Hamps Blog

“Alghero!” she said. Alghero! Why on earth are we going there? It is hard having a travel journalist as a wife sometimes. So off we went. Jumped on a plane from Stansted and winged our way to Alghero to hire a car and then sampled 7 days of delights to review the highs and lows of Sardinia.

Alghero is on the coast of Sardinia, and enjoys a wonderful mix of Italian and Catalan influences in just the right helpings of medieval history, fine architecture and delicious pasta. So why go there I hear you say? In comparison to other resorts in Sardinia, Alghero is refreshingly down to earth and despite its Catalan connection its old centre has the feel of an ancient Italian town, often being compared to Sorrento. The town’s small cobbled streets are packed with boutiques, bars and superb restaurants. This week we are staying in a few different hotels. The first is the Hotel Villa Las Tronas - a 19th-century villa that was once a holiday playground for Italian royalty. A ten minute walk from the town, the hotel is full of character with wooden shutters, antiques, wrought-iron beds and old-fashioned furnishings throughout. Rooms are on the small side but for more space ask for one of the sea-facing rooms on the first floor. It boasts superb children’s pool, miniature golf course and tennis courts. Rooms are comfortable and well equipped, and those at the back are reasonably priced.

Well enough about the hotel in Alghero and more about what we all come to Italy for – the delicious food. First stop Palau Reial, located on the ground floor of a medieval palazzo. Generous portions of fish and meat are cooked to old Sardinian recipes over an open fire in the small, atmospheric dining room. Then the next night we tried the Al Tuguri - a cosy, rustic trattoria, located in the centre of old Alghero, specialising in fresh fish cooked to Catalan recipes. Well my friends this is the end of the first few days but rest assured we will report back with reports on the rest of Alghero in the coming few days. Over and out – time for another large wine I think!

Bari is thought of the melting pot where the traditions of the West merge with those of the East. This is due mainly to its geographical location, as well as the Fiera del Levante, the largest and strategically decisive trade fair of Southern Italy. This is also reflected in Bari’s blend of cultures with the town reflecting Arabic, Norman and Roman architecture and ways of life. This has lead to an upsurge in tourism with travelers flying into the recently upgraded airport, hiring a car to explore the old and new towns before heading further afield to explore other areas in heel of Italy’s boot. So if you are considering Italy this year for your annual culture consumption perhaps look further afield than the usual Rome, Milan or the Amalfi coast and fly to Puglia. Fly directly into Bari Airport and enjoy this wonderful area.