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- Destinations
- Europe
- Italy
- Costa Smeralda
Costa Smeralda
The jet-set strip of Sardinia, Costa Smeralda is a six-mile
(10km) stretch of coastline between the gulfs of Cugnana and
Arzachena on the island's northeast coast, which has become a
developer's paradise and extremely popular with holidaymakers.
Legend has it that a fabulously wealthy consortium of businessmen
first exploited this beautiful wild coastal strip in the 1960s,
backed by the Aga Khan. Today the local villages and towns around
Costa Smeralda have become discreet up-market resorts crammed with
private villas, luxurious holiday villages, contrived
Mediterranean-style shopping malls, low-rise high-priced hotels and
huge yachting marinas packed with gleaming yachts. The main town of
the area is Porto Cervo, a crime and litter-free playground of the
rich with its ranks of pale pink and red villas climbing the hill
from the busy marina. The other favourite retreat for celebrities
is the town of Porto Rotondo, situated on a natural cove about 10
miles (16km) from Olbia, site of the international airport. The
town offers a wealth of beaches, nightclubs, bars and restaurants,
most clustered around its Piazza San Marco, and the marina. The
main attractions of the Costa Smeralda are the numerous sequestered
beaches, none signposted, which can be discovered simply by
following a dirt track down towards the sea. Among the most scenic
are Cappriccioli, Rena Bianca and Liscia Ruja, all south of Porto
Cervo.
Information & Facts
Language
The official language of Italy is Italian. English is
understood in the larger cities but not in the more remote parts of
the country.
Money
The Euro (EUR) is the official currency, which is divided into
100 cents. Those arriving in Italy with foreign currency can obtain
Euros through any bank, ATM or bureaux de change. ATMs are
widespread. Travellers cheques can be exchanged with ease in the
large cities, not so in the smaller towns. Credit cards are
accepted in upmarket establishments and shops around the cities.
Banks are closed on weekends, but tend to have better rates than
casas de cambios.