Plants shroud the pretty terrace

nhabiting a perfect location just a few paces from the spectacular Porto Taverna beach, Villetta Azzurra is so much more than a holiday home. The interior décor, as the villetta’s name suggests, is resplendent in shades of blue, while the garden has been trimmed and cared for to ensure that luscious green bushes and hedges maintain privacy. The villetta sleeps four, with a sofa-bed providing an option for a fifth guest, and the pretty terrace provides ample space for all visitors to overlook the garden and enjoy the sea view.

Air-conditioned double bedroom

Indoors: Villetta Azzurra has been creatively decorated in a variety of pale blue shades, using typical Sardinian textiles. Guests enter from the terrace into the main living area, the walls of which are adorned with paintings and pretty ceramics. A kitchen corner shares this space with the dining area and sofa-bed, and the villetta also comprises a double bedroom, a bunk bedroom and a shower room. The double bedroom is air-conditioned and has French windows opening onto the terrace.

Sofa-bed in living area

Dining table in front of fireplace

Outdoors: Whenever possible, guests should spend time on the comfortable terrace of Villetta Azzurra. The deckchairs in this shaded haven make it the perfect place to cool down after a spot of sunbathing, while the dining table makes it possible to appreciate a sea view during breakfast, lunch and dinner. A few steps descend to the garden, whose smart lawns are punctuated by dwarf palms and bordered by luxuriant bushes. A path snakes past an additional set of table and chairs to the large barbecue, where freshly caught fish can be grilled.

Jasmine borders leave
a heady scent

Mediterranean plants
adorn the lawn

Surrounding Area: Porto Taverna beach cannot fail to impress. In the middle of the beach is a superb restaurant with a versatile kiosk and bar attached, and this is open from Easter onwards. At the opposite extreme of Porto Taverna is a seasonal bar but guests at Villetta Azzurra will benefit from the closer convenience of Ristorante La Tavernetta – a restaurant/bar located at the near end of the beach. Also nearby is a third restaurant open all year round.

Porto Istana beach nearby

The nearest centre with a range of amenities such as shops, cocktail bars, a bank and a port is the resort of Porto San Paolo, a couple of kilometres away. In the other direction, alternative restaurants are found in the hamlet of Monte Petrosu and slightly further away is the much larger resort of San Teodoro. Olbia is only 20 minutes drive and here you will find 2 large hypermarkets, a busy port, ancient city walls and some old Roman ruins.

Porto Taverna beach

This is an area that is truly blessed with outstanding beaches – you could easily go to a different amazing beach every day and still be astounded by the softness of the sand, the clarity of the water and the beauty of the surrounding nature. Most beaches in this area share a perspective over the incredible mountainous bulk of the Isle of Tavolara, perhaps at its most impressive viewed from Porto Taverna beach itself.

The outdoor dining area is shaded

Italian Islands Insight: Although there is no barrier separating the terrace from the garden, which is about half a metre lower down, the villetta makes a good destination for a couple with up to three children. Its versatility is increased by its neighbouring property, Villetta Gialla, which is separate and independent but for a trellis that can be removed to allow the terraces to connect. Casa Verdemare is also adjacent and sleeps up to six, but has a different entrance from the road outside. There is a surcharge of £30 per week for guests who wish to make use of the air conditioning in the bedroom.

Great dinner with a great view

The owner of the villa has his own boat – a Concord Fisher - that he can rent to guests, enabling them to visit the ridged island of Tavolara. Italian Islands can provide communications to enable arrangements to be made between the owner and guests. Another little extra, for guests arriving late, is a shopping service to ensure that a well-stocked fridge awaits your arrival.

Car hire is recommended in order to reach the villa and to access shops. Some guests, however, will resist the temptation to explore the region, finding that the immediate vicinity of Porto Taverna has all that is required to enjoy the perfect beach holiday.