| #ffffff;" /> | | | | enjoy panoramic views of the sea and coastal |
| If you are looking for a new Italian seaside holiday | | | | settlements. |
| destination, you should consider the Costa Rei in | | | | Take the road to Teulada from Cagliari, and |
| southern Sardinia, about 60 km north east of Cagliari | | | | you’ll come across the ancient Phoenician |
| and 15km from Villasimius. From Villasimius, the coast | | | | ruins of Nora, 3km from Pula. With the foundations of |
| road to Costa Rei climbs through steep hairpins | | | | the ‘Tanit’ temple, some |
| offering beautiful views to sea. | | | | fortifications, and parts of a foundry remaining, the |
| Less pricey and less crowded than Costa Smeralda, in | | | | Nora ruins are fascinating, and include plentiful remains |
| the northeast, Costa Rei nonetheless has lots to | | | | of subsequent Roman occupation. The Roman age |
| offer, including long stretches of beautiful white-sand | | | | theatre dates back to the Trajan epoch, as do three |
| beaches fronting clean, crystal-clear waters, and | | | | thermal baths, a forum, and the remains of many |
| pretty coves backed by typical Mediterranean | | | | exquisite mosaics. |
| vegetation. There are also impressive cliffs and inlets | | | | Water sports include surfing and scuba diving, and |
| featuring distinctive granite blocks. | | | | windsurfing is possible in the frequent windy |
| At each end of the 8-km long beach are headlands | | | | conditions. There’s plenty for kids to do, |
| backed by pine and juniper covered hills. The bays of | | | | including pony rides and lessons at the riding school, |
| Sant'Elmo in the south, and the long beaches of Capo | | | | and boat trips from Arbatax to Cala. And if you are |
| Ferrato in the north, act as natural boundaries. Popular | | | | looking for a quiet holiday, without the worry of car |
| beaches include Cala Pira, with its rocky reefs, and | | | | hire and driving, Costa Rei has lots of boutique |
| Porto Pirastu, with its surrounding pine forest. There | | | | shopping and excellent dining opportunities in |
| are also lakes that are protected by a nature reserve | | | | Muravera or in Cagliari, within walking distance. At |
| for rare bird species. Visible offshore are the islands | | | | Capo Ferrato is an excellent bar/pizzeria, which offers |
| of Serpentara and Di Cavoli. | | | | delicious chicken dishes as well as panini and several |
| Roads to the ruins | | | | pizza options. |
| But there’s more to Costa Rei than its | | | | Summer evenings can be family oriented, with |
| beaches. Venture to the nearby Castiadas and view | | | | carousel and paddleboat rides for kids, while the |
| the Punic remains of Monte Nai dating from 5th | | | | nightlife consists of beachfront dining, in one of the |
| century BC, and the megalithic complex of Piscina Rei, | | | | many restaurants featuring the tasty Sardinian |
| with its 22 stone menhirs standing in their original, | | | | cuisine, and tasting local wines in one of the many |
| vertical position, dating back to the late Neolithic | | | | bars. A great place to stay, in the centre of Costa |
| period. At the end of pretty Santa Giusta Beach is a | | | | Rei, is the Hotel Albaruja, which has self-contained, |
| large granite rock called Peppino's Rock, marking the | | | | air-conditioned rooms, with sweeping coastal views. |
| southern-most point of Costa Rei. From here you can | | | | |