A little Slice of Sardinia

Having spent four days in Sardinia, I must say, I could easily stay there for a whole month. Sardinia is filled with bright, beautiful flowers and the clearest blue water you will ever see. It is known to have the most beautiful beaches in Italy; however, it still feels a bit untouched and not so touristy. What a lot of people don't know is that Sardinia is actually an extremely large island, being the second biggest island in the Mediterranean Sea. The island consists of three different airports, which can make it a little overwhelming when planning; however, it's so worth it. Here's to this being of help!

When planning this trip we were flying over from Sicily which was about an hour flight. How I chose which area of the island to stay on was that i wanted the bluest water for a great boat day and fun lunch/dinner spots. Among my research we decided to stay in the Northeast part of the island in a town called Cannigione. Flying into Olbia airport our driver had picked us up and was about an hour car ride with this town being very central to everything we had wanted to do!

Hotel Aethos:

Situated on a hillside overlooking Golfo di Arzachena cove, Aethos Sardinia is a luxurious 5-star hotel. This Mediterranean village-style hotel in Sardinian architecture houses the Zaia restaurant on the premises, with several other dining options conveniently situated within walking distance in the town. The hotel provides a shuttle service for dining preferences. Guests can enjoy two pools, a spa, a gym, yoga sessions, wine tastings, and many other amenities.

Boat day:

Where do I even begin? While all boat days are enjoyable, this one was particularly memorable. We decided to rent a boat and a captain for a full day, just a 5-minute drive from our hotel. The boat company we chose was Blue Dream Sardinia, and I highly recommend their services. Our captain was delightful and did an incredible job showing us around. We explored La Maddalena island, where we discovered some of the most breathtaking beaches and rock formations I have ever seen. The water is some of the clearest I've ever seen. Renting a boat in Sardinia is an absolute must.

Surrau Winery:

Surprisingly, Sardinia is known for its vineyards, offering breathtaking views and boasting a long history of winemaking. They are known for their unique wine styles, some say the 'un-Italian' from other regions. We went to Suarru winery that overlooks 123 acres of land. We did the tour and tasting option that was around $65 per person. That comes with a 2-hour tour, snacks, and of course a variety of wines. A wine that I had never tried and really stuck out to me was the Sole Di Surrau which is Deep in golden color, tending to honey. The aromas are rich with Mediterranean vegetables and honeyed notes that blend the enveloping and persistent taste.

Phi Beach:

One of the major highlights of our trip was undoubtedly the dinner we had at Phi Beach, a venue located about 20 minutes from our hotel. Situated right by the water, Phi Beach consists of two restaurants, a beach club, and the Rock Club, making it one of the most stunning and expansive venues I have ever visited. Arriving just before sunset, we enjoyed a drink at the bar with a picturesque view of the water. Our reservation was at the Phi Restaurant, nestled amidst the breathtaking rocks, offering us unbeatable sunset views during dinner with a menu featuring contemporary Italian cuisine. Following dinner, we made our way to the Rock Club, an outdoor club hosting world-renowned DJs. This experience is definitely a must if you are planning a trip to Sardinia.

Porto Cervo:

Located about a 25-minute drive from our hotel, this delightful town is a key destination in Costa Smeralda. It boasts high-end luxury shopping, numerous restaurants, and a marina bustling with mega yachts. Shopping for luxury items in these islands is always enjoyable because the stores carry unique items that are only available in a few of their locations. We spent a morning and afternoon there doing lots of shopping and eating as it was definitely a place we were happy to explore.

With all that being said, that was the little slice of Sardinia I got to taste and truly loved every part of it. With it being such a large island there is so much more for me to explore and I will definitely be heading back in the near future!

Safe travels!

Xo Carlin