Sardinia

A European treasure

A treasured holiday destination, even amongst Italians, Sardinia is one of Europe's greatest pearls. Crystal clear water and some of Italy's finest sand beaches attract visitors from all over the world year after year, whilst its enviable position far from the mainland has left it free to develop a unique culture just as captivating as the gently lapping Mediterranean Sea.

With its strategically important position in the centre of the Mediterranean, Sardinia has always been at the heart of the many invasions and counterinvasions that plagued Europe for many long centuries. Amongst the various people who have made the island their home, we find Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines and Arabs, all of whom have left their own mark on Sardinia.

Nature is one of the island's most important assets, from its picturesque coastline, surrounded by blue water with pink rocks hiding just beneath, to the lusciously green mountains which populate its interior. It may have a small land mass, but Sardinia is without doubt one of Italy's wildest regions, with rocky peaks emerging from an almost arid landscapes and forests stretching uninterrupted for miles up steep mountainsides.

It may have a wild interior, but Sardinia owes most of its economic success to seaside tourism. It started off in the area around Alghero in the 1950s and slowly extended towards the Costa Smeralda, in the north-east. This gorgeous stretch of coast quickly became one of the island's most visited areas, gathering many of the world's most luxurious establishments and attracting jet setters from all over the world.

The province of Cagliari extends over much of the island, covering the large swathe of land from Nuoro in the north to the Carbonia-Iglesias in the extreme south west. The eponymous capital of the region is a real treat for both architecture and vitality, a city that must be discovered on foot whether you wander through the narrow streets of the centre or along the seafront. The province is also one of the most popular places on the island to enjoy the sea, with some of the best beaches including Poetto, Tueredda and Porto Piscinni.

As you descend towards the south-western tip of Sardinia, you'll come across charming towns such as Pula, Santa Margerita di Pula, Chia and the intimate Porto Pino, part of the Carbonia-Iglesias province and known for its picture-perfect beaches. To the east of Cagliari, head out on the open road to the coastal village of Villasimius. Once a small fishing village, it now holds a myriad of bars, cafés and boutiques to entertain the many tourists who come to enjoy its white sands and beautiful harbour in the summer.