Sardinia: Round Three

Why the North Just Hits Different

Okay, we officially have a tradition. For our third trip to the Emerald Coast, we decided to shake things up: no obligatory family pit-stop in Erdevik or Savigliano this time. Instead, we convinced the grandparents to join the adventure for two glorious weeks near Palau, basically neighbors to the kite-surfing hub of Porto Pollo.

The Villa Life vs. Car Realities 🚗💨

We snagged an incredible villa—pool game was strong. Honestly, the poolside lounging was a solid 60% of our daily agenda, especially necessary for keeping our ridiculously blonde kids from completely combusting under the sun.

The Real Talk: Sardinia demands a car. I am simply not built for aggressive summer driving, and I crave walkable destinations, but here, that's just not the vibe. It was the only slight friction point, but the payoff? Worth it.

The Great Sardinian Ranking: North Takes the Crown 👑

We've covered ground: East Coast (San Teodoro era) and South Coast (Villasimius/Chia chill). This time, we settled in the North.

Look, I wish I preferred consistently scorching, zero-wind weather, but I have to admit, that salty, stiff wind while jogging felt surprisingly great. The terrain here is so much more dramatic—that rugged, rocky landscape and those steep climbs offered seriously breathtaking views. Yeah, the North is winning my personal ranking this time. It just has more texture.

Adventure Time: Axel’s New Hobby & Island Bliss ⛵️

Our resident water enthusiast, Axel, decided to take on windsurfing. Turns out, he loved it. Next time, it’s a full-family commitment. Get ready for our future family portrait, everyone windsailing!

We dedicated a day to the iconic island hop: the ferry to La Maddalena and Caprera. Having been there before with friends, coming back now with the kids felt deeply rewarding. We kept it light on the serious treks, but the beaches were absolute goals.

But the real moment? Wandering the interior of the island. That magical pine forest... standing under those trees and looking up at the sky—it genuinely looked like a complex, organic nervous system trying to map itself out against the blue. Peak serenity. 🙏

Food Coma: The Best Kind of Unexpected 🤤

The culinary scene here is consistently top-tier. I tried the local Zuppa Gallurese (a baked bread and cheese casserole) and I’m still dreaming about it. My other obsession? Pecorino. Anything involving that cheese was an instant favorite.

Our weekly routine included hitting the Cannigione market (twice a week, non-negotiable). That’s where you find the best figs, local produce, and cheese that deserves its own dedicated shelf in your fridge.

Manifesting Real Estate Dreams 💭

We’ve officially reached the stage where we’re talking seriously about buying a place in St. Rafael. [What a dream!]. We found this gemof a spot, I think it was Nelson Beach, that was just perfect. Calm water, families everywhere—the ideal low-key swimming spot. BRB, starting my offshore savings account.

The Sand Game

Time to dive into the main event: the sand game! After extensive (and sometimes costly) research, here’s the official breakdown of every beach we tested out this trip:

1. Nelson & Cala Inghilterra The Undisputed Winner! This area felt the most authentic and preserved. A true family vibe where you could actually relax. This is the spot we’re dreaming about buying a house near!

2. Cala Relitto A very strong runner-up! The turquoise water and the sunken ship are next level. Plus, the story about the bloggers lining up for croissants at the beach bar was hilarious. It’s stunning, but you have to get there in the morning.

3. Porto Pollo This is the action zone. Perfect for Axel’s new windsurfing hobby. A great beach for sport, though maybe not the most serene family swim spot.

4. Spiaggia Testa del Polipo Stunning visuals, no doubt, but it was too packed. Beauty can only take you so far when you can’t find a spot to drop your towel.

5. Pevero Porto Cervo It’s beautiful, but it gets way too busy. Hard pass when you’re trying to relax and soak in the scenery.

6. La Sciumara The water got deep way too fast, which the kids hated. Also super windy—not ideal for the little ones' swim time.

7. Spiaggia Corbezzoli A slight step up from the very bottom, but still firmly in the "meh" category—definitely not a favorite.

8. Costa Serena The water clarity suffers because it mixes with river water. Nice sand, but the water wasn't giving 'crystal clear.'

9. Cannigione Too close to the city/town center vibe. We came for natural escape, not the hustle of the market area.

10. Li Piscini. Too much seagrass, wrong place at a wrong time, and the parking fine was the final straw. Total vibe kill.

This is me laughing at a lady taking a picture of a croissant. Mine couldn't last that long. :)