The enchanting Italian island of Sardina is an idyllic destination to enjoy a compact yet comprehensive taste of authentic Italy. Camping holidays are a popular way to explore the island - especially with families - and the well-appointed and conveniently located campsites on Sardinia make them an ideal option.
The enchanting Italian island of Sardina is an idyllic destination to enjoy a compact yet comprehensive taste of authentic Italy. Camping holidays are a popular way to explore the island - especially with families - and the well-appointed and conveniently located campsites on Sardinia make them an ideal option.
As the second largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily, Sardinia has a lot to offer both culturally and geographically. The wonderful beaches that make up its coastline are a major draw card for tourists from all over the world, and the picturesque mountains of the interior are dotted with rural farms and ancient towns just waiting to be discovered. The island is very easy to get around and, with some of the most picturesque scenery in Italy, a camping holiday will allow you the freedom to explore the many delights of Sardinia at your leisure.
Cuisine
Food plays an important part in Italian culture and in Sardinia the diverse influences of nearby Spain and Corsica lean towards a distinctly Catalan flavour. Seafood is of course a staple and is served up in a delicious variety of ways. Fresh herbs also play an important part, as do the locally grown vegetables and wild game sourced from the mountainous interior.
Every region has its own local market and it is a wonderful experience to rise early from your campsite and join the locals as they stock up on their weekly groceries. You can purchase meats, cheese Sleeping Bags and bread of every variety - perfect for a picnic or with a glass of wine back at your campsite. Italy is well-known for their Agriturismi - working farms which open their doors to paying guests and visitors. In the countryside of Sardinia you can find many of these wonderfully hospitable places, and you will treated a spectacular feast using only fresh meat and produce from the farm. Some of the delicacies you may try are Pane Carasatu - paper thin bread baked with olive oil and rosemary; Porcheddu - local suckling pig roasted with garlic and herbs; or potatoes with Sardo ham and specialty pecorino cheese. Of course the local wines are a wonderful complement to the meal. But be warned - the Sardinians love to feed their guests and you will leave with your stomach groaning!
Beaches
The warm wash of the Mediterranean encloses the coast of Sardinia in a gentle waveless embrace. Shallow waters and ideal year-round swimming conditions make the island one of the most family-friendly holiday destinations in Italy. Camping near the beach provides the perfect blend of family entertainment and outdoor adventure.
A vibrant and abundant marine life attracts keen divers and snorkelers and there are literally hundreds of miles of deserted beaches to explore. The rocky coastline is punctuated with many caves and grottoes containing fascinating stalactites and stalagmites, and you can take a guided tour through some of the larger ones for an eerie underground adventure. Sailing also plays a large part in a holiday to Sardinia, and it is a magical experience to sail the calm waters of the Mediterranean between Sardinia and Corsica. You can stop off in sheltered anchorages and swim right in to the caves at the foot of sheer cliffs.
Rural Sardinia
According to Sardinian legend, God took a little of every perfect landscape on Earth and spread it across the surface of this island. It's an easy legend to believe as you drive down virtually deserted country roads, through mountainous countryside which seems to stretch further than the horizon and plateaus of magnificent oak forests.
The patchwork of the countryside is dotted with vineyards and wild Myrtle bushes and there are many Roman ruins and prehistoric fortresses to visit along the way. You can get back to nature on a walk or horse ride along the network of hiking trails throughout Sardinia, and encounter some of the island's wildlife such as Sardinian deer, wildcats, wild pigs, falcons and kites.
For a true taste of Italy, camping in Sardinia will show you beautiful landscapes, delicious cuisine and the best beaches - but the true gift you will enjoy on your holiday is the wonderfully warm hospitality of the Sardinian people.
