7 REASONS TO DREAM OF A TRIP TO SARDINIA THIS SUMMER

Do you like the idea of living to 100 by taking medicine such as white wine, olive oil, and a generous dose of sunshine? Well, we certainly do.   

So we headed to the island of Sardinia, where it’s not unusual for people to reach their centenary years in the most beautiful surroundings imaginable. It’s too early to say if our time there has expanded our lifespan into the triple figures, but check back in seventy years or so. In the meantime, we spent a few days there as a worthy investment in healthy living*.

*Also to go on holiday.

Here’s why you should book a last-minute trip to get your Italian fix this summer, with deserted beaches, fresh fish and a turquoise sea to jump into from your boat.

1. You can live to 100

Yep, like we said. A cluster of Sardinian villages make up one of the first ‘blue zones’ identified in Europe – where people live a unusually long time.

It’s not called a ‘blue zone’ because of its sea and sky (although I understand why you jumped to that conclusion).

It means it’s one of the places on earth where people live the longest.

In Sardinia, the average life span is over 90 (in the UK, it’s 81).

Why? Well, several theories have been put forward. But it’s hard to dislike life when it starts with an Italian espresso, involves a long lunch with local white wine and is backlit with the Mediterranean sun.

You might need to move there for the full benefit, but a week’s break has to be the equivalent of quitting cigarettes for a bit.

2. You won’t feel stressed out

Can you imagine thinking about car tax, who does the washing up or landlords when you’re on a boat, sampling cheeses, pear, Prosecco and bread, while your feet dangle in the water?

Nah. You can bliss out and cut off from it, which is probably why everyone lives so long.

We hired a boat from our hotel, then used it to explore the coast (and sunbathe on the deck like rockstars).

3. You can take yourself on a honeymoon

No doubt, this is a romantic place to be.

And couples, don’t blame us if you miss the flight back and accidentally have to live out here for ever.

But if the special someone you’re reconnecting with is yourself, that’s OK too.

Book a table at Li Zini restaurant, which is probably the most beautiful place to eat in the entire world.

During the day, it’s your perfect chill-out beach.

But in the evening, don’t be surprised if you don’t recognise where you were looking out to sea earlier.

Waiters carry out chairs and tables so you can enjoy your dinner barefoot on the sand as the chefs grill your order by the rocks.

Listen to the waves as you drink a toast to however you ended up in this amazing bit of the world.

4. Explore the seaside villages

Remember that boat we mentioned?

There are dozens of picturesque islands and villages to explore, so ask the captain to take you La Maddalena or Buddeli beach where the pink sand is world famous.

Then dream about moving there all summer to learn how to make homemade pasta. Allora!

5. The food

Naturally, if you’re coming to Sardinia, you’ll want to know about the food.

Forget about Slimming World or boiling a pot of Tesco tortellini after work.

We’re not living that life at the moment – we’re talking wholesome deliciousness made with natural ingredients and lashing of olive oil.

Make sure you try the traditional Sardinian flatbread called ‘pane carasau‘ (or piano paper for its thin texture).

Perfect for mopping up the sauce from your real Italian rigatoni.

6. The spas

We stayed at Valle dell’Erica hotel, close to the northern point of the island (if you travel just up the coast, you can see the French island of Corsica).

It’s run by Delphina, who own several other hotels offering ‘thalassotherapy’ or salt water therapy.

The spas have several pools at different temperatures and water jets to soothe your muscles.

(Climbing in and out of the boat to swim is tiring).

7. The beautiful scenery

You can enjoy it with a cocktail in hand just from the hotel terrace, but there’s so much gorgeous coastline to explore if you can tear yourself away.

Why not hire a car and find your own corner of the rugged landscape?

Or window shop for Gucci with the jet set in Porto Cervo on the Costa Smeralda, Sardinia’s answer to St Tropez.

Each of the hotels is in extensive grounds with secluded rooms (so private, there are windows in the shower – so you can look out the sea with no concern for your modesty).

Across the island the rock formations are so dramatic they seem like they could be active volcanos, but they actually from erosion over thousands of years.

Explore the mountainous centre of the island or stay on the north coast where there’s plenty to see and bliss out like we did.