Sardinia

The ancient island kingdom of Tavolara is now a protected marine area with 40 kilometres of golden coastline teeming with underwater life. Open to a limited number of daily visitors, tender to the beach or relax on deck in between swimming and snorkelling sessions. Featured in many movies, Cala Luna, in the Gulf of Orosei, is reachable only by boat, with the cove tucked in between rocky headlands and a secluded beach framed by shady caves and turquoise waters.

Level up beachfront relaxation with a day at the Relais & Chateaux Petra Segreta Luxury Resort & Spa. Its Balinese inspired wellness centre offers an eclectic menu of  Ayurveda, hammam, thermarium and holistic experiences, and is the perfect precursor to an unforgettable lunch. Headed up by chef Luigi Bergeretto, the hotel’s Michelin-starred Il Fuoco Sacro restaurant features a wealth of locally sourced delights, with the roasted Sardinian lamb a must-try alongside an exquisite multi-course tasting menu. As you travel along the coast, make a point to stop off to join in the fun of a local festival. Populated since the Neolithic era, this is also a unique opportunity to learn more about the Sards and the influence of the Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans – to name a few – on this multicultural isle.

Northwestern Sardinia also beckons with the shallow blue waters and powdery white sands of Cala Brandinchi, set between sand dunes and pine forests, recognised as one of the island’s best beaches. Part of Maddalena National Park, Isola Caprera is home to the fabulous Cala Codichio beach with dramatic cliff views and rugged rock formations, but the island is also replete with historical significance. The final resting place of Guiseppe Garibaldi, one of Italy’s most important protagonists in the fight for Italian independence from the Austrian Empire, his home – Casa Bianca – is now a museum.