I’ve got Sardinia on my mind, and here’s why. My recent trip to the Italian island of Ischia was even better than I imagined – brilliant sun, clear blue seas, beautiful Mediterranean gardens, wonderfully peaceful hikes, and of course, incredibly fresh and flavorful food which caught my tongue by surprise in that first delicious bite, even though my mind anticipated this moment for several weeks prior. Now, my appetite is whet for more la dolce vita via ferry.

 So where to next? Capri? Been there, done that.  Gorgeous… certainly! But the crowds and prevalence of English heard is a bit of turn-off. Plus, the whole jet-set vibe does not generally set my heart aflutter.

How about Sicily? The food will be certain to please, and despite the hordes of tourists, there are plenty of less-frequented sights to be found. I’ll get there one day… most definitely.

But for now, it’s Sardinia that piques my interest. You may have heard of Costa Smeralda — the swanky beach area populated with exclusive resorts, oversized yachts, and all the glitterati. But Sardinia has SO much more to offer… a little something for everyone’s taste and adventure level.

If you don’t trust me, perhaps you will listen to D.H. Lawrence. “Sardinia, which is like nowhere. Sardinia, which has no history, no date, no race, no offering. Let it be Sardinia.” Lawrence, D. H. (David Herbert). Sea and Sardinia 

HERE ARE 5 TREASURES THAT CONVINCED ME TO PLAN A TRIP TO SARDINIA

1. The natural beauty of nearby Asinara Island, a national park complete with pristine beaches and wild albino donkeys.

2. The rewarding hiking circuits found within the Gorrupo Gorge, aka the “Grand Canyon of Sardinia” where one might encounter mountain goats and golden eagles along the walk. 

3. The lovely beaches, villages, and casual seaside resorts dotted with alfresco restaurants seen along the coast of Gallura.

4. The colorful panorama of azure waters adjacent secluded pink-tinged beaches in Mariolu Bay, where fabulous diving and snorkeling can also be enjoyed.

5. And, the wild landscapes and archeological discoveries found within the Sulcis Natural Park, an easy day-trip from the city of Cagliari.

Sardinia is easily reached by ferry from Italy, but also from Spain and France as well. Maybe I’ll even try some island hopping – Corsica and Sardinia are next door neighbors with plenty of ferries throughout the day. Click here to check out the user-friendly website for TraghettiPer-Sardegna.it to help you plan your holiday in Sardinia. Below you can view the locations for all the ferry ports accessible to the island.

This is a sponsored post, but as always, all opinions are 100% my own.