Travel Book for June 2009

Sardinia 1st Edition from Lonely Planet

Sardinia Highlights

Sardinia from Lonely Planet

In a country where every nook and cranny seems to have been explored, experienced and exhausted, Sardinia is a charming reminder that some of travel’s best-kept secrets lie right beneath our noses. It’s renowned for its stunning beaches, laissez-faire atmosphere, rustic cuisine and authentic festivals, so here are some top tips from travellers.

Beach-Hopping Along The Golfo Di Orosei

Cala Gonone (p211) was stupendous. I loved the caves. We visited the Grotta del Bue Marino (p123) and took a boat excursion down the coast, stopping off at the most fabulous beaches. The Sea was stunning, really beautiful and crystal clear.

Stefania Masella, Traveller, Italy

Archaelogical Delights

There is so much of archeological interest in Sardinia. Serra Orrios and S’Ena, ‘e Thomes (p210) are both fascinating sites. Nobody was there when we were at Serra Orrios and it was absolutely wonderful. Another superb site was Tiscali (p211), although you really need a guide to get there.

Alan Paddison, Traveller, UK

Ulassai

It took us ages to drive to Ulassai (p217), but the scenery was absolutely amazing. In three hours of driving we only passed about five other cars as we twisted through huge valleys blanketed in silence and covered by sweeping forests. Overhead huge slabs of rock sat baking in the boiling sun. I’ve never felt so cut off from the rest of the world. It really felt like we were the only people on earth.

Lidia Salvati, Traveller, Italy

Alghero

Wandering through Alghero’s old town (p148) was like stepping back in time. You can easily slip down a cobbled alleyway to get away from the bustle, and it was there that we stumbled across locals drying laundry and wanting to chat.

Paul Griffin, Traveller, UK

Kayaking Along The River Temo

We hired Kayaks and went paddling on the Fiume Temo (River Temo) amid the tall scratchy reeds. It was so quiet gliding through the countryside, but best of all was our return to Bosa (p117) in the early evening, when the town houses glowed a burnished gold in the sunset.

Sandra Haywood, Traveller, UK

Cagliari

For me the best thing was just strolling the cobbled streets of Il Castello (p57) in Cagliari, finding unexpected corners and old art studios. There’s also a fantastic fish and food market called the Mercato di San Benedetto (p69) in the Villanova district.

Alice Grigg, Traveller, UK

Spiaggia della Piscinas

The sand dunes on the Spiaggia della Piscinas (p86) are fabulous. You can take the most incredible photos, especially at sunset, when the light is stunning.

Luca Antonelli, Traveller, Italy

Exploring Sea caves at the Grotta di Nettuno

We boarded a boat in Alghero and sped across the turquoise water to the Grotta di Nettuno (p161). Climbing through these enormous sea caves was breath taking. Stalagmites spiralled up to the ceiling and were reflected in still pools of water. At times it felt like a cathedral, at others it felt more like the moon.

Korina Miller, Lonely Planet Author, Canada

Sinis Peninsula

I loved the surreal, almost tropical feel of the Sinis Peninsula (p109), with its white sands Tharros ruins (p110) and low-lying lagoons. When I went to San Salvatore (p110), I drove straight past the entrance the first time. I couldn’t believe that the tiny, sandy track was the village’s main entrance. Everything about it was strange – the odd little pilgrim houses, the dusty piazza. I even had to ask where the main church was and I was staring straight at it.

Duncan Garwood, Lonely Planet Author, Italy

Tantalising Tastes

The food was so yummy. I ate pasta and cheese that tasted smokey, and lots of sorbet. My favourite dinner was a big plate of pasta that we ate sitting right over the sea.

Simone Griffin, Traveller, Age Four

Into The Interior

We tore ourselves away from the beach and drove into the interior, where we enjoyed spectacular views of the coast and had a picnic on Neolithic stones amid fields of wildflowers.

Caroline Haywood, Traveller, UK

Orgosolo

I knew there were murals in Orgosolo (p200), but I never imagined that the whole village was a canvas for the weirdest graffiti I’ve ever seen. Social commentary, politics, international news and ‘end-of-the-world’ prophecy all make an appearance on the shabby exteriors of houses and cafes. It was the strangest experience, especially when we came upon the images of the Twin Towers and the fall of Baghdad, which seemed a world away from this small mountain village.

Paula Hardy, Lonely Planet Staff

Costa del Sud Beaches

Sardinia’s beaches are really beautiful. You’ve just got to get out and see them, especially those along the Costa del Sud (p95) on the southwestern coast.

Hema Mistry, Traveller, UK

Sardinia from Lonely Planet is published by Lonely Planet (paperback; £13.99). It is also available through www.lonelyplanet.com and all good booksellers.

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