Sardinia
Tips for a winter vacation
Carnival is not only a priority in Venice.
© ivan canavera/Shutterstock.com
Italy is the ultimate destination for a summer vacation. A trip in winter is often underestimated: Tips for the place of longing Sardinia.
Lake Garda may look a bit dreary at this time of year and is just as uninviting as the cold winds whistling through the Colosseum in Rome. But Sardinia in particular is also a great holiday destination in Italy outside of the summer.
On Sardinia, people like to take things a little more leisurely. Away from the hustle and bustle of the Italian capital and the hustle and bustle of Tuscany, it is worth getting involved with the traditions of the Sardinians and lacing up your hiking boots. Because the big hotels are closed in the winter months and only open at the start of the season in April, accommodation in the hinterland, where the locals live, is recommended.
Outdoor sports fans can look forward to a varied program in winter too. In Fonni, snow-capped mountains lure you to go skiing. Die-hards can even go into the sea. Although the temperatures rarely climb above 14 degrees Celsius, windsurfing and surfing are still no problem with a wetsuit. From January, the best conditions will also prevail for racing drivers who will find free roads. While hiking is no fun in the summer months because of the heat, winter boots can be laced up right now. The panoramic paths around Monte Pino or a short hike to the secluded beach of Tinnari are tempting.
Star jousting at the Sartiglia
If you want to experience some Sardinian tradition, it is best to mark February in your calendar. This year the carnival will rise from the 27th to the 29th (Carnival Sunday to Martedi Grasso). A special highlight is the ceremonial parade in Mamoiada, where terrifying Mamuthones and Issohadores parade through the streets, similar to the Krampus Run in Munich. You’ll look in vain for streamers and deckhands here.
The highlight is the Sartiglia, an equestrian game that is traditionally held in Oristano. The riders have to impale a suspended silver star with a lance at full gallop. According to popular belief, the more stars are “captured”, the richer the harvest will be next year. Of course, the corona component must also be taken into account this year.