbia: La Maddalena island invites aimless wandering and offers a variety of sandy and rocky beaches in mostly undeveloped coves.

The beaches on the northern and western coasts are most attractive, particularly those around the tiny port of Madonetta, 5 km west of La Maddalena, and at Cala Lunga, 5 km north of town. Attached to the main island by a causeway is neighbouring Caprera, the island on which Garibaldi spent his last years. Santa Teresa di Gallura is Sardinia’s northernmost port. The town gets extremely lively in summer, with a buzzing nightlife, but the main draw is the beaches, many enjoying superb views over to Corsica, just 11 km away. There’s one stretch of sand right at the edge of town, but some of the finest beaches on the whole island are a short bus ride away, with Punta Falcone and La Marmorata to the east, and, 3 km west of Santa Teresa, Capo Testa, with its wind-sculpted granite rock formations.

Must see places in Olbia A short cruise to Maddalena Island Excursion code: OLB04 After leaving the port of Olbia by coach, the first stop on this enjoyable tour will be in San Pantaleo, a lovely little village located in the hills of the amazing Costa Smeralda, the Emerald Coast. Look forward to a short stop in the village to stroll around, browse in the small shops and visit the craft workshops. The excursion then continues up through the northernmost part of the island to Santa Teresa di Gallura, a coastal resort that faces the Strait of Bonifacio and Corsica. A guided tour of this small, but pretty town will follow, after which you will also have some free time to stroll around on your own. Return to the port. Please note: guests using a wheelchair are advised that they must be accompanied by a paying helper to provide assistance with getting on and off the coach and that wheelchairs must be collapsible/foldable since the coach has neither a ramp nor a lift. Guests using a wheelchair who would like to participate in this tour are requested to contact the Shore Excursions Desk promptly once they are on board so that arrangements can be made.

May involve a limited quantity of steps, uneven surfaces and/or periods of standing Difficulty Level Costa Smeralda - Emerald Coast in Sardinia - Costa Smeralda Beaches Wine Share The Costa Smeralda, (or Emerald Coast), is a 35-mile stretch of some of the most breathtaking beaches and luxury destinations in the Mediterranean. The development of the Emerald Coast in Sardinia began in the early 1960s when a conglomerate of companies backed by a wealthy Middle Eastern prince introduced an elaborate plan for urban development including villages, beaches, and resorts . Nearly a half-century later Costa Smeralda is one of the most enviable destinations for affluent travelers around the world. The luxury accommodations, dining , shopping, pristine beaches, and nightlife make the Emerald Coast in Sardinia the “playground of the rich.” Other destinations in the Mediterranean, Ibiza for instance, have become increasingly popular in the last few decades largely because of the fact that much of the island is geared toward catering to travelers who are seeking out luxury accommodations, boutiques, spas, and more.

This is true for many of the posh destinations around the world, but it is doubtful that any have been developed with the same level of exacting detail with which Costa Smeralda was constructed. The Costa Smeralda beaches provide the perfect natural venue for some of the most expensive and elaborate resorts in the Mediterranean. It is known as the Emerald Coast in Sardinia largely because of the awe-inspiring water that, throughout the course of one day on the island, displays brilliant shades of blue that reflect the sun like an ever-changing gem stone. Visitors to the Costa Smeralda beaches enjoy fine white sand and a stunning natural landscape of bays and inlets that are accentuated by unique foliage and vegetation, as well as rocky promontories and high-reaching coast lines. There is full-time security on the beaches and access to plenty of water sports and other activities. The luxury hotels and resorts on the Emerald Coast in Sardinia provide you with access to lush and exclusive areas of the long stretch of beach where you can enjoy your vacation in relative privacy. It's also a good idea to check into vacation packages that include one of the resorts in Costa Smeralda.

Sardinia Map Staying in one of the hotels in Costa Smeralda is expensive, especially during peak season. You can expect to pay between $2000 and $3000 for one night at a luxury accommodation on the exclusive Emerald Coast. The Cala di Volpe, Cervo Hotel, Hotel Romazzino, Hotel Pitrizza comprise the main luxury resorts on this coastal area of the island of Sardinia. Each of these hotels is fantastically well appointed, offering guests nearly every imaginable amenity to ensure an ideal stay on the island. Many of the affluent guests charter boats from the marina in Porto Cervo or enjoy a round of golf at the Pervero Golf Club. There is also private jet access in nearby Olbia as well as helicopter transport. The Costa Smeralda beaches are already majestic on their own. When you add the benefits of luxury resorts and world-class dining, shopping, and entertainment, you have an Emerald Coast experience. It is the most exclusive part of Sardinia and an area that grows in popularity every year.

Even though its tradition is one of extreme affluence and exclusivity, the resort destination is even growing in popularity among savvy travelers who have figured out how to travel there cheaply, take in all of the impressive sights, but stay in a nearby and more reasonably priced accommodation. Hotels New five-star hotels in Sardinia | Hotel Licciola and Ma&Ma Grand Hotel Resort (Condé Nast Traveller) What's new in Sardinia words by Laura Fowler Two five-star hotels have opened in north-west Sardinia, on the glam-and-glorious Costa Smeralda and unspoilt La Maddalena. The mere mention of Sardinia draws breathy sighs. Its beauty is legendary; it's almost impossible to avoid overhearing someone comparing its beaches to those of the Caribbean - the shallows that quite astonishing shade of turquoise, and clear as gin-and-tonic. The best beaches of all are in the north-west of the island, along the Costa Smeralda. Unfortunately that means they're hardly a secret; this coast is one of Italy's most glamorous places to mis-spend a summer, and in high season there's not an empty room overlooking that bluest-of-blue sea.

So it's always exciting to hear about new places to stay, and this summer, a couple of openings have caught our eye, both on prime stretches of coastline. Hotel La Licciola is spread out at the back of a mile-long stretch of stunning, white-sand beach (pictured) on the Costa Smeralda. The rooms are housed in little casetta, set among maquis-covered grounds, fragrant with scents of rosemary, juniper and jasmine. It's the grown-up sister hotel within the five-star Resort Valle dell' Erica Thalasso & Spa. Hotel La Licciola has two restaurants of its own, one serving local cuisine; and there are 116 rooms, all set apart from the more family-friendly part of the resort, which has a massive thalassotherapy centre with healing saltwater pools. Then there's the healing saltwater of the Mediterranean, right outside the door - five beaches and little coves, all a stroll away, overlooking the national park of La Maddalena archipelago . The little island of La Maddalena itself, meanwhile, has been somewhat lacking in polished accommodation.

A new five-star resort, Ma&Ma Grand Hotel , is a bit of a first for the archipelago, on which building is restricted. Set back 150 yards from the sea, near Punta Tegge, it's decorated in that expensively finished, contemporary Italian style of many of the Costa Smeralda's holidaymakers, with Acqua di Parma goodies in the bathrooms, and Jacuzzis in the suites. There's a spa with a thalassotherapy Magnapool and a floating room, a restaurant and glitzy lounge bar; but the star attraction here is altogether more rustic: La Maddalena's heavenly beaches. RECOMMENDED HOLIDAY READING: D H Lawrence's Sea & Sardinia; Alan Ross's The Bandit on the Billiard Table . Hotel La Licciola, Costa Smeralda, Olbia Province, Sardinia, Italy ( ). Doubles from €320. Ma&Ma Grand Hotel, La Maddalena, Sardinia, Italy ( ). Doubles from €198.

Pictured: the beach at Hotel Licciola on the Costa Smeralda, Sardinia Published 29 August 2013 Porto Cervo Real Estate agency - The Costa Smeralda, the most exclusive sea-side resort in the Mediterranean Sea A secure haven in a beautiful and healthy natural environment in the warm south of Europe. The Costa Smeralda Resort The Costa Smeralda lies on the North-Eastern coast of the isle of Sardinia, which is one of the main Italian islands, right in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, just one or two hours flight from the main European cities and only 30 min. from Rome. It is an ideal sea-side resort, world renowned for its unique natural beauty and for the impeccably refined development, carried out by His Highness the Aga Khan, in perfect harmony with the natural environment. Nowhere in the world has such a large resort, of over 3000 hectares, been so well developed by only one person, with an overall Master Plan, contemplating a 50 year development and has received so much loving care for detail.

The result is there to be seen: beautiful buildings on a human scale, designed by Europe’s very best architects, hand built by top Sardinian craftsmen, with their millennial experience in the working of granite, the natural stone of the island and the perfumed juniper wood. On the Costa Smeralda you will find the most spectacular villas and apartments, all protected by the efficient organisation of the Consortium Costa Smeralda , that guarantees all basic services and infrastructure, water supply, road repairs, beach cleaning, road cleaning, medical services, fire protection, security, etc., which in turn guarantee a perfect, care-free holiday in the resort, as well as the stability of the investment. Porto Cervo, the capital of the Costa Smeralda, has also become a Mediterranean capital of the jet-setting celebraties and in summer, offers one of the liveliest night-lifes around.

Within a couple of hours, you can visit so many extraordinary places: Tiscali, Su Goruppu, the deepest gorge of Europe, Cala Luna, Bosa, the ancient Phoenician towns of Nora and Tharros, the Nuragic villages of Barrumini and Sant Antine, the sand dunes of Piscinas and many, many more. There are endless opportunities for sight-seeing, shopping, trekking in the spectacular Sardinian hinterland and for discovering the fascinating and mysterious archeological monuments dating back many millenniums. We will happy to supply you with some interesting itineries around the island which will keep you busy for many years to come. See the Archeological Guide and the Itineries from Porto Cervo . If you would like to consider owning your own home here and wish to examine some opportunities for the purchase of a villa or an apartment on the Costa Smeralda, please give us a call and we will be only too pleased to send you some documentation or to accompany you on a visit. Just contact Mr. Laurence Camillo of the Porto Cervo Real Estate Agency or fill in the information request form .

Agenzia Immobiliare Porto Cervo - Vicolo degli Archi 1, 07021 Porto Cervo (OT), Costa Smeralda, Italia P.IVA 01429440900 - Ruolo C.C.I.A.A. di Sassari n. 780 - Tel +39 0789 92550 Fax +39 0789 94354

Question: The resort of Costa Smeralda is on which Mediterranean island?
Answer: Sardinia