Lara, Harvey and I had a very relaxing and extremely enjoyable week long holiday in Sardinia at the end of August.  We booked it last minute and set off, not really knowing what to expect as none of us had been there before.  Well, we shall be going again.  We all loved it, especially the beaches.  We left London Gatwick on a very early flight.The advantage of the 2:30am start was that we were in Sardinia by 9:30am and after a fairly challenging drive to our hotel (2 and a half hours in a manual car for the first time in years on the right hand side of the road) we arrived by lunch time and had the afternoon to relax by the pool.The following day we discovered the delights of the hotel beach; a delightful cove.There was a lifeguard and kayaks and paddle boards to borrow.A quiet and beautiful spot.Our hotel was spread over such a large area they had little trains to take you around.  I managed to get lost one evening which was frustrating but I got to see the resort.At the entrance to the park was a large lake filled with birds.I ended up in completely the wrong part of the park which caused a lot of worry for Lara and Harvey but I eventually made it back.We were up and out early for our first full day on holiday.We had a bed and breakfast deal and the breakfasts were a bit limited for me but great for everyone else.Having discovered the hotel beach, we didn’t waste time at the pool anymore.There was a second pool at the hotel which was quiet and peaceful but still no where near as alluring as the little cove.We went in to Arbatax for supper on our second day.  Not much there but it was good to get out and have a stroll around.Mushroom pizza and salad for me which was delicious.We spent a couple of unplanned days in the South of Sardinia near Villasimius.   I think I would stay in the South the next time I come as the beaches are lovely there.  We were meant to be out on a boat for the day on Tuesday but the trip was postponed due to a thunderstorm!

So we hopped in to our car and headed South to Villasimius in the South Eastern part of Sardinia.  It was about 2 hours to drive there.  We had lunch overlooking the main beach but decided to move on in search of somewhere quieter and more scenic to spend the afternoon.We found a really pretty beach at Spiaggi de Punta Molentis and settled in to the sun loungers for an afternoons relaxing.This was a very well crafted sand sculpture.It was a sea serpent that was part buried in the sand.  Unfortunately his nose was washed off before I took my photo.This was a very pretty beach.We liked it so much we came back the following day as the weather further North remained unsettled with the risk of rain.  We were actually trying to find a way to Cala Caterina but failed so we went back to yesterday’s beach as that was lovely.View from my sun lounger.Paying Euro 25 for 2 sun loungers also gave you access to a variety of ball games which we all had a go with.This beach was found down a sand track where everyone just parked in a rather random way but it did the job!After a tough day on the beach we wandered in to town to find somewhere for a drink and for supper before driving back to Arbatax.Villasimius was a pretty little place.Aperol Spritzer was the drink of the holiday this year.We had dinner in a charming first floor pizzeria looking out over the main street – La Tartana.Obviously the vegan pizza was mine and no prizes for guessing who had the sausage and chips pizza and who had the more sophisticated smoked salmon.  This lovely meal was a  good ending to another lovely day.On our penultimate day we actually made it to the boat trip cancelled on Tuesday due to thunderstorms.  This is the pretty little port in Arbatax.We set off on our boat, with about 12 other people and headed North  along the East coast of Sardinia.  The scenery was stunning.When we stopped at a beach we could not believe the colour of the water.  It was extraordinary.It was such a lovely day, possibly the best day of the year.  We spent about 4 hours on 2 beaches, stopped in several places to swim/snorkel and the rest of the day relaxing on the boat.Yes, that is Harvey, leaping from the rock!The captain of our boat delivered each family a large cool box containing lunch.  There was a box of cold meat, cheese and olives, pasta, Sardinian dried bread, water and a chilled bottle of red wine.Not a bad spot for lunch (and no I didn’t eat the prawn).This was the perfect beach.  Amazing water with a good swell to bob about in and beautiful scenery.I didn’t want the day to end but end it had to.We spent our last day on holiday beside the beautiful cove at our hotel.  I loved this little spot.

I loved the big smooth rocks that sloped gently to the clear water and the little platform and ladder to make getting in to the water easy.I liked the platform with sun loungers and sunshades.  Apart from a toilet and freshwater showers, there was nothing else there.  And not too many people either.There was usually a choice of sun or shade, to suit your mood or skin type.The water round Sardinia is clean and clear and full of fish but with nothing dangerous so Harvey could relax and enjoy snorkelling and I could enjoy my book.I was sorry to leave this beach heaven.We considered having our final Sardinian supper in the swanky restaurant at our hotel with its lovely views.But decided against it because it seemed too quiet so we headed in to town instead.We went out to a local Osteria, Bepi da Guia for a special meal to end a really lovely holiday.  It was a lovely restaurant; good service with lovely food and a relaxed and friendly ambience.We sat outside and ate Italian style with a Primi (pasta) and Secondi (meat or fish) dish.  I had bread followed by pasta with swordfish and then a fried sea bream.  It was all very delicious but no vegetables which I found a bit odd.  No complaints from Harvey on that score though!   This was a great place to sit and relax in a pleasant location, watching the sunset over the port.

Those of you who read rather then skim the blog will note that I said I ate fish.  I did indeed.  I have no intention of doing so regularly (maybe never again) and no intention of ever eating meat of any description.  But sometimes I wonder if fish would be beneficial brain food for me and I also decided to try something on holiday I can’t have at home.  I really enjoyed it but it sat heavily in my stomach all night and I prefer the lighter feeling of eating vegan.

I loved the reflections the plants made on the ground.  This was the walk back to our room from the car park.

We stayed at the Arbatax Park Resort which was very good although rather hilly which I got fed up with at times, especially in the heat of the day.  It was designed in the style of a traditional hill top village and really was very beautiful to wander around in.  Our room was at the top of these stairs.  We had 2 large bedrooms and a shared bathroom and it was very comfortable.I was reluctant to leave; I could easily have stayed much longer.There was a large animal park on the site which we wandered around before leaving.We took a wrong road on the way back to the airport in Olbia and ended up on a high mountain road.  We got there in time for our flight but I was rather tense on the very high and in parts, narrow roads.Sardinia was a very pleasant surprise and I hope to go back one day and swim in those wonderful seas and eat the lovely, fresh and local food.  Ideally with Lara and Harvey who are fantastic holiday companions.