Among dunes and cliffs overlooking the sea: images of Sardinia's green coast

Travelling up from the south west you arrive to an area well known for its mining past whose traces are imposed and have characterised a strong aspect. After the fabulous bay of Cala Domestica, one of the most beautiful in Sardinia, and the former mining village of Buggerru, you finally reach the beach of Portixeddu.

The coastal stretch that unwinds between Portixeddu and Torre dei Corsari takes the name of Costa Verde not for a coincidence. The traveler who reaches the area is completely surrounded by the green vegetation that covers the mountains and hills that slowly slope towards the sea, almost wanting to plunge inside it. Mediterranean scrub interspersed by olive grooves and secular junipers that come up to the sand dunes and appear to caress them folded by the mistral wind.

The Costa Verde is an incredible place of amazing emotions that remain in the hearts of those who live them. Along the coastline there are beautiful beaches, small coves, rocky gorges, walls overlooking the sea, real sand deserts reaching the sea. The strong mistral wind almost always hits the area. The sea is rarely calm and it has a rugged beauty. It is one of the preferred destinations for surfers. Especially in winter long and tall waves attract board lovers.

Going towards Torre dei Corsari you will be surprised by the virtual absence of signs of man. Among the beaches it is certainly a must see the beach of Piscinas, one of the most spectacular and unique beaches. It is framed by 3 km of sand dunes of up to 50 meters. The impact coming from the green and mountainous hinterland is stunning. A desert by the sea.

It is a real paradise. A never ending interchange of cliffs, golden sandy beaches and sand dunes covered with fragrant Mediterranean maquis. A spectacle to be enjoyed with our eyes, to stop in photographic images, one of the most beautiful places where you can do a video of Sardinia, one of the best views on the island. A land that is there to imagine and to be imagined.

The island within the island: Carloforte

The island of St. Peter has a volcanic origin and was known since antiquity as a safe port for sailors in the Mediterranean. Carloforte is the only town on the Island of San Pietro and can be reached by ferry everyday from Calasetta and Portovesme.

Its history begins at the time of the Maritime Republics when the inhabitants of the Tunisian island of Tabarka, who belonged to Genoa at the time, exacerbated by the continuous barbarian invasions accepted the invitation of King Carlo Emanuele III of Savoy to move on to the island of St. Peter in order to find shelter.

So as of 17 April 1738 a first group of tabarkinian settlers settled in St. Peter and started working on what will become the most important housing group: Carloforte, named in honor of the King of Savoy.

Its people, with ligurian origin, speaks a unique language, an archaic genovese influenced by and tabarkina and campidanese. The food, like the language, is different from the traditional Sardinia.

During the summer season the population is multiplied and Carloforte becomes a good basis for the tourists who want to stay quiet and enjoy their holidays in Sardinia.

Carloforte is well equipped to accommodate its hundreds of visitors and offers a complete list of facilities. As in many other tourist towns if you would like to choose a holiday house in Sardinia the town of Carloforte may be the ideal solution.

The city has low buildings and narrow alleys, typical of sea villages and, particularly, of Ligurian villages. Starting from its beautiful promenade, which in the evening becomes a meeting and walking you arrive at the main pier where the ferries dock. Here it is piazza Carlo Emanuele III, at whose center stands a monument in honor to the king of Savoy, located nearby is the church of San Carlo built in 1738. Along the characteristic carruggi (small alleys) and heading towards the center you arrive to the Castello district, where you can see the ancient city walls, the fort and the Lion's door.

Just outside the town are the astronomic observatory which deserves to be visited because it has ideal conditions for observing the sky, and the weather station, while, on the other side of the island on Cape Sandalo is the lighthouse. The latter is located in the westernmost tip of the island. A paved path allows you to look at the scene of a large rocks overlooking the sea. From here you can enjoy an unforgettable scene.

Following street directions all beaches are easily reached by land. Departing from the port in direction south you reach the beaches of Spalmatoreddu and Giunco, followed by Seccano, the small bay of Girin and the small beach of Punta Nera, with a beautiful sea cave. Alongside this is the most famous beach, the Bobba, with a unique white sand.

In Carloforte there is no shortage of special events such as the recall of Tabarkinien couscous festival (called after the tradition carlofortina cashcà variant of couscous-based meal cooked in steam and enriched with vegetables cooked separately) in April, and Girotonno, at the end of May, appointment cult for connoisseurs of quality tuna.

The tuna caught in the local tuna traps is consumed in all variations. From Tuna you do not throw anything away: bottarga is derived from eggs, musciamme from the fillet. Even today, the tuna is skillfully worked by the hands of "tonnarotti" craftsmen in respect of the most ancient traditions.

Another typical dish is the carlofortinean farinata, based on chickpea flour, water and oil cooked in the oven, that you can taste in most of the local pizzerias. Among the sweets there are the Panetti with figs, the giggeri and the canestrelli.