I'd love to know if anyone has camped in Alghero (BTW, is it pronounced "AL-ghero", or "al-GHER-o&quot in Sardinia. There is a place, La Mariposa, which intrigues me. My first trip to Italy, I stayed at a campground in Fiesole in a "bungalow" which was super clean and modern-for a very low price. It was wonderful being surrounded by trees and nature, yet we had the comforts of a clean place to sleep.

La Mariposa is right on the beach, yet it's surrounded by pine and eucalyptus trees. They have a "villino" which looks nice from the pictures, but who really knows? I'm hoping one of you do!

Grazie mille!

I have not stayed at La Mariposa, but passed by it on the bus from Alghero to Porto Conte. It's a nice area, close enough to walk to Alghero Old Town (plus there is a city bus every 30 minutes). Even better beaches and pine forests are found to the northwest, around Porto Conte (also reachable by public bus). Alghero is a delightful town for a short visit (2-5 days). Alghero gets very, very crowded in July and August, so the best time to go is May, June and September. The Neptune Grotto at Capo Caccia is spectacular, and there is a large and beautiful nuraghe right on the road between Fertilia and Porto Conte. Alghero has a very convenient airport with service to Milan, Rome and London/Stansted.

Thanks GAC! Before joining the site, I learned SO much info from you. I'm going to get the books you recommended. We're going the 3rd week of Sept. and will stay in Sardinia for a week or so. I'm hoping that it'll be tranquil and that the sea will be warm for swimming. Also, do you know if the temperature of the air and water the last week in Sept. will be warm in Ponza?

If you learn of anyone who knows this camping site, please write back. I'll be checking back as we have lots of time yet before our trip.

Sorry, I don't have a strong feel for Ponza's weather in late September. Thanks for your compliments.

Hi GAC! Hmm, so would you suggest that we spent the 3rd week of Sept in Ponza, and the 4th week of Sept in Alghero? And I'm thinking the last week near Sorrento and Amalfi coast so that we can see Pompeii. I've got 3 weeks here to plan.

What about Ponza? I heard about it from other travelers and it intrigues me. I stayed once in Isola d'Elba at Porto Azzurro and loved it. I guess I'm trying to find other groovy islands that I haven't visited yet. Been to Capri.

P.S. I still don't know how to pronounce Alghero ( is it pronounced "AL-ghero", or "al-GHER-o&quot mi aiuti per piacere!

I agree that the last week should be dedicated to Amalfi, Sorrento and Pompei. I would probably spend the first couple of days on Ponza, which is supposed to be a very beautiful island (I have not been there yet), then move on to Sardinia and Alghero (pronounced Al-GHE-ro). I don't think one could justify more than a couple of days on Ponza. However, you might consider the seven Aeolian Islands off of Sicily as an alternative. They are a paradise on earth, each different and unique, and all very beautiful. I've been there and want to return soon. You could dedicate a full week to these islands. Part of the pleasure is to take the car ferries from island to island and stand on the top deck for maximum visibility (much more scenic than the hydrofoils). I've posted extensively on the Aeolian Islands on this site.

Perfetto GAC! Thanks for the suggestion, I'll check out the Sicilian islands. I'm so excited, I can't stand it. Reading all of these posts on Italy makes me salivate!