Sardinia

Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean and is graced with endless soft and golden beaches and crystal blue sea. The island offers a wide range of attractions, from quiet coves and beaches to nature reserves and mountaintop ruins – very diverse considering its size.

David Herbert Lawrence, the famous English writer, loved Italy. He travelled through it far and wide, often on foot. Sardinia inspired him and he dedicated his fine book to it, "Sea and Sardinia", where he wrote: "Sardinia is left outside of time and history". Of course, nowhere is left outside of time and history. But Lawrence's affirmation has a certain "poetic" truth, which captures and sums up a sensation which unites everyone who goes to Sardinia: the sensation of finding oneself in a region where the stunning beauty of nature, the limpid waters of the sea, the reserved and genuine character of the people, the exquisiteness of the many typical dishes, the ancient traditions, and the various expressions of Sardinian culture, will never change. In spite of the twists and turns of history, and in spite of the passing of time

The isolated interior is perfect for the more adventurous explorer. Many of the towns are laden with whitewashed and pastel coloured houses and narrow cobbled streets and Alghero in the north has a pretty historical centre and lovely harbour.

The sophisticated shores of the Costa Smeralda and Baia Sardinia contrast beautifully with the rugged and wilder landscape inland. This area is graced with the upmarket resorts of Porto Cervo, Santa Teresa di Gallura and Palau. There are also many pretty little fishing villages.

Property prices vary considerably. Resorts on the north east on the Costa Smeralda are among the most exclusive in the Mediterranean with prices to match. However, there are reasonable resorts in the south around Villaimius and Pula as well as the northern coast (Costa Paradiso, Vignola, Badesi), where new build apartments are extremely well priced, considering the location.

Buying property on an island may not be ideal for all buyers and the island resorts are quiet in winter. However, buying property in Sardinia is generally a good investment as the island is becoming more and more popular with tourists and investors and airline connections are increasing annually. Sardinia offers the potential buyer breathtaking landscape, the finest beaches, excellent food and affordable property in the Mediterranean.

How to get there

Air
The airports at Cagliari, Olbia and Alghero link Sardinia with the UK.

Car
The island is also accessible by ferry from Genova, La Spezia, Fiumicino, Naples, Palermo, as well as the south of France, Corsica and Tunisia.

Flights

British Airways
Tel: 0870 6070 555
Web: www.britishairways.com

Easy-jet
Tel: 0870 6 000 000
Web: www.easyjet.com (low-cost carrier)

Meridiana
Tel: 0207 839 2222
Web: www.meridiana.it (low-cost carrier)

Ryan Air
Tel: 0871 246 0000
Web: www.ryanair.com (low-cost carrier)

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