If you have “been there, done that” in Italy and are looking for something new, consider Sardinia for your next getaway! Famous for it’s pristine beaches and incredible water, this large Mediterranean island offers a perfect escape for romance travelers or adventure seekers. How do you get to this little slice of paradise? To get to Sardinia, most travelers fly from Italian or European cities into one of Sardinia’s three main airports, located on the outskirts of Cagliari, Olbia and Alghero.

Best Times to Visit: Unless you’re a fan of scorching temperatures and vacation crowds, the best time to visit Sardinia is the shoulder months of April to May and September to October. It’s still warm enough to swim in the sea and infinitely better for taking to the country’s biking and hiking trails.

Things to do:

Explore the Costa Smeralda. Sardinia’s “emerald coast” is on a similar level of the French Riviera or Lake Como. It is common to see the wealthy or famous Europeans retreating to this escape on holiday! Spend time marveling at the expansive waterfront villas, suntan among it’s incredible beaches, or get a sense for the party scene at an all night disco!

Cruise the grottoes of Golfo di Orosei. This is where all the incredible cliffside beach pictures of Sardinia originate from, and rightfully so as this area on the island’s central-east coast is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the Mediterranean! Bring your camera and cruise through these grottoes, beaches, and coves aboard a gommone, or zodiac raft.

Sample Cannanou, Bottarga and Carasau. There is not a region of Italy you can travel to that isn’t proud of it’s traditional food and wine – Sardinia is no exception. While you are there, be sure to sample it’s traditional dishes: Cannanou – a hearty red made from Grenache grapes, Bottarga – a spaghetti dish made with mullet roe, Carasau – a thin, crispy bread served on just about every table you eat at!

Visit the ruins of Nora or Tharros. These seaside ruins date back to 1,000 BCE and were inhabited over time by Nuragic peoples, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, and Romans. All of these inhabitants left their marks making the sites especially interesting to history buffs.

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Feature Hotel: Paradise Resort and Spa, Villa Las Tronas Hotel & Spa, Costa dei Fiori

• This island is tiny. Sardinia is a region of Italy with one of the lowest population densities! So if crowds aren’t your thing, this is a great option!

• The Sardinian’s know how to party. There is almost always something going on on the island because every village has its own religious festivals, with some going on for days.

• When driving country roads, animals have the right of way. Always.

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