Summer in Sardinia with Sardatur Holidays
Summer in Sardinia is not just a great place to soak up the sun on pristine beaches it’s also the best time of year to join in a huge range of traditional island events and festivals, some dating back many hundreds of years.
Italian specialist Sardatur Holidays (sardatur-holidays.co.uk), whose new 80 page Sardinia Collection brochure is out this week, has come up with its own pick of the brightest and best summer events with suggestions on where to stay.
So from horse races to barefoot races and from regatta’s in simple handmade boats to races in the most luxurious Yachts, Sardatur Holidays offers a wealth of experiences this summer.
July
L’Ardia’ di Saint San Costantino – 6th & 8th July
If you can’t get to Siena for the Palio or looking for an alternative to this famous horse race then make tracks for Sedilo in central Sardinia on 4th and 6th July when their ancient horse race - the ‘L’Ardia’ takes place in honour of the Saint San Costantino.
Hundreds of the bravest, most capable and daring horsemen in the village participate in this very dangerous race, but it’s not done for money or to win prizes but rather for their devotion to a saint-warrior - San Costantino who, although not officially a saint, has been elected to that "status" by the people of the village because of the feats attributed to him as a brave warrior, who was ready to fight for the rights of the weakest people. This truly breathtaking spectacle is accompanied by two days of festivities that continue until late in the evening with music and shows.
Departing on 4th July Sardatur is offering a 7 night stay at the 4 star Is Benas Country Lodge from £899 per person, including flights from Heathrow to Cagliari, 7 nights HB accommodation and car hire.
Madonna of the Shipwrecked – 10th July
The emerald waters that surround Isola dei Cavoli on the south-east corner of Sardinia are a protected haven for Blackfish, tuna, dolphins and barracuda. It is also the watery home to the submerge Madonna of the Shipwrecked, a statue crafted by the Sardinian sculptor Pinuccio Sciola, in honour of shipwrecked sailors.
Each year the people of Villasimius mark the festival of the Madonna with a colourful procession through the town carrying a statue of the Madonna that is taken from the church to the port. In the piazza local cuisine can be tasted as people celebrate with singing and dancing. The next day a flotilla of little boats heads for the Isola dei Cavoli where underwater prayers are said whilst the festivities continue in the main piazza. This year the festival commences on Sunday, 10th July.
To take part in the festivities Sardatur is offering 7 nights at the 4 star Pullman Timi Ama from £3,481 per family based on four sharing a room on a half board basis, including flights from Heathrow to Cagliari and transfers. Flights from Manchester & Edinburgh also available.
August
Is Fassonis Regatta – 7th August
On the 7th August at the pond of Santa Giusta in Cabras hand made, gondola style boats battle it out in a test of speed and skill on Sardinia's third-largest lagoon at the Is Fassonis Regatta. The boats, built from the special kind of bulrush that grows in the Cabras lagoon, are manned by highly-skilled competitors who must stand at all times on the narrow, wobbling vessels. At the end of the competition the celebrations continue with fish barbeques and Vernaccia, a sherry-like wine that is typical of this region.
Departing on 6th August Sardatur Holidays is offering 7 nights at the 4 star Is Benas Country Lodge from £991 per person, including return flights from Heathrow to Cagliari with BA, 7 nights accommodation in a twin room on a half board basis HB and car hire. Flights from Manchester & Edinburgh also available.
September
The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2nd – 10th September
Alternatively, from 2nd – 10th September more watery fun can be had on Sardinia’s jet set north east coast at Porto Cervo when the cream of the yachting world descends upon this exclusive playground for the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup close to the Costa Smeralda Yacht Club. Follow the action each day as an intense week of big boat racing takes place. From the most luxurious, through the most traditional, to the most advanced monohulls afloat today, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup is nothing if not an astonishing line up of sailing power.
Departing on 3rd September Sardatur holidays is offering a 7 nights at the Hotel Le Ginestre from £803 per person including flights with British Airways from Heathrow to Olbia, 7 nights bed and breakfast at the hotel and transfers. Flights from Leeds Bradford & Edinburgh also available.
Festival of San Salvatore – 3rd September
One of the oldest festivals in Sardinia takes place on the 3rd September 2011, the Festival of San Salvatore sees several hundred would-be athletes racing the 7 km Corsa degli Scalzi (Barefoot Race) from San Salvatore di Cabras, a small village outside Cabras, near Oristano. Each of the barefoot runners wears white and carries an image of San Salvatore from the church of Santa Maria Assunta in Cabras to the rural church of San Salvatore in order to commemorate the incident in 1506, when the residents of the village did the same to save a priceless effigy from being stolen by Moorish raiders. Celebrations continues late into the evening with Vernaccia (a sherry-like wine typical of this region) and grilled fish on offer.
Departing on 3rd September Sardatur Holidays is offering 7 nights at the Is Benas Country Lodge from £824 per person to include 7 nights half board accommodation, return flights from Heathrow to Cagliari with BA and car hire. Flights from Manchester & Edinburgh also available.
For more information on Sardatur holidays or to request a brochure, visit: sardatur-holidays.co.uk
