Whether it’s the slow pace of life, stunning landscape or delicious food – Sardinia shines
Along with 300 days of sunshine throughout the year, Sardinia is a small paradise on earth. Everybody comes across its beauty made up of its beautiful white sandy beaches and astonishing rocky coastlines, and falls completely in love with this small slice of land. Eventually, the worst comes when, at the end of your trip, you need to mentally prepare yourself to leave the region. It’s never easy though. Local people talk about “Mal di Sardegna”. It means that when you leave it, you feel a sort of pain in your chest which takes a while before it disappears. It isn’t just a saying, but a matter of fact.
Since it is an island, people believe the best period to visit Sardinia is just during the summer. However, in this article I will give you 5 reasons why visiting Sardinia throughout the year is always a good choice.
- How the food tastes
Until you taste it, you won’t understand. Yes, the food, as well as the Italian food in general, is one of the most tantalizing flavors worldwide. It might be for its rustic appeal, its variety or its freshness, but Sardinian food has got something really special. That’s the reason why it tastes so delicious. Many foods are mainly produced on small farms. That means that local products are used with no additives or pesticides. One of the side benefits I like most of living in Sardinia, is that local people give you food, such as meat, fish, eggs, absolutely for free. The reason being is that they own a land (or they know someone else who does) where they can grow or cultivate any kind of foods. Also, they are always so welcoming. I’ll give advice: never refuse food or drink if some local invites you. It may be seen as a rude act. Also, try not to insist on paying the bill if they want to. Try always to be polite.
- Its charming landscape
The Sardinia landscape varies. The island is made up of elevated rocky coastlines and wide isolated bays and mountains. It is mostly a mountainous region with no extreme peaks – a vast and charming natural setting. Those who prefer the mountains might explore the area of Gennargentu, the highest mountain of the island. Sardinia has got a wide wild flora and fauna, and it still preserves its species despite mans presence. In the heart of the region, it’s possible to find traces of its ancient past, thanks to the still preserved Nuragic constructions known as “Nuraghe”.
- Culture and local traditions
People tend to associate Sardinia to its lovely beaches and astonishing landscape. Well, yes in part it surely is. However, Sardinia isn’t just that. Throughout the year, according to the weather and the season, there’s plenty of activities to do. If you are up to finding out more about its history and traditions, as I mentioned previously, you can explore traces of its glorious past. For instance, if you head to Alghero, in the north-west of Sardinia, you can still find traces of the Catalan- Aragonese domination. Therefore, it’s not a surprise that the main dish is the paella. Also, if you go towards the south of the island, nearby Cagliari, you should visit Tharros, founded by the Phoenicians in the 8th century BC and later taken over by the Romans. That site is simply astonishing. It seems that the past and the present still live together.
- A wide range of activities
There’s much to see in Sardinia besides the sea. Here’s a list of some activities you can do despite the season: visiting churches & museums, boating and yachting, snorkeling & diving, horse riding, rock climbing, kayaking, hiking, biking and Nordic- walking. If it’s still not enough, well, consider attending a cooking class or a tasting tour in order to get much more from the island.
- A pleasant lifestyle
Another aspect I like living in Sardinia is the slow pace of life. Even when you are in bad mood, everything seems to be so peaceful. If it is a sunny day, your day won’t be so bad. When I used to live in London, during my day off, all I wanted was to sleep. I am reminded of being so tired after a week of rushing against time. Living in Sardinia, instead, you’ll feel more productive as you don’t waste too much time traveling or commuting and you are definitely much more relaxed. Finally, a slow pace allows you to enjoy your time, not just your free time, as you are more aware of the beauty and the magnificence which surrounds you. That’s something we often take for granted.
So, those are my reasons why you should visit Sardinia. Besides, Sardinia is well connected thanks to its ports and airports that if you sometimes feel the need to escape, you’ll just book a flight and go exploring another part of the world. Is there anything else you could rather dream of?
By Juli Piscedda
Lifestyle & Travel Columnist
Learn more about Juli on our Featured Contributors page.
