Small towns, animated, rich of charm and traditions
Lots of small villages, with few thousand of people surround the territory of Sassari, the cities grown thanks to its geographic position, at the centre of a fertile rich-in-water area. Sassari (130.000 people) is Sardinian's second largest city, with is medieval centre, the Duke's Place, the municipality's headquaters and, the large Barique facade Dome, headquarters of one important Italian University. The National museum G.A.Sanna is also important for its archeological section, and the main celebrations like the Sardinian Ride "La Cavalcata Sarda" (last Sunday of May but one), with a parade of the island's traditional costumes and the Candlesticks (14th August), a religiuous-civilian parade.
Even Castelsardo - 7 miles far from us, a small town with 5000 people, gathered on the promontory protruding into Asinara Gulf, is famous for its historical centre. The town was founded in the II century by the Genovese family of Doria, offers its guest beautiful surprise. monuments, traditions and the production of artisan work like woven baskets, one of the Sardinian handicraft most appreciated all over the world. You must see the castle and fortifications built by the Genovese family.
Ozieri with its 11.000 people, it's the largest town in the central-eastern Logudoro (place of gold). Since the prehistoric time it has been densely populated for its geographic position that dominates the entire surraunding plains, as well as the physiognomy of its terrain enriched by numerous caves. Ozieri's beauty and importance can also be found in its many historical monuments.: including the nineteenth Century buildings in its town centre, the masterpiece of the "Maestro of Ozieri", the Basilica and the Church and the Museum of Archaeology. Few kilometres away from Ozieri, in Chilivani, we can find the institute of race (Horse), tanks to its modern and innovative facilities, it is very near to England and Brittany's famous traditions so in the area of Burgos, the institute, offers a programs of selection dedicated to the anglo-arabian-sardinian horse
But the land around Sassari is rich of thermal water, vineyards and wood. One of this interesting and naturalistic point is the highland of Casteldoria (7 miles far from us) between Santa Maria Coghinas and Viddalba. The "terme" consist in abundant streams of salty bromine ionic water flowing from the banks of the River Coghinas at a temperature of 70°c. The resulting mud pools have renowned curative powers..
La Ciaccia (locality of Valledoria)
La Ciaccia is a small locality of Valledoria embedded in a wonderful and amazing landscape only surrounded by the sea and fields. Our residence Sa Fiorida is integrated in La Ciaccia, that means facilities like supermarket, restaurants, bars, mini-market, playgrounds, other small shops are in walking distance. All the shops and bars are open all year. In summer time one will also find a First Aid station (End of JUne until 15th September.
The well-kept beach is about 200-400 m. from the Residenc "Sa Fiorida". In our locality starts one of the most beautiful and largest sandy beach of Nord-Sardinia. The white sandy shoreline extends towards the east, for over 9 miles and sometimes it is 40/50 m wide which offers above all kids a lot of possibilities to play whenever and where-ever they want. But also adults will find endless place to everybody who likes sun bathing. Towards the west, on the contrary, there are flat rocks. There are good to excellent possibilities to do scuba diving, snorkelling, sailing, canoeing and to windsurf (there is a surfing school in Valledoria).
Valledoria
Valledoria (the main town - 2 miles from La Ciaccia) is supplied with many services. There are several restaurants, which are surely tempting, besides jewellers, fashion and artisan shops which will induce you to spend and, when you are short of cash, there are three banks to help you out. Health isn't ignored either, in fact there are two emergency doctors (in La Ciaccia and in Valledoria), many specialists and a pharmacy for your needs.
The Residence "Sa Fiorida" is located in the centre of the North Sardinia Coast, immersed in nature and vegetation. Their location enables the tourist to reach the most beautiful places, abundant with the most interesting traditions of our island, in a short time. Alghero, Stintino, Emerald Coast, Castelsardo, Paradise Coast and also cultural monuments such as: the Nuraghe of Santu Antine, the necropolis of Anghelu Ruiu, the Basilica of Saccargia, the Accoddi Mountain, the Sacred Well, or natural monuments such as the Petrified Forest, the Caves of Neptune, the Casteldoria Thermal Baths, the Elephant and many others, all easily reachable, and a probable part of a tour which embraces a wide range of interests. The surroundings of Valledoria are rich and various: green forests, lakes, rivers, mountains with a gorgeous scenery, beautiful hills and marvellous plains which bring joy to the heart. A trip from the sea to the hinterlands, hiking or using mountain bikes or even by car is a great adventure, an uninterrupted journey of discovery. Thanks to the traditions which are still alive, evidence of the Sardinian culture can be observed.
Castelsardo
7 miles far from us -The small town of Castelsardo (founded by the Doria family in 1102, at first was called Castelgenovese (which means Genovese castle), then Castelaragonese (Aragonese Castle) - under the Spanish dominion - and finally Castelsardo, (Sardinian Castle), main centre of the Anglona, known for the looks of its historical centre, which in a very picturesque fortress-like manner on a steep promontory in a peak on the sea of the Asinara, and is overlooked by the ruins of the palisade and the castle built by the Genovese Doria. The Cathedral of Antonio Abate (S. Anthony the Great), located in one of the small streets of the old Medieval area, recognizable by its beautiful bell tower in Aragonese style, and St. Mary's Church should be visited.
Buying the characteristic handiwork is definitely a must: especially the magnificent baskets. The basket of Castelsardo is one of the most appreciated and diffused products throughout the world of the Sardinian handcraftsmanship. The habitants of Castelsardo learned the ancient art of weaving, which to this day makes a beautiful setting in the little streets of the historic centre, by the Anthonian monks, who came from Egypt between the VII and VIII century.
Castelsardo keeps memory of these monks in its oral tradition, still alive especially in "Perantunadda", a song in honour of S. Antonio Abate. The art of weaving probably started from the need to use materials of local vegetable origin, to build containers or shelters or whatever else a human mind could imagine and create.
An appointment with the most genuine and ancient tradition of Sardinian folklore is, on the Monday before Easter Sunday, the procession of the Lunissanti (Holy Monday). The ceremony takes place in the evening, through the tight little streets of the historical centre, lit only by old oil lamps. After the Holy Mass (in St. Mary's Church), celebrated at dawn on the altar of the Cristu Nieddu (Black Christ), there is the pilgrimage of the "Cori" (groups of four chorus singers) and "Misteri" (Religious Mysteries) towards the Basilica of the Pink Madonna of Gerico a Tergu, where the Religious Mysteries and the celebration of the Pontifical Mass, are presented to the Virgin Mary, accompanied by the Attitu (Crying song over the killed Christ).
A short trip towards the hinterlands brings to the Church of St. Mary of Tergu, in Romanic style, to the nuraghe Paddagiu and to the Elephant. The Elephant boulder - a reddish trachytic boulder - was used by the Pre-nuragics to dig some tombs from it.
Terme di Casteldoria
8 miles far from us - Sardinia, thanks to its minerals and recent volcanic activity, has various thermal and mineral springs. The thermal springs, with a temperature varying from 40° to 70°C., are aligned along the main fracture lines, near lava sources, such as the Casteldoria thermal baths, located in Santa Maria Coghinas. Thermal baths have been known since ancient times for their saline bromide waters which come out at 70°c. from a porphyric gorge almost at the same level as the Coghinas river.
The castle of the Doria, founded in the XII century, is nearby. It is situated in a frame made of vivid red rocks and was built on a 228m hill. Along the way you can admire two small Roman churches, the San Giovanni (St. John) Church, very well kept, and the S. Maria delle Grazie (St. Mary of Grace) Church, which has kept its gothic facing.
The landscape of the surrounding hills and the Coghinas river is covered by a lush Mediterranean scrub made up prevalently by ogliastri, cork oaks and other typical varieties of this vegetation, such as the lentisk, rhamnus alaternus and the cistus. There are many mammal species in this territory, some are the wild pig, Sardinian fox, porcupine, weasel, marten and wild cat. As far as birds are concerned, there is a substantial presence of herons, Sardinian partridges and fishing hawks. Water turtles find an ideal environment in this location for its survival.
Perfugas
13 miles far from us - The territory of Perfugas is characterised by a landscape of wide river valleys, separated by little hills and plain tops. The town, located 92m. above seal level, was built, in the oldest part of the urban centre, upon the Santa Maria hill, where a nuragic-Roman Medieval centre was developed, and is particularly active and economically valid.
The collection of thousands of stone age handiworks and tools have enabled us to go back to the Sardinian prehistory (of which the oldest attestations went back to the VI millennium BC.) to about 150-200.000 years B.C. The foundation, in 1988, of the Archaeological and Palaeobotanic Museum has valorised the rich archaeological patrimony of Perfugas which, besides the palaeobotanic and Palaeolithic evidence, boasts itself of its documents which are hardly without cultural interruptions and go from the Ancient Neolithic to the Middle Ages.
Among the monuments we must mention: the building in domus de janas of Niedda, the domus of Aries in the Funtana Pulida resort and the beautiful well-temple located right in the historic centre. During the XII century the first implant of the Romanic church of Santa Maria (Saint Mary) was built in the centre of town: it represents the most ancient example of use, in Sardinia, of alternated rows of gesso rocks and tranchite. The church of San Giorgio (St. George), in valuable Gothic-Aragon lines, located just a couple of km. from town, is dated back to the period between the XV and XVI century.
Besides this rich architectural and archaeological heritage, Perfugas has an economy based on the integration of agriculture and breeding. We should mention the high quality of the cheese from Perfugas and its vast choice....
Folklore is also one of the great inheritances of this town. The "Matteo Peru" choir, which has been active for almost thirty years, has been organizing for years an international folklore festival which is held every summer, therefore making Perfugas one of the main destinations for those who love popular traditions. It isn't a coincidence that the "Matteo Peru" choir is a part of the Fitp, the Popular Traditions Federation which has been officially recognized by the ministry of Entertainment already for some time.
Sassari
28 miles far from us - Lots of small villages, with few thousand of people surround the territory of Sassari, the cities grown thanks to its geographic position, at the centre of a fertile rich-in-water area. Sassari (130.000 people) is Sardinian's second largest city, with is medieval centre, the Duke's Place, the municipality's headquaters and, the large Barique facade Dome, headquarters of one important Italian University. The National museum G.A.Sanna is also important for its archeological section, and the main celebrations like the Sardinian Ride "La Cavalcata Sarda" (last Sunday of May but one), with a parade of the island's traditional costumes and the Candlesticks (14th August), a religiuous-civilian parade..
Alghero
48 miles far from us - Alghero probably derives its name by the abundant algae deposited on the coast by the marine currents. This beautiful small city is one of the places on the island where tourists can enjoy many services besides occasions for culture and entertainment, especially in the summer months, when the population of Alghero increases of about thirty thousand inhabitants - very crowdy but very interesting to be visited for one day.
Looking over the sea, it is one of the most interesting cities of the region of Sardinia, for its historical centre and for the natural environment which surrounds it. The historical centre keeps the attraction of the ancient Spanish city. The picturesque little roads are always full of tourists. In addition to the products of the other areas, the coral handicraft is a characteristic of Alghero.
The history of Alghero has given a Catalan trace to the small town, because it was dominated by the Aragon for several centuries. The local dialect, still in use, is in fact Catalan. There are ruins of Medieval walls, such as the Towers of Porta Terra, Maddalena and Sperone. Walking through the picturesque roads of the historical centre, you can encounter the Dome of St. Mary, with its magnificent bell tower, and the St. Francis Church, which represents the most important monument of Alghero. The sunset by the tree-lined seaside where the Tower of St. James is located, is very scenic.
Tempio Pausania
28 miles far from us - The city of Tempio Pausania (historic capital of the Gallura) is located inside the Gallura and rises on a plateau dominated by Mount Limbara and surrounded by the St. George Mountains and the hills of Curraggia and Limpas, besides the picturesque Aggius mountains. The florid land around the city is full of valleys, vineyards and forests where the original vegetation of oak and Mediterranean scrub still predominates.
The cork oak forests are especially lush; this product has characterized the economic expansion of the city during the second half of the 800's and in the first part of the twentieth century, bringing wealth and occupation to the territory of the Alta Gallura to this day.
The historical centre has typical elements of an elegant and controlled architecture, with small buildings of grey granite (it is called "the city of stones"). The appearance of the urban historic centre is characterized by buildings realized in the 1700 and 1800, almost all of two or three stories, built with granite in sight and embellished by poggioli enclosed by wrought iron railings and brackets under gutters (sometimes decorated). The heart of the city is Piazza Gallura (Gallura Square), where the Town Hall is, and the adjacent picturesque square where you can find the Cathedral of St. Peter, the Oratory of the Rosary, imposing buildings in granite and an arched entrance between two buildings.
The soil is very rich with springs, and their mineral waters are used in the thermal hydropinic establishment. Going through a panoramic avenue you can reach the outskirts, where the Rinaggiu springs, famous for the goodness and diuretic qualities of the water, are to be found.
In a half hour from Tempio, you can go up Mount Limbara: past the Vallicciola resort, in an alpine environment, you will reach, among firs all P. Balistreri, from which you can enjoy an immense view over Corsica, Olbia, and naturally, on the whole Gallura.
Sedini
7 miles far from us - Sedini is a small municipality but it still keeps intact some beauties and natural, archeological and cultural particularities. Some of the rural churches are of great historical and artistic importance such as that of S. Nicola of Silanis, S.Pancrazio, Sant'Anna, of the Annunciated, and so on. The Domus de Janas in Sedini is very famous and worthy to be visited as well, and it overlooks, from town, over the valley of Silanis.
The domus de Janas Sa Rocca that, unlike the other Domus looks, from the outside, like a huge boulder in which a home, made up of only two rooms (main cell and an entrance cell) was built, during the Cooper Age some side rooms were added, in the Middle Ages it was used as a prison and in the Nine hundreds, finally, it became a real home (such as it is now), with the adding of brickwork and lofts.
There are various caves in the territory belonging to the Sedini Municipality and we couldn't avoid mentioning the Nuraghe (Lu Padru) in the higher part of town.
Petrified Forest
Between 13 and 17 miles far from us - For lay's people its difficult to understand what Sardinia has in common with Arizona (Usa) and Siberia (Russia). That is true! But Sardinia is one of the place were found, within the area of Anglona, in Perfugas and Bulzi , the remains of fossilized forest ( from the prehistoric time) The trunks underwent various processes of silicization, became fossilized, and came down to us. Thanks to a man's work (landowners) worried for its land, one night they decided to roll down from the mountain the trunk on the river., same of those trunk are still in the River Altana, in the area of Perfugas but visitors can reach also Martis, a small town 5 km away from Perfugas, (with a beautiful park ).
This is the district area with most fossils, many of which are still buried in varies depths. Those which are visible, along the embankment of the Riu Altana, are large, some are pierced in the centre, others instead are completely mineralized: all the lined parts have therefore been transformed in rock assuming the looks of real natural sculptures.
Green Train (Trenino Verde)
Sassari - Tempio
Departing from the city of Sassari, this itinerary develops itself throughout Osilo, famous for the production of rugs and blankets, besides the gold handicrafts; Nulvi and Martis, with its fascinating silicated of Carucana forest, passing by Laerru, famous for the handicraft works on the roots of the Erica, for its production of pipes; next going by by Perfugas, where the first findings of human life were found, which can be seen at the Archeological and Paleobotanic Civic Museum. We continue passing by Bortiggiadas and Aggiu, to arrive finally in Tempio, historic capital of the internal Gallura, on the bottom of Mount Limbara.
Tempio - Palau
The Tempio Palau line passes by Luras, Calangianus, Sant'Antonio di Gallura, Arzachena, to arrive, at last, to the Palau station.
Leaving from Tempio, on the foot of Mount Limbara, you go past Luras, known for its numerous dolmens, to reach Calangius, a town with an agriculturally based economy (important for the workmanship of cork), nearby it is possible to visit the nuraghe Agnu, with a quadrangular plant; then continue to Arzachena, to finally reach Palau, right across from the Island La Maddalena and its marvellous archipelago, full of dream-like islands which should all be visited! (in the photograph you can admire the choo-choo train and in the background the island of La Maddalena).
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is famous for its historical centre. The town was founded in the II century by the Genovese family of Doria, offers its guest beautiful surprise. monuments, traditions and the production of artisan work like woven baskets, one of the Sardinian handicraft most appreciated all over the world. You must see the castle and fortifications built by the Genovese family.
that means facilities like supermarket, restaurants, bars, mini-market, playgrounds, other small shops are in walking distance. All the shops and bars are open all year. In summer time one will also find a First Aid station (End of JUne until 15th September.
The well-kept beach is about 200-400 m. from the Residenc "Sa Fiorida". 
In our locality starts one of the most beautiful and largest sandy beach of Nord-Sardinia. The white sandy shoreline extends towards the east, for over 9 miles and sometimes it is 40/50 m wide which offers above all kids a lot of possibilities to play whenever and where-ever they want. But also adults will find endless place to everybody who likes sun bathing. Towards the west, on the contrary, there are flat rocks. There are good to excellent possibilities to do scuba diving, snorkelling, sailing, canoeing and to windsurf (there is a surfing school in Valledoria).
time. Alghero, Stintino, Emerald Coast, 
Castelsardo, Paradise Coast and also cultural monuments such as: the Nuraghe of Santu Antine, the necropolis of Anghelu Ruiu, the Basilica of Saccargia, the Accoddi Mountain, the Sacred Well, or natural monuments such as the Petrified Forest, the Caves of Neptune, the Casteldoria Thermal Baths, the Elephant and many others, all easily reachable, and a probable part of a tour which embraces a wide range of interests. The surroundings of Valledoria are rich and various: green forests, lakes, rivers, mountains with a gorgeous scenery, beautiful hills and marvellous plains which bring joy to the heart. A trip from the sea to the hinterlands, hiking or using mountain bikes or even by car is a great adventure, an uninterrupted journey of discovery. Thanks to the traditions which are still alive, evidence of the Sardinian culture can be observed.
under the Spanish dominion - and finally Castelsardo, (Sardinian Castle), main centre of the Anglona, known for the looks of its historical centre, which in a very picturesque fortress-like manner on a steep promontory in a peak on the sea of the Asinara, and is overlooked by the ruins of the palisade and the castle built by the Genovese Doria. The Cathedral of Antonio Abate (S. Anthony the Great), located in one of the small streets of the old Medieval area, recognizable by its beautiful bell tower in Aragonese style, and St. Mary's Church should be visited.
and VIII century. 
"Perantunadda", a song in honour of S. Antonio Abate. The art of weaving probably started from the need to use materials of local vegetable origin, to build containers or shelters or whatever else a human mind could imagine and create.
along the main fracture lines, near lava sources, such as the Casteldoria thermal baths, located in Santa Maria Coghinas. Thermal baths have been known since ancient times for their saline bromide waters which come out at 70°c. from a porphyric gorge almost at the same level as the Coghinas river.
The castle of the Doria
, founded in the XII century, is nearby. It is situated in a frame made of vivid red rocks and was built on a 228m hill. Along the way you can admire two small Roman churches, the San Giovanni (St. John) Church, very well kept, and the S. Maria delle Grazie (St. Mary of Grace) Church, which has kept its gothic facing.
The landscape of the surrounding hills and the Coghinas river is covered by a lush Mediterranean scrub made up prevalently by ogliastri, cork oaks and other typical varieties of this vegetation, such as the lentisk, rhamnus alaternus and the cistus. There are many mammal species in this territory, some are the wild pig, Sardinian fox, porcupine, weasel, marten and wild cat. As far as birds are concerned, there is a substantial presence of herons, Sardinian partridges and fishing hawks. Water turtles find an ideal environment in this location for its survival.
separated by little hills and plain tops. The town, located 92m. above seal level, was built, in the oldest part of the urban centre, upon the Santa Maria hill, where a nuragic-Roman Medieval centre was developed, and is particularly active and economically valid.
of the Archaeological and Palaeobotanic Museum has valorised the rich archaeological patrimony of Perfugas which, besides the palaeobotanic and Palaeolithic evidence, boasts itself of its documents which are hardly without cultural interruptions and go from the Ancient Neolithic to the Middle Ages. 
ancient example of use, in Sardinia, of alternated rows of gesso rocks and tranchite. The church of San Giorgio (St. George), in valuable Gothic-Aragon lines, located just a couple of km. from town, is dated back to the period between the XV and XVI century.
with few thousand of people surround the territory of 
Looking over the sea, it is one of the most interesting cities of the region of Sardinia, for its historical centre and for the natural environment which surrounds it. The historical centre keeps the attraction of the ancient Spanish city. The picturesque little roads are always full of tourists. In addition to the products of the other areas, the coral handicraft is a characteristic of Alghero.
still predominates.
The cork oak forests are especially lush; this product has characterized the economic expansion of the city during the second half of the 800's and in the first part of the twentieth century, bringing wealth and occupation to the territory of the Alta Gallura to this day.
The historical centre has typical elements of an elegant and controlled architecture, with small buildings of grey granite (it is called "the city of stones"). The appearance of the urban historic centre is characterized by buildings realized in the 1700 and 1800, almost all of two or three stories, built with granite in sight and embellished by poggioli enclosed by wrought iron railings and brackets under gutters (sometimes decorated). The heart of the city is Piazza Gallura (Gallura Square), where the Town Hall is, and the adjacent picturesque square where you can find the Cathedral of St. Peter, the Oratory of the Rosary, imposing buildings in granite and an arched entrance between two buildings.
artistic importance such as that of S. Nicola of Silanis, S.Pancrazio, Sant'Anna, of the Annunciated, and so on. The Domus de Janas in Sedini is very famous and worthy to be visited as well, and it overlooks, from town, over the valley of Silanis.
of silicization, became fossilized, and came down to us. Thanks to a man's work (landowners) worried for its land, one night they decided to roll down from the mountain the trunk on the river., same of those trunk are still in the River Altana, in the area of Perfugas but visitors can reach also Martis, a small town 5 km away from Perfugas, (with a beautiful park ).
production of rugs and blankets, besides the gold handicrafts; Nulvi and Martis, with its fascinating silicated of Carucana forest, passing by Laerru, famous for the handicraft works on the roots of the Erica, for its production of pipes; next going by by Perfugas, where the first findings of human life were found, which can be seen at the Archeological and Paleobotanic Civic Museum. We continue passing by Bortiggiadas and Aggiu, to arrive finally in Tempio, historic capital of the internal Gallura, on the bottom of Mount Limbara.
nio di Gallura, Arzachena, to arrive, at last, to the Palau station.
Leaving from Tempio, on the foot of Mount Limbara, you go past Luras, known for its numerous dolmens, to reach Calangius, a town with an agriculturally based economy (important for the workmanship of cork), nearby it is possible to visit the nuraghe Agnu, with a quadrangular plant; then continue to Arzachena, to finally reach Palau, right across from the Island La Maddalena and its marvellous archipelago, full of dream-like islands which should all be visited! (in the photograph you can admire the choo-choo train and in the background the island of La Maddalena).