GOLF HOLIDAYS IN SARDINIA
An introduction to golfing on the island of Sardinia.
Sardinia - about the island
The second largest island in the Mediterranean, Sardinia has many attractions for the touring golfer. However it differs somewhat from our other destinations where a range of courses are playable from one convenient base. On the island of Sardinia the courses are few and spread out over the entire length and breadth of the island. As it takes about five hours to drive from the North to the South it is really impractical to stay in one place and play all the courses.
This leaves two options:
A) Stay a few days at each of the three courses and play them a few times before moving on to the next.
B) Concentrate on one area and one course and combine your golf with some sightseeing, sunbathing and dare we say it, relaxation!
The map below should give you a better idea of course and airport locations along with driving times. There are three main areas to golf: North, West and South. Full details of the courses and hotels in each area can be viewed by clicking a rectangle on the map or the destination name in the list.
Sardinia's three golf destinations
The North: Il Pevero & Sperone (Corsica)
The ultra luxurious end of the market on the opulent (some might say ostentatious) Costa Smeralda in the North-East corner of the island. Plus Sperone in Corsica - an hour's ferry ride over the briny to this spectacular golf course setting: one of golf's great day-trips!
The West: Is Arenas
The quiet West Coast with long stretches of sandy beaches and small towns dotted here and there amidst the thick pine forests. The side of the island for those looking to 'get away from it all'.
The South: Is Molas
The deep south with a spectacular coastline of rocky outcrops, sandy coves and crystal clear turquoise waters. A popular end of the island , especially in the height of Summer when all the holiady villages and campsites are in full swing. Spring and Autumn on the other hand can be absolutely delightful.
Getting to Sardinia
There are two main airports: Cagliari in the South and Olbia in the North with plenty of direct flights to both form the British Isles. Lo-costs operators also fly into Alghero in the northwest corner of the island. And these days of course, you may even fly into one airport and out of the other, cutting out the return journey if you are touring the whole island.
Getting to Sardinia by car is perfectly feasible as there are regular ferries from Genoa, which are very comfortable (and continue on to Sicily if you are considering a grand tour?). There are also ferries from France that stop in Corsica) first before moving on to Sardinia. Fares are reasonable and we can book crossings for you on any of the routes.
The Sardinian landscape
The Sardinian interior is predominantly mountainous covered with the thick green swarth of the "maquis" a mantle of myrtle, strawberry trees and blackthorn that, despite the hot Summers, clothes the land in green all year round. The sight of these green hills plunging into the crystal clear turquoise waters of the Mediterranean is quite breathtaking.
Sardinian Cuisine
Sardinian cuisine is outstanding (well it is part of Italy after all!) and very varied. For carnivores there is a huge choice including their own breed of wild boar along with venison and lamb and porceddu or maialetto - suckling pig roasted over an open fire.
Fish fanatics will delight in the huge choice of fish and seafood. The day's catch is normally on show in the restaurants for you to choose.
The Sardinians also have their own forms of pasta and breads, cakes and deserts - all very moorish! So whatever your taste you will find dishes to suit.
Oh, and did we mention the Sardinian wines?
A brief history of Sardinia
Travelling between the golf courses you will see plenty of Sardinia's unique cultural heritage. The island has been inhabited since prehistoric times, followed by various tribes from neighbouring Europe, Africa and Asia Minor. One of the most fascinating of these was the Nuraghic with their weird circular stone towers dotted all over the island (you will see signposts to "Nuraghi" all across the island. The inhabitants preferred the safety of the hills as opposed to the exposed coastline.
The Phoenicians tried to subdue the islanders, followed by the Carthiginians and then the Romans took control, of the coastline at least, the interior remained unruly. Vestiges of these civilizations can be found everywhere and there are extensive Roman excavations and restorations in progress today.
Around AD450 the Vandals invaded, followed by the Arabs, the Spanish, the French and then the Italians; somewhere in between it was even ruled by Austria for a while!
Remnants of all of these civilizations are much in evidence across the countryside and in the towns. It is well worth spending a day or two investigating the island and its people.
