Page 3 - Travel Advisors of Los Gatos – Fall 2015

ITALIAN ISLAND HOLIDAY
By Dorothy Crouch
Many travelers to Italy seek the Holy City of Rome, the chic streets of Florence, Venice’s history or the romance of Tuscany. Though these Italian cities have much to offer, why not go island hopping to find Italian paradise surrounded by the sea?
La Maddalena, Sardinia
as the national holiday Ferragosto, or Assumption Day, yet the Sardinian town of Sassari takes its observation of this special day to new heights. In addition to music, food, parades, fireworks and enjoying the beaches, local Sassari men participate in the Festa dei Candelieri. During this race, men form teams of approximately 10 to carry massive, ornately decorated candles that are paraded throughout the town.
La Maddalena
Off the northeast shore of Sardinia lies the charming town of La Maddalena, located on an island that shares its name. The island boasts cafes, warm hospitality and beautiful beaches, popular with scuba divers due to its relatively untouched condition. Reaching La Maddalena is enjoyable and easy, as ferries from Palau transport travelers in 20 minutes.
Plenty of hotels on the Italian islands, such as Palermo’s Grand Hotel Villa Igiea - MGallery Collection, or the Carlos V Hotel in Alghero, offer the luxury of life at a slower pace while allowing guests to embrace the region’s culture. Perillo Tours and Tauck also offer intimate tour options for exploring the islands.
Sicily
This largest Italian island is located south of the mainland in the Mediterranean Sea, surrounded by smaller islands including The Aeolians, Egadi and Pelagie Islands. Palermo, the island’s capital province, reaches out toward the Tyrrhenian Sea.
While the terrain is predominantly mountainous, Palermo’s beaches offer distinct experiences. Mondello is an area where many locals will spend their time. Popular for watersports, visitors can enjoy kayaking and windsurfing, or simply lie lazily on the sand admiring the crystal-clear water and rising cliffs. Yellow beach umbrellas, denoting the public beach area, are available to rent.
On Sicily’s northern coast sits the fishing village
of Cefalù. Also a popular beach resort town, Cefalù offers one of the most prized beaches in Sicily. Ascend to the top of La Rocca, a massive mountain affording beautiful views of the city. Visit the ruins of Tempio di Diana, or the Temple of Diana, which date back to the 9th century B.C.
Originally built in the 13th
or 14th century, the ruins of
Cefalù Castle sits atop La
Rocca and is a fascinating
destination for archaeology
enthusiasts. Stop in to enjoy
a meal at the quaint family-
run La Brace Ristorante,
which serves specialties
such as homemade pastas,
renowned pesto and
decadent desserts including
tiramisu and panna cotta.
Sardinia
Sitting to the west of Italy, Sardinia welcomes visitors with pristine beaches covered in sand the
color of snow, rich archaeological sites and plenty of festivals to celebrate a variety of significant religious, historical and cultural observances. Sardinia’s three international airports and dependable rail system allow visitors to easily navigate the area. Though a large portion of the island’s population lives centrally, there exist many small coastal villages that boast dreamlike Italian resorts, which have allowed Sardinia to grow into one of Europe’s most desired holiday destinations.
On the northwest coast of Sardinia, the town of Alghero – known for its stunning beaches and its old town center – hosts the annual Cavalcata Sarda on the penultimate Sunday of every May. Commemorating the 1899 visit of King Umberto I and Queen Margherita, today’s folk festival is one of the island’s most popular celebrations.
Throughout Italy, August 15 holds great importance
FALL 2015
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Alghero Harbor, Sardinia
Spargi Isle, Sardinia