Situated between Sicily and Corsica, the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, Sardinia is considered one of the most beautiful in Italy.
It has always been considered "cut off" from the rest of the world and has still managed to preserve its customs and traditional crafts.
Here, they have their own understanding of both life and its creation on Earth: on the sixth day, God gathered the stones left over from the creation of the five continents and created the "Stone" island—Sardinia, explains Katerina Marchenkova, manager of the Welcome to Porto Rotondo travel agency. The center of elite tourism here is considered the Costa Smeralda, or "Emerald Coast," stretching 55 km along the northeastern coast. It is here that one finds the highest concentration of yacht clubs and ports per square kilometer in the world.
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A "pilgrimage spot" for both local and Russian oligarchs is, of course, the famous Porto Cervo. It boasts the most fashionable clubs, restaurants, and the most expensive luxury hotels. According to CNN, a night in the presidential suite at the Cala di Volpe hotel, featured in the Bond film "The Spy Who Loved Me," will cost nearly $33,000. Remarkably, due to the influx of "Russian millionaires" to Porto Cervo, the local Catholic Church has allowed a Russian priest to hold regular services in the church. Another luxury destination is the Porto Rotondo resort, located in northeastern Sardinia on the Gulf of Marinella.
Its regulars include politician Silvio Berlusconi, owner of one of the local villas, and many other famous figures who prefer to remain anonymous. The place's name derives from the rounded shape of the surrounding bay, and the "founding fathers" of Porto Rotondo are considered to be two Venetian counts—Nicolo and Luigi Dona Dalle Rosé—who in 1964 were inspired by the idea of creating their own bohemian village, always filled with artists, poets, writers, actors, and musicians.
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By size Sardinia — the second-largest of the Mediterranean islands. Sardinia gets its name from the Greek "sandaliotis." The shape of the island reminded the ancient Greeks of a sandal. Legend has it that it was here that the Creator set foot on earth, leaving his first footprints. Around 2000 BC, Sardinia was inhabited by the powerful Nuragic civilization. It was then followed by the Phoenicians, Romans, Barbarians, Visigoths, Arabs, and Byzantines. The first settlements are known in Sardinia dating back to 2600 BC. Sardinia doesn't have as many architectural or cultural monuments as mainland Italy. However, the remarkable Nuragic structures—a historical landmark of this magnificent island—are still worth noting. These fortresses and watchtowers, constructed of giant stones in the shape of truncated cones, have stood here for over 25 centuries. The mystery of the Nuraghe's origins remains unsolved. Sardinia also contains the remains of necropolises, amphitheaters, and fortresses of Pisa and Genoa.
But undoubtedly, Sardinia's most appealing attractions for tourists are its fabulous beauty and the cleanest, most transparent sea in Italy. Its 1,850 kilometers of beaches constitute a quarter of all Italian beaches, and the very best quarter! Here, untouched paradises remain, with golden beaches and secluded rocky coves, not far from which modern hotels with a full range of services and well-developed infrastructure have been built. The hospitality of its numerous hotels, with service that rivals the best international standards, has made Sardinia famous as a vacation destination for the elite.
Sardinia's most famous resort is Forte Village Resort, voted the world's best resort (!) in 1998-99. Here on the southern coast, you can also stay near Santa Margherita di Pula and other excellent hotels.
You can visit the legendary Costa Smeralda in the south—a grand project of the Arab prince Karim Aga Khan IV—by choosing the best hotels near the town of Porto Cervo. Spectacular diving surrounded by unafraid marine life, exquisite cuisine, and a full range of sports and evening entertainment attract famous vacationers, including Tina Turner, Bryan Adams, Naomi Campbell, Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Italian football stars.
SassariThe capital of the island of Sardinia during the Genoese and Spanish rule. The cathedral (14th century) is in the Baroque style. The Museo Sanna museum houses archaeological finds. The church of Santa Trinita di Saccargia (1116) is 15 km from the city.
CagliariThe capital of Sardinia since Roman times. In the Middle Ages, the Pisan base. The Cathedral (12th-14th centuries) with the tomb of Martin II of Aragon. The city walls with the Torre Dell'Elefante tower (1305). The ancient Roman amphitheater (2nd century BC). The early Christian church of San Saturnino (5th century).
OlbiaFounded between the 6th and 4th centuries BC, the ancient Roman port of Olbia connected Sardinia and Ostia. Near the modern airport stands the medieval fortress of Pedreso Castle. The ancient center of Olbia boasts several 8th-century churches.
ArboreaSituated west of the Canale delle Acque Medie, the town was founded in 1930. The buildings are built in the Art Nouveau and Neo-Gothic styles. The municipal building houses a collection of archaeological finds.
AlgheroThe medieval town is surrounded by fortified walls with seven towers. The Cathedral (16th century) and Palazzo d'Albios (one of Sardinia's landmarks)
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sardine, Holidays on the Italian islands, Sardinia Islands, Sardenia, Italy
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