Advantages: beautiful
Disadvantages: it's not a white spot on the map any more

...I should warn you: this is the longest opinion I've written so far. A double espresso beside your computer might help you to get through the reading. Not a cup of tea, we're going to coffee country! In case you think of going to Sardinia or any other Italian region one day, forget about tea altogether. Only a masochist would order tea in an Italian bar (as only an Italian masochist would order coffee in a British establishment, so there). When you offer tea to an Italian, you might hear, "No, thank you, I'm fine." Italians drink tea, black or the herbal variety, when they feel unwell, it's medicine for them. Now, have you got your coffee ready? Off we go. HOW TO GET THERE The majority of German tourists go to Sardinia by car and ferry, the majority of British tourists go there by plane. Ah, yes, of course, I hear you saying... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Good beaches, dramatic scenery, historical interest, unspoilt interior
Disadvantages: The cost, and the Costa Smeralda in particular

...It was Cyprus that Saki described as having “produced more history than could be consumed locally,” but the same could be said of almost any of the Mediterranean’s larger islands, and certainly of Sardinia. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * One is reminded of Sardinia’s history almost on arrival, assuming one has come the cheap way, by Ryanair to Alghero in the north-west of the island. Alghero is a handsome town, in its older parts at least, with a fortified promontory jutting out into the sea to guard the port. Within the old walls is a rabbit-warren of narrow streets and small squares, crammed with mediaeval buildings including some fine churches with Spanish-style bell-towers. The fortifications were built by the Spanish, who used the town as a strongpoint for their occupation from the 14th to the 17th centuries... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Beautiful, Unspoilt, Superb Climate
Disadvantages: More Expensive Than You Might Expect

...believe, is renowned for its beautiful beaches and roman ruins, which include an impressive and largely intact Amphitheatre. It strikes me as interesting, that the two Pulas should have these things in common. The Pula I am visiting, however, is set not on the Adriatic, but rather, near the southernmost tip of Sardinia, smack bang in the centre of the Med. Sadly, the small Amphitheatre here now rests in picturesque ruins. ARRIVAL: En route to Cagliari, Sardinia's ancient capital, the plane had hovered above the island's spectacular western coastline, dipped slightly inland, and then, upon landing, had seemed almost to skim the surface of the sea before coming safely to rest on Sardinian ground. I felt a vague (and no doubt unwarranted) sense of narrowly averted disaster. The airport itself is very modern, with a new-car sort of smell... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Lovely beaches, fantastic food
Disadvantages: Praying Mantis are on the loose!!! Entertainment all in Italian

...I recently got married and it took us a while to pick the perfect place for a romantic honeymoon, eventually we chose Italy and Sardinia attracted our attention with it's beautiful beaches. We booked through Portland, who were very helpful and got the price down for us to £990 for a weeks half board stay. We flew with Austrius, who I have never heard of, but would recommend. There was plenty of leg room, which is a must for my new husband, and the breafast was great, a mini fry up, and a free champagne cocktail as the flight was slighlty delayed. Cocktails at 7 am, a great start to the honeymoon! As soon as we got off the plane we were greated with a hot temperature and lots of Italian men helping us off the plane. Our bags didn't take long to collect and after a short coach trip, we had reached our destination, Hotel Oasis... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Gastronomy, People, Culture, Weather, Sea and coastline, Panoramas
Disadvantages: Language

...I was first introduced to Sardinia through meeting my wife; she is Sardinian. As a visitor, you soon begin to discover why Sardinia is so special as you arrive. In the summer months you can arrive from the more temperate climes of northern Europe to be faced with the heat of North Africa, whereas, in the winter it is cooler but still pleasant most days. Scenery is dramatic. Being exposed on all sides to sea and prevailing weather, often incredible views can be experienced which are never the same twice; from sunrises to sunsets, storms or just the blur of haze from the blistering heat. Beaches are incredible, clear blue seas and white sands. The coastline is often rugged too, combining cliffs, valleys and mountain backdrops making the summers visit to the beach a little different. The island is mountainous and you can get... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Spectacular scenery
Disadvantages: Expensive

...SARDINIA This was our first venture into the Timeshare Exchange setup, having first bought in mainland Spain. Unfortunately I had partly severed a tendon in my right hand a week before we were due to go and driving proved difficult with a splint on one of my fingers. By the time we reached Gatwick I was getting used to the idea and we eventually took off and landed at Alghero in the north west of the island. It was just our luck that our destination was Porto Rotondo, some 90 miles away on the north east coast. Not a good start. No, we hadn’t booked a hire car, preferring to play it by ear. Enquiries at the taxi rank told us that it would cost the equivalent of £110 to get us to our Timeshare – Mamma Mia! This was the first indication that it was going to be an expensive holiday. Instead we hired a car for three days... Read review