SARDINIA • COSTA SMERALDA

✈️ Arrival at Olbia Airport (OLB). Depending on the season, buses run to the Costa Smeralda resorts, but it’s more convenient to take a transfer or rent a car — to Porto Cervo via a scenic road ≈ 35–45 minutes. Check-in and a first walk: stroll along the Marina di Porto Cervo waterfront and the Piazzetta with low arcades and textured plaster — this “village” was conceived like a theater of light and shadow. At sunset, stop by the snow-white Stella Maris church: soft lines, granite, a view of the marina, and calm silence — a succinct starting point.

🏖 In the morning, head to Grande/Il Piccolo Pevero: arcs of snow-white sand and a gentle entry into the water. Then — the coves of Capriccioli and Spiaggia del Principe: along winding paths through juniper, watercolors of the sea open up from milky turquoise to dense cobalt. During the day, take long breaks in the shade of rocks and umbrella pines; after lunch, move to Liscia Ruja — a wide “stage” with deep sea tones. In the evening — an unhurried dinner in Porto Cervo.

🏺 Sardinia’s origins within short drives: the Nuraghe La Prisgiona complex in the Capichera valley — a nuraghe tower, courtyards, and tiny “streets” of an ancient settlement among granite and vineyards. Nearby — Tomba dei Giganti Coddu Vecchiu: a curved stele and a semicircular exedra gather the space like an ancient amphitheater. Between sites — a tasting break with Vermentino Gallura DOCG; evening — back by the sea.

⛰ The artists’ village of San Pantaleo “clamped” between granite peaks. In season on Thursdays — an atmospheric craft market in Piazza della Chiesa. Walk the “loop” through workshop-lined lanes, have a coffee under plane-tree awnings, and head out for a short hike to viewpoints — here, Stone Gallura literally “breathes” with the Mistral wind. Toward evening — a swim in the calm Romazzino cove.

🪨 Drive to Palau (≈ 35–45 min). Climb up to Roccia dell’Orso/Capo d’Orso: the wind- and time-sculpted “bear” rock — an ideal balcony over the La Maddalena archipelago and Corsica. Afterward — a beach in the Salains bay or a Sardinia-style lunch at the port. In the evening — Fortezza di Monte Altura: a 19th-century granite fortress on a hill where sunset “lights” the sea with copper.

⛴ From Palau by ferry (≈ 15 min, frequent departures) you cross to La Maddalena Island. A panoramic loop along Strada Panoramica and wild coves — Spalmatore, Benetti. Across the bridge — to Caprera: flour-soft sand at Cala Napoletana, pines over glassy water at Cala Coticcio (in season often by permit/with guides — check in advance). Add the Garibaldino di Caprera museum: the hero of the Risorgimento’s house-archive among myrtle thickets. Return by the same ferry.

🚶 A slow day in Porto Cervo. In the morning — yachts at the berths and terraces by the water; stop by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (public areas/exhibits depend on season) and the snow-white Stella Maris church with works by Italian masters. At noon — the hotel pool or Piccolo Pevero beach; sunset — from the Serpentone viewpoints above Cala di Volpe bay.

🛥 Early departure to Porto San Paolo (≈ 60–70 min from Porto Cervo; from Olbia ≈ 25 min). A boat to Tavolara Island — a tabletop mountain rising straight out of the sea. The day is about “watery” shades: snorkeling over posidonia seagrass meadows, the Spalmatore and Molara coves, and the white sand of Porto Taverna. Return and dinner at the port to the whisper of mooring lines.

🌬 Northern Gallura is the realm of wind. Santa Teresa is a spindle of streets leading to Vittorio Emanuele Square. Next — the Capo Testa peninsula: a centuries-old lighthouse, grottoes, Valle della Luna, and rocky “sculptures” like an open-air museum. Choose coves according to the wind rose: in a Mistral, take shelter on the leeward side. Return through granite fields and myrtle bushes.

🐬 Morning — a boat trip to watch dolphins near the islet of Figarolo and Capo Figari: frequent sightings of pods near the fish-farm enclosures. In the afternoon — MuMArt, an underwater contemporary art museum (in summer — a glass-bottom boat or snorkeling with guides). In the evening — dinner on the waterfront overlooking the bay.

🏛 Return to Olbia for a city day: the Archaeological Museum on Peddone islet (ship finds, port history), the Basilica of San Simplicio in light granite, and Fausto Noce city park for a “breath” of greenery. Combine it with shopping on Corso Umberto and dinner in the old town. On a warm evening — a stroll along Molo Brin.

🪵 Immerse yourself in mountainous Gallura: Luras—ancient granite houses, the Galluras Museum with the legendary artifact of the “female aggabadora,” and stories about the region’s way of life. Plus—the Cork Museum in Calangianus: from bark to wine and craftsmanship. A picnic in cork oak glades, and the road back—through the winding curves of Limbara.

⛳ Morning—walk the Pevero Health Trail: a path through myrtle and juniper thickets with access to Grande/Porto Liccia, panoramas of the bays of Cala di Volpe and Romazzino. In the afternoon—a practice session or a short round at Pevero Golf Club (by reservation), or SUP/kayak along the calm edges of Pevero. Finale—sunset over the archipelago from a viewpoint on the SP59 road.

🌅 One last lap of respect: coffee at the Piazzetta in Porto Cervo, a quick stop at Stella Maris, a swim in “that” cove—Pevero/Capriccioli/Principe—and a slow drive along the scenic SP94 with views of pink granite and glassy sea. Plan extra time to get to OLB (summer traffic). Arrivederci, Gallura!