The ultimate retreat for that long awaited relaxing holiday, Sardinia is superbly framed by stunning white sand beaches that border some of the clearest waters in the Mediterranean. A mountainous interior offers a wealth of opportunities for finding stunning vistas and secluded corners. Its unhurried pace and peaceful landscape will no doubt leave the body and soul feeling refreshed and revived.
SOUTHERN SARDINIA
The southern coast of Sardinia is the ideal environment for the ultimate beach holiday. The beaches could not be more idyllic, where the clearest turquoise waters you will find in Europe lap gently at the shore of unblemished sandy beaches.
CHIA
Chia's coastline is an uncluttered stretch of secluded sandy coves, broken up by craggy rocks and a 16th century bell tower, that looms over the ruins of Bithia, a fascinating archaeological site and the most important Phoenician-Punic settlement in the area.
NORA
Dating from the 8th and 9th century BC, the ancient town of Nora is an archaeologist's dream - housing the remains of Punic and Phoenician sanctuaries, a magnificent Roman villa, a stately amphitheatre and majestic forum.
SANTA MARGHERITA DI PULA
Perched on the southern tip of Sardinia, the sun-bleached beach of Santa Margherita is ablaze with cafés, restaurants, and shops. The resort is close to the capital city of Cagliari for further exploration, but the town itself boasts the interesting old quarter 'Castello', packed with crumbling historic buildings.
NORTHERN SARDINIA
The northern shores of Sardinia are strewn with sophisticated resorts, such as Costa Smeralda and Baia Sardinia. The wild beauty of the remote, rugged inland terrain offsets this stunning coastline, where secluded sandy coves and rocky inlets huddle along the shore.
BAIA SARDINIA
Life in this tiny village centres around a fine sandy beach, set in a beautiful little bay of clear water and a piazza littered with small shops, cosy restaurants and bars full of character.
CALA CAPRA
Cala Capra's unmatched natural beauty is typically Sardinian; with shady wooded hills rolling down to a golden shore of sun-drenched sand. If the bustle of the rest of the beach becomes too much, then shelter yourself among the rocky coves bordering the sand.
COSTA SMERALDA, PORTO CERVO
The Costa Smeralda stretches for 30 pristine miles (48km) across Sardinia's north- eastern corner. Alongside it's idyllic golden sandy beaches, the opulent resort of Cervo is home to a luxury yacht club and marina complex, full of fashionable boutiques.
OLIENA
With it's whitewashed villas and painted courtyards shaded by scented almond trees, Oliena is the picture-perfect example of a characteristic Sardinian town. Embedded at the foot of Monte Corrasi, it's easy to soak up the languid atmosphere of Oliena as soon as you spot the surrounding Cedrine valley, populated by terraced vineyards and a labyrinth of ancient olive groves.
ALGHERO
An old Catalan town and picturesque port, Alghero is a fusion of Italian and Spanish flavours. Explore the ancient ramparts and medieval walled town before taking a coastal walk past the craggy cliffs, vineyards and olive groves of the Coral Riviera. Beach bums will flock to the 5km stretch of golden sand, and foodies will savour local delicacies such as fresh lobster served up in the renowned but reasonable restaurants.
