has long had a reputation for being a rich man's destination and the yachts in the harbours and five-star resorts around the island still convey that image.
But there are plenty of cheaper options and with its short flying time, sandy beaches, shallow waters and a distinctly Italian feel it makes for an ideal destination for family fun or a romantic trip for two.
THE NORTH
THE three main cities, and points of entry by air, are at opposite ends of the island but are all on the coast, allowing for water-based activities combined with fine dining and all the facilities of urban living.
The main attraction of Alghero, in the north, is the 16th Century Old Town, still surrounded by the original wall and several defensive towers. Walking along the rampart route offers wonderful coastal views as well as a vast choice of elegant restaurants and authentic ice-cream bars from which to watch the stunning sunsets.
The walkway then leads to the port, a popular mooring point for millionaires' yachts as well as smaller, more humble boats. The port is also the departure point for boat trips to Neptune's Grotto, for those who enjoy scrambling about caves and stalagmites, as well as to Porto Conte, a beautiful beach area just north of the city.
Its turquoise-blue bay is a haven for sunbathers as well as windsurfers and sailors and there are a number of dive sites just off-shore. There are plenty of accommodation options that can assist with all kinds of activities. If money is no object, you may find yourself sharing your holiday with a celebrity or two at the fivestar Hotel El Faro, with its private beach, two pools and Turkish baths.
It's worth hiring a car, if only for a day, to escape the city and make the popular short drive south of Alghero to Bosa, an attractive town flanked by a hilltop castle and cut in two by the River Temo, which is dotted with boats and catamarans in summer. Bosa Marina has a vast, wide stretch of beach where crowds are rare, and beachfront pizzerias and fish restaurants.
From one island to another, a ferry from Palau takes you to La Maddalena, the main island of this small archipelago between Sardinia and Corsica. The beaches on these islands have long been a well-kept secret, but with Palau only a short drive from Olbia they are readily accessible and have a far more tranquil atmosphere than some of the bustling resorts on Sardinia proper. There are plenty of ferry trips to explore other islands.
HOLIDAY INFO: Just Sardinia (www.justsardinia.co.uk) offer seven nights' B& B at the central Hotel Alma in Alghero from £502pp in August, and seven nights' bed and breakfast at the Hotel Miralonga on La Maddalena island from £445pp. These prices do not include the air fare but the company can book flights if required. Long Travel (www.longtravel.co.uk) offers a week's package in August in Alghero in a three-star hotel with its own private beach from £669pp. Expedia (www.expedia.co.uk) can arrange packages to the five-star El Faro Hotel, including flights, from £1,331pp in August.
THE EAST
ON the eastern side of the island, Olbia is the gateway to Sardinia's most popular (and most expensive) resort region, the Costa Smeralda, developed by none other than the Aga Khan in the 1960s, which gave the island its wealthy reputation. Literally meaning Emerald Coast, this 16-mile stretch of coastline is the summer home of the Italian elite who arrive from Rome, Florence and other mainland cities for their summer break.
It has the most sophisticated, if a little manufactured, atmosphere of the whole island - you may feel rather out of place without at least one pair of designer shades. You won't get much local flavour here either. Most of the resorts are like mini villages in their own right with no hint of authentic Sardinian life, but if big budgets and glitzy bars are your thing, you can't go far wrong in this area. The main resort is at Porto Cervo which attracts yachters from around the Mediterranean, but the best beaches are around Cala di Volpe and Liscia di Vacca.
South of here, along the coastal road and near the pretty medieval town of Orosei, is Cala Gonone, a resort area with a more relaxed feel in the style stakes, although it can be equally crowded in high season. The area is characterised by a number of small bays encircled by rocks, ideal for scrambling, and soft sand.
Few of the beaches themselves offer much in the way of facilities - it's a BYO kind of experience: towel, parasol, picnic lunch, but there are plenty of hotels, campsites and self-catering villas and all the usual pizza and pasta restaurants in the roads accessing the beaches.
For an interesting day out, take the drive through mountain scenery inland to Orgosolo. This small town is renowned for its murals depicting both Sardinian and international political figures of days gone by such as Gandhi and German revolutionary Rosa Luxembourg, and forceful quotations about the need to preserve traditions.
HOLIDAY INFO: Just Sardinia (www.justsardinia.co.uk, 01202 484858) offer packages for £458pp in Cala Gonone in August, for seven nights' bed and breakfast. Flights can be arranged if required. Seven nights' half-board at the four-star Cala di Falco Hotel at Cannigione on the Costa Smeralda costs from £950pp for depar tures between August 22 and 28 including Gatwick flights to Olbia and transfers if booked by March 31 with Holiday Options (www.holidayoptions.co.uk, 0844 477 0452). Long Travel (www.long-travel.co.uk) offer seven-night packages in four-star hotels on the Costa Smeralda from £613pp including flights and transfers.
THE SOUTH
IN the far south of the island is Sardinia's capital and its most important city and port, Cagliari, noted for its medieval Old Town, Roman remains and a bustling marina.
There is a short stretch of sandy beach at Poetto, just outside the city, but for a more impressive coastal experience one needs to head to either Villasimius on the southeastern tip of the island or southwest to the Costa del Sud and the resort area of Santa Margherita di Pula.
Further northwest is the Costa Verde, a quiet region of sand dunes and scrubland but with some of the most unspoilt beaches on the whole island at towns such as Piscinas (which translates as "swimming pool" indicating the quality of the bathing found here) and Marina di Albus. This is not package holiday territory, but there are apartments to rent and camp sites too.
HOLIDAY INFO: Seven nights B& B at the four-star Hotel Baia di Nora at Santa Margherita di Pula costs from £1,499pp including flights from Heathrow to Cagliari in August, four dinners and transfers. Book through Holiday Options (www.holidayoptions.co.uk, 0844 477 0452).
Seven nights' half-board at the fourstar Hotel Costa di Fiori starts at 1,140pp including Gatwick flights in August and transfers. Book through the Classic Collection at www.classiccollection.co.uk or call 0800 294 9315.
Citalia (www.citalia.com, 0871 664 0253) offers seven nights' half-board (for the price of six) at the renowned Flamingo resort in Santa Margherita di Pula from £825pp in August including BA flights from Gatwick.
What's the deal?
RYANAIR (www.ryanair.com) fly to Alghero from London Stansted, East Midlands and Liverpool, and to Olbia from Birmingham. Easyjet (www.easyjet.com) fly to Cagliari from Luton and Olbia from Gatwick and Bristol. Jet2 (www.jet2.com) fly from Leeds Bradford, Manchester and Edinburgh to Olbia. Prices from £90 return.
MAY to October is the best time to visit - it's hot and crowded in July and August. Prices fall considerably in September.
