Villa Orsola

Villa Orsola is situated on the northern tip of Sardinia, whithin the famous promontory of Capo d’Orso, an unspoiled and protected stretch of coast known for its crystal clear sea water and perfectly smooth granite rocks in the most extraordinary shapes. The surrounding countryside that has no equal in Sardinia or even in the Mediterranean area as a whole.

Only a few km away lies the fishing harbour Palau, just in front of the National Park of the Arcipelago della Maddalena. Here you will find a good choice of shops and restaurants as well as a post office, bank and newsagent. At Palau, it is simple to hire small boats; the smooth waters of the sea at Palau are considered to be a yachtsman’s paradise.

Catch a ferry from Palau to Isola della Maddalena, the main island of an archipelago of seven islands and 40 islets, classified as a national park: Parco Nazionale dell’Arcipelago di La Maddalena. The group of islands (Caprera, Spargi, Budelli, La Vezzi and Cavallo) around la Maddalena is renowned for its beauty. They can be visited by boat over the day. The village of La Maddalena is the oldest settlement of the area. You can cross the channel by ferry, even for dinner in one of the restaurants of La Maddalena.

Only 5 kilometres from Palau are Punta Sardegna and Porto Rafael, elegant resorts for understated people in the know. Porto Rafael was built in the ‘60ies by count Rafael Neville, a member of the international jet-set. Following his footsteps a number of villas were built around the small port by people in search of unspoilt coasts and cristal clear water.

The millionaires' playground Porto Cervo and Porto Rotondo are thirty to forty kilometres away, here you can while away hours gazing at hundreds of yachts or browsing exclusive boutiques. Porto Cervo was named after its enchanting cove, which looks like the antlers of a deer (cervo).

Just a quarter of an hour’s drive from the house are magnificent beaches, such as the Isola dei Gabbiani, a much sought-after destination for windsurfers and kitesurfers.

Important archaelogical stone age tombs are within 20 kms.

The Trenino Verde is an old-world train that runs from Palau twice daily to the hilltop town Tempio Pausania.

Ferries link Palau to La Maddalena, Genoa and Naples.

Sports: In the charming harbour of Porto Rafael you will find the Yacht Club Punta Sardegna. Once a year in August together with the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda they organise the famous Formenton regatta. The Yacht Club de Porto Rafael rents out dinghys (rubber boats) of different sizes. Sailing boats can be chartered at the harbour of Palau. The clear waters of the bay are considered a paradise for amateur sailors.

A 15 minute drive from the house you will find Porto Pollo–Isola dei Gabbiani, the Sardinian "surf and kite paradise", 7 km of beaches in two large bays. There is allways enough wind and windsurfers and kitesurfers meet to challenge eachother at impressive speed. There are sailing schools, schools for windsurfing and kitesurfing, equipment can be hired on the spot.

Furthermore, this part of the Sardinian coast offers possibilities for scuba diving, snorkeling, open-ocean-kayak, tennis, mountain biking and beach volley. Scuba diving schools will give lessons at all levels and organise fascinating excursions.

Mountain bikers will find several routes along the coast and inland. Bikes can be rented in Palau.

The opportunities for walks or proper hikes are rich and varied in this part of Sardinia.