Cagliari

The first glance, in fact, that will be in amazement, from the window of the plane descending in altitude to approach Giacomo Mameli airport, as you fly lower, over the Santa Gilla lagoon, part of one of Europe's most important wetlands, with waters no more than a couple of metres deep inhabited by herons, black-winged stilts and magnificent pink flamingos, which choose to nest here as well as in the Molentargius city park. A snapshot from above that captures nature, culture and the history of ancient Caralis: but get ready, it will only be the first of many wonderful surprises.

Approximately 31 miles from the Port of Cagliari and from Elmas Airport in southern Sardinia, is Villasimius, one of the most sought-out resort localities on the Mediterranean. It is rather well-known for its concentration of singular, golden-white beaches, transparent water, intense perfumes of the myrtle plant, of juniper and Scotch broom, and for its accommodation of every type of tourist.

Sardinia: Pula adventure park, swinging through the trees a stone's throw from the sea Overlooking one of Sardinia's most enchanting coastlines, the Costa del Sud, amidst white sand dunes and turquoise sea, a few steps from the Pixinamanna state forest, is the Pula adventure park. Have fun testing yourself on adrenaline-fuelled courses suspended between flying platforms and zip lines, and when you've had your fill of adventure, treat yourself to a dip in the crystal-clear water: just a hundred metres away. Between crystal clear sea and wild hinterland The result of an environmental redevelopment project and immersed in a pine forest of maritime and domestic pines, Pula's adventure park covers an area of around 13,000 square metres, right up to a sand dune beach. After a day spent bounding in the trees like squirrels, hanging from ropes, zip lines, balancing between nets and catwalks, you can cool off in the crystal-clear Sardinian sea or continue your adventure exploring the wilder hinterland. Aerial challenges for young and old Thanks to its special anti-fall devices and safety equipment, which will allow you to move from tree to tree in extreme safety, the 7 aerial courses on offer – three dedicated to children and as many for adults, plus a zip-line course – are designed to correspond to different ages, levels of preparation and challenge. Starting with the baby course, suspended at a height of about 50 centimetres and dedicated to children under 110 centimetres, the height from the ground, the degree of difficulty and the number of obstacles gradually increase, accompanied by an adult. One after the other, the different courses add difficult passages, ladders that engage the hands and legs, thrilling zip lines that almost seem to dive into the sea, pulleys and a unique snowboarding experience. An open-air gym to develop team spirit Pula adventure park also organises immersive experiences in nature specialised in team building and designed especially for companies, with trails at a height of around 15 metres that stimulate psycho-motor activities and coordination and are intended to enhance team spirit and teamwork. By fostering healthy competition and mutual encouragement in the face of fears and unforeseen events, the adventure park trials are designed to increase trust in colleagues, foster communication, stimulate creativity, collaboration and strive for common goals. A unique professional and human experience, a new way of getting to know each other and finding oneself, with emotions guaranteed. Party time! Do you dream of making a proposal to leave everyone speechless? Would you like to organise a surprise party with a high level of excitement? Do you try to distract the bride and groom-to-be from their pre-wedding commitments? In the spectacular location of the Pula adventure park, all customised events are also under the banner of adventure and challenge: by reservation, the park's trails, benches and kiosk service are available for birthday parties, hen and stag parties, class outings or special days, always and everywhere unforgettable. Trip to Nora, the oldest town in Sardinia At sunset, after recovering from your excitement and exertion in the cool waters of the sea, stop off at Nora, overlooking Capo di Pula, one of the most important archaeological sites in Sardinia: an ancient city of Phoenician origin, one of the most important trading centres in the Mediterranean, conquered by the Romans in the 3rd century BC. The site contains ruins dating from different eras: Nuragic, Phoenician, Punic and finally Roman. In the reddish light of the sun setting over the sea, you can wander around the remains of the amphitheatre and the baths from the imperial era, then try to catch a glimpse of the outline of the submerged part of the city, now swallowed up by the depths of the sea, a true paradise for lovers of underwater archaeology.t

Sulcis Iglesiente is a geographic area located in the extreme southwest of Sardinia and is famous for its ancient origins and traditions. Already inhabited 5,000 years ago, the zone was favored by the Phoenicians and Carthaginians above all, who were the first to discover and extract its rich mineral deposits. Largely abandoned in the successive centuries, these deposits constitute a significant testimony to the industrial archaeology, so much so that they have been inserted on the UNESCO World Heritage Centre’s Tentative List. As the name implies, Sulcis Iglesiente comprises the territories of both Sulcis and Iglesiente: the first drawing its name from the ancient Punic city of Sulci – though today called Sant’Antioco – while the other is in keeping with Iglesias, the provincial capital. Twenty-three municipalities in the Province of Carbonia-Iglesias make up the site of Sulcis Iglesiente, but not only: four communes inside the Province of Cagliari form part of it as well.

Pane carasau flatbread shares a close historical bond with its place of origin: Barbagia, the wildest and most inland area of the province of Nuoro. Here we find Sunalle, the old bakery of the town of Fonni, which has been producing this typical Sardinian dish for over 30 years, tempting all passers-by with its delicious aroma. Let’s delve into the origins, the legends, the traditional recipe for pane carasau flatbread and its connection to the highest-altitude town in Sardinia.

A pure white that is broken only to give way to the brilliant blue and turquoise tones of the crystal-clear sea and the green of the vegetation. Almost a Caribbean landscape.