My Sardinia

1. What led you to go to Sardinia ?

We were a very urban family. I grew up in bustling Milan. so never had the chance to live by the water It all started when my parents decided — on a whim — to go to Sardinia on great vacation in 1982. The year when Italy won its 3rd World cup.

I have never been to a real beach before let alone the wilderness. I was six years old, what did I know? I remembered not being scared but more unsure of going to a place I haven’t gone before. But my parents promised me that I had a beach to play with. The prospect of sand and big water was pretty much underwhelming for me on the way to Sardinia.

But once I set foot on that island, I felt I had come home. For a six year old, I never felt so damn excited. I remembered feeling some sense of belonging and being where I was supposed to. I swam the clear warm waters and being positively thrilled that I had a great big sandbox the size of a football field to play with all day. No for real , i still remember a memorable game played with my dad, uncle and friends in this huge beach by La Pelosa beach.  I just don’t remember who won .

I was trying to set myself up to play soccer professionally when I was growing up so usually in August, which is the month when usually Italian families take their vacations, i had the training camps for the upcoming season. But as time wore on, the lure of being in Sardinia was more powerful. In 1990, I and my Dad finally relented and traveled back to Sardinia again. We went to Porto Taverna, right in front of Tavolara Island, 20km south of Olbia. The same effect that happened to me on my first day was unmistakably preserved. The electricity was still there, the smell of Mirto and that aura of mystic  was there. It never wavered.

So, my Dad and I both fell in love with the place. Since then, we always make sure that the family holds pilgrimages there. We went to Sardinia as much as we can, especially during weekends or school break. We didn’t care if it’s winter or summer. We knew we can never stay away from Sardinia. I spent my Y2K eve swimming in the cold ass water on Porto Taverna, at 1 minute past midnight i was in the water!

My Dad so loved Sardinia that upon his retirement, he moved to a house in Vacilleddi. Yes, that’s in Sardinia.

2. Were you able to sample the food? How was it? Can you relate more experience about your dining there?

Yes, of course. The food in Sardinia is simple, it comes directly from the what the territory produces. Believe it or not most of the recipes are land-based recipes despite the fact that Sardinia is surrounded by water. Most of the food eaten are meat- and cheese-related.

The Alghero region has a strong influence of Catalan cooking due to the presence of Spaniards throughout the centuries. The southern part of Sardinia has an Arab influence for the same reason.

The food is very simple, one of my favorites is the Zuppa Gallurese or Gallurese’s soup which comes from the Gallura region. It’s a mixture of bread dipped in sheep’s milk with fresh mint and cheese before it’s baked. I love the famous pane carasau which is a thin layer of bread which is served hot with olive oil one it. Some people call it “Music Paper” due to its thinness.

3. For you, how different is Sardinia from Mainland Italy?

Sardinia is a world in itself. It’s a magical place filled with magical people. It has tall mountains, some deserted areas with wild horse running. It has canyons. It has Caribbean type beaches. It has some of the most beautiful diving areas in the Mediterranean. Being an island, it has been isolated for centuries from the mainland therefore it maintained its own fauna, traditions, and cultures that are totally different from Italy. The people are edgy and rude at first. But once they get the chance to know you and you behave, they become the nicest people you could ever meet.

4. If you want to recommend a friend to visit Sardinia , what feature/s would you tell him/her to make him/her go?

Seriously, you can go anywhere. But my personal spots are in Tavolara Island, La Pelosa Beach, Alghero, Cala Luna, Capo Caccia, several natural caves, the western village by Oristano (Sergio Leone shot some of his Western’s masterpieces there), the Gennargentu mountain chain, Mount Limbara, Su Gologone ( a huge hole into the center of the earth), Tiscali, Lanaitho, o Gorroppu and the Nuragi villages.

Would you ever live for the entire year in Sardinia?

One day i really hope so, although i am a “city man” i think I’d like to retire in Sardinia. Winters are not easy but i think if you have hobbies and passion for the land even in winter time this Magic island can be a great place to live. So yes one day i hope to live in Sardinia.