Mother Nature has been a patient sculptor lavishing millions of years of erosion to chisel the stunning geography of Gallura in the north-east of Sardinia. Blessed with over 300 days of bright sunshine, the undulating coastline is studded with a myriad of craggy bays and fine sand beaches. The view to the open seas is often punctuated by islands that invite exploration and the translucent and shallow waters shimmer in shades of bright turquoise that lap seductively onto a vibrant and fragrant green terrain. A girdle of craggy mountains, Gallura’s answer to The Dolomites, form a natural barrier to the rest of Sardinia, which explains its cultural and historical isolation. Today, this spectacularly beautiful region is also home to the jewel in the crown of sophisticated Italian beach culture, thanks in no small part to the lavish attentions of the Aga Khan, who invested hugely in the building of the stylish marina of Porto Cervo on a 70 hectare plot that became the fancy heart of the internationally acclaimed Costa Smeralda, a benchmark for balanced low rise tourism development. Some of the world’s most famous luxury resorts like Romazzino, Cala di Volpe and The Pitrizza (yes, the hotel that popularised grass covered roofs) play host to the rich and famous, and the bays and marinas along this 34-mile platinum coast are peppered during July and Map of Gallura Porto Cervo San Teodoro Cannigione SARDINIA 11
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