The Area
We own the plot next to the house, up to the vineyards. There are some old fig trees and you are welcome to enjoy their fruit in late summer- try them with local prosciutto or vanilla ice cream!
We plan to rebuild the little house on this plot, and plant 1,200 olive trees, to make olive oil. We’ll keep you updated on the progress of these projects.
Behind the house the hill is covered in Mediterranean macchia, made up of the aromatic juniper, myrtle and rosemary. From the house enjoy perfect family discovery walks along the sandy, wooded paths through the safe, untouched terrain.
See sheep, goats and rabbits, geckos and butterflies and so many birds. You will see Black Cap and Sardinian Warblers. At night you will hear owls and nightjar. In the spring and autumn many flocks of migrating finch are seen, as well as birds of pray including Merlin, Peregrine Falcon and Hobbit. Short drives away are lagoons on which you can see flamingoes and many other wetland birds. So bring a pair of binoculars.
We own the plot next to the house, up to the vineyards. There are some old fig trees and you are welcome to enjoy their fruit in late summer- try them with local prosciutto or vanilla ice cream!
We plan to rebuild the little house on this plot, and plant 1,200 olive trees, to make olive oil. We’ll keep you updated on the progress of these projects.
Behind the house the hill is covered in Mediterranean macchia, made up of the aromatic juniper, myrtle and rosemary. From the house enjoy perfect family discovery walks along the sandy, wooded paths through the safe, untouched terrain.
See sheep, goats and rabbits, geckos and butterflies and so many birds. You will see Black Cap and Sardinian Warblers. At night you will hear owls and nightjar. In the spring and autumn many flocks of migrating finch are seen, as well as birds of pray including Merlin, Peregrine Falcon and Hobbit. Short drives away are lagoons on which you can see flamingoes and many other wetland birds. So bring a pair of binoculars.
More beautiful sandy beaches are to be found within a short picturesque drive (10-20km) from the house: Sottotorre, Le Saline and Spiaggia Grande to the west out of Calasetta, and Maladroxia to the east, on the Golfo di Palmas.
These are family places, public, with free parking and shallow water and the usual facilities. The locals and Italians on holiday use them; you will hardly meet any other foreign tourist.
Bring along your fins, snorkel and mask and swim in some of the clearest waters in the Mediterranean Sea. There are no holiday villages or complexes, so the beautiful coast remains practically untouched.
The Island is devoted to fishing and agriculture, in particular to the making of some good strong red wine, so enjoy a drive through it’s countryside down to the dramatic scenery of the southern tip, Capo Sperone, where an 18th century tower looks out to the three wild islets - the Bull, the Cow and the Calf, favorite territory for scuba-divers.
Near the house you find the small town of Calasetta (8 km) and the bigger one of Sant’Antioco (12 km), which gives its name to the island.
Calasetta
The nearest town was founded in 1769 by Ligurian refugees from the Tunisian island of Tabarka, who have maintained traces of their Genoese accent and dialect to this day. It is a fishing town with a palm-lined harbor, facing Carloforte, on San Pietro Islands. It offers a good range of family run shops, restaurants and friendly cafés with good coffee. It has a pedestrians street perfect for the evening “passeggiata” opening into the square with outdoor cafés. Just the place to have an aperitif with local olives and for the children a slice of pizza or an ice cream. There are very good bakeries, fishmongers, butchers and a weekly market at the harbor (Wednesday).
At the market you can sample and buy some of the local produces: pecorino and several other sheep cheeses, culurgiones (fresh ravioli filled with pecorino and herbs), malloreddus pasta, wild boar salami and sausages, very free range and organic meats, especially lamb and pig, local olives, extra virgin oil, pane casarau (very thin bread, also called music paper), fennels, artichokes, wild asparagus and the wines – Vermentino, Moscato, Cannonau, Vernaccia.
The nearest town was founded in 1769 by Ligurian refugees from the Tunisian island of Tabarka, who have maintained traces of their Genoese accent and dialect to this day. It is a fishing town with a palm-lined harbor, facing Carloforte, on San Pietro Islands. It offers a good range of family run shops, restaurants and friendly cafés with good coffee. It has a pedestrians street perfect for the evening “passeggiata” opening into the square with outdoor cafés. Just the place to have an aperitif with local olives and for the children a slice of pizza or an ice cream. There are very good bakeries, fishmongers, butchers and a weekly market at the harbor (Wednesday).
At the market you can sample and buy some of the local produces: pecorino and several other sheep cheeses, culurgiones (fresh ravioli filled with pecorino and herbs), malloreddus pasta, wild boar salami and sausages, very free range and organic meats, especially lamb and pig, local olives, extra virgin oil, pane casarau (very thin bread, also called music paper), fennels, artichokes, wild asparagus and the wines – Vermentino, Moscato, Cannonau, Vernaccia.
There is a pharmacy at the harbour (when closed, you’ll
find one open in Sant’Antioco). The pharmacist is a proper doctor,
and can give you advice and prescription medicines. There are several
small supermarkets (and two big ones in Sant’Antioco). The shops
opening time is normally 9-13/17-20.
The town reminds us of Italy 20 years ago in the good sense, not commercial or touristy, people are friendly and have the time and inclination to help. Not much English is spoken but lots of effort is made to communicate with, as you would expect of Italians, hand gestures and smiles. Children are most definitely welcome.
The town reminds us of Italy 20 years ago in the good sense, not commercial or touristy, people are friendly and have the time and inclination to help. Not much English is spoken but lots of effort is made to communicate with, as you would expect of Italians, hand gestures and smiles. Children are most definitely welcome.
Sant’Antioco
The other town on the island offers a wider range of choice, as well as some archeological sites and a pleasant promenade on the seafront, along which you can buy fish directly from the small fishing boats. A weekly market is held on Tuesday, near Palazzetto dello Sport.
In May or June if you see the “mattanza” sign outside the fishmonger, then do buy a piece of the world famous tuna to barbeque or sushi – BUON APPETITO!!!
Festivals
In Calasetta, Sant’Antioco, Cagliari and the Sulcis area there are many folkloristic festivals and events especially around Easter and in the summer: Festival of Saint Ephysius, Tuna Festival, S.Peter and Paul Festival, with music and food in the squares.
Posters around town will announce festivals and special events.
Climate
On the coast, the climate is generally mild throughout the year. There are approximately 300 days of sun, with rainfall concentrating in winter and autumn months, and few showers during the spring. The average temperature in July is 26 deg., while in January it is 10 deg. You can usually swim from May to October/November.
Information
With the arrival information we will send details of the many secluded bays and rock pools on the island and a list of suggestions for secret places to swim and walk. We are also happy to recommend our favorite restaurants and excursions, the best value car hire company, horse ridding stable, boat excursions or hire, and dive company. Assuming, that is, that you can tear yourself away from Casa Dolce Vista.
On the coast, the climate is generally mild throughout the year. There are approximately 300 days of sun, with rainfall concentrating in winter and autumn months, and few showers during the spring. The average temperature in July is 26 deg., while in January it is 10 deg. You can usually swim from May to October/November.
Information
With the arrival information we will send details of the many secluded bays and rock pools on the island and a list of suggestions for secret places to swim and walk. We are also happy to recommend our favorite restaurants and excursions, the best value car hire company, horse ridding stable, boat excursions or hire, and dive company. Assuming, that is, that you can tear yourself away from Casa Dolce Vista.