Has anyone done Costa Smeralda or Coda Cavello Beach in Sardinia? We can't decide between the two...any recommendations?
We did Costa Smerelda and liked it a lot. In fact, in looking back at our cruise, it was one of our favorite excursions, one we'd definitely do again if the opportunity ever presents itself.
...but it's what I would call an "old folks" excursion ;-) ...not a lot of heavy-duty walking, mostly scenery, a gelato and about an hour in Porto Cervo, the "Rodeo Drive" shopping center with all the VERY expensive shops and then a little train ride through some of the residential areas of Porto Cervo. The marina at Porto Cervo is one of the most beautiful marinas we've ever seen ...crystal clear, blue water, so clear you can see the sandy bottom ...and the view from Baia Sardinia (another stop where you get off the bus to walk around and sight-see a bit) is spectacular and a great picture opportunity.
If you take this excursion, you'll hear a lot about Karim Aga Khan who purchased a number of parcels of land in Sardinia and developed them into a playground, resort and vacation residences for his rich and famous friends. You'll also learn that the architecture in Porto Cervo, although it looks very old (almost like Mexican adobe), is actually "new," begun in the 1970's.
If you like scenery (mostly from the bus), shopping in one of the most expensive shopping centers in the world (even though it is small by American standards and very unpretentious), relaxing with a delicious gelato and learning a bit of the "gossip" about which famous person stayed where/when, then you'll love the Costa Esmerelda excursion.
If you're more into walking the beach, seeing ancient sites, etc. then this is probably not the excursion for you.
...a funny story from our guide. Much of the economy of Sardinia is based on sheep and goat herding. When the Aga Kahn decided to build Porto Cervo and wanted it to look old, he went around to all the little, old cottages of the herdsmen and bought the old barrel tiles off their roofs and then paid to have them replaced with new ones. So, when you look out across the land, all the "new" homes have roofs that are a hundred or more years old and all the old little cottages have bright new tile roofs.
...also, you'd expect an island's economy to be based on fishing, but Sardinians do not fish! [There are some foreigners who have come to Sardinia to fish and dredge for mussels (You'll see the mussel traps in the bay when you dock there!)] Why don't they fish? ...because the mosquitoes were so bad that no one could stand to be anywhere near the coast, so they moved up into the hills to raise their sheep and goats to get away from the mosquitoes.
See all the little things you learn LOL
Colleen
