Small but Perfectly Formed

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What is a Travel Concierge?

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

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