Sardinia

Five years ago, Sardinia was a well kept secret among Italy lovers. The small island off the west coast of Italy was little known to people with a normal budget. A rich people's island it was, due to the small part of beautiful coast known as "Costa Esmeralda", a small strip of land that Prince Aga Khan bought in the 1960s to make it a holiday home for those with lots of money. But that has changed. Since cheap flights are easy to come by (Ryan Air for example is flying to Olbia and Alghero) holiday makers have discovered Sardinia. The most amazing thing about the island is the incredible colour of the sea. It changes from emerald green to turquoise. This, in combination with the fine, white sand on the beach, gives you the feeling of being on holiday in the Carribean rather than in Europe. But Sardinia also boasts beautiful mountains right in the centre, old villages with cosy piazzas, and still many, many beaches that are completely deserted, because so few people know about them. But whatever you do - don't go for a holiday in Sardinia in August! That is the time when the Italians go on vacation, and then the most popular parts of the islands are completely and utterly crowded. Rather pick spring time for your vacation and experience all the flowers in full growth.