Castelsardo

A few years ago Castelsardo was voted the most picturesque village in Sardinia and now post Covid, they are expecting to be  somewhat overrun with tourists in summer, yet as we were there it was so calm and peaceful Built on the slopes of a hill with a well- fortified castle guarding it on all sides, this very pretty colourful village.dates back over 800 years.

I am amazed at Guni and her calmness. Dear Google Maps led us through the narrowest maze of streets, cars parked everywhere, Italian style, families strolling across the road oblivious to cars approaching. The carpark is below the hill, so after an active day, we were faced with steps and slopes to reach our lovely B and B Il Duomo. It was all worth the climb!

What a beautiful place this is. There are no gardens and yet many homes have pots of lush green plants, herbs and flowers outside the front door, creating very special front gardens.

En route to the Vecchio Borgo restaurant for dinner, we were happy  to meet a very creative and very hospitable local, Pina, who alone had made all these beautiful woven baskets and plates. If only my bag had been less full!

With heat and sun, plus very narrow streets protecting the plants, this is certainly an ideal  environment for cacti!

The recommendation from our hosts and Pina was certainly excellent. What Delicious food and wine we enjoyed  at the piccolo Borgo. It was a fantastic evening in such a gorgeous environment. The poor waiters had to continually race up and down very uneven stairs(in the photo)

carrying food, drinks and dishes,  to the kitchen on the next  level, and yet they remained so good-natured and helpful all evening.

Being in a narrow alleyway, we sadly missed what must have been a spectacular sunset, but we caught the final rays on the way back to our B and B.. In the evenings and early mornings, only the 'music' of the gulls was to be heard. 

Just before heading to our wonderfully welcoming, cool rooms ( thanks to the thick walls! )we climbed the narrow steps up to the top floor of our home for this final view from the terrace.

Wow, what a great sleep after such an impressive first day. Breakfast on the terrace was not necessarily our 'cup of tea' but the view, and the gull chorus, more than made up for this! It was a magical spot.

Castelsardo is like a labyrinth of tiny, narrow streets, winding around the hill. We couldn't help thinking that life must have been hard during Covid at its worst, because the houses are so close together. Another problem for locals is that the wind and sun attack the facades of these centuries-old buildings.

Quicky forgetting the downside of life in this fabulous place, we were so impressed by the vibrant colours of  many homes. Here Yellow and blue reminding us of Ukraine, which seemed a world away and yet still made us think of the atrocities going on there.

Centuries  ago I am sure there were many wars here too. Canons were a stark reminder if this. Geographically this small village was well protected on this hill. . In the distance you can see Corsica, France!

We were quite sad to leave. We already felt at home here.