| There is no better way to experience a | | | | beach, two of the most popular beaches in |
| destination then under your own steam and the | | | | Cagliari, are just a few kilometres away on the |
| tiny Italian island of Sardinia is the ideal place to do | | | | southern coast and are lined with fabulous |
| this. Instead of the usual fare, you can choose to | | | | restaurants and shops. Yachting and boating |
| spend your time flitting between the irridescent | | | | activities are available, while the temperate waters |
| blue waters and fine, sandy beaches to ancient | | | | and good conditions are also favoured by |
| remains, through beautiful, wild countryside and | | | | windsurfers, surfers and those wanting to take |
| back to modernity with a host of fine eateries to | | | | their PADI diving courses in an marine |
| satiate your appetite and nightlife to excite the | | | | environment full of exciting and interesting aquatic |
| senses. | | | | life. |
| Whether you are landing at Cagliari Airport, Olbia | | | | To really be at one with nature, there is the |
| Airport or Alghero Airport, organising car hire is | | | | Parco dei sette Fratelli, a breath-taking area of |
| simple. If you are choosing to centralise your | | | | protected countryside and home to 115 |
| adventure around the south of the island, then | | | | vertebrate species, including Sardinian deer, wild |
| you will be landing at Cagliari Airport. There are | | | | boars and royal eagles. It is an hour´s drive |
| several Cagliari Airport Car Hire firms and these | | | | east along the SS125 towards Castiadas and |
| are AM Service, Autoeuropa, Budget, Dollar | | | | Muravera and is marked by its sweeping canyon |
| Thrifty, Easycar, Eurorent, Matta, Midarent, Pinna, | | | | and the Cannas river that runs along bottom of it, |
| Ruvioli and Sardinya. | | | | as well as its dense forest. |
| Cagliari is the capital of Sardinia and is the largest | | | | Further north from Cagliari near Barumini, around |
| city on the island. It is a thriving, modern city | | | | a 65 km or an hour and quarter drive, is the |
| nestled in the foundations of an ancient past and | | | | nuragic complex of Su Nuraxi. Dating from the |
| all just a short distance from some of the most | | | | Middle Bronze age, c.1450 BC, it was made a |
| mesmerising beaches in Europe. Evidence of its | | | | UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. The |
| early occupation are predominantly in the old | | | | impressive fortress at its heart comprises seven |
| town. The Piazza Costituzione is partially enclosed | | | | turrets with a central tower that stretches over |
| by the remants of the Bastione of San Remy, | | | | 14m. The ruins of the village which spread out |
| which can be climbed along with the two medieval | | | | around it include a large meeting hut and various |
| towers, the Torre San Pancrazio and the Torre | | | | habitations. |
| dell'Elefante, to get great panaromic views over | | | | Going 40 minutes west along the coast and near |
| the city and coastline. In May, the Festa di | | | | the town of Pula, are the fascinating Ruins of |
| Sant´Efisio is held to great colourful fanfare | | | | Nora. While the Phoenician influence is shows |
| as inhabitants deck out in local costume to honour | | | | among the foundations of the temple and |
| the saint. | | | | foundary ruins, the Roman inclusions dominate in |
| Sights worth visiting are the Catherdral of Santa | | | | the form of a theatre, thermal baths, forum, |
| Maria, which offers tours and includes fabulous | | | | temple and the Sanctuary of Aesculapius. |
| examples of 15th and 16th century paintings and | | | | Another 30/40 minutes on and your reach the |
| sculptures, and the Cittadella dei Musei which | | | | gulf of Teulada a stretch of coastline |
| houses the National Archeological Museum. | | | | characterised by its bays and coves. A great spot |
| Displays consist of relics from Nuragic civilization | | | | for fishing or sunbathing away from the masses |
| and artifacts dating back to the Phoenician and | | | | is the craggy, rocked Punta Niedda or search for |
| Roman period, obtained from various parts of | | | | urchins in the nearby smooth pebbled beach of |
| mainland Italy and Sardinia. For a slice of | | | | Campionna. Marinas to visit are the Porto |
| horticultural beauty though visit the Orto Botanico, | | | | Zafferano, Portu Tramatzu and the much smaller |
| or Botanical Garden, which was founded in 1865 | | | | but charming Porto Budello. Close by is the forest |
| and hosts a variety of tropical plants from around | | | | of Gutturu Mannu which makes for idyllic walking |
| the world. | | | | with its lush vegetation and olive, pine and cork |
| Just outside the city is one of the top tourist | | | | trees. A little inland is the village of Teulada which |
| attractions in the region, the magnificent 2nd | | | | offers traditional culinary delights from seafood to |
| century amphitheatre, which was originally carved | | | | suckling pig and goat, which is roast on a spit with |
| straight into the rock. It is now used to host | | | | local herbs. |
| music and theatre shows. Calamosca and Poetto | | | | |