Sardinia Sardegna is a large Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea.

Sardinia Sardegna is a large Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea. Its capital, Cagliari.

By Tommie Hansen from Stockholm, Sweden - 

La Pelosa beach, north Sardinia (Italy), CC BY 2.0, Link

Sardinia Sardegna is a large Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea. A voyage over an emerald sea, past characteristic coves, and beaches of snow-white sand … this is Sardinia, an island that strikes its visitors with natural contrasts, the lights and colors of a region that boasts old traditions and wild and pure nature. Situated in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, Sardinia is a mainly mountainous region, without high peaks, with a vast and charming, yet bittersweet, natural environment. In fact, the presence of man does not seem to affect this territory; great surfaces still preserve their natural composition, luxuriant woods with even millenary trees, small desert areas and marshes inhabited by deer, wild horses, and rapacious birds. The sea reigns over this region with its colors that migrate into the coves, along the coasts, towards the beaches and the most popular resorts. An example is the Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast) with Porto Cervo set as its gemstone and uniting the history and culture of ancient traditions with a joyful and colorful nightlife. Porto Cervo was named after its enchanting cove that resembles the antlers of a deer; the Old Port is considered the best-equipped touristic port in the Mediterranean Sea. Porto Rotondo is also a famous location; it overlooks the wide Gulf of Cugnana and is full of villas and piazzas swathed by such a splendid natural environment as this. Those who prefer the mountains can explore the area of Gennargentu, the vastest mountain range in Sardinia; with its peculiar landscape, it proves that the loveliest painter of them all is Mother Nature herself. This region is rich in flora and fauna, with its mouflons, golden eagles, Sardinian deer and several other species now threatened with extinction. Among its wonders, Sardinia offers the visitor the Nuragic complexes scattered all over the territory. These monuments are unique to the world, testifying to an ancient culture that - though it endured from the 16th to 15th Centuries B.C. still rains rather mysterious. The Nuragic constructions were built using great blocks of stone and developed around a central cone-shaped tower that communicates strength and power. These are archaeological sites where it is possible to grasp the archaic charm of ancient rituals and domestic life. Of these many constructions, the Barumini complex, in the Province of Cagliari, is among the sites in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The provinces of the region are Cagliari (regional capital), Carbonia-Iglesias, Nuoro, Olbia-Tempio, Oristano, Medio Campidano, Sassari and Ogliastra. It is not easy to make a list of all the amazing beauties of Sardinia. Places like San Teodoro, Santa Teresa di Gallura, Poltu Quatu, and Baia Sardinia are only some of the charming locations that deserve a visit. Visiting the Maddalena Archipelago and its “seven sisters,” the main islands of the archipelago, and sailing along the coast of the Maddalena National Park with its lively seabeds, perfect for scuba-diving lovers, is an incredible experience. Caprera, the second biggest Island after Maddalena, is full of pastures and pinewoods and shows its visitors the places where Garibaldi lived, with a house museum in the typical Mediterranean vegetation, which guards the memorabilia of the “hero of two worlds,” as well as his and his family’s grave. Sailing from Caprera to the Bocche di Bonifacio, you will be struck by the beauty of Budelli Island, wild and uninhabited, with its enchanting Rosa beach, a natural masterpiece named for the pink hues of its special corals and shells. gain on Sardinia's northwest coast, in front of the Natural Park of Asinara Island, we can find one of the most famous tourist resorts, Stintino, which combines the charm of a lively fishing village with high-quality accommodation facilities. This small seaside town, appearing as a painting with its white houses and the contrast between the crystal-clear sea and light blue sky, offers endless leisure possibilities, from golf to excursions and scuba diving, from cycling to horseback riding. In front of the well-known La Pelosa Beach is the homonymous Tower, a 16th-Century Aragonese structure, one of the oldest sighting towers in Sardinia. On the central-east coast of the island, in the Gulf of Orosei, are extraordinary white-sand beaches, and wild and savage nature. Many caves and coves are the destinations of tourists who want to discover unparalleled views and sensations; Cala Biriola, Grotta Bue Marino, Cala Liberotto, Cala Goloritzè are some of those natural sceneries where time seems to standstill. Sardinia combines sea and nature with folk traditions, mysticism, and curiosities, like the mysterious giant’s tombs, ancient caves dug out of the ground and scattered around the region, just like the Nuragic constructions; and Domus de Janas (or the "House of Witches") in Sulcis Iglesiente. These stone towers are the biggest and best-preserved megalithic monuments in Europe; the most important town with Nuragic traces is Su Nuraxi di Barumini near Cagliari, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In Cagliari, besides admiring the several colonies of flamingos of the lagoon, be sure to witness a few of the traditional festivals and fairs that take place all year-round, like the beautiful Festival of Sant'Efisio, one of the most important religious and folklore events in Sardinia. Heading back to Oristano, top off your itinerary with a stop at the Roman archaeological site, Tharros, and enjoy its breathtaking view of the sea. by italia.it.

Sardinia Sardegna is a large Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea. Its Capital, Cagliari.