Portray of the Destination
Sardinia is an Italian island located in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, very close to the Corsica Island. With its 24,090 km2, it only has 1,637,639 inhabitants. Its capital is Cagliari, located in the Southern part of the island, and its other seven provinces are Sassari, Nuoro, Oristano, Olbia-Tempio,Ogliastra, Cabonia-Iglesias and Medio Campidano. Sardinia has an authentic personality. The island has many traditions and important cultural aspects. Its culture is born thanks to the contact between the land and the sea, which is a decisive element in the life in Sardinia. Most of the tourism that the island welcomes arrives from Italy ―not so long ago, there were a few airlines that offered flights to the island. Nowadays, there are many airlines and tourism is growing. Great traditions, handed down also through gastronomy, are characterised by Sardinian cheeses (sheep-milk-cheese) and strong wines, which contain the flavour of an ancient land.

We would like to thank the Fonoteca Edit for the information and pictures provided. Visit: www.enit.it

Geography
Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean. The first one is Sicily. The Island is one of the five Italian regions whose inhabitants have been declared “popolo” (distinct people) by the Italian Parliament.

Sadinia’s coasts are high and rocky. They are generally articulated in promontories, with large and deep bays, and smaller isles surround its inlets. The Island, an ancient territory with rocks that go back to the Ancient Palaeozoic, does not have any high mountain due to the long erosion processes of the area. Among the mountainous massifs, the most important ones are: the Gennargentu, with 1,834m (6000 feet), the Monte Limbara with 1,362m (4468 feet) and Monte Rasu, which extends 40 km (25 mi) Northwards. The Island climate is generally mild: throughout the year, you will find about 300 sunny days and only the rest are rainy. Most rainfalls are seen during winter and fall.

Climate
The weather in Sardinia is typically Mediterranean, with a warm spring and fall, hot summer, and mild winter. During March, April and May, the weather is not too hot and not too cold. In May, it is usually warm enough to take a dip in the ocean water. The fall can be cool in temperature. The winters tend to last from late December to January. The island sometimes sees snow, but it is rare.

When to go
Anytime of the year is a good time to visit Sardinia, but the most popular time for tourists is during Spring and Summer. Summertime in Sardinia can get crowded with locals and tourists. The busiest month is August, partially due to the most important festival here (the Saint Mary Feast).

History
According to some discoveries made in 1979, Sardinia's history dates back to 150,000 BCE. In Prehistory Sardinia's inhabitants developed a trade in a stone used to make rough tools. This was the beginning of a commercial relationship with most of the Mediterranean inhabitants. From the Neolithic Period until the Roman Empire, the Nuragic civilization took shape on the island. Nowadays, there are still 9,000 Nuraghes living there. Around 1,000 BC, the Phoenicians established colonies in Sardinian coasts, which were a stop to repair their ships, stock their supplies and take refuge from storms. They soon became important centers for trade. In 509 BC, the native Nuragic and the Phoenician settlers were at war, and as the settlers asked Carthage for help, the island became a province in the Carthaginian Empire. In 238 BC, Carthage ceded Sardinia to Rome. The Romans enlarged the coastal cities and ended the Nuragic civilization.

In 456, the Vandals in North Africa occupied the coastal cities of Sardinia. They were reconquered by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. The island was divided into districts called “ mereie” and Christianity started to spread, except in the Barbagia region, where by the end of 500 an independent kingdom started to rule. In 827 the Arabs started raiding Sicily. Sardinia was left aside, and had to defend itself. The “judex provinciae” became its supreme leader, with civil and military powers. To assure its own defense, the island was divided into four: Gallura, Logudoro, Arborea, and Cagliari. By 900, these districts became fully independent monarchies.

In 1323, the Kingdom of Aragon tried to conquer Sardinia, but the giudicato of Arborea resisted it. However, its last ruler, Eleanor of Arborea, was defeated by the Aragonese in the Battle of Sanluri in 1409. The native population of the city of Alghero was expelled and the city repopulated by the Catalan invaders, whose descendants still speak Catalan. In 1479, due to a personal union between Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella of Castile (The Catholics), who had gotten married ten years before, the Kingdom of Spain was born. The Kingdom of Sardinia remained as a part of Spain during 400 years, from 1323 to 1720. It absorbed many Iberian traditions, linguistic expressions and customs, which can still be seen today in the traditional processions of S. Efisio in Cagliari (May 1st), the “Cavalcata” in Sassari (in May) and the “Redentore” in Nuoro (August 29th). In 1708, after the Spanish War of Succession, the government of Sardinia was ceded to the Austrians, who had arrived to the island.

In 1717, cardinal Alberoni, minister of Philip V of Spain, occupied Sardinia again. In 1718, with the Treaty of London, Sardinia was ceded to the Duchy of Savoy, princes of Piamonte, and they assume absolute power to stipulate international treaties. The Kingdom of Sardinia became Italian. In 1848 the Independence wars started and, as a consequence, Italy became one. They were carried out by the Sardinian Kings during 13 years. In 1861, the Kingdom of Sardinia became Kingdom of Italy and the Italian State was born. In 1946, with the popular referendum, Italian became a Republic. Nowadays, Sardinia is one of the twenty Italian regions.

Traditions
Festival of S. Efisio: it begins on the 1st of May in Cagliari. The parade of the groups leaves from Curdle and arrives at Nora.

Sartiglia: It takes place in February in Oristano: an ancient equestrian joust with Spanish origins.

S'ardia: It is a horse riding. A religious festival that takes place from July 5th to 7th at Sedilo in honour of San Costantino.

Sardinian Ridden: It takes place every next-to-last Sunday of May in Sassari; a parade in honour of the sovereigns in visit to Sardinia.

Chandelier Parade: It is celebrated in Sassari on August 14th.

Redeemer Festival: It is the most important religious festival of Nuoro; it takes place every August 29th on the Ortobene Mountain.

Chestnuts Festival: It is celebrated on the last Sunday of October at Aritzo (NU).

Gastronomy
Sardinia is one of the favourite destinations of national and international tourists, not only for its natural beauties, but also for its original and rich gastronomy based on ancient recipes handed down from generation in generation. Its vegetation has stimulating scents: saffron, rosemary, bay leaf and mint among others.

Throughout Sardinia, from north to south, it is not easy finding fast food restaurants where you can “eat and run”. Rather, you will find places where you can stop and relax, where you can savour typical Sardinian gastronomical products, accompanied by the warmth and hospitality of its people. One of the most important products in cooking is wheat, with which bread is made. The most typical kinds of bread are: “sobre civraxiu”, “sobre coccoi” and “pan carasau”.

In Sardinia there are many traditional dishes, as well as delights that resemble the Catalan cooking, such as the “fabada” (in the island is called “favata”). One of the most important dishes in the Island is the “Torro del Ciabettino”, which consists of beef stuffed with piglet, which has a hare inside, stuffed with gooseflesh.

There are several traditional dishes as regards pastry, but the elements they use the most are almond, sugar, flour, sometimes cooked grape juice, saffron, honey and “sabe traggera” (small multicolor candies). In Carnival season, the traditional desserts are “zipulas” and “candelaus” (small balls of dough stuffed with almonds”. Their local, exquisite wines are Monica, Cannonau, Vermentino, Semidano, Moscato, Malvasia and Nuragus.

Basic Dictionary
YES:Sí, NO: No, HALLO: Ciao, GOOD-BYE: Arrivederci, GOOD MORNING: Bongiorno, GOOD AFTERNOON: Buon pomeriggio, GOOD NIGHT: Buona notte, PLEASE: Per favore, I’M SORRY: Scusa/Discolpa, THANK YOU: Grazie, Médico: DOCTOR/Dottore, PHARMACY: Farmacia. NUMBERS: 1: Uno, 2: Due, 3: Tre, 4: Quatro, 5: Cinque, 6: Sei, 7: Sette, 8: Otto, 9: Nove, 10: Dieci, 11: Undici, 12: Dodici, 13: Tredici, 14: Quatrodici, 15: Quindici, 16: Sedice, 17: Diecisette, 18: Dieciotto, 19: Diecinove, 20: Venti, 21: Ventuno, 22: Ventidue, 30: Trenta, 40: Quaranta, 50: Cinquanta, 60: Sessanta, 70: Settanta, 80: Ottanta, 90: Novanta, 100: Cento, 1000: Mille. DAYS OF THE WEEK: MONDAY: Lunedi, TUESDAY: Martedi, WEDNESDAY: Mercoledi, THURSDAY: Giovedi, FRIDAY: Venerdi, SATURDAY: Sabato, SUNDAY: Domenica. USEFUL WORDS: BIG/SMALL: Grande/piccolo, HOT/COLD: Caldo/freddo, OPEN/CLOSED: Aperto/chiuso, GOOD/BAD: Buono/malo, NEW/OLD: Nuovo/vecchio, PUSH/PULL: Spingere/tirare, ENTRANCE/EXIT: Entrata/uscita, LADIES/GENTLEMEN: Signora/gentiluomo, FAR/NEAR: Lontano/circa, LEFT/RIGHT: Sinistra/destra, TAXI: Taxi, BUS: Autobus. EATING: BREAKFAST: Colazione, LUNCH: Pranzo, DINNER: Cena, MENU: Menù, WINE: Vino, DESSERT: dessert, THE BILL: Il conto. USEFUL SENTENCES: DO YOU SPEAK ENGLISH: Parla inglese?, I DON’T UNDERTAND: Non capisco, WHERE IS IT?: Dove si trova?, HOW MUCH IS IT?: Quanto costa?, WHAT TIME IS IT?: Che ora é?, CAN YOU HELP ME?: Mi puoi aiutare?

Currency
Sardinia's currency (as a part of Italy) is now the Euro, called francu in Sardinian. The Euro is divided into 100 cents.

Currency Exchange
1.00 American dollar = 0.82 EUR; 1.00 Pound Sterling = 1.45 EUR.

Useful Info

Official name
Sardinia
Country
Italy
Time Zone
GMT +1 (+2 in summer)
Official Language
Italian and Sardinian
Surface area
24,090 km2 (9,301 sq. mi)
Population
1,637,639
Political Regime
Italy is a Republic. Sardinia enjoys a special autonomous status.
Public holidays
January 1st: New Years' Day; 6th: Epiphany; March-April: Easter; April 25th: Liberation Day; May 1st: Labour Day; June 2nd: Republic's Day; August 15th: Assumption Day; November 1st: All Saints' Day; December 8th: Immaculate Conception; 25th: Christmas Day; 26th: St. Stephen's Day.
Religion
Roman Catholicism: 85%.
Religion
Catholic, others
Arrival / Departure
By air: Ryanair, EasyJet, Hapag-Lloyd, British Airways, Alitalia and Meridiana are some of the airlines that provide their services.

By Sea: There are ferry services that ship people and cars to Sardinia. These ferries stop on the Eastern part of the island. There are two types of ferries: the ones that travel overnight and the ones that travel fast. Both have restaurants, bars and some of them also have cinemas.

Safety
Although there are very few violent crimes, wallets, bags and car robberies are common. Most of these non-violent crimes happen in the crowded tourist zones, where pickpockets take advantage of the tumult to commit their misdeeds. It is advisable to walk with the money you will need during each outing, and not with the total amount of money you take.
Visa
There are no longer immigration controls on the UE countries' borders, however it is necessary to have your passport with you when traveling outside of these borders. For public safety or national security reasons, occasionally and for limited time spans, border controls can be made. Children must have their own passport or identification card or be recorded on their parent's passport. If you are a citizen from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway and are travelling within the EU, no visa is required. Citizens of many other countries outside of the EU including Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, United States of America and all UE candidates except Turkey do not require visas for stays of 3 months or less.
Electricity
230V 50Hz, 2 pin plugs.
Radio and Television
Some radio stations: Radio del Golfo, Radio Internazionale Costa Smeralda, Radio Luna Carbonia and Radio Macomer Centrale.
Telephone
The area code and the telephone number must be dialled in all Italy, even if you call someone within the same city. Italy’s country code is 39, and Sardinia’s area code is 070. Cell phones numbers all have 10 digits, starting with a "3". Pre-paid telephone cards can be bought at electronics shops, tobacconists' (tabacchi), newsstands and bars. If you want to rent a cell phone, you can do it at major airports, although long-term visitors prefer to buy a cheap cell phone for less than 80 EUR and a pay-as-you-go SIM card from one of the three cell phone providers (TIM, Vodafone and Wind).
Police
113
Ambulance
118
Fire Brigade
115
Newspapers and Magazines
The most important newspaper in Sardinia is "L'Unione Sarda". Other important newspapers of the island are: "La Nuova Sardegna" and "Alguer". If you do not speak Italian, you may read "Corriere della Sera", which is published in English.
Postal Service
Stamps can be bought in all post offices. Most of them open at 8.20 am and the closing times depend on the location.
Health Care Services
EU citizens can benefit from free or low cost health care and first aid. Only health care and first aid subsidised by your native country's health care system are covered. There are currently no vaccinations required by any of the EU member countries, however some immunizations are required or recommended for a few overseas countries.
Airport
Flight connections are available to the following Sardinian airports: Cagliari Elmas (CAG) - South of Sardinia, Olbia Costa Smeralda (OLB) - North East of Sardinia, Alghero Fertilia (AHO) - North West of Sardinia, and only seasonally to Tortolì-Arbatax (TTB) - East of Sardinia.
Public Transport
The best way to get to know the island is by renting a car. The speed limit in built-up areas is 50km/h (31 mph); in roads, 90km/h (56 mph); and in the only highway 110km/h (68 mph). For foreigners, road assistance is free of charge, calling 116. Trains on Sardinia connect the whole island but they are rather slow. Many tourists catch the "trenino verde" (little green train) which runs through the wildest parts of the island. A good network of public transport covers all but the remoter areas. There is the island-wide bus service run by ARST and the private PANI for longer hauls between towns.
Bus
There is a good network of public transport covering all but the remoter areas. There is the island-wide bus service run by ARST and the private PANI for longer hauls between towns.
Car Rentals
Avis: Cagliari, Sardinia, 09100, Italy (39) 070-668128. Sun Closed; Mon-Fri 09:00AM-01:00PM 03:30PM-06:30PM; Sat Closed.
Ship
Ferry boat connections are available with different timetables and availabilities (depending on the season) to the Sardinian ports of: Cagliari - South of Sardinia, Olbia Isola Bianca - North East of Sardinia, Olbia Golfo Aranci - North East of Sardinia, Porto Torres - North West of Sardinia, Arbatax Tortolì - East of Sardinia.
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