Italy's second biggest island, Sardinia is about 200kms from the Italian mainland, just south of French owned Corsica. The island has no big cities but people come in summer to enjoy the most consistently fine beaches and sea that Italy has to offer. By Italian standards there are no particularly important historical sights, yet you'll come across some nice surprises left by Roman and Carthaginian invaders. These are some of the best things that Sardinia has to offer.
5 things not to miss :
1 Beaches - The northeast of the island is the area known as the Costa Smeralda, the Emerald Coast, and is aptly named. In summer it welcomes many of Italy's rich and famous and prices are reflective of this jet-set lifestyle. Yet in just about all of the island you'll be able to get on a good stretch of beach and clear blue water.
2 Cagliari - The capital of the island, home to about a quarter of a million people, yet retaining the feeling of a much smaller place. The old centre of the town is known as Castello.
3 Sassari - The second city of Sardinia, and for many the most interesting. The old quarter is a collection of little lanes and squares ideal for leisurely sightseeing. Visit on Ascension day for the Cavalcata festival, a mixture of horse riding, dancing and music, all with a very Sardinian feel.
4 Alghero - A vibrant, fully operational fishing port that also attracts large numbers of visitors. Fourteenth century Spanish invaders have left a strong mark on the place, Catalan is most dominant cultural influence, hence the nickname of Barcelonetta.
5 Local food - Based on local ingredients specialities include lobster, fish stews and other fish dishes. In addition, there is also fine suckling pig, and prosciutto made from wild boar orcinghiale.
