The Facts
Capital: Cagliari
Currency: Euro
Time Zone: GMT +1
www.italiantourism.com/sardegna.html
Introduction
The second-largest island in the Mediterranean but the furthest from mainland Italy and only 200km from Tunisia, Sardinia sits slightly aloof from the rest of Europe without quite making it to Africa. It has all the best bits of mainland Italy, like good food and great style with some of its own unique flavours thrown in, like its own language and distinct customs. Formed by a series of mountainous massifs, hills and narrow highlands its coasts are jagged with beautiful beaches and countless inlets.Caves and grottos offer geological phenomena whilst the distinctive 'nuraghes' cone towers, dating back before 1000 BC provide a fairly constant reminder of the island's ancient past. Over 7,000 of these monolithic edifices are scattered across the landscape and the complex of Su Nuraxi di Barumini is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A Mediterranean climate of hot, dry summers and very mild winters add to Sardinia's year round appeal.
Where To Go
The island of Sardinia can be found in the Mediterranean Sea and belongs to Italy. The French island of Corsica lies to its north, the Italian peninsula to the east, Tunisia to the south and the Spanish Balearic Islands to the west.
What To Eat & Drink
Original culinary specialties include sucking pig and wild boar roasted on the spit, rustic stews with wild vegetables and hearty beans stews flavoured with fresh herbs such as myrtle and mint. Mutton stewed for five hours with potatoes and onions is a local delicacy in many villages. Fish is widely available in the coastal towns. In Alghero try the town's speciality, rock lobster.
Malloredus is a saffron pasta served with tomato sauce and sausage or cheese. In Pattada, a mountainous village in the province of Sassari try the Panadas is a traditional pie filled with meat or stewed eels. Pecorino cheese is made from sheep milk and a Sardinian favourite, now exported to many countries in the world.Pane carasatu is paper-thin bread baked with olive oil and rosemary and served with most main meals. Seadas are pancakes served as desert with an orange flavoured honey. Limoncello is the local digestivo.
Unmissable Sardinia
5 things you really should do in Sardinia
1. Go cross-country
Get off the beaten track and really explore the islands' countryside and character by jumping on a quad bike. Visit the caves of Sa Oche and Su Bentu, the springs of Su Gologone and the peaks of Monte Corrasi. Travel through the Valley of Lanaitto and meet the shepherds. Take a break and canoe down the river Cedrino. It's an action-packed cross-country adventure.
www.locationsardinia.com
2. Live like Admiral Nelson
Explore the stunning Sardinian coastline from the water. Journey to La Magdalena islands in the north and explore this interesting archipelago by sea kayak. Once the hideout for Nelson before the infamous battle of Trafalgar, he maintained a constant presence here for nearly three years and yet never set foot on land.
3. Crane your neck
Explore the Grotto di Ispinigoli and discover an incredible 38m stalagmite at the centre of this deep cavern, the second biggest in the world. Additional stalactites and stalagmites add to this natural neck-craning spectacle.
www.showcaves.com/english/it/showcaves/Ispinigoli.html
4. Go medieval
Explore the labyrinthe lanes of the old town of Alghero, named 'Barcelonetta', or Little Barcelona, by its medieval Catalan residents. The Piazza Duomo, cathedral is one the most striking buildings.
www.algherosardinia.net
5.Wind the windows down
Feel the wind in your hair as you cruise on a coastal drive from Alghero to Bosa, situated on the banks of the River Temo. The relaxing town of Bosa is ringed by mountains and sea.
