Italy in shock return to the Eurovision song contest!

Italy is poised to make a comeback to the Eurovision Song Contest after a break of 13 years reports the BBC today (must be a slow news day!)

The country is expected to take to the stage in Dusseldorf, Germany, where the competition is due to be held next May. Italy participated in the first contest in 1956 and has won twice in its history, most recently in 1990. Financial reasons and a lack of Italian public interest in the annual event have often been cited for their decision to stay away since 1997. Jorgen Franck, the acting director of Eurovision TV, said it was a "great compliment" that Italy has applied to take part in the Eurovision Song Contest again. "We are eager to show the Italian people how the contest evolved over the past 13 years. I am sure they will be positively surprised!" he added.

Countries taking part in the 2011 contest have until the end of the year to confirm their participation, but a spokesman said there is "no reason to believe Italy will pull out".

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Sardinia - the Vandal invaders & Gerri Halliwell

Around this time each year we review the content on our website (www.sardinianplaces.co.uk) to make sure everything is up to date and still relevant. Today I came across an article a colleague had added during the summer about well known people holidaying in Sardinia. In particular the article mentioned the walking role model that is Naomi Campbell and Prince Andrew. Co-incidentally Prince Andrew is in the news again at the moment following a few outspoken remarks whilst heading a trade delegation in Kyrgizstan. Now I know Sardinia has long been regarded as a glamorous summer retreat for the rich and famous, but how true is this? Most of the customers that travel with us, often families with younger children always seems quite grounded and down to earth, is Sardinia really awash with film stars, media moguls and international jet-setters? 

A quick google of “celebrities in Sardinia” threw up a few names, some more familiar than others, Rod Stewart, Penny Lancaster, Paul Smith, Sebastian Vettel, Christiano Ronaldo.....delving deeper into the search results revealed a footballing holy-trinity of “Lampard, Redknapp & Crouch” followed by Christine Bleakley, Gerri Halliwell one particular search result screamed “Janet Jackson vacations in her bikini!” as if wearing a bikini on holiday were strange or extraordinary. So it would seem there is some credence to this whole Sardinian celebrity appeal. So what is the draw? As an island (and a big one at that) located in the Mediterranean, for exploring and expanding nations Sardinia was a place that would be hard to miss. From Phoenicians to Romans, Vandals to Arabs, Genoans to Spaniards all have held and lost control of the island. I guess you could say that Sardinia has always been popular.

Sardinia of the modern era, whilst indisputably Italian retains a fiercely independent character, shaped over time by its interaction with many nations. Different cultures have all contributed to the art, architecture and cultural life of Sardinia. Is this what draws Gerri and Christine, Frank and Jamie? Probably not, I suspect it is the great beaches, climate and fashionable reputation that pulls in the celebrity crowd.  In reality if you visit Sardinia it's probably not that likely that you are will bump into Rod Stewart (it depends on who you are as much as where you go on holiday), you will off course get to breathe the same air, bask in the same gorgeous sunlight and dip a toe in the same turquoise sea....