Sardinia and San Pietro: Road trip to island gems

After a short flight, you reach the beautiful island of Sardinia, an Italian jewel and the second largest island in the Mediterranean. Now it's time to put on your sunglasses and switch on adventure mode! So you collect your hire car and jet off to your first accommodation.
Your destination: Arzachena, on the Costa Smeralda. After just a short drive, you reach the cosy little town. Your first impression? Typically Italian – here, the clocks seem to tick a bit slower. You can't wait to cool off in the sea, and you're in luck, because not far from Arzachena are Cannigione and Baja Sardinia, two beautiful beaches where you can plunge into the water and relax on shores of fine sand. So, you head to one of them, pick out a sun lounger and bask in the warmth as you soak up the sun. Talk about a successful start to your Italian adventure!

Still haven't had enough of sun, sand and sea? In the northernmost part of the island lies a true treasure of the Mediterranean: Capo Testa. What awaits you here? Rugged rock formations in the most impressive shapes, loads of beaches, each more beautiful than the next, turquoise-blue water and hiking trails spread across the entire peninsula – what more could you want? Park your hire car and set off for the famous Valle della Luna, the Valley of the Moon. Fun fact: in the 1960s, some hippies lived here and found shelter in the rocky caves. Nowadays, the inhabitants are mainly animals and, if you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the turtles that call it home. Stretch your legs a little or lie down in the warm sand and catch some rays. The choice is all yours. And before you make your way back to your accommodation, head over to Groove on the Rocks, grab a burger and take in the view (optional, payable on site).

It's time to check out the west of the island. Off to Alghero! The trip through Sardinia's beautiful north is sure to make your heart beat faster. Fancy a quick pit stop for a bit of sightseeing? Then make sure to pull over in Castelsardo. This coastal town is dominated by an impressive medieval castle and offers you all kinds of opportunities to snap incredible pics. And just before you get there, you'll pass Elephant Rock. What's it all about? See for yourself – it's all in the name!
Alghero, your destination for today, charms you the moment you lay eyes on it. Strolling past the many small shops and cafés, you get lost in the labyrinth of lively alleyways as you make your way to the coast. When you get there, you're left mesmerised as you stare at the blue sea gently lapping against the city walls that surround Alghero's Old Town. Your growling stomach snaps you back to reality. How about some authentic Italian pizza?!

How about a pinch of mythology before your road trip continues? You take a detour from Alghero to Capo Caccia, look out across the endless blue, 656 feet above the sea, and suddenly feel super small. Then it's time to get sporty! You descend a staircase of over 650 steps between the limestone cliffs, and when you reach the end, you find the entrance to the spectacular Neptune's Grotto. But to get in, the sea god himself seems to have set a test for you. The waves keep lashing up to the entrance of the cave, and you have to wait for the perfect moment to get inside without getting your feet wet. What an adventure! As a reward, you get to marvel at the spectacular stalactite cave (optional, payable on site) before getting back in your car and zooming off.
When you get to your accommodation after an exciting day, you're one hundred per cent relaxed. You take a leisurely stroll through the small town, past medieval castles and monasteries that have you snapping pictures left and right. Your destination? A quaint Italian restaurant, of course, where you can round off the evening with some good food!