(testo a cura dell'ESIT)

Sardinia, lying in the western Mediterranean sea is now a landmark for an ever-increasing and exacting populace: that of the intelligent traveller in search for the best in tourism. In addition, this exciting island really does offer the best, in a great variety of ways. Sardinia is one of the most beautiful and unspoilt seas in the Mediterranean. The inland is equally unspoilt and is unexpectedly vast and fascinating. Compared to other nearby regions, human intervention in the territory appears almost imperceptible. Besides, the social and human characteristics of the Sardinians offer just as many interesting reasons to come here for an out of the bathing season visit, away from the summer crowds (that, however, are never excessive): for the island boasts genuine traditions, particular handi­crafts and delicious food. lt's possible fully to appreciate the flavour of Sardinia during the festivals which take place all year round: from the unique Carnivals, (February March), to the Easter ceremonies, (April) up to the innumerable festivals in September and October, that origi­nate from the closing of the «agricultural year», strongly felt seasonal celebrations, given that in the past the population was made up exclu­sively of farmers and shepherds. What can be said about the Climate? lt's a climate with a capital «C», in relation to tourism; summer from May to September, with many summery days in April and October (above all in the south). lt is never too hot in July or August (because of the pleasing breezes), with very little risk of unexpected showers. To this could be added an «unfortu­nately», because there have been many years of drought at the end of this century, only partly alleviated starting from 1995-96. These seven summer months, from April to October, are not yet fully exploited because of the scarcity of structures and necessary planning. A spring and autumn tourism is now starting to be promoted, not only as regards the coastal areas, but also within the extraordinary natural and cultural heritage of the entire territory, where it is possible to visit mountains and forests, archaeological remains and monuments of great value (such as "nuraghe" and Romanesque churches). Every region of the world has its own peculiarities, its own attractions, for the evergrowing number of visitors and travellers who are increasin­gly interested in understanding and appreciating the differences and peculiarities of the territories and the nations both near and far from their own country. However, the singularity of Sardinia (and therefore the reasons for visiting it) is beyond expectation, given the short distance that separates it, from Europe or from Africa. This «separation», represents the fundamental reason for which, over thousands of years, Sardinian culture has been moulded: «it is» the Mediterranean, that cradle of the main ancient civilisations. 
Sardinia shows itself magnificently in the compass of events in the Mediterranean, thanks to epic deeds and the Nuragic works, sons of that sea and those populations that, thousands of years ago, travelled to colonise coasts and islands. After the Roman domination, a long period followed during which commercial traffic and cultural and social relations between the island and the ltalian peninsula were very much diminished. This isolation began in the Byzantine period, continued in the Middle Ages, (apart from some contacts with the maritime cities of Pisa and Genoa), and then again, under the Aragonese and Spanish domination up to the early seventeen hundreds. This period lasted a thousand years, during which the island was a world apart from ltaly both geographically and otherwise: far from Constantinople and from Spain, while navigation in the Mediterranean was unsafe because of the pirate attacks, which continued until the early 19th century. After long centuries Sardinia finally entered into its logical geo­graphic, economic and political position with regard to the ltalian peninsula, under the domination of the Piedmontese from 1720 onwards. It is useful, certainly, to remember, in these brief notes, that it was the Kingdom of Sardinia, which included Piedmont, Liguria, Savoy, Valle d'Aosta that allowed the reunification of Italy in 1861. In the previous paragraphs, we have tried to summarise the reasons why Sardinia is so unique, noting how its historical development was influenced by a sequence of foreign dominations, which distinguish the island not only from Italy but also from the rest of the European continent. However, Sardinia's peculiarity extends also to its countryside, economy, and obviously to its culture, which is the result of the interaction of all these factors.
Sardinia's environment is famous for its coasts, but the whole territory is panoramic, in a truly unexpected way. The landscape can certainly be defined as mountainous, even though one is referring to a territory with a moderate altitude, of about 800 m. and over. Instead Sardinia is mountainous even at lower altitudes, because of the ero­sion that has moulded, over millions of years, the ancient heights, creating valleys, narrow passes, cliffs, and only few plains and plateaux, always rich in scattered stones and outcrops of rock. Although it is true that the island was once the granary of Carthage and Rome, its territory certainly favours stockbreeding rather than other resour­ces. At this point, it is easy to understand the phrase most often heard: «the island of shepherds». Also one should remember that up to the end of Worid War II Sardinia was also the island of miners and of mines, with a very great number of mining activities, then flourishing and important, now less so, but with and almost uniformly distributed over all the territory. In fact, a large number of mining sites of great importance are to be found for instance in the Sulcis-Iglesiente area (province of Cagliari: the most important mining area in Italy), but a certain number is also present in the whole of Barbagia (province of Nuoro), and in the area of Sassari.
There are no mines in Gallura, which is in the north of the island, better known for the Emerald Coast; therefore, one could think of Gallura as the land of shepherds.... but this is not true either, because the most characteristic economic production of this eastern side of the province of Sassari has its origins in forestry. It is cork, the bark of the cork-oak tree, that grow by the million and in some parts of the island, which were planted, above all from the seventeen hundreds on. Nowa­days, the granite quarries a traditional, but a vigorous growth-sector area can be considered a mining activity: and it is right in the hearth of Gallura that the main quarries are to be found. The Sardinian country-side is the least populated in Italy; only in a few restricted areas do the shepherds and farmers live on their land; a greater number of Sardi­nians live in villages and towns: they work in the country and return home almost every evening. Obviously this island-world has changed a lot; it has come into line with the rest of Europe, above all after the Second Worid War; but we must remember that in the second half of the 19th century, a traveller who decided to visit the island would have found himself in the same position as a present-day explorer to the Antarctic. Even so, there were a large number of well-known visitors with literary interests, who then wrote notable works, often of considerable vigour. By means of these works, the reader, comfortably seated in the far away cities of Italy and Europe, could draw closer to the many incredible aspects of life in Sardinia.
Why do we say this? Because some of these aspects still survive in an extraordinary mix of old and new. As a banal example, in the smaller centres, (but not only) even the young people are ready to leave off modern clothing for a few hours, and wear with enthusiasm the auste­re and splendid traditional costumes, to join in the impressive proces­sions. These take place on saint days or during the celebration of the Sartiglia at Oristano (Carnival), St. Efisio in Cagliari (1st May), the Cavalcata Sarda at Sassari (end of May), and the Redentore at Nuoro (end of August), just to name the most famous events. However, the reader will undoubtedly be more interested in the multi­farious aspects of the Sardinian coasts, both of the Mother Island and of the smaller islands that surround it. The Sardinian sea is now rightly recognised as one of the most famous in the world for its unique environment, for its spectacular coast line and for the thousand welcoming bays which constitute the main reason for those thinking of coming to the island. No one who has the intelligence or the will to take even a short trip away from any resort areas will be disappointed; rather they will very likely be enrap­tured by the beauty and the unexpected tranquillity (with few people about even on August bank holiday) of the many corners, be enchanted by the clear water, the vegetation, the rocks, nature, whole and intact. And the island is also easily accessible. It is not like a distant, spiendid mountain reached only by expert mountaineers. Nature in Sardinia can be touched; visitors can let the golden sand of a thousand beaches slip through their fingers. All this against a background of crystal water with the typical, incredible shades from green to turquoise to blue. A land to admire that has to be respected: this is a logical and immediate consequence of knowing and understanding this reality, always different and always fascinating.
Whoever comes to Sardinia, to admire its large untouched areas, both in the interior and along the coast, with the woods or the sea, inviting and clear can spend his time in many different activities, contemplative or sporting. You can experience the island in many ways, either by having a resting and relaxing holiday or being more active, playing golf, tennis, 5-aside soccer, sailing, windsurfing, swimming, underwater diving (with about 100 diving-centres); rock climbing, boating, trekking, jogging, horse riding in the countryside. In particular for those who play golf there is the well-known Pevero Golf Club, above Cala di Volpe (Emerald Coast, northern Sardinia); it is one of the most beautiful courses in the worid, with the contrast between the greens, the rocks and the surrounding vegetation. Also important are the golf courses of Is Molas (at Santa Margherita di Pula, near Cagliari) and Campulongu at Villasimius (CA, Southern Sardinia) and those of the Bagaglino Golf Country at Stintino (SS), Puntaldia at San Teodoro (NU, Gallura.