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Writer's pictureVicky Gray-Clark

Sardinia ~ Sometimes it is the Destination

Updated: 6 days ago

People, myself included, are always talking about the importance of the journey and not the destination. And I agree it’s often healthy to not overly plan and to be open to what’s happening in the moment. But sometimes it IS about the destination. That was my experience going to the gorgeous island of Sardinia.

 

A very close friend who lives in the US and has Sardinian heritage is here in Italy for several weeks to visit relatives. I’ve always dreamed of exploring the southern regions of Italy. Although I’ve been to Italy numerous times in my life, I’d never been south of Rome. So, when my friend invited me last minute to stay with her family in Sardinia for a long weekend to check out the sites and hit the beach, I jumped at the chance.

 

So just where is Sardinia? Sardinia is an island and region off the coast of mainland Italy, second in size only to Sicily among the islands of the western Mediterranean. The Italian poet and musician, Fabrizio De Andrè, said, “Life in Sardinia is maybe the best a man can hope for: twenty-four thousand miles of forests of countryside, of coasts surrounded by a miraculous sea should coincide with what I would recommend the good God to give us as paradise."



I had less than a day to make the preparations. As there are no direct flights from Florence to Cagliari, the capital city of Sardinia, I decided on the train from Florence to the Rome Termini (main station). And from there, I hopped on another train for about 20 mins towards the Rome Ciampino Airport, and then took a 10-min shuttle bus to the airport terminal.

 

With little time to prep and read up on Cagliari, my mental impression was a quiet fishing village with amazing beaches similar to an island in Greece that I had visited in the past.

 

Nothing could have prepared me for the intense beauty. The Cagliari Airport – mid-sized, clean and modern – gives a beautiful first impression. My friend, her father, and sister were there to pick me up and we drove the short distance to the center of the city arriving just before sunset. It felt magical. So clean and white-washed with beautiful harbors dotted with boats and yachts. Many of the city buildings have white or pastel hues and there’s quite a bit of Spanish architectural influence. There are restaurants and elegant shops, especially near the harbor area. Though there’s history at every turn, I felt the city offered a contemporary feel with expansive views not only of the Mediterranean but of the surrounding mountains and hills.

 

We wandered around and I was able to see one of the main sites in the historic center, the Bastione di Saint Remy. 



This is a spectacular early 20th-century building that overlooks the city and has magnificent views of the water. It has a storied history and today is used as a cultural space that mainly hosts art exhibitions. We ate at Trattoria Lillicu, a traditional spot known for seafood and fish. (My first time eating a non-vegetarian meal in 20 years...When in Rome...)

 


Much of the trip was spent indulging in “il dolce far niente” ~ pleasant relaxation in carefree idleness. Two days in a row we went to the Blue Sky Beach Club at Poetto Beach, a

nearly 5-mile stylish strip of coastline that starts from downtown Cagliari and offers the most beautiful soft white sand and perfectly temperate blue-green water. From the beach, there are views galore. The most spectacular is the Sella del Diavolo (the Devil’s Saddle) a rocky promontory that frames the coast. I think when most people think of Italy in the summertime, Poetto Beach is the kind of vista they dream about.


Just as impressive as the scenery was, the warm welcome I received from my friend’s family throughout my stay made the entire experience. I was lucky to enjoy a family reunion festa with a group of about 20 that included my friend’s aunts and uncles, cousins, and their children. At a long table under lemon trees, we dined al fresco —

each with our individual pizzas — along with delicious side dishes, salads, and dolci, including the traditional Sardinian almond cookies.


The friendly hospitality will always be remembered.

 

I believe in the sense of place. A lens through which we experience particular locations. Overall, Italy has a magnetic emotional pull on my soul. Cagliari, an island unto itself, with its irresistible natural beauty offered mesmerizing views, unexpected warmth, and charm.



Sometimes when we let go of expectations — the destination — and not the journey — can offer the opportunity for surprise and wonder.

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