Sardinia’s Wild Heart and Hidden Shores

Traveling to Sardinia last summer was an eye-opening experience, a magical island off the coast of Italy, north of Africa, south of Corsica and west of Spain, loaded with history and far from the maddening crowds. What’s really bizarre is that the island is the second largest in the Mediterranean, yet somehow it still remains as one of Europe’s best kept secrets. Although we covered a lot of the island, one week was really not enough! We landed in the south in Cagliari and enjoyed a fascinating city tour and an exhilarating day kayaking. I don’t know if it was just our experience but from the crowds we saw, or rather lack thereof, despite Cagliari being the capital city, it seems most travelers wanted to skip exploring the main parts of the city and just head to all of the beaches. From stone towers to olive groves, cork forests to prehistoric ruins, there were so many picturesque spots that offered amazing views in addition to being a great place for stargazing or catching an incredible sunset.

I should stress that part of Sardinia’s charm is the beaches. Don’t skip them; they are magical to look at and since there are over 200 to choose from, you will find that there are a few hidden gems depending on what side of the island you are on. Some will tell you that you can find the best beaches in the North Eastern coasts, such as La Pelosa, Cala Goloritzé, and Cala Mariolu, but that is relative and due to them gaining more popularity on social media platforms. Locals will probably be able to tell you how to find a hidden beach better than any map app so whether you are at a restaurant or wandering around, just ask where you can find a great beach with few people and set off on an adventure!

We also explored Roman ruins in Pula, a stunning location where Dolce & Gabbana had just finished a fashion shoot. The remnants of the runway left us to enjoy a dramatic catwalk, so naturally we took advantage and made our own montage of photos and videos. We then traveled to the west where we spent a day sailing, then east to Oliena where we explored the “blue zone’ in the mountains and then to the north where the jet setters have been going for decades. We returned home to find news that Sardinian homes were selling for $1 and kicked ourselves for not house hunting while we were there!! You never know what you’ll find… Away From the Crowds!