Lovers of aquatic sports will be in their element since this is the ideal destination for windsurfing, water-skiing, snorkelling or scuba diving in the fish-rich waters. Sailing and boating exploring the many offshore islets and picturesque bays is an equally rewarding experience and the island boasts glamorous marinas and summer regattas.

Sardinia’s vividly coloured landscape is wild and diverse but what is most striking is how unspoilt and untouched it is. Nature has been beautifully preserved and careful laws ensure this glorious island remains protected and does not become overdeveloped. Impressive wind-shaped rock formations and dominating granite boulders crop up amongst the prevalent lush and aromatic Mediterranean shrubbery called macchia, featuring myrtle berries, prickly pear cactuses and oleasters. As well as its 1840 km-long glittering coastline and its dramatic mountainous scenery pocked with caves, Sardinia also has fertile plains of olive groves and vineyards, wooded valleys, magnificent pine forests, blankets of wild flowers, lush juniper-covered hillsides, fields of grazing sheep, caverns, deep gorges and salt lakes that are home to unusual birdlife including pink flamingos. Inland Sardinia is an adventurer’s paradise for walking, hiking, horse riding, climbing and birdwatching. Nature and wildlife lovers will not be disappointed - there is much to explore including rare species of deer, fox, boar and seal and flora and fauna not found elsewhere.

Sardinia is the second largest island in Italy and enjoys a Mediterranean climate of hot summers, warm springs and autumns and mild winters. The most well known places are the history-rich and vibrant capital Cagliari on the South Coast and the jetsetting Costa Smeralda on the North East coast. There are roughly 1.65 million inhabitants and the island has a surface area of 24,090 sq. km. Although this autonomous island is Italian it is also a world unto itself. The Sardinians have preserved their own customs, dialects, culture and cuisine and have been officially recognised as a distinct ‘people’. Folklore and tradition are very much alive and different festivals are celebrated all year round. This is especially evident in the towns and villages of the interior where it feels like you are stepping back in time. The inhabitants of the mountain villages are known throughout the world for their longevity, where it is extremely common for men to reach 100 years old thanks to the red wine and the traditional carta da musica bread, as well as to a stress-free active lifestyle!

Sardinia has a wealth of precious natural resources and is renowned for its artisan crafts like filigree jewellery and cork products. Although there is some industry, the island’s economy is based on agriculture and tourism. There is an extraordinary artistic and archaeological heritage just waiting to be discovered. The whole island is peppered with archaeological remains most notably the prehistoric giant’s tombs and towers and settlements called Nuraghi - fascinating conical stone structures, many of which are still to be properly excavated. Not to be missed are the remains of the Phoenician and Punic-Roman cities at Nora, Bithia and Tharros in panoramic natural settings.

Sardinian cuisine is as varied as its terrain and is renowned in Italy for its organic produce. Coastal towns and resorts cook up excellent fish and seafood dishes while inland you can enjoy meat, game and farm produce. Although the fish and seafood is fresh and delicious you won’t find any original recipes since the coast has only been developed relatively recently and until then the islanders mistrusted the sea as the site of many a conquering invasion and chose to retreat into the interior where they raised sheep and made tasty pecorino cheese. Traditional island delicacies include wild boar, farm-reared pork and lamb, sausage and the favourite porceddu, spit roast suckling pig. Good pasta dishes are not lacking either - try the Malloreddus, a type of gnocchi and Curlurgiones, a ravioli-like pasta filled with cheese, potatoes, eggs, onion and mint. For dessert there are the unusual Seadas pastries filled with melted cheese and topped with honey. Local wines like the full-bodied red Cannonau and the light white Vermentino are truly superb and you must try the flavourful Mirto liqueur after dinner.

Sardinia is idyllic for families, couples and groups alike. It is a nature-lover’s haven, a geologist’s dream, an adventurer’s paradise, an historian’s delight and an archaeologist’s treasure trove. It is fine wines, good food and beach heaven all rolled into one. In short, Sardinia’s incredible natural beauty makes it the ultimate island retreat - one that will long linger in the memory.