Sardinia - The Costa Smeralda Sun

Italy’s Unknown Island of Sardegna Provides Sun, Beaches And Luxury

Oct 29, 2008 Stillman Rogers

Escape from the ordinary Italian vacation with a getaway to golden sand beaches on the Mediterranean and luxury resorts amid wild landscapes and authentic villages.

While Italians spell it Sardegna, and the rest of the world knows it as Sardinia, luxury travelers know it simply for the glamorous Emerald Coast. For those in the know, that Emerald Coast ranks right up there with the world’s most deluxe beach resorts. But there’s more to Sardinia’s sunny shores than retreats for high-rollers.

The Smeralda Coast – Emerald Waters and the Color of Money

Sardinia’ northwest coast was a haunt of shepherds almost devoid of people until the Aga Kahn tapped it as a playground for his ultra-rich friends in the 1970s. From June to October yachts the size of ocean liners pull into the harbors of specially built towns, such as Porto Cervo, and the beautiful people spill out into the streets. Others land private jets at the Olbia airport, one of the busiest airports in Europe during the summer. Most visitors come via commercial or charter flights from all over Europe.

It is hard to believe that only four decades ago this beautiful bare and rugged landscape was all stone, scrub and sea. Little but rough, low, vegetation grows on the golden rocky hillsides surrounding small bays and inlets of fine sandy beaches and exquisite clear water. The sun shines through water, turning it shades of pale blue, green and turquoise.

Olbia, Gateway to Golden Beaches

The city of Olbia is the Coast Smeralda’s port of entry, its airport one of the busiest in Europe June through September, when charter planes and private jets fill the air. It is also primary port for ferries from Genoa, Livorno and Rome. High-end travelers who follow the “beautiful people” will find them at any of the carefully groomed resorts along the coast.

Porto Cervo –Celebs and Luxury

Porto Cervo is the primary focal point of visitors to Costa Smeralda, the capital of sun and fun, and the best place to catch sight of the royalty (Princess Diana and Dodi Fayad tarried here), rock stars, business elite and celebrities shopping at the Hermes, Bulgari and other high-end shops that fill the main plaza. Private homes, apartments and hotels snuggle around the edges of a small bay in this town built from scratch to look like a traditional fishing village. Yachts big enough to serve as a navy for a mid-sized country fill the harbor. Catering to this clientele are top-end hotels, such as the Colonna Pevero, with five pools and an elegant setting about a half a mile from the beaches. Excellent, and lower cost, small B&Bs and inns can also be found in towns and in the countryside.

A Coastline of Bays and Beaches

Beautiful coves are scattered all along the coast from Olbia to the Golfo di Aranci and along the shores of the Golfo di Congianus to Porto Cervo and beyond to Baia Sardinia, where a beautiful beach lies below the town plaza, cafes, restaurants and shops. A walking trail at the left side of the beach wanders out along the bay, whose emerald-colored waters lap at the foot of fantastic rock formations. The trail ends at a clutch of tiny semi-secluded beaches among eroded rock formations.

Follow the coastal road from Baia Sardinia along the sea to San Stefano, venturing out to the Maddelena Islands. Rocky and barren, they are renowned for their beauty, and Caprera was the refuge of Garibaldi after he defeated the French, the Austrians and the Papal States to establish the Kingdom of Italy for the House of Savoy.

No matter how you spell it, Sardinia offers idyllic beaches, luxury resorts, even history -- everything an island vacation needs.

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