Sardinia

While the rest of Italy is picturesque and stylish, Sardinia remains artless and unaffected, with some of the most ravishing, uncrowded beaches in the Mediterranean, washed by a sea that comes in every shade of turquoise and sapphire. Away from the Costa Smeralda playground of the rich and famous lie wide, lush green valleys, lagoons of pink flamingos, a rugged, hilly landscape covered with olives and vineyards, and dotted with hundreds of Bronze Age castles, and thrilling, dramatic mountain scenery that gives way to yet more enchanting sandy white beaches of incandescent beauty. This in-depth guide reveals, too, the Sardinians' unique culture, with village festivals and ancient, haunting polyphonic music, and an unusual and wide-ranging cuisine with plenty of good strong red wine. Inside you will find: practical travel advice; over 250 hand-picked places to stay; over 300 restaurants, bars & cafes; 30 maps and site plans; stunning color photography; the best beaches; the pick of ancient sights on the island.Pauls, Michael is the author of 'Sardinia', published 2004 under ISBN 9781860111525 and ISBN 1860111521.