The Independent's Big Six in Sardinia

In case you didn't catch it at the weekend the Independent ran an article on luxury hotels in Sardinia, picking out 6 of the best. Included in the round up were Villa del Parco (Cagliari), La Casitta (Santa Maria Island), Faro Capo-Spartivento (Chia), Petra Segreta Resort (San Pantaleo) La Coluccia ( Santa Teresa di Gallura) & La Maddalena (Maddalena) 

Read the full article here: http://goo.gl/r7tPd

Hidden Gems

Here at Cottages to Castles we are always looking for those hidden gems and our quest takes us far and wide throughout Italy to find the most wonderful of holiday homes.

So when we found Apartment Rosita we just had to announce its arrival.  There are very few places in the world that afford such breathtaking turquoise views of the Sardinian coastline and being just a short walk to the elegant marina, its really a hot property.  

We can give you lots of advice on other hidden gems http://www.cottagestocastles.com/.

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Forte Village - Sardinia

Just had a client who has just booked a holiday having called us from Forte Village, Sardinia as he had turned up on his private jet (as you do) to recce it for his family holiday in 2011.

That probably tells you everything you need to know about the quality of Forte Village and if only more of our clients at Design Holidays, had private jets we could offer them the ultimate pre holiday on site visit to ensure the holiday of their dreams - now that's what we call decadent !

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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....