Sardinia: Elephant Beach

In 2005, we were invited to stay in a wonderful villa in Sardinia at Elephant Beach on the Costa Smeralda. It nestles into the granite hillside overlooking Spiaggia dell’Elefante (Elephant Beach). Jean Paul, a local architect, designed it as a delightful Guadiana-style concoction in the 1960’s, with sand-coloured rendered walls and terracotta tiles. The most beautiful times to be there were in the early morning or the evening with the sun low over the bay of Cala di Volpe.

Costa Smeralda

This is where the Aga Khan set up a consortium to buy an unspoilt stretch of coastline around a bay in northeastern Sardinia, and where the coast was christened Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast) for its brilliant green-blue waters.

Exploring Sardina

We went rock climbing on the compact limestone of Buddinetto near Cala Gonone and went walking in the rocky hills around San Pantaleo and Monte Corrasi. We also drove around the north coast and stayed in Castelsardo and Alghero.

Published 11 Feb 2024, 32 pages, ISBN 9781912460243