Cala Goloritze (Foto di S. Colomo)

To date Sardinia has been known and appreciated mostly for the spectacular colours of its sea and for the beauty of its beaches. However, things are now changing and the interest in the so-called ‘other Sardinia’ has constantly been growing in the last few decades.

The typical Sardinian vegetation is known as Macchia Meditteranea. Llaurels, holm oaks, cork oaks, myrtle, arbustus berries, juniper berries and palmets are especially common. In springtime and September most of the Sardinian landscape is covered with several different species of endemic wild flowers of rare beauty. As for the fauna, amongst the most endemic species are the wild boars and the moufflons that can be found in several areas, the deers, the wild grey donkeys (typical of the Asinara island), the wild little ponies (in the Giara of Gesturi), falcons, griffons, hawks, eagles, flamingoes, sultan chickens and several other species of birds of prey. Most of this species are protected by law.

Along the coast of S. Antioco and S. Pietro it is possible to assist to the fascinating passage of the tunas, and the encounters with the lovely dolphins are far from rare all around Sardinia when going by sea.
With its 500.000 hectares of natural reserves Sardinia is one of the most protected areas of the Mediterranean. At first it was just the sea and the coasts, the islands and the archipelagos that were protected by law. The purpose has always been one and the same: preserving the exceptional environmental value of this territory, of its flora and fauna. New areas are now being added to the already existing ones: Capo Carbonara, Tavolara, Punta Coda Cavallo, The Sinis Peninsula-Island of Mal di Ventre, Capo Caccia-Piana Island, the Asinara Island and the Archipelago of La Maddalena (already National Parks) are soon to become a marine protected area together with the Orosei Gulf and Capo Testa. These are just a few of the chosen areas and testify the constant effort of Sardinia to contribute to the development of tourism in respect of its natural treasures.

  - Capo Carbonara is situated in the south-east coast of Sardinia. Here the marine fauna is extremely varied and the depths of the sea are laden with the wrecks of the many ships that in ancient times tragically ended here their navigation. It is a real paradise for divers.

Just off the coast lays another beauty: the Island dei Cavoli which is totally uninhabited and full of many endearing surprises for the nature lovers.

-  Further north lays the massif  of the Gennargentu and the Orosei Gulf which are soon to become a national park. The justly celebrated Cala Gonone boasts about 40 kilometres of breathtaking coast and stunningly beautiful beaches some of which can only be accessed by boat or on foot, wonderful grottos that were once inhabited by the rare Monk Seal (the last record dates back to the mid '80s) and dramatic rocky cliffs.

- Punta Coda Cavallo together with the islands of Molara, Tavolara and Molarotto represents the richest marine reserve of Italy. The area is considered the kingdom of divers as well as birdwatchers.

- The Archipelago of La Maddalena is best known as the Polinesia of Europe: gulfs, bays, coves, inlets and white sandy beaches lapped by wonderful crystalline waters. The English language does not have the adjectives to describe the varieties of blues and green hues of Sardinia waters and the difficulty becomes greater still when attempting to describe the absolutely stunning colours of the waters all around La Maddalena. The archipelago, which is situated in the north-east of Sardinia is composed of over 145 km of coast and is characterised by its enormous rocks of granite that date back about 300 million years.

 - The stunningly beautiful and amazingly unspoilt Asinara Island is located in the north west of Sardinia. It is a national park that can only be visited with a guide to preserve this uniquely preserved environment and its endemic species.
- Capo Caccia-Isola Piana (north-west). Capo Caccia is a rocky peninsula with dramatic cliffs. The absolute peculiarity of its waters lays in the bright colonies of the rare red coral.

8000 years of history starting from 6000 B.C. have left many significant signs in Sardinia. Amongst the most mysterious and fascinating ones are the Nuraghe, stone towers built around 1800 BC by an ancient and unidentified people. There are about 7000 of them scattered throughout the island. Their original function is still unknown in spite of the incredible amount of research that have been, and are still been, carried out by both historians and archaeologists. Of great interest are also the ‘domus de janas’ (fairy houses), the ‘Tombe  dei Giganti’ and the Menhirs, all remnants of the Bronze Age.

Areas of particular historical interest are: Nora, Tharros, Cagliari and Bithia. Although most of this towns were originally founded by the Phoenicians, traces of the later invaders such as the Carthaginians and Romans can also be found.

Italy has always been celebrated, amongst other things, for its fantastic and healthy cuisine. Sardinia makes no exception to it, as its traditional recipies, made with the freshest and finest ingredients, epitomize the Mediteranean diet. Amongst the favourite dishes are the culurgiones (ravioli made with different stuffings that vary depending on the area); the malloreddus (pasta made with durum wheat) dressed with a sauce made with plum tomatoes, sausage, and herbs, and generously sprinkled with pecorino cheese and the utterly delicious spit-roasted suckling pig. Pages could be written about the various kinds of recipies made with different kinds of fresh fish and seafood, lamb and pork. The bread is handmade freshly  every morning in the local bakeries, and so are the various kinds of sweets and cakes (most made with almonds, pinenuts, hazelnuts and walnuts).
And then there is the ham with all the other salumi and appetizers, and an incredible variety of cheeses amongst which is the famous Pecorino.

The locally produced wines and liquors, which have now entered the list of favourites in many restaurants and delicatessens worldwide, are most varied. Cannonau, Vermentino, Malvasia and Vernaccia are the most popular amongst Sardinians, although many locals still make their own wine.

There are also plenty of wine makers all over the island from which you can buy directly good quality wines at very reasonable prices. The liquors mirto, filu'e ferru and limoncello make the happiest complement to any meal, so if after a meal you are asked whether you would like an 'ammazzacaffe' (literally a coffee killer) do not say no too fast as you might be missing your chance to taste one of this fantastic liquours. Restaurants, trattorias and pizzerias are generally quite affordable and definitely good value for money.

 Sardinians are reknown for the great respect and high consideration on which they hold their customs and traditions. This is testified by the many folkloristic festivals that are held all year round thorughout the island to celebrate a saint or an historic event. Often the festivals are complemented by real feasts of locally produced food to which everybody is welcome to participate.