SARDINIA PORTS & CITIES
SARDINIA PORTS & CITIES
| Alghero | Cagliari | Palau |
Alghero
Italian Cruise to Alghero, Very Spanish - Sardinia
Cruise to the prettiest and most interesting of the ports along Sardinia's northern coast, Alghero looks as much Spanish - or rather Catalan - as it does Italian. This all dates way back to when the town was taken over by travelling merchants from Barcelona. Local food and language still has strong Catalan elements and the historic Catalan Church of San Francesco, with its ceramic dome and Gothic belltower, is one of Algheros major historic sites. Others include the Magdelena fort overlooking the network of narrow cobbled streets at the heart of the atmospheric old town near Alghero cruise port. Through beautiful countryside full of olive groves, you can visit local vineyards. Alternatively, head for the Capo Caccio headland, which affords superb views of the rugged coastline. Further on is the intriguing prehistoric site of Nuraghe Palmavera with its 50 circular stone cottage-like constructions.
Cagliari
Cruise to Cagliari, Between the Sea and the Mountains
Cruise to Sardinia's historic capital which lies between the sea and the mountains on the south coast of the island. Climb up from the modern harbourside city to explore the picturesque upper town's old quarter - dominated by the Pisan fortifications of the Castello, including the towers of San Pancrazio (1305) and the Elefante (1307). The Cathedral of Santa Cecilia has some remaining parts dating from the13th century, but it has been mostly covered with a baroque reconstruction in the 17th century and a Romanesque façade built in 1938 . Next door to the cathedral are the Palazzo Arcivescovile and Palazzo Viceregio.
Palau
Cruise to Palau, Not just a Top Beach Resort - Sardinia
With three sparkling beaches of its own (Capra, Faro and Sciutara), the Sardinian village and cruise port Palau is more than just the gateway to the island's most exclusive resorts on the Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast). It also has all the amenities of a top beach resort with a whole range watersports on offer and a choice of superb fish restaurants. Away from Palau, there are great views at the Capo d'Orso with its strange rock formations while Porto Cervo – Costa Smeralda's unofficial capital – is just 20 minutes away. This was created in his own image by the playboy Aga Khan in the 1960s and it is still a big draw for celebrity jetsetters (and celebrity-watchers). Its harbour marina is full of yachts that would not look out of place in Monte Carlo and if it does not have a fancy designer label, the shops do not stock it.
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