Sardinia Holiday Concierge

Fun Facts About Sardinia

2012-01-29T01:36:00.000-08:00

We think Sardinia is one of the most fascinating places on Earth with a rich culture and history.

Just for fun, here are a few interesting facts about the island of Sardinia that we just love. We hope you like them too... they'll come in handy for impressing fellow holidaymakers over dinner!

Sardinia's coastline (1,850km) makes up over a quarter of the entire Italian coast

Geologically speaking, Sardinia is one of the most ancient bodies of land in Europe being 500 million years old

A growing number of scholars believe that Sardinia is actually the site of the Lost City of Atlantis.

Sardinia may be small, but it has it's own language which varies drastically from one area to the next. The Sard language is based on Latin but still bears the influence of the ancient languages of the Nuraghic period (such as the word Nuraghe itself) as well as smatterings of Catalan, Corsican, Arabic, Phonecian and Genoese... legacies left by the island's many invaders.

When Ringo Starr visited Sardinia in 1968 on Peter Sellers' boat, he was served octopus for lunch by the captain. The resulting conversation between the two men was the inspiration behind The Beatles song "Octopus's Garden"

The English phrase "Sardonic grin" comes from the effect of a toxic local herb which causes convulsive laughter in its victims.

Sardinia's inhabitants have the highest percentage of people over the age of 100 in the world (22 centenarians per 100,000 inhabitants)... maybe down to the fantastic diet and unpolluted air? It's no coincidence that the traditional Sardinian greeting is "A kent'annos" (may you live to 100).

The tiny island of Asinara off the coast of Sardinia is home to a colony of 250 miniature albino donkeys and, according to the 2001 census, just one man. The island of Tavolara is also worth a mention as being officially a kingdom... The current monarch actually owns a restaurant on the island but proudly bears the regal title given to his ancestors in 1848

Sardinia is the Mediterranean's second largest island after Sicily. It's also the third biggest region in Italy (after Sicily and Piedmont) but due to the fact that the interior of the island is mainly uninhabited, it ranks only 11th according to population size.

About 10 million tourists visit the island every year.

25% of Sardinia (600,000 hectares) has been designated as national parkland or wildlife reserves.

Sardinia's original name (dating from 1500BC) was Ichnusa. This comes from combining the word "island" ("nusa") with "Hyskos" after the tribe who rose to power in the 17th century BC and ruled areas of Egypt before invading Sardinia.

Sardinia has over 7,000 prehistoric archaeological sites dating from before 1,000BC.

A culinary speciality unique to Sardinia is "casu marzu" cheese which contains live maggots... and yes, you guessed it, it's considered a potent aphrodisiac by the locals. It makes for pretty lively eating though as when disturbed, the maggots can "jump" up to 6 inches in the air!

The world-famous internet company, Tiscali was founded in Sardinia and is still based in Cagliari. The company is named after a 2,000 year old nuraghic village on the island.

Yes, the word "sardines" does come from Sardinia, although sadly stocks of the fish have been depleted by overfishing.

If you have any other fascinating facts about Sardinia, we'd love to hear them! If this has inspired you to find out more about the island, just contact us for luxury Sardinian holiday villas.

Flights to Sardinia

2012-01-26T01:19:00.000-08:00

Our guests are always asking us for help with finding the right flights to Sardinia so we thought we would put together this little guide to flights to the island for 2012.

For such a small island, Sardinia has three main international airports and these are:

Cagliari serving the whole South coast (Cagliari Elmas)
Olbia on the North East coast (Aeroporto Internazionale di Olbia Costa Smeralda)
Alghero on the North West coast (Alghero Fertila)

Please do make sure that you get the right airport for you; If you've booked accommodation in Cagliari for example and flights into Olbia, the 3.5 hours drive between the two ends of the island may come as a surprise and won't be the best start to a relaxing holiday.

From the UK, Sardinia is connected with direct flights by the following airlines:

Easyjet flies from London Stansted into Cagliari or into Olbia from Bristol or London Gatwick
British Airways flies from London Gatwick into Cagliari
Ryanair runs cheap flights from London Stansted to Alghero
Jet2 Connects Olbia airport with Edinburgh or Leeds Bradford
BMI fly into Alghero from East Midlands Airport
Thomson fly into Alghero from London Gatwick

We've prepared a little overview below showing full details of the flights to Sardinia, which months the routes are open and the departure times to make it easy for you to find the flight that suits you best:

Departing	Airline	Day	First Date	Last Date	Departs UK
ALGHERO
Gatwick	Thomson	Sat	05th May	29th Sep	06.30
Stansted	Ryanair	Sun, Mon, Wed, Fri	25th Mar	21th Oct	06.15
East Midlands	Bmibaby	Sat	31st Mar	14th Apr	16.45
East Midlands	Bmibaby	Sat	21th Apr	08th Sep	07.10
East Midlands	Bmibaby	Sat	15th Sep	22th Sep	16.45
East Midlands	Bmibaby	Sat	29th Sep	27th Oct	08.00
East Midlands	Bmibaby	Wed	25th Jul	05th Sep	09.00

Dublin	Ryanair	Sun, Wed	25th Mar	24th Oct	17.15
OLBIA
Gatwick	Easyjet	Sat	28th Apr	27th Oct	12.25
Gatwick	Easyjet	Sat	28th Jul	01st Sep	09.10
Gatwick	Easyjet	Sun	29th Apr	02nd Sep	07.15
Gatwick	Easyjet	Mon	30th July	24th Sep	09.10
Gatwick	Easyjet	Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri	27th Apr	28th Sept	10.55
Bristol	Easyjet	Sat	16th Jun	22nd Sep	16.55
Bristol	Easyjet	Wed	20th Jun	12th Sep	06.45
Leeds Bradford	Jet2	Sat	19th May	29th Sep	16.35
Edinburgh (via Leeds)	Jet2	Sat	19th May	29th Sep	15.15
Manchester	BA Charter	Sun	27th May	30th Sep	08.30
Heathrow	BA Charter	Sat	26th May	29th Sep	09.10
CAGLIARI
Stansted	Easyjet	Sun, Mon, Wed, Fri	25th Mar	26th Oct	07.35
Stansted	Easyjet	Tue, Thur	All year	25th Oct	07.35
Stansted	Easyjet	Sat	All year	27th Oct	16.50
Manchester	BA Charter	Sat	26th May	22nd Sep	12.30
Heathrow	BA Charter	Sat	19th May	06th Oct	08.40


Please do be aware when booking flights though that most villas and other self-catering accommodation in Sardinia do run on a strictly Saturday to Saturday basis so look into all the options before committing to flights. Most villas in Sardinia also offer check-in times after 3pm and check-out is generally at 10am which is also worth bearing in mind when booking your flights. If you are looking to fly into Sardinia from somewhere other than the UK, please don't hesitate to contact us and we'll be happy to help you find more flight options. Alternatively, you'll find information on ferries to Sardinia here. Enjoy your trip!

How to Get the Best Deals on Your Sardinia Holiday

2012-01-14T02:07:00.000-08:00

As one of the most beautiful and exclusive islands in the Mediterranean, Sardinia is not a budget holiday destination. However, follow a few simple rules and make those holiday dollars work for you.

1) Fly on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday
These are traditionally off-peak days for airlines so flying on these days can mean lower fares and less crowded cabins. Beware though if you're looking at self-catering villa accommodation in Sardinia, especially during the peak months... most properties adhere to a strict Saturday to Saturday stay and trying to economise by booking a mid-week flight can leave you seriously struggling to find the perfect villa.

2) Think Self-Catering
The cost of restaurant meals three times a day for the whole family whilst on holiday can really add up so consider self-catering villa options with good kitchen facilities to allow you to make the most of Sardinia's fresh local produce and save money at the same time.

3) Look Out for Discounted Flights
Most airlines offer deals and discounts on flights over Christmas and New Year, at Easter and in August.

4) Sign up for Email Notifications
Many sales on flights and accommodation are often unannounced to the general public with service providers preferring to notify their loyal customers of preferential deals. To avoid being bombarded by unwanted mail, create a new email account and use this to sign up to the mailing lists of companies you like the look of then simply log in when you come to plan your holiday and you'll have all the best deals and news at your fingertips.

5) Team up With a Friend
Many self catering holiday villas in Sardinia will offer discounts for stays of two weeks or over, with even better deals to be had if you book for a month or longer. If you're looking for a shorter stay, it's worth finding out which of your friends are also looking to holiday in Sardinia this summer so you can book the same property. If you stay for the first two weeks of July and your friends take the same villa for the second two weeks you can often secure really good savings for the total period.

Alternatively, holiday together with a friend. Especially in holiday villas you will find that the price per person is significantly lower for four bedroom properties than for two bedroom houses of the same standard. Larger villas are also much more likely to have extra facilities like private swimming pools than smaller properties.

6) Look for Added Value
Book villas with reputable companies that are happy to go the extra mile to make your holiday the best it can be. Services like a fully stocked fridge on arrival, restaurant recommendations and help with planning your itinerary will all ensure you get the best out of your holiday.

7) Stick to Off-Peak Dates
July and August in Sardinia can be expensive. May, June September and October are wonderful months to visit the island with bright sunshine, warm seas and far fewer tourists on the beaches so wherever possible try to travel at those times. You can often get the same hotel, Bed and Breakfast or villa for half the amount you would pay during peak season.

8) Find a Great Holiday Concierge
As English speaking residents of Sardinia, we often have access to deals, services and suppliers that the general public doesn't and can save you time and money as well as helping you discover the hidden corners of the island that only locals know about.

www.sardiniaholidayconcierge.co.uk

20% Off Flights to Sardinia

2012-01-07T06:33:00.000-08:00

Easy Jet is now offering a whopping 20% off flights to Sardinia from February to the 11th of July.

They fly to either Olbia (in the North) or Cagliari (on Sardinia's South coast) from London Stansted, Gatwick or Bristol

You have to hurry though if you want to grab a bargain; the sale ends at midnight on Tuesday!

http://www.easyjet.com/EN

Small but Perfectly Formed

2009-07-29T10:17:00.001-07:00

Unfortunately the credit crunch has got to many of us this year, and people keep asking me for apartments rather than villas this summer so they can save a few pennies but still have a great few weeks in the Mediterranean sunshine.

Your wish is my command, so here is a great little selection of apartments in southern Sardinia for those last minute recession busting getaways

Apartment Brunella, Apartment Antonello and Apartment Celina are three sweet little properties sleeping 2 to 4 people in central Pula. Within walking distance of the beach and local restaurants, they are all on the same floor of the same building so perfect for groups of friend travelling together who want a little privacy

Apartment Nora is, as the name suggests close to the gorgeous beach at Nora but still within easy reach of Pula

Apartment Aurelia and Apartment Is Molas both sleep up to 4 guests and are located within the prestigious golf resort at Is Molas

July News

2009-07-13T07:42:00.000-07:00

Phew, it's getting hot out here... the sun worshippers on the beach are getting more berry-brown by the day, the sea is now bath-tub warm in the shallows and you only have seconds as opposed to minutes to finish that lemon gelato before it drips all over your fingers.

Sadly, one other thing that's changing over here is the availability of villas for those last minute holidays; there aren't many places that still have availability for the peak weeks in August. Trust the Sardinia Villa Collection though to come up with a great little option.

La Roccia is perched high on a hilltop with great countryside views just outside the holiday hotspots of Porto Cervo and Baia Sardinia. With seven double bedrooms (all with ensuite bathrooms), a private pool with water feature and great outdoor dining and lounging spaces this villa won't stay available for long, so get in touch with us today to make your booking

New Sardinia Villas Available for Summer 2009

2009-05-30T02:56:00.000-07:00

Since our original Sardinia Villa Collection has been such a huge hit this year with very little availability now left for this summer, we have recently welcomed some stunning new additions onto the books. We really have excelled ourselves this time with the stunning Villa Peonia, breath-taking Villa Arrubia, delightful Villa Grazia and the lovely Villa Luce which offers wonderful value for money.

As for Villa Volpe... well, I can't tell you how delighted I am to have one of the most stunning villas in the whole of Sardinia as part of our property portfolio; take a peek and let me know what you think of it. One of the first villas EVER to be built in Porto Rotondo, and in the very best location with nearly 360 degree sea views and a private sandy beach. Personally, I've fallen in love with it.

As always, just contact us to let us know a little bit about what you are looking for in your holiday in Sardinia and we will get straight back to you with a tailor-made selection chosen to suit your needs perfectly, but hurry... these gorgeous new villas just went online today and are already booking up fast!

Last Minute May Discounts in Sardinia

2009-05-14T08:01:00.000-07:00

For those of you who have been hit by the financial crisis this year, and have been putting off booking those precious few weeks in the sun there is finally some good news!

The Sardinia Villa Collection has some great rates and discounts available for some sublime villas in May. Booking that well-deserved holiday couldn't be easier; just let The Sardinia Villa Collection know what you are looking for and when then make your choice from the tantalising list of options they send over. Bag a couple of cheap flights from EasyJet or RyanAir and you're almost there... just don't forget to pack your swimsuit and suntan lotion!

Whether you're looking for the sparkling Mediterranean sea just a few paces from your front door, panoramic views of the Sardinian coastline or manicured lawns, a heated swimming pool and a chef and maid on hand to cater to your every whim, now is the time to make the most of the bargains around... you could be just days away from your dream holiday

La Limonaia

2009-04-30T02:34:00.000-07:00

I am just so excited to welcome this gorgeous little villa into our portfolio... I chose to live near Pula in South Sardinia and am constantly on the lookout for perfect summer holiday villas so that I can share the local area with my clients.

Pula has it all; jaw-droppingly gorgeous beaches, the most important Roman ruins on the island (you can actually dive over the submerged portions of the site, and it's a surreal feeling swimming past amphorae on the sea bed untouched for so many years), a buzzing little town with live music playing in the main square throughout the summer and my favourite restaurant Sa Cardiga e su Schironi for the very best fish and roast suckling pig around

With beautifully styled living spaces, a gorgeous pool and views to the sea and the imposing tower of Nora, you wonder if this villa could get any better. Well, yes it can... it is located within the Is Molas resort near Pula meaning that you have all the facilities of a hotel with the privacy of your own villa. These include a great restaurant and a prestigious golf course within 15 minutes walk of your front door.

There has to be a catch I hear you say... well yes, actually there is... there are only a few precious weeks left available in this villa for the 2009 season so you're going to have to be quick to book the weeks you want before somebody else does!

Please click here to see full details of the sublime La Limonaia

Discounted Rates on Villa Verde

2009-04-15T04:04:00.000-07:00

We are delighted to be able to offer a whoppping 30% discount on the utterly gorgeous Villa Verde in Porto Rotondo, Sardinia

Villa Verde is just packed with little luxuries guaranteed to soothe even the most jaded of souls. The gently heated swimming pool plays underwater music, the experienced chef will delight you with Sardinian delicacies and the beautifully private beach is the perfect spot from which to enjoy the sparkling Mediterranean sea.

For as little as 550 euros per person per week, you can take advantage of this fully staffed villa with full concierge service, a private gym, local tennis facilities, free membership to the nearby Club Marina and private mooring buoy in one of the best locations on the island of Sardinia.

You will find full details of the villa and all those fabulous services and facilities at the link below... this is definitely an offer not to be passed up!
http://www.thesardiniavillacollection.com/view.php?id=villaverde

Stunning South Sardinia

2009-04-10T02:33:00.000-07:00

I adore the cobbled streets of Bosa, can't get enough of Alghero and am still blown away every single time I see those blue seas and pristine beaches in the Costa Smeralda.

The South of Sardinia is different though. Thinking back to my first arrival on the island, I turned to my partner as we were driving the coastal roads around Algero and said "I could live here". A little later, we visited Capo Coda do Cavallo, and I said "I never want to leave". Two days later, sunning ourselves on Nora beach near Pula I finally said "this feels like home".

The South has an entirely different feel to the Northern resorts. It's a flavour of the "real" Sardinia, not created and designed for visitors but a place where Sards go about their daily business and the island's history is never far away in the form of Roman ruins, amphitheatres and ancient nuraghic sites. This is a place steeped in culture and history and fiercely proud of its roots. I do my shopping at the bustling San Benedetto food market (the largest in Italy they say) and watch the processions reverently carrying images of local saints at the religious festivals. I sun myself at the award-winning local beaches with their backdrops of hills and pine trees and hike through the mountains, turning every now and again to admire the breathtaking sea views below me and think once again how very lucky I am to be able to call this island my home.

This is why I have recently added a few more beautiful properties in the South to the Sardinia Villa Collection portfolio, each individually handpicked to allow you to enjoy my little corner of Sardinia with me this summer

Villa Orione
Villasimius
Sleeps 14
http://www.thesardiniavillacollection.com/view.php?id=villaorione
The huge grounds lead you directly onto the beautiful sandy beach by means of a sweet little gate; a true taste of paradise.

Villa Ara
Torre delle Stelle
Sleeps 6

http://www.thesardiniavillacollection.com/view.php?id=villaara

You really couldn't ask for more; just laze by the infinity pool and enjoy those breathtaking panramic sea views

Villa Levante
Pula
Sleeps 4
http://www.thesardiniavillacollection.com/view.php?id=villalevante
Tucked away in a sleepy little village on the outskirts of Pula, this cosy little villa has the most divine hillside and country views and is a pleasant stroll away from the nearest beach

As Mentioned in New York Magazine

2009-04-01T10:41:00.000-07:00

I am just loving all the interest from the press that The Sardinia Holiday Concierge is generating, and would love to thank the wonderful folk at New York Magazine for the following article:

To see the full article, please follow the link below:
http://nymag.com/travel/2009/spring/55675/index1.html

Beautiful Bosa

2009-03-19T13:50:00.001-07:00

Today I discovered a brand new "favourite place" in Sardinia (yes, yet another one)!

There are all sorts of ways you can experience Sardinia; exclusive Northern coastlines, pretty tourist villages, bustling cities or just relaxing by a pool in complete privacy...

However, for those looking to discover a taste of authentic Sardinia, Bosa is an absolute must. You won't see too much about it in the guidebooks, and only a handful of foreign holidaymakers even know it exists.

I fell in love with it on first sight... having driven through rolling hillsides full of drystone walls, cows and cork trees, I rounded a corner to see the beautiful pastel shades of the mediaeval old town arranged over a hillside presided over by the majestic old castle. Rows of palm trees line the river (apparantly the only navigable river in Sardinia) and the "ponte vecchio" eases you gently into the cobbled streets of the centro storico.

This isn't an area that has been prettied up and sterilised for the tourists; it is still relatively untouched by the holidaymakers who flock to our beautiful island every summer. The lanes are too narrow for cars to pass through and I had to discard my heels in favour of some more sensible footwear to navigate the cobbles.

The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly... a myriad of great restaurants and cafes line the lanes and my English friends who live there enthused about the friendliness of the town. During carnivals and holidays you are more than likely to be adopted by a group of friendly locals and whisked off to join in the dancing, enjoy a coffee or grappa in their favourite haunts or even be priviledged enough to be invited home for a traditional Sardinian meal with the family. Today, I was more than happy to sit quietly in a cosy little restaurant enjoying a plate of lobster pasta and a nicely chilled glass of wine watching the world go by.

Sun worshippers will enjoy the wide sandy beach at Bosa Marina and the local hills, waterways and vineyards provide plenty of entertainment whatever the length of your stay.

I also managed to find the perfect townhouse right in the centre of the old town. Rambling over four glorious storeys, Il Boemo has been lovingly and painstakingly restored by the owner. Every nook and cranny overflows with treasures from her travels, the beds are piled high with cushions in jewelled colours and you could spend entire days gazing at the artwork lining the walls.

All in all an incredibly special place, and although live a mere two hour drive away, I've already picked out a one week slot for myself at the end of the season in Il Boemo so I can share my new favourite with my nearest and dearest.

For more details of Il Boemo and to make bookings just follow the link below to the Sardinia Villa Collection website
http://www.thesardiniavillacollection.com/view.php?id=ilboemo

The Sardinia Villa Collection

2009-03-09T11:00:00.000-07:00

The Sardinia Villa Collection website is now up and running, so click on the link below for the finest little selection of holiday properties around
http://www.thesardiniavillacollection.com/

Another Fantastic Review

2009-03-04T01:22:00.000-08:00

We would like to thank the folks at Paradizo.com for this great write-up of the Sardinia Holiday Concierge and the Sardinia Villa Collection

The spring holidays are right around the corner and now is the perfect time to start planning your ultimate getaway to one of Europe’s most beautiful islands: Sardinia.
Boat lovers can enjoy one free week aboard the yacht charter Oceanis 40 from Sardinia Holiday Concierge. It’s a 2-for-1 deal for all guests chartering the Oceanis 40 for one week.
Take advantage of newly announced discounted rates from Sardinia Villa Collection and book your next vacation at the lavish Villa Verde. Surround yourself in luxury at the stunning vacation rental property on one of the world’s most exclusive coastlines. The perfectly manicured gardens slope gently down towards the secluded sandy beach, the spacious living areas offer divine sea views and the gently heated swimming pool offers the perfect spot to relax and unwind.

The Sardinia Villa Collection offers gorgeous luxury travel offers around the beautiful island of Sardinia. The Villa Verde vacation rental includes a private maid service, gardener, private chef and a chauffeur and personal trainer on request. It’s a beautiful villa overlooking views of the spectacular Sardinian seaside and conveniently located minutes from ports, airports and charming towns. This private villa sleeps twelve and is perfect for families and groups of friends. The bedroom suites are spacious and accommodating with en-suite bathrooms and high-quality linens. For a limited time, the Sardinia Villa Collection is offering Villa Verde at a special rate just in time for the upcoming Easter holiday.

The Sardinia Villa Collection is a new division of successful Sardinia Holiday Concierge, a luxury travel company that creates dream vacations in Sardinia. The company is dedicated to arranging your vacation so you don’t have to lift a finger. With an impressive portfolio of contacts, insider knowledge and extensive experience, Sardinia Holiday Concierge is the premier concierge service for Sardinia.

Sardinia Holiday Concierge is also offering two weeks for the price of one aboard the Oceanis 40 yacht charter. Floating in the Tyrrhenian Sea, Sardinia offers dramatic coastlines from the dunes of Costa Verde to the deep emerald coves and plunging cliffs of Cala Gonone. If you book the impressive yacht charter for one week, guests can enjoy a second week absolutely free.
For more information, visit the Sardinia Villa Collection profile and Villa Verde. For the special yacht charter offer, visit the Sardinia Holiday Concierge profile.

To see the original article, just click on the link below
http://blog.paradizo.com/vacation-rentals/sardinia-holiday-concierge-luxury-villa-collection/

As Mentioned in Harpers Bazaar

2009-02-19T07:17:00.000-08:00

We are delighted that Harpers Bazaar has given the Sardinia Holiday Concierge a mention in their Travel Buzz section:
http://www.harpersbazaar.co.uk/travel/alltravel/buzz

Easter Deals in Sardinia

2009-02-19T03:06:00.000-08:00

Whilst the snows are thawing in the UK, spring is already in full flow in sunny Sardinia. Temperatures are rising by the day and it's already warm enough to lie on the beach and feel the delicious rays of the sun warming you from the inside out.

The mercury may be rising but EasyJet and RyanAir fares are still tantalisingly low and we have a host of special deals and discounted rates for families wanting to beat a hasty retreat from the cold and gloom back home.

Check out http://www.thesardiniavillacollection.com for amazing deals on self catering villas or http://www.sardiniaholidayconcierge.com for activities, tours, hotels and family-friendly holiday tips

The two sides to Sardinia

2009-01-24T09:21:00.000-08:00

I just love these two articles showing two completely different sides to Sardinia so I thought I'd share them with you

WHEN Patrick Behr heard that Sardinia’s famously decadent Billionaire nightclub would be hosting its annual opening gala during the last weekend in June, he decided it would be the perfect occasion to discover the night life in the island’s chic northeast corner, better known as the Costa Smeralda, or Emerald Coast.

So Mr. Behr, a world traveler who lives in Frankfurt, booked a table and was soon shooting off to the Mediterranean resort with a friend in tow. Around him, Billionaire was living up to its bombastic name. Italian television stars and soccer gods strode over Oriental carpets to chat with European TV crews. The club’s white-haired owner, Flavio Briatore, reclined like a sultan amid bottles from the club’s Champagne list, which featured a methuselah (a mere six liters) of Cristal for 35,000 euros. Periodically Mr. Briatore, a 50-something Formula One mogul, arose to greet club visitors, who last year included Denzel Washington, Lenny Kravitz and Bruce Willis...

See http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/08/17/travel/17Next.html?pagewanted=1&sq=sardinia&st=cse&scp=3 for the full article

To know Sardinia intimately, residents say, you must visit the interior of the island. Only tourists cling to the coast, along with pirates and conquerors and other sailors of blemished repute. If you are in quest of the Sardinian spirit, you must go where the earth turns brown and dry, the cork oak raises its battered silhouette against the horizon, and the winds whistle across the hills. There is something mildly forbidding -- though infinitely compelling -- about the interior of Sardinia. Seasoned travelers, even seasoned Italian travelers, still mention the legendary banditi, for example. Although many Sardinians dismiss them as antique and absurd, others will warn you in a low voice that if you are very rich, or display a high profile, you might want to use a little prudenza in your demeanor and dress.

The most striking thing about the interior is its emptiness: well-paved, vacant roads; small, provincial museums with only a handful of visitors to disturb the dust; tiny towns whose slumber is heavy and unbroken until market day or on Sundays, when bells summon everyone to church...

See http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C04E7DA1130F935A15754C0A96E958260&scp=6&sq=sardinia&st=cse for the full article

Sardinia Holiday Concierge website

2009-01-07T05:35:00.001-08:00

Come and check out our website at http://www.sardiniaholidayconcierge.com

What is a Travel Concierge?

2009-01-07T05:21:00.001-08:00

Since I set up the Sardinia Holiday Concierge, people keep coming back to me saying "that sounds like an amazing idea... but what exactly is a travel concierge?". For all of you out there who are unfamiliar with the term, I hope you find this helpful...

With package holidays rapidly becoming a dull, uninspiring option for the modern traveller looking for a more personal, tailor-made holiday we have all become very good at researching our chosen destination online, in guide books and through recommendations from friends. Armed with this information collected after hours of reading, surfing and conversations we then go on to select our destination, accommodation, restaurants and activities, but how many times have you found that the hotel with the 5-star rating was shabby and disappointing? How many times has the restaurant with a fantastic write-up failed to deliver? How many times has your day of sight-seeing been a wash-out as the guide book you used to plan it was out of date or out of touch?

A Holiday Concierge will save you many hours of phone calls and emails by taking over making all of your hotel, restaurant and activity bookings for you, so you never again have the frustration of spending a fortune on an international phone call trying to communicate with the owner of a guest house whose English is basic to say the least.

A good Holiday Concierge will live in your selected destination, be impossibly well connected and will have up-to-date information on where’s hot, where’s not and which amenities have opened or closed down since that last edition of your guide book was published. This means that they can make suggestions and dispense advice on all aspects of your holiday, often coming up with ideas off the beaten track, so making your holiday even more special and personal.

What is more, whilst bookings for the best tables in restaurants, requests for fresh orchids in your room or private viewings at art galleries have habitually been seen as holiday demands reserved for diva-esque pop stars, a travel concierge will be able to go that extra mile for you, giving you a VIP tailor-made holiday on an affordable budget. Don’t be afraid to ask if you have any special requirements at all... no matter how silly your request might seem, no task is too big or too small for a good travel concierge.

You could compare a holiday concierge with a personal assistant, on hand (often 24 hours a day) to take care of bookings, arrangements and those priceless extras for you. Leave the mundane and often frustrating task of sourcing suppliers and making plans to them so you can sit back, relax and indulge yourself in simply enjoying the best holiday you have ever experienced

Although a concierge is often seen as an expensive luxury, it is no longer just the rich and famous paying for such services, busy professionals and parents with young families are starting to use them too and prices are often startlingly reasonable.

So, it appears the question is no longer “what can my holiday concierge do for me?” but “what would I do without my holiday concierge”

Sardinia Holiday Concierge

2009-01-07T05:17:00.001-08:00

Welcome to the Sardinia Holiday Concierge blog. Our aim is to make the beautiful island of Sardinia more easily accessible to those who want to visit, so please feel free to post any hints or tips you may have...

Sardinia Holiday Concierge

2009-01-07T05:17:00.000-08:00