Sardinia basks in glow of being a top sun trap

WHETHER you’re interested in topping up your suntan, treating your tummy or indulging your cultural side, Sardinia has it all.

The Mediterranean’s second-biggest island, it is smaller than Sicily but larger than Cyprus, and this Italian outpost is beautiful and sun-baked.

All across the rugged landscape, you’ll find Nuraghis, mysterious ruins of Bronze-Age stone structures shaped a bit like beehives, and these alone draw tourists with history and culture in mind.

But even those brainy folk cave in and head for the brilliant beaches, too, with their shining turquoise waters and countless little sandy alcoves where you can find a space of your own.

Sardinia’s southern capital, Cagliari, has all the wonders that mainland Italy can offer, a range of mouthwatering restaurants, the world’s best coffee and shopping galore.

There are palaces from many centuries ago, and narrow streets that are a joy to get lost in, especially when you want to get into the shade for a while — it’s hot here!

Lake Omodeo is worth seeing, too, as it is the biggest reservoir in all of Italy, while Monte d’Accoddi is a prehistoric megalithic temple that will fascinate even those who don’t care for history.

Whoever was here at one time, and built it, must have had very good taste, as Sardinia makes a wonderful place to stay for two weeks or much, much longer.

The Kingdom of Sardinia was Spanish for several centuries, was sacked by the Vandals and others, and was hit hard by Allied bombers during the Second World War as it was strategically important to the enemy.

Aside from being a tourist magnet, Sardinia thrives by producing meats, milks and cheeses, and miners make profits from gold, lead, coal and zinc.

You may be surprised to learn it has not one, but three international airports, as well as high-speed ferries, so it’s easy to get to, despite its location.

Welsh engineer Benjamin Piercy developed its famed railway system, and did similar work in parts of France, India and his homeland. You can find large numbers of his descendants still living in Sardinia today, and the locals owe him a lot.

Clever chap, he also had a major hand in developing ultra-modern farming methods, but it still comes as quite a surprise to look around somewhere so “foreign” and realise a man from Trefeglwys was responsible for so much of what you see!

Cala Goloritze is top of the fine little beaches travellers recommend, while the Golfo di Oristano is worth a trip, too.

It’s the backdrop to the ruins of ancient Tharros, founded by the Phoenicians in the eighth century, and was a thriving naval base even before the Romans arrived to improve it.

Aqueducts, baths and other monuments will amaze you, as will rows of huge pillars and the Carthaginian acropolis.

It’s all an unrivalled piece of ancient history, even by Italian standards, and stunning Sardinia is almost unrivalled for a fun break in the present day.

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