European Jazz Expo 26 edition

Cagliari also proposed this year a three-day immersion in jazz. It began on November 14, 2008 the edition number 26 of the European Jazz Expo combined with the International Jazz Festival in Sardinia. The festival was staged at the Congress Center of the International Fair Centre of Sardinia in Cagliari. Probably because of a very successful edition in the yeat 2007 with the presence of 24,000 fans, this year there were over 40 concerts in three days divided into six halls with variable capacity.

On the stage of the Congress Center there were representatives of the best original productions of Sardinia and the world, world-famous musicians, young talents with a recent musical history, until arriving to the great protagonists of international jazz. Three days when the great masters of World's Jazz performed together with the emerging bands of all the international festivals. There were also scheduled seminars, conferences, meetings with artists, exhibition activities, screenings, presentations of books and discs, video reviews and photography exhibitions.

Among the original news, Cagliari this year became destination for gastronomic tourism. Giovanni Fancello, one of the best chefs in Sardinia and the Mediterranean, passionate and student of the food culture, proposed (to a maximum of 150 people at a time) a guided and free tasting session of a Sardinian dish accompanied with fine wines of the island.

Costa Smeralda Rally 2008

27th Edition of the Costa Smeralda Rally, 8yh test of the Italian Rally Championship also valid for the World Rally Trophy. Even this year with great anticipation and enthusiasm started in Porto Cervo one of the most important and resonant events of the summer season and sports of the island. There we 69 crews who have dealt in a full race on earth.

733.35 km divided into two main stages and 12 special tests that amounted to 150.38 Km. A large crowd of spectators, fans or not, took part in the opening ceremony of this sporting event in Piazza Risorgimento in Arzachena. The headquarters of the competition were set up in Olbia, at the Molo Brin. The first stage saw competitors engaged in the Nuorese area and the second one in Gallura.

The Tuscan Paolo Andreucci in pairs with Anna Andreuss from Friuli, with the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX RalliArt Italy, have dominated and won the competition.

From the sea to the mountains. There are several areas in the north-west of Sardinia that the race has affected, both coastal and internal. An ideal thing for lovers of this sport and also for the curious to see some of the most fascinating places in Sardinia. A way to live together sport and nature, immersed in an exciting mix of scenery, sights, tastes and smells that give all authenticity to this land.

Porto Corallo

In the region of Gerrei located in the south-west of Sardinia, part of the municipality of Villaputzu, is Porto Corallo named like this around the sixteenth century because its sea bottom was rich in coral formations.

The white beach of Porto Corallo is reached from the town in a few minutes. It is dominated, like many other ports and maritime locations of the island, by a warning Spanish tower built in stone and surrounded by Mediterranean scrub. To the north, about 25 km, are the town of Quirra and its homonymous beach, whereas to the south the beautiful beaches of Costa Rei: Foce of Flumendosa, beach of San Giovanni, a few miles from Muravera: beaches Le Saline, Cristolaxedu, Colostrie and Ferraxi.

Close to Porto Corallo, beyond the charming landscape, there are many interesting sites of archaeological and historical importance. During the Nuragic era the place was part of Cagliari, and became property of Visconti in the Early Middle Ages until the arrival of the Pisans who settled in the nearby castle of Quirra and reigned on all the surrounding territories. Built around the year 1200 on a formation of limestone, the Castle of Quirra had indeed served to protect the area from attacks. At his feet it is still possible to see the church of San Nicola in late-Romanesque style dating from the thirteenth century, and to the east, the ruins of the castle of Gibas.

Golf in Sardinia

A beautiful and fun way to know Sardinia is to come to play golf. There are several greens on the island that for years have attracted thousands of fans to spend a holiday of sport and discovery of traditions, natural beauties and the flavors of the most beautiful island in the Mediterranean.

Is Molas
Is Molas was founded in 1975, located in south western coast of Sardinia is one of the most famous greens of the island. The golf course has 18-holes par 72. There is 9-hole field par 36. The centre has a clubhouse and a hotel for those who want to stay close to the field to enjoy the golf full time. The field is located 40 minutes away from the airport of Cagliari.

Is Arenas
It was designed by Robert van Hagge and founded in 1999, the golf course Is Arenas is located in the province of Oristano. The field, considered by experts as one of the most beautiful is an 18-hole par 72. The green is located in a beautiful area near the sea and with spacing sand dunes and forests that make it particularly impressive. It is an hour's drive away from the airport of Cagliari.

Diving into the depths of Ogliastra

Ogliastrine coasts are rich in interesting sites for fans of diving with and without cylinder; sports called respectively Diving and Snorkelling (from "snorkel", the respirator tube that is used together with a mask).
Among the interesting "treasures", natural or otherwise, that can be admired in these depths, there are many varied species of fish, underwater caves, coral red benches, walls, dried, genuine archaeological sites and some wrecks now the habitat of fish and shellfish. The Italian merchant "Nasello", sunk during the Second World War, lying about 30 meters deep, facing the beach of Cala Luna, in the Gulf of Orosei. While in Portu Cuau thare is the wreck of the "Levante", merchant sunk in the '60s.
In Ogliastra there are several centres equipped for Diving: Cala Gonone, Orosei, Santa Maria Navarrese, Tortolì-Arbatax and Barisardo are some of localities where you can also do courses and obtain patents of various levels.
Finally, the neophytes are recommended to have caution even if they decide to immerse themselves with the help of a qualified instructor, and note that in all depths there is always the risk of dangerous bump into fishes such as Weevers, Redfish and Murene, all those can cause from a puncture to an extremely painful bite. Certainly less dangerous but equally important to avoid contact with are the jellyfish and wounds from sea urchins and corals.

Holidays in Villasimius

Villasimius is one most famous and beautiful tourist localities in Sardinia. Its beaches are well known for the beauty of the sea and the sand. The Timi Ama and Porto Giunco are probably the most crowded beaches as well as the most famous ones. In August, there are probably too many people but the other months you can enjoy a delightful spectacle. The sand is swept by the wind creating a corrugated effect.
Villasimius offers dozens of Hotels and Residences where to spend your holidays relaxing and having fun at the same time. In fact, there are many nightclubs where to spend the nights eating and dancing (The Peyote, The Fortesa). For those who prefer a house or villa, Villasimius offers hundreds of private apartments that can be rented. The most beautiful areas to rent a house in Villasimius are Cala Catarina and Notteri.
In Villasimius there is also a tourist harbour available for the mooring of your boat where you can also rent rafts for a trip to the islands. The island of Cavoli and Serpentara are worth spending in the rental of a boat. Indeed, since it was created the natural park of Villasimius the area has been repopulated by fish that can be admired by snorkeling or diving with an organized group or with one of the diving associations of Villasimius.