First-time Italy travelers usually prefer destinations like Rome, Florence and Venice. Some add Cinque Terre, others the Amalfi Coast, and the most adventurous venture even towards the peaks of the Trentino-Alto Adige region. Not many are brave enough to make it to lesser-known regions, but more and more travelers have been asking me: is Sardinia worth visiting?
I’ve read that Sardinia is often described as disappointing, with feedback that the locals aren’t particularly friendly, that there isn’t much to see, and it’s difficult to travel around.
As a travel designer from Sardinia, what I always tell my clients is that if they want to explore the island beyond the big cities, there are only two ways: renting a car or hiring a private driver. Full stop.
But does this make Sardinia not worth your time? Absolutely not.
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There is something, however, that all first-time visitors need to keep in mind:
Sardinia is not for everyone.
If your idea of a holiday is a sequence of noble palaces and art galleries, then Sardinia might not be for you. There sure are museums on the island, but it’s a different experience than art cities like Florence.
The moment you land in Sardinia, you need to be aware that your experience will be different than in any other region in Italy.
A trip to Sardinia is not limited to endless sightseeing and monuments. A trip to Sardinia, if well-planned, has the potential to reconnect you with what matters, remind you of what’s real, such as the importance of a community.
This is what my Sardinia Longevity Tour is about. While we will take you to explore the island’s Blue Zone, your experience won’t be limited to knowing where its centenarians live and what they eat, but also and especially how they live and why their lifestyle is healthy.
Quick spoiler: the importance of the community.
Through trekking days, cooking and eating with locals, and exploring mysterious ancient sites, my Sardinia tour will remind you of the importance of building a strong community and connecting with one.
This is a primordial need for all of us, no matter what our nationality and background are, even if sometimes it feels as if we don’t remember or don’t pay enough attention to this.
Sardinia has the potential to remind us and to reconnect us with our ancestral priorities.
Is this not a reason valid enough to visit Sardinia?
Being part of a community, as a matter of fact, has been recently added to the elements that make people living in the so-called Blue Zones long-lived and healthy.
Strong family bonds, a chat with your neighbor, a walk in the mountains to breathe fresh and clean air are among the ingredients of Sardinia’s Blue Zone way of living.
But what if you want to explore and discover the local culture?
Sardinia has an incredibly rich culture and history that long pre-dates the Roman times.
Starting from pre-Nuragic sites like the “domus de janas”, recently declared UNESCO sites, and the “giants’ tombs”, to the fascinating and imposing Nuragic villages and buildings, such as our sacred wells.
All these sites are testimony to a very developed civilization that had several contacts and relations with other Mediterranean civilizations, allowing for a beneficial exchange of ideas, goods, knowledge, and expertise.
But they are also an integral part of the Sardinian society, rich in myths, tales, and wisdom.
Some of the most famous archaeological sites have their guides to lead groups, while others don’t. But since I believe it’s crucial to have someone who explains the history and the importance of these ancient ruins, for my tour, I’ve asked the most knowledgeable local guides to join us.
In Sardinia, you won’t just stare at monuments; you will get to know an intense culture and inevitably find a connection with your own. All this while being part of a small community and making new friends.
Sardinia is a precious travel destination, but be careful: it can be addictive!
Click here to know more about my Sardinia Longevity Tour and book a free inquiry call!
