Who needs the Caribbean when you have the white sprawling beaches and crystal-clear Mediterranean seas of Sardinia on the doorstep? Plus, you can be there in a little under three hours.
Sardinia is a stunning phenomenon of nature, with an endless stretch of beautiful coastline, dazzling beaches, a mountainous interior that is teeming with adventure and with 300 days of rays per year, this is the sunniest unspoilt Mediterranean island.
Average summer temperatures tend to reach 30 degrees and unlike the Caribbean, there is no need to worry about hurricanes.
The cuisine is varied, you'll find exquisite seafood dishes, rich cheeses and locally grown olive oil, not forgetting the famous wines - white is the Vermentino and the red Cannonau - no wonder the residents are renowned for their longevity.
Being the second largest island in the Mediterranean, there is much to explore with close to 2000km of glittering coastlines and sandy coves.
If you can bear to tear yourself away from the beach, take a day trip to Cagliari, the largest city and cultural centre with many museums, archaeological sites and historical points of interest.
Across the island there is a scattering of Carthaginian and Roman ruins, Pisan churches and Spanish Baroque as well as archaeological finds dating back 450,000 years. It's truly an ancient land, amongst Europe's oldest and there are many theories that Sardinia may be the lost island of Atlantis!
Accommodation wise there is something to meet all requirements and budgets, from couples to multi-generational families to honeymooners. There are private villas, self-catering apartments, small bed and breakfasts and both boutique hotels and ones offering a full list of facilities that range from three to five-star luxury.
I have picked three resorts to introduce that are on or very close to fantastic beaches and for which I have received great feedback from clients.
Resort Cala di Falco, Sardinia
Cala di Falco is reached by a 30-minute transfer from Olbia Airport and is situated at the gateway to Costa Smeralda, which can boast some of the most beautiful unrivalled coves and beaches on the island.
The sweeping sands of Cannigione beach are across the road, where the hotel has a dedicated area with sun loungers and parasols. The splendid Mannena beach is also easily accessible using the resorts own shuttle service.
This is a great hotel for multi-generational families and couples alike, only a short stroll from the charming town of Cannigione with its selection of shops, restaurants and gelaterias.
Boats can be hired from the port or take a trip to the stunning Maddalena islands, ideal for swimming and snorkelling in clear turquoise sea.
Hotel facilities include:
105 rooms and 40 apartments
Three restaurants
24-hour reception
Piano bar lounge and snack bar
Swimming pool
Children's open-air playground
Mini clubs and children's programme
Tennis and beach volley court
Beach service
Fitness area with sea view
Fitness trail
Shuttle to Mannenna public beach (Saturday excluded)
Wi-Fi in reception/ swimming pool area
Chia Laguna Hotel Village
The Chia Laguna Resort sits on a hillside close to the beautiful bay of Chia, on the southern “Emerald” coast, just under an hour’s drive from Cagliari airport.
It has been acknowledged as one of the "Mediterranean’s Leading Family Resorts” with a choice of four exceptional hotels encompassing the resort and prides itself on exceptional service with genuine warmth and a passion to serve.
Chia’s wide sandy bays and golden sand dunes are punctuated with small coves and inlets, beautifully decorated with hues of natural green and blue stretching as far as the eye can see into the crystal-clear waters of the sea and there are beautiful lagoons to view that are home to pink flamingos.
At Chia Laguna, kids’ and teens’ holidays are tailor-made with specially planned entertainment. Activities include smiling yoga, al fresco painting, homemade spa treatments and a special “Under the stars camp night” and a selection of shows catering to different age groups.
Some activities are free and some carry a local charge, such as the Chia Laguna Football Academy organised by Premier League players Andy and Michael Johnson, the Juventus training sessions specially designed for boys and girls aged 5 to 14 and The Campioni Dance Academy run by the Brit School of Performing Arts star graduate Alexandra Gale and her team.
It’s not just the kids that are catered for here, adults can join in on exclusive experiences too - from yachting rides and private trainers to private beach dinners, romantic boat excursions and jeep safaris to marvel at the mountainous interior of the island.
Guests at any of the hotels can enjoy the superb facilities, including Chia Natural Spa, five tennis courts and a piazza for shopping and events, and choose between nine restaurants on site that use the freshest prime ingredients and recipes crafted with meticulous attention by expert master chefs and inspired by the traditions of Sardinia.
Hotel facilities include:
Four hotels
Nine restaurants plus a children's restaurant
Eight bars
Five Swimming pools
Mini club and children's programme
Five-a-side football pitch
Fitness plus spa and wellness centre
Tennis courts
Water sports
Shuttle to beach with own reserved area
Piazza (shopping/ events)
Football academies
Dance academy
Many outdoor activities
L'Ea Bianca Luxury Resort, Sardinia
Sitting on a gentle hillside, 4km from the beautiful seaside resort of Baja Sardinia on the Costa Smeralda, this five-star tranquil boutique hideaway with just 31 rooms, is only a 35-minute transfer from Olbia Airport.
It is a hidden gem, set in a vast 2-hectare park flush with fruit trees and aromatic plants, totally ideal for a romantic holiday or honeymoon, with fantastic vistas across the bay from the pool and beautiful sunsets to catch from the hotel's terrace, which is raised above the rocks for optimum views.
All rooms have sea views and are spacious, bright, airy and finely decorated, combining contemporary Sardinian and Middle Eastern influences.
The fabulous freshwater swimming pool is a real gem that acts as prelude to the jewel of the coarse sand beach “Cala dei Ginepri”, reached via direct access and fully equipped and reserved for hotel guests.
The hotel’s Lunaria Restaurant and Beach Restaurant offer Mediterranean cuisine and unique flavours within a fairy-tale setting.
Baja Sardinia itself has a long white sandy beach and turquoise sea surrounded by villas, hotels and a vibrant piazza with shops, café bars and restaurants.
Water sports are available on the beach along with boat trips out to the islands to get a close-up appreciation of the beauty of this coastline.
For a change of pace, the stunning port and marina of Poro Cervo, with its exclusive designer shops, restaurants and clubs is just a 10-minute drive.
Hotel facilities include:
31 Rooms and 5 villas
Restaurant and beach restaurant
Bar
Indoor and outdoor swimming pool
Spa, wellness and fitness centres
Beautiful gardens
Free Wi-fi
Private beach area with sunbeds and parasols
Boutique
Shuttle service (surcharge)
Free parking
If you weren’t previously aware of the delight that is Sardinia, I hope that I may have helped rectify this and provided some assurance that you don't have to travel far from the UK to find stunning beaches and sparkling crystal clear seas, accommodation options that tick all boxes, fantastic gastronomy, beautiful scenery and ancient history.
Sardinia is waiting for you.