posted 15th May 2025
Love at First Sight
My first trip to Sardinia was to attend the Private Luxury Amour trade show, and I arrived with preconceptions of glitz, pretension, crowds and inflated prices. What I discovered was an island of breathtaking natural beauty: rolling carpets of wildflowers, dramatic mountains, turquoise seas that sparkled in the May sunshine and soft, sweeping, seemingly untouched beaches. The weather was Mediterranean perfection, warm and golden without the oppressive heat of high summer. My base was the Forte Village Resort, which was the host venue for the tradeshow and set in 110 acres of lush tropical gardens. It proved to be the ideal starting point for exploring the islands capital, Cagliari as well as the enchanting villages and pristine coastline of the south west. Sardinia completely surprised me and I left utterly captivated by its elegance, authenticity and charm.
Slow Dance with the South West
After the tradeshow, my dear friend joined and we spent a blissful day on a self drive adventure through the charming towns of south western Sardinia, heading from Pula towards Oristano. With no fixed schedule, we allowed ourselves to get pleasantly lost, stopping whenever something caught our eye, which was often. In Domus de Maria we wandered cobbled alleyways and admired the simple, traditional character of the village. Teulada was next, quiet and genuine with locals sipping coffee in sun-dappled squares. We paused for gelato, cappucino and a spot of people watching followed by a little “knicky knacky shopping” for Sardinian crafts - as my baby sister would say. Nebida and Masua offered jaw dropping coastal views with Pan di Zucchero rising dramatically from the sea. We pulled over at several breathtaking beaches along the way just to take it all in. This route was a celebration of authenticity, nature, and the quiet joy of discovering places slowly.
Cagliari ~ A Taste of Romance to Take Home
On our final day we explored Sardinia’s charming capital Cagliari. A visit to the bustling Mercato San Benedetto was a sensory delight and the perfect place to pick up a few local delicacies to take home and cook on my return to London. I selected Bottarga, known as Sardinian Caviar or the Truffle of the Sea and a generous wedge of Pecorino Sardo which was rich and perfectly aged. Before leaving I passed by the Basilica of San Saturnino, which is one of the oldest churches on the island. For couples of all ages travelling without children I recommend visiting between mid May and June when the climate is mild, the landscape in full bloom and the atmosphere wonderfully relaxed. Sardinia is also an ideal destination for cycling holidays and birdwatching as it sits on a key migratory route. It's archaeological sites, cultural richness and natural beauty are best explored slowly. I will return and next time with David and to discover the northern wonders still waiting.