PORTO CERVO

Crystal clear waters lap gently against the pink-sand shores of a rugged chain of islands. The seven large islands and 55 smaller atolls are a prime destination for nature-seeking island hoppers. Charter a private boat and zip out to the main island, La Maddalena, and stroll the sparsely populated beaches or snorkel in the marine-rich coves carved out of the jagged coast. Take a seat at an outdoor cafe and dine on seafood just a fishing net’s toss from the source.

Dig into Sardinia’s past with a day excursion to the Archaeological Park of Arzachena, in Costa Smeralda’s capital city. One of the largest and most significant parks in Sardinia, this exceptional area includes eight monuments all of pre-historical age, spanning nearing almost 5000 years of history from the middle neolithic to the bronze ages. Explore ancient burial grounds and the impressively intact remains of a village.

The small church of Chiesa di Stella Maris sits atop a bluff keeping watch over the azure waters of Porto Cervo. As a founding member of the Architectural Committee of Costa Smeralda, Roman architect Michele Busiri Vici’s mod Mediterranean designs influenced the area’s aesthetic. The contemporary Chiesa di Stella Maris with its striking white bell tower stands as his landmark project. Six slabs of stone support the adobe-style terracotta roof, laden with curved tiles in every shade of ochre. Stone sculptures, a Madonna by El Greco and furniture by Luciano Minguzzi adorn the church’s simple interior.

The village of Porto Cervo is the coastal Italian version of Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive. A terracotta-tile topped clutch of boutiques, cafes and the innovative MdM contemporary art museum surrounds a tidy piazza that gazed out towards a yacht-packed marina. Understated storefronts host high-end fashions from Versace, Prada and Gucci, to name drop a few. Snag an al fresco table, sip an aperol spritz and watch the glamorous parade of shoppers swinging their bags full of spoils saunter past.