An Island - A Continent
Sardinia is Italian and the pride of the Mediterranean islands.
From the first traces of mankind dating back to the Lower Palaeolithic, through to the Phoenician, Carthaginian, Roman, Byzanthine or Spanish eras you will find in Sardinia numerous reminders of its glorious historical past. ( http://www.sardiniapoint.it/2714.html )
The province of Sassari is one of the most interesting parts
of Sardinia and Alghero the only place where people speak Catalan, which was
introduced by the Spaniards who ruled the city for over 400 years.
The historic centre, with its Aragonese Palaces and splendid
catalan-gothic churches from the XIV - XV centuries, and the impressive
surrounding fortified walls and towers, plus all the nearby beaches,
caves and cliffs makes Alghero the ideal base from which to explore this
fascinating country.
And once you have been embraced by the local spririt you'll gladly
forget the frenetic luxuries of the Côte d'Azur or the chic "chi-chi" of
the Costa Smeralda.
Alghero seems suspended in time and everything has been done to keep the natural glamour of the scenic landscape and countryside famous for its olives groves and vineyards. (Sardinia produces twice as much white wines as red wines. The most famous is the Cannonau Sella & Mosca, a red wine made with the Grenache grape of spanish origin brought in the 14th century).
Hotel Villa Las Tronas is the place to stay to fully enjoy a perfect ambiance and gourmet seaside holiday by taking advantage of its dramatic views to the cliffs of Capo Caccia to the distant Bay of Alghero.
Surrounded by pleasant green gardens and the sea, it's the most surprising and unique hotel to be found on the island, standing on a natural peninsula, offering breathtaking views over the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean.
The hotel is situated on the outskirts of Alghero and was, until the 1940's, the residence of the Italian Royalty during their holidays in Sardinia. It was then converted into a hotel in 1959 but the present owner has enhanced the charming characteristics of the original house with the addition of carefully chosen antique furniture. Most of the comfortably furnished bedrooms have pretty sea-facing balconies. It's very peaceful and the emphasis here is on an easy lifestyle without a set pattern of "musts" and "don'ts".
This is a smoothly managed secluded gem with a very welcoming atmosphere, ideal for those seeking enjoyment and relaxation.
Excerpt from The Sunday Times, UK
"Stunning beaches, nervous clifftop walks and extraordinary wildlife
reserve, as well as some of Europe's best scuba-diving .... There is a
huge variety of scenery, sights and activities here, clustered in one
short stretch of sculptured coastline and its rolling hinterland. Stroll
through the Porto Conte forest, where deer, boar and wild albino donkeys
graze, and, if you've got the energy, climb Monte Timidone for views of
the entire region.
There is also the stunning Lago di Baratz wildlife reserve, where eagles and vultures follow your progress from above, and lizards and turtles lie basking in your path. Top of any-one's list, however, has to be the sea. The water is sparkingly clear, and there is fine, safe bathing in several little coves, as well as great snorkeling across shallow volcanic plateaus.
The base for all this exploration is the languid, sun-dried fishing town of Alghero. The narrow streets of this small 11th century settlement are excellent territory for a spot of aimlessness - visiting the tiny cathedral and the Museum of Sacred Art, for example - with plenty of breaks for coffe in the town square. And, on the outskirts of town, there is an eerie legacy of Sardinia's first occupants : a necropolis dating to 3,000BC.
Make sure you go to the Saturday-morning food market and spend Saturday
night as the locals do, following a long meal with a graceful promenade of
Alghero's streets."
(Courtesy of Brian Schofield - The Sunday Times)
~ Aerial view of Alghero with the Villa in foreground ~
Sardinia - The Secret of Long Life ?
When Elena Orrù turned 100 in July, she got the obligatory birthday cake, a salute from the mayor and write-ups in the local press. But Orrù, who'd just broken her hip, also received a bedside visit (and a red rose) from the village elder. No one knows better than 111-year-old Giovanni Frau that passing the century mark is reason to celebrate. But these two most senior of citizens also know that reaching your second century in Orroli — a small town in the parched interior of the Italian island of Sardinia — doesn't necessarily turn heads. When Frau hit triple digits in 1990, just down the road Vincenza Orgiana was approaching her 106th birthday. Over the past decade five other Orroli natives (since deceased) have reached 100 — with two more set for their centennial next year. All this in a town of just 2,748 people.
Orroli's young and old alike debate the local secret that keeps people kicking. "It's the air! The air!" insists a cousin of one of the town's eldest. It's the homegrown vegetables, says a 96-year-old. For others, it's the pure groundwater or fresh milk, the constant care of relatives or near obsessive moderation in all things. Most seem to agree that a daily glass or two of red wine is indispensable. Frau — who is officially the third oldest person in the world — has a weakness for the locally produced pecorino cheese and sweet Moscato wine.
Whatever the reason, of 1.6 million Sardinians, there are at least 220 who have reached 100, twice the typical ratio. Five of the world's 40 oldest people live on the island, and until the January death of Antonio Todde at 112, Sardinia boasted the oldest of them all.
As the old Sardinian salute goes ... "May you live to be 100" !
~ Helicopter Pad ~
~ Panoramic Restaurant to enjoy the vistas at Sunset ~
~ The superb covered pool inside the Spa area ~
~ A suite with an outside terrass ~
~ Many delightful antiques provide an aristocratic atmosphere ~
