The long Su Giudeu beach

dle away hours on the beach, take a leisurely stroll along the beautiful coastline up to the lighthouse, tuck into tasty Italian food at a great restaurant-pizzeria or grill your own delicious meal on the large brick barbecue -these are just a few suggestions of how to spend a fantastic holiday at Villetta Gigi.

The brick-built barbecue

Outdoors: This is a two-storey terraced villetta with front and back garden as well as two patio areas and two balconies. It is located on a private road with its own parking spot. The enclosed front garden has a patio area furnished with table and chairs whilst the back garden has another patio area with seating, with a large barbecue and with an outdoor shower enclosed in a characteristic stone cubicle. Both of the first-floor bedrooms open onto a balcony: the back balcony overlooks the hills and the garden with its flourishing lemon tree whilst the front balcony has views across the treetops to the lagoon and Su Giudeu beach.

Dine & cook outdoors

Splendid balcony view

Indoors: The villetta is also used by the owners for their own holidays so it is well-equipped and simply but pleasantly furnished according to their tastes. Downstairs there is a good size living area with a double sofa bed, a dining table and a kitchen corner. Windows and doors have retractable mosquito screens. There is also a washroom with a basin, a WC and a washing machine. Upstairs is the double bedroom, the shower room and a bunk bedroom that can also be converted into a double or twin room on request.

Corner fireplace

The master bedroom

Surrounding Area: The cluster of homes at the Capo Spartivento headland illustrates the low-key tourism that Sardinia delivers so well: pretty accommodation set into a hillside without detracting from the majestic natural beauty of the coastline. The quality of beaches within a walk or a short drive from Villetta Gigi is astounding. Su Giudeu is the most prominent; featuring an expanse of golden sand scattered with juniper trees and backed by dunes beyond a lagoon that is often visited by pink flamingos. Just offshore from the beach is the Su Giudeu islet, an adventurous sunbathing spot easily reachable by swimming or wading, since the depth is never more than a metre.

Visit the remains at Nora

A lively Pula Café

A slightly further walk away is the wonderful Cala Cipolla flanked by Mediterranean bushes and trees and outcrops of granite. This sandy cove makes an enchanting alternative to the longer stretches of beach found in the region, many of which have bars and other facilities. The path beyond Cala Cipolla rises sharply until the lighthouse is reached and from here the views of the coastline are stunning, particularly at sunset. As if these weren’t enough there are countless other beaches to be discovered nearby including the famous dunes of Chia.

Cala Cipolla cove

Opposite the collection of holiday houses is a bar and a restaurant-pizzeria and a shop is a cycle ride away. More restaurants are scattered around the countryside near the little village of Chia while more are found a 15-minute car journey away in the delightful town of Pula which has plenty of shops and other amenities. The neighbouring Nora makes a great half-day excursion to visit the remains of the ancient Punic-Roman city.

Sea view through the trees

Italian Islands Insight: For those who are looking for a relaxing beach holiday, and who do not plan to travel far from the villetta and the amenities in the immediate vicinity it is possible to do without a hire car. The owners can arrange an airport transfer and two mountain bikes are at your disposal for your daily shopping needs. For those planning to stay longer than a week and those who want to do some sightseeing and exploring we do recommend car hire as there is a great deal to see.

Villetta Gigi would suit a family or one or two couples who want to be close to gorgeous beaches in a renowned area of Sardinia.