Alghero is a medieval citadel. It is recognised as the most charming town in Sardinia and is strongly influenced by the Catalonians. In fact Catalan is its official language and the culinary traditions of this part of the island also show a clear influence – but not to worry as a pizza can still be ordered here.

The old part of the town is surrounded by the ancient walls and several defensive towers still stand tall. However, most visitors are attracted nowadays by the long sandy beaches that it has to offer.

Cagliari
Spread out over seven hills (Sant'Elia, Bonaria, Monte Urpinu, Castello, Monte Claro, Tuvixeddu and San Michele), Cagliari has Phoenician-Punic origins and today still conserves important Roman ruins such as the Amphitheatre, the Viper's cave and Tigellio's villa. During the first centuries of the last millennium, the town suffered the Spanish and Pisan dominations. Evidence of their influence can be found in the two Pisan towers built in the 1300's together with the massive city walls that mark and watch over the oldest part of the town Castello. In the Castello neighbourhood, you'll find the Cathedral, built in the same period as the towers (in 1254).

Cagliari is a town of many traditions. Still today there are numerous popular historical events. Among the most important is the S. Efisio festival. For the last 400 years, it has gathered thousands of believers in a procession behind this Saint and town's protector. Another important event is "Sa Die de sa Sardigna" (Sardinia Day) that recalls the people's insurrection ending with the expulsion of the Piedmonts from the island the 28th of April, 1794.

Today, Cagliari is an important point for sporting events such as the motor boating, Formula One and Grand Prix race-car driving as well as the Women's beach volleyball World Championship. It takes place on the Poetto Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia and preferred destination for summer holidays for tourists and Cagliaritani alike.

The Barbagia is the place to go to meet Sardinians. Here you'll find traditional hill towns, many still divided into neighborhoods inhabited by separate clans. The women weave exquisite (and not inexpensive) woolens, fashion interesting wicker trays, bowls and baskets, and bake the local pane carasau in ancient stone ovens. Many of the men are still shepherds who go off for months at a time to move their flocks for better grazing.
 

The historic center of Nuoro, capital of the Barbagia and home city of Grazia Deledda, the Sardinian writer who, in 1926, received the Nobel prize for literature, is best visited on foot. Just a few meters from Piazza San Giovanni we find the Casa Museo, brimming with fascinating documents. Equally interesting is the Museo della Vita e delle Tradizioni Populari Sarde - on the nearby hill of Colle Sant Onofrio - which houses a fabulous collection of traditional costumes, textiles and jewellery.

Your journey continues to Siniscola, San Teodoro, Folfo Aranci and Palau. Palau is definitely one of the most spectacular and noteworthy seaside towns in Gallura and bordering the Emerald Coast. It's also an important landing place for ferries coming from Corsica and the archipelago of La Maddalena. Palau's artistically shaped coastlines are sculpted by the wind that generates a wide variety of shapes and forms in its rocks. The most famous is that of dell'Orso

Costa Smeralda is a piece of peninsular coast in Arzachena's municipality located between Cannigione and Cugnana, in the north-east coast of Sardinia. It was born in the Sixties under the prince Karim Aga Khan. With its 60 km of coast, it is distinguished by long sandy beaches, little islands and promontories riches in Mediterranean maquis. You will find some of the best beaches of the region. Here there are several shops, restaurants and cafes to while away the day. In the evening take a stroll to the yacht club and you can see some of the yachts owned by the very rich.

The archipelago of Della Maddalena is a superb area for snorkelling. The Archipelago puts up the national Park of the same name, constituted in 1996 for the protection of fauna and flora. To reach the small island of archipelago it is necessary to take a ferry from Palau. La Maddalena is the only island of the archipelago that presents a steady urban settlement. You can admire the sea side with the typical line of XVIII century buildings and the baroque parish of S. Maria Maddalena. There are well maintained steps and narrow alleys that give a unique image to the historic centre. In above the old fort of S. Andrea is visible. In the past it used to be utilized as a prison. Walking through the island you can admire the small beautiful beaches as Monti d'Arena, beach of Bassa Trinità or of the Giardinelli Island.

Cross La Gallura and its charming Tempio Pausania administrative centre. Stop at the fisherman village Castelsardo - The origins of this Sardinian town are quite ancient; it was founded by the powerful Genoese family of Doria around 1000 AD giving the name of Castelgenovese. Without doubt, the old part of town presents the visitor with most interesting corners and a really authentic Sardinian atmosphere. Its old buildings and narrow streets have been kept as they were, including the wonderful churches and the Castle, which was built on top of a hill in a dominant position, from where there is a wide view of the Asinara gulf. To look at it from any part of town, it still holds its power, and one can imagine the time when it was the hub of the village life. The powerful walls were inpregnable because they were built on the rock above the sea, and even the windows were cut into it.
Today the fortress is being used as a museum, to show the intricate art of basket weaving during the centuries, with specimens from times by gone. If you visit Castelsardo, do not fail to visit the museum, to see the rich work on show, and to admire the wonderful view from the top of the castle. Around the castle the town has developed, with the ancient churches, and the narrow streets linked to one another by rows of large steps.

The archaeological sites, namely the Domus de Janas and the Elephant Rock are an important testimony of the Neolithic period. The Nuraghi of Spighìa e Spaddaggiu can also be visited, and the remains of Roman settlements. Choose from a variety of self catering Sardinia apartments and Sardinia villas to rent in many villages around this wonderful Italian island.

It's time to come back to your departure point : Alghero.

Sardinia unfurls its colors for the traditional festivities of the Sagra di Sant'Efisio, the Festa del Redentore and the Cavalcata Sarda. Throughout the year you'll find:

• March 25-31 - Holy Week processions, Alghero, Castelsardo and Sassari
• May 1 - Sagra de Sanyefisi, Cagliari, folklore parade
• May 19 - Cavalcata Sarda, Sassari, parade of the island's folklore groups
• July 6 - Ardia di Sedilo, Sedilo, horseraces through the village streets
• August 14 - Candelieri, Sassari, folklore parade
• August 25 - Sagra del Redentore, Nuoro, folklore parade and religious procession
• October 27 - Desulo, chestnut festival