ITS FOOD & DRINK
In general, to begin the symphony of taste found in most lunches, dinners and island snacks, the typical Carasau menu, also known as the 'Music menu' because of its very subtle and crispy dough, comes to mind: it is a kind of very special bread whose roots reach far back into the past and which is usually served with cheese or cut up in soup. To follow, a minuet of rural and fanciful antipasti: a selection of cold meats with Sardinian Percorino cheese, pickled olives and fresh vegetables. If need be, substitute a seafood antipasto with mussels, crabs, molluscs, sea urchins, lobster crabs and mullet eggs. Among possible first courses, Malloreddus pasta (in the shape of shells) prepared with a fresh tomato, dried sausage and grated Pecorino sauce, Cuata soup (hard bread, Percorino cheese, meat broth and spices baked in the oven) and Culurgionis (square, rectangular or round whole wheat ravioli filled with ricotta and chard or potatoes, cheese and saffron) all stand out. For main courses, the lion's share goes to Porceddu (roast suckling pig served on cork trays) and Pecora in Cappotto, boiled lamb served with potatoes and onions. Is Pabassinas (amaretto with raisins and sapa) and Gennargentu nougat are the most requested desserts, which can also be eaten with a liqueur: Filu e Ferru (typical Sardinian brandies), myrtle or Indian fig.
ITS SIGHTS
Sailing and water sports enthusiasts can choose between striking inlets, bays encircled by rocks, small coves and Sardinias pristine sea for a fun, relaxing holiday. Explore San Teodoro, Santa Teresa di Gallura, Poltu Quatu, the Bay of Sardinia and Cala Liberotto in Orosei with its peerless white sandy beach. Visitors can charter a sailing boat at Alghero to explore the protected area of the Asinara National Park which has the most striking landing places on the island in little nooks such as Cala Reale and Fornelli, and then make a peaceful and hushed foray into the communities of wild white donkeys who still live there. Or, for those who want to switch between full aquatic immersion and wild parties with dancing until dawn, the Smeralda Coast, a favoured destination of the world's rich and famous, is recommended. Those who prefer the mountains to the sea can enjoy the picturesque scenery of Gennargentu while those who are looking to combine history, myth and curiosity can take a peek at the mysterious tombs of giants, the domus de janas (ancient burial grounds dug out of the rock which cover the region) and the Nuraghe (typical stone towers, the symbol of Sardinia). A great leap into the past could end in Cagliari where, amongst other things, visitors can see several sites which date back to the Roman era, adorned with exclusive homes and temples, but also and most importantly the amphitheatre dating from the 2nd century AC dug out of the rock of the hill which dominates the city. |
