The Mediterranean island of Sardinia is closer to Africa than to itsmotherland, Italy, and so exudes both tropical and European charm.Forested mountains, citrus groves, emerald seas and medieval villagescombine with five-star resorts - perfect for a charter itinerarySNAPSHOTSARDINIA46Isea&iISPRING-SUMMER 2011italyFOR FURTHERINFORMATION ON CHARTERINGAROUND SARDINIA AND THE WESTMEDITERRANEAN,CONTACT YOURNEAREST CHARTERBROKER, SEE PAGE 6

The necropolis of Anghelu Rujuin Sassari is one of Sardinia'smost important archaeologicalsites. This vast labyrinth of artificial caves dates from 3000 to1500 BC and was used as a tombNby ancient civilisations.eptune's Grotto is a seriesof caves to the west ofAlghero. Take a scenic boat tripfrom the marina along thecoastline, then descend morethan 600 steps for a 45-minutetour of these fascinating caves. The Su Gorropu Gorge is thedeepest canyon in Europe andwas carved out by the force of theFlumineddu river. You can hire aguide to take you to its depthswhere vast smooth rocks, smallemerald lakes and ponds, and rarespecies of birds abound. Sardinia offers some of thebest diving in Italy, and it's a year-round sport. Large fishare few and far between, but youcan spot plenty of caves, wrecksand corals. Designed by Robert TrentJones Snr, the Pevero GolfClub has an 18-hole, par 72 coursethat is regarded as being amongthe best maintained in Europe.The 34 mile (55 kilometre) stretchof Costa Smeralda coastline isone of the most desirable in theworld, with its emerald waters, whitesands and sympathetically designedbuildings having been inspired bythe Aga Khan in the 1960s. If youfancy dinner or lunch ashore, weaveto gilded hotels the likes of the HotelCala di Volpe, Hotel Pitrizza, HotelRomazzino and Cervo Hotel. The famous Piazzetta in Porto Cervo offers the island's most compelling nightlife options. Or partythe day and night away at Nikki Beachat the Grand Hotel Porto Cervo.Atrip on one of the old TreninoVerde steam trains providesa spectacular view of coastal andinland highlights. Travellingthrough nature (and back in time,as the tracks were laid in 1888), you can rattle along viewing lushforests, craggy mountains, sceniclakes and the picturesque coast-line, stopping en route for aSardinian lunch.The ancient Roman Amphitheatre at Cagliari occupies a spectacular setting and is, today, still used for jazz concerts, international music events and theatrical shows. Forte Village Resort, just a few kilometres from Cagliari is a five-star beach-front resort with a tropical park and Thaermaedel Forte Spa and wellness centre with one-of-a-kind thalassotherapy treatments. Adding to its attractions are 21 gourmet restaurants, more than ten pools, a waterfront loungebar and shopping to parallel a European plaza. islandlifeTORTOLIPORTO CERVOOLBIANUOROSASSARIALGHEROORISTANOIGLESIASLA MADDALENASPRING-SUMMER 2011I sea&iI47CAGLIARIMEDITERRANEAN SEAN