Sarah_Williams

Hi guys,

I'm planning a trip to Italy late May with two of my friends (all in our late 20's). We plan to spend 3-4 days in Rome then 3 days elsewhere, preferrably a nice beach area. I was originally thinking Amalfi or Cinque Terre, however someone mentioned Sardinia being a nice alternative.

I've done a bit of research and know that going to Sardinia means we would have to rent a car and take a ferry over. But, it seems like the beaches are incredible and that it could be a great experience.

Any thoughts on Sardinia vs. Amalfi?

Waldo

You can rent a car in Sardinia. I assume you will embark in Olbia if you leave from Rome. All the major rental agencies have locations in the port area in Olbia, or in Golfo Aranci, if you embark there. I guarantee you will love Sardinia.

bobthenavigator

I would not count on swim temps in May.

sssteve

May? Beach temperatures in the Med? Go south and try Sicily!

Piccolina

I was in Sardengna (stayed in Golfo Aranci the last week of May this year. The water was too cold to swim for most days. I did go to the beach one day but the water was definitely cold although it was lovely to sunbathe on the beach.


One day was actually quite chilly. I had to wear a thick cardigan and pants! So if you're looking for hot beach weather, I'm not sure if Sardegna can offer that in May.

qwovadis

sardegna.com Costa Smeralda beaches are pretty chilly in May

Ferry over ok not great from personal experience

In May of this year 1 hour on the

FecciaRosa fast train to Naples the circumvesuviana 4 euro

U are there pick up Pompeii on your way seat61.com/italy

Easy beautiful warmer beaches brown ugly only down side

www.hoteldelfino.com $80 View over Capri on www.otel.com

Awesome food views also Best Western Paistea Positano $100

Expedia/AARP Temps were perfect we had an awesome time...

qwovadis

Alghero on Sardegna has best party scene

Hotel Angedras for me last $80 not on the beach but

pretty a couple of blocks away...

ekscrunchy

There are many areas in southern Italy with great beaches, other than the Amalfi area, which does not have great sandy beaches.

Puglia, perhaps? Maratea area? Cilento Coast?

mamcalice

Great beaches are not one of Italy's best attractions and, as noted above, will be chilly in May. I suggest the south coast of Sicily. Again, not the greatest beaches but will likely be a bit warmer than Cinque Terre and the AC.

gingin9110

Sardinia in May? What’s the weather like it is a good question. After living here for twenty years I’ve seen all sorts of temperatures and yes I’ve been to the beach many a times in May. But I can’t say that I dare to go in the sea at that time of year. Then again I’m just spoilt and wait for July and August.

Sardinia is certainly beautiful and where ever you go you will find lovely beaches to visit. Here you can get a glimpse of all the beaches in Sardinia.

http://www.experiencesardinia.com/italian-beaches.html

The best in my opinion are those on the East Coast and especially those little coves and bays that aren’t easy to get to like Cala Goloritè here’s a photo for you to take a look at. And like this one there are many more long this coast.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/56960748@N08/5254620854/

The North of Sardinia does cater more for the tourists but the Province of Ogliastra is where you’ll find the real Sardinia, which to many, may come across as wild, but that’s how it is.

DickieG

"The North of Sardinia does cater more for the tourists"

No it doesn't.

We had our sixth visit this July. Had a terrible time, poor customer service and unreasonable behaviour on show over two weeks. This compared to our trips to the wilds of Sardinia where we encountered the genuine people we normally encountered.

The North of Sardinia is rapidly ascending up its own orifice.

Our day trips to Bonifacio and Southern Sardinia were the highlights of our trip to Northern Sardinia.

I would agree with mamcalice Southern Sicily would make far more sense. Siracusa is lovely, the driving is brutto.

ekscrunchy

DickieG I would probably be one of many who would love to read a trip report about Sardinia..where you went exactly, what your impressions were of each place, etc etc.

I've been vacillating about the island for a few years but several times have chosen other destinations in the south. (We've been to Puglia twice and plan a third trip next year..)

DickieG

eks

Soon I will try to condense six trips into one trip report. We have covered the coast from Cagliari all the way west round to Cala Ganone. ie most of the island apart from the East Corner We have some great times in the Costa Smeralda but this time saw it for what it is.

ekscrunchy

I'd appreciate that so much! Many thanks.

zeppole

The beaches of Sardinia are on the Italian coast.

Sarah_Williams

What about Calabria? The beaches there seem amazing

ekscrunchy

I would have mentioned Calabria but you have such a limited time.

Also, there are spectacularly beautiful beaches (some of the most beautiful I've seen in Europe) and coastal scenery, in the area of Maratea.

And there are beautiful long, sandy beaches in the Cilento area of Campania, south of the Amalfi Coast.

With only 3 days, you will eat up lots of time with getting to and from the beach, no matter where you choose.

Peter_in_Sardinia

"I've done a bit of research and know that going to Sardinia means we would have to rent a car and take a ferry over." This is not the best way to get from Rome to Sardinia (we have houses in both places so often have to make this choice). Much better as a visitor is to fly and hire a car. This will probably work out cheaper as well and in Rome you don't need a car.
Sardinia is completely different to the Amalfi coast which is MUCH MUCH more built up. The nicest beaches in Sardinia are ones you can't drive to, like Cala Goloritzè, as described in this BBC Travel article http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20...il-in-sardinia . Walks like this are just not possible around the Amalfi coast.

Peter_in_Sardinia

"With only 3 days, you will eat up lots of time with getting to and from the beach, no matter where you choose." If you fly to Cagliari, Villasimius is less than an hour's drive away and is famous for its beaches. You could leave from Rome in the morning, have lunch on the beach at Villasimius and be back in Rome for dinner; many people living one hour from Cagliari regularly go to Rome for business in the day. Or drive 2 hours to Santa Maria Navarrese 3 km from where we live:-
Day 1 relax on beach at SMN
DAy 2 drive 1 hour to Golgo plateau and walk down to Cala Goloritzè, an easy walk (see BBC article)
Day 3 go sea kayaking 30' south. Now that is a great way to see the shoreline and the beaches. See http://www.flickr.com/photos/sardegn...7625821507300/ for lots of photos