| Campidano is a fertile plain in the southwestern part | | | | can see mouflons, rare wild goats, found only in |
| of the island. Livestock raising and the cultivation of | | | | Sardinia and large flocks of Cormorants. Both islands |
| grains, olives, grapes, and tobacco are significant. In | | | | have good beaches and are popular diving locations. |
| addition fishing, the mining of lead, zinc, and copper, | | | | Porto Cervo on the NE coast of Sardinia has a |
| and processing industries are also important economic | | | | marina, see here for extended information. Yachts |
| activities. More recently a significant tourist trade has | | | | can also anchor in the bay. The town lies in the heart |
| been developed. The capital of Sardinia is Cagliari. | | | | of the Emerald Coast, home to the rich and famous |
| Sardinia was conquered by Rome in 238 BC, after | | | | during the summer season. As you would expect |
| the fall of the Roman Empire Sardinia was overrun by | | | | there are numerous bars and restaurants and a busy |
| first the Vandals and then the Byzantines. From the | | | | nightlife. Inland you can visit the Giants Tombs of |
| 11th to the 14th century, the Genoese and Pisans | | | | Coddu Vecchju at Capichera and La Prisciona, a |
| battled each other for control of the island. The | | | | typical Sardinian prehistoric construction of circular |
| Spanish ruled Sardinia until the Treaty of Utrecht in | | | | shape constructed with dry stonewalls. Other sites in |
| 1713, which ceded the island to Austria. In 1720 it | | | | the area include the Giants Tombs of Li Lolghi, the |
| became part of the Kingdom of Sardinia and came | | | | small temple of Malchittu and the funeral circles of Li. |
| under the rule of the house of Savoy. When the | | | | There is a marina at Porto Rotondo with some 630 |
| Kingdom of Italy was created in 1861 the Kingdom of | | | | berths. It lies on the NE coast of Sardinia and is safe |
| Sardinia came to an end. | | | | to enter in all winds. Extended information can be |
| There are airports at Alghero, Olbia and Cagliari | | | | found here. |
| making for easy access to your chartered yacht. | | | | Olbia, situated on the east coast of Sardinia, has a |
| Alghero is used by the budget airline Ryanair so low | | | | marina. More information can be found here |
| cost flights are available to and from the UK. | | | | Marina di Arbatax lies on the eastern coast of |
| The yacht charter season in Sardinia generally runs | | | | Sardinia. It has over 500 berths and is sae to enter in |
| from April to the end of October. High season is July | | | | all winds. More detailed information can be found here. |
| and August, when the temperatures (around | | | | The harbour faces the 16m high Scogli Rossi or red |
| 35ºC) and prices are at their highest. May and | | | | rocks. |
| June, September and October are well worth | | | | Slightly inland from Arbatax is Tortolì. Back in |
| considering. Prices are lower, the temperature more | | | | 1995 the streets and the piazzas of Tortolì |
| comfortable and for those wanting to sail rather than | | | | started to exhibit works of contemporary art by |
| motor round Sardinia the winds are likely to be more | | | | Italian and foreign artists. Much of the town now |
| suitable. | | | | feels an open air gallery. The area is well known for |
| This article will now take a look at individual locations | | | | Bottarga, dried grey mullet eggs, and Cannonau, the |
| likely to be of interest to those chartering a yacht on | | | | local wine. |
| Sardinia. Starting at Algehero on the northwestern | | | | Just to the north of Arbatax is Baunei, set on the |
| coast and moving round the island in a clockwise | | | | slopes of Mount Santo. The area is rich in prehistoric |
| direction. | | | | remains including the cave of Su Marinaiu where there |
| Alghero is an old fishing town that has recently seen | | | | is evidence of the first human presence in Sardinia. In |
| significant tourist development. However the old | | | | the Golgo valley there are many nuragic monuments. |
| town dates back to the 12th century and is well | | | | Also in the area are the karst caves including the Su |
| worth exploring. There are a number of churches and | | | | Meraculu Grotto and the Cave of the Fig, the latter is |
| historical places of interest to visit. Consider a guided | | | | home to a flock of monk seals. |
| excursion to make sure you do not miss anything. | | | | Villasimius, lies on the south coast of Sardinia, to the |
| Close to Alghero is Porto Conte with its natural | | | | east of Cagliaria. A modern marina lies close to the |
| wildlife reserve that spreads along the coast. It can | | | | town. The town is surrounded by mountains and is |
| be reached either by land or by boat excursion. | | | | indeed very picturesque. Its lively nightlife makes the |
| Alghero is a Catalan town and although today most | | | | place popular with the young. |
| of the cuisine available is Italian there are still a few | | | | Cagliari, on the south coast of Sardinia, is the island's |
| Catalan influences to be found. Paella Algherese or | | | | capital. Following the founding of the Kingdom of Italy |
| Catalan lobster, which is served cold with tomato and | | | | in 1861 Cagliari saw rapid growth. Castello, the old |
| onion. Sardinian specialities include roast suckling pig or | | | | part of the city, lies on top of a hill, with a wonderful |
| Seadas, a pastry filled with Goats cheese and then | | | | view of the Gulf of Cagliari. Most of the original city |
| dribbled with honey. Yachts can berth in the marina | | | | walls are intact, and feature two 13th century white |
| that is situated in the main harbour. Extended | | | | limestone towers, the Elephant tower and St. Pancras |
| information on the marina can be found here | | | | tower. The city walls and many buildings are also |
| Stintino is a charming old fishing village stretched over | | | | constructed from the locally quarried limestone. In |
| two inlets with two harbours, Minori and the more | | | | Castello you can visit the Cathedral, repaired during |
| modern Mannu, Sardinian for small and large | | | | the 1930's. The palace of the Provincial Government |
| respectively. There is an interesting museum, located | | | | is near the Cathedral. The Sardinian Archaeological |
| at the new harbour, telling the story of tuna fishing | | | | Museum houses an important collection of artefacts |
| through the ages. The local beaches are renowned | | | | from the prehistoric Nuragic civilisation of Sardinia. |
| and La Pelosa Beach is amongst the most beautiful | | | | Marina, Stampace and Villanova are early districts of |
| beaches on Sardinia. La Pelosetta, Le Saline, and Ezzi | | | | the town and retain much of their original charm. |
| Mannu are all worth a visit. Time your charter to | | | | Evidence of Roman occupation can be seen at the |
| coincide with one of Stintino's festivals; the Rural | | | | Roman Amphitheatre. It is unique in as much that it |
| Festival of Saint Isidoro in May, June sees the Tuna | | | | was carved into the limestone on which Cagliari itself |
| Festival, the village hosts the Latin Sail Regatta in late | | | | was built. Nearby are mountain parks, such as |
| August and the Patron celebrations in honour of the | | | | Maidopis or Monte Arcosu, heavily forested with |
| Blessed Mary of Defence take place in September. | | | | abundant wildlife, Sardinian deers and wild boars. If |
| The island of Asinara lies of the of the NW coast of | | | | you wish to obtain a feel for Cagliari prior to your |
| Sardinia. The western side is made up of steep rocky | | | | yacht charter read one of the novels by Sergio |
| slopes with many landslides, ravines and crevices. In | | | | Atzeni who has based many books on life in the city |
| contrast on the eastern side you will find wide bays | | | | both modern and ancient. There is a marina at Cagliari. |
| and many beaches. Asinara is known for its rich | | | | It is safe to enter in all winds and more detailed |
| wildlife of which some species are both rare and | | | | information can be found here. |
| endangered. | | | | On the south coast of Sardinia lies the deep Gulf of |
| Marina di Porto Torres lies on the NW coast of | | | | Teulada with its bays and coves. The wide bay is set |
| Sardinia. The marina is the heart of the civic harbour | | | | between Capo Malfatano and Capo Teulada; these |
| in Porto Torres and overlooks the gulf of Asinara. | | | | capes mark the most southern point of Sardinia. |
| More information on this marina can be found here. | | | | Although much of the area is under the restrictions |
| Santa Teresa Gallura lies on the northern coast of | | | | of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) this |
| Sardinia. There are lovely beaches nearby backed by | | | | has in part kept the area unspoilt and free from |
| the rounded rocks of the Gallura region. A ferry runs | | | | tourist development. Porto Zafferano for instance |
| from the harbour to the French island of Corsica. Or | | | | can only be accessed by boat and has some of the |
| take the yacht across the Straits of Bonifacio to | | | | highest white sand dunes in Sardinia. |
| Corsica and visits both the town of Bonifacio and | | | | Teulada is a small village a few km inland. Today it is |
| Porto-Vecchio a little further to the NE can easily be | | | | a tourist centre, there are shops selling locally hand |
| included in your charter. | | | | made jewellery worn traditionally by the local women |
| The Straits of Bonifacio, the narrow stretch of water | | | | together with a wide brimmed felt hat with its clear |
| separating Sardinia and Corsica, has many smaller | | | | Spanish influence. The village is also well known for its |
| islands. These form the Archipelago of La Maddalena, | | | | food; roast meats, suckling pig and suckling goat spit |
| made up of various forms of granite that over the | | | | roasted on the fire and flavoured with the many local |
| years have taken on fantastic shapes. This is a | | | | herbs that can be found. And don't miss the tomato |
| stunning piece of nature. Those islands in the west | | | | focaccia that is baked daily. It is a folded over |
| include; Budelli, Barrettini, Barrettinelli, Corcelli, La Presa, | | | | focaccia filled with roasted cherry tomatoes, baked |
| Paduleddi, Razzoli, Santa Maria, Spargi, Spargiottello | | | | together it is one of never forgotten. |
| and Spargiotto. And further to the east; Cappuccini, | | | | Buggerru lies on the western coast. It has a small |
| Caprera Monaci, Chiesa, Delle Bisce, Della Paura, La | | | | harbour and good beach set between two |
| Maddalena, Pecora, Porco, Santo Stefano and | | | | impressive rocky promontories. The surrounding |
| Sperduti di Caprera. | | | | mountains are littered with historical ruins, relics of the |
| La Maddalena is the largest of the islands. The town | | | | mining of precious minerals such as the black obsidian |
| La Maddalena lies on the south coast. Linked to it is | | | | that was exported all over Europe. The now defunct |
| the smaller island of Caprera. On the southern coast | | | | mines have left attractive caves and tunnels that |
| is the attractive Porto Palma. Caprera is best known | | | | have been turned into tourist attractions. The Henry |
| as the home of Italian nationalist leader Giuseppe | | | | Tunnel well worth a visit for the magnificent views of |
| Garibaldi who lived on Caprera Island from 1856 until | | | | the bay. |
| his death on the 2nd June 1882. His residence and | | | | Bosa lies to the south of Alghero on the west coast. |
| tomb are often visited national monuments. | | | | It is a set on the Temo river valley, a short distance |
| Cannigione lies on the west shore of the gulf of | | | | from the sea and is overlooked by the Serravalle |
| Arzachena and is a natural harbour. It was originally a | | | | Castle. The town is set on the slopes between the |
| fishing village and is today a popular holiday | | | | castle and river and is particularly charming. The river |
| destination. In the port is a well equipped marina. | | | | and sea have always played an important role in the |
| The island of Tavolara lies of the NE coast of | | | | life of Bosa and on August 15th every year there is a |
| Sardinia. On the south coast there is a small harbour | | | | procession of boats honouring Our Lady the |
| at Spalmatore di Terra. Some of the island is | | | | Protector of the Sea, with a carried on a boat statue |
| inaccessible due to military restriction in place. Just | | | | of the Virgin accompanied by singing. |
| south of Tavolara, lies another island Molara. Here you | | | | |