My husband and I are planning a trip to Sardegna in early August, and are looking for pensioni on the northern or eastern coast. We were contemplating Santa Teresa di Gallura. Does any one have any recommendations? Essentially, we are looking for a small, clean, family-run spot fairly close to the sea, and around the Costa Smeralda, but outside the glitterati scene in Porto Cervo, Porto Rotondo, etc. We have traveled extensively in Italy, and speak fluent Italian-- so we are comfortable going a bit off the beaten path. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Also: any suggestions for car or scooter rental? We will most likely take the ferry into Olbia or Golfo Aranci.

Assuming you want a car on your arrival, Europcar and Maggiore have rental outlets in Olbia itself. Otherwise for companies like Hertz and Avis etc. you may have to go to Olbia airport - or get them to deliver to the port.

None of the main companies have outlets at Golfo Aranci, although Yellow Pages lists 2 local hire firms near the port.

There are other options at Santa Teresa and on the Costa Smeralda.

I've only ever passed through Santa Teresa so can't help with accm. I suggest you re-post your Q for hotels there - with S Teresa in the heading.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Thanks for the car info, Steve. We are open to other places to stay-- S. Teresa just seemed like a fairly central spot to serve as homebase for our excursions. Perusing the posts on this site, I'm considering Capo D'Orso (your post for information on Porto Mannu looks lovely,) Palau, Villasimius or Alghero on the NW coast. I've been reading that the roads are not always great, plus there will be the crowds of early August-- how easy is it to get around (by car) to explore a bit, but also relax and enjoy the sea?

During my research for my trip in August in Sardinia, I came across a few interesting looking hotels somewhat (possibly) off the beaten track. You mentioned pensioni, so I'm thinking you may want more budget hotels, but here are a few websites anyway:

http://www.sugologone.it/
http://www.nettuno-hotel.it/
http://www.roccesarde.it/ (I'll be staying her for a few nights)
http://www.wels.it/salolla/eng/index.htm
http://www.hotellafuntana.com/ (in Santa Theresa)

We used the main 'S' roads mostly - and found them generally good. We found touring very easy - but we were there low-season (mid-September). August will be busy, especially on the coast.

We were pleased with Porto Mannu, Capo d'Orso both as a base for touring and for relaxation - but it's self-catering, so maybe not what you are looking for ...

Steve

Hi Steve and AP6380-- thanks very much for the information. This trip is coming together very slowly, but I'm finally finding some things in our price range and getting a better idea of how we'll begin to explore Sardinia. (I made a separate post, in case anyone has stayed at the hotel we're interested in.)

Sardinia is overrun with tourists in August, so expect long queues of cars. The lesser known resorts will be somewhat more appealing from this point of view.