Page 155 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sardinia

THE NOR TH AND THE C OST A SMER ALD A  153

Spargi
Road map D1. g from La
Maddalena. n 0789 73 63 21.
Spargi is little more than 2 km
(1 mile) in diameter and is
completely uninhabited. The
terrain is fairly barren and the
coast steep and inaccessible,
but there is a lovely beach
for bathing, although keep in
mind that it has no facilities.
An ancient Roman ship was
found opposite the Cala Corsara
cove on the southern coast; its
cargo is now in the Museo
Archeologico Navale “Nino
The famous pink sand beach at Budelli Lamboglia” at La Maddalena.
Tourist boats make regular stops
Garibaldi’s favourite room was the Santo Stefano at Cala Corsara.
salon, and he asked to be taken Road map D1. n 0789 73 63 21.
there before he died. The calendar The small island of Santo Budelli
and clocks in the room have not Stefano lies about halfway Road map D1. n 0789 73 63 21.
been changed since that day, between Palau and the island This beautiful uninhabited
and still show the exact time of of Maddalena and can be island is remarkable for its unique
his death: 6:20pm on 2 June 1882. reached via the boats that beach of rose-coloured sand.
Caprera also has a famous depart at regular intervals Even though there are no
sailing school, the Centro Velico from La Maddalena harbour. facilities, Budelli is popular with
Caprera (see p195). Dominating the scene is visitors because of its beautifully
the Santo Stefano (or San unspoiled natural setting. It was
E Compendio Garibaldino Giorgio) fortress, also known also used in a film by the director
Tel 0789 72 71 62. Open 9am–8pm as Napoleon’s fort, built at the Michelangelo Antonioni.
Tue–Sun (in summer); winter end of the 18th century. The clear, unpolluted water
hours vary, call ahead. Closed 1 Jan, There is a tourist village on is also ideal for scuba diving,
25 Dec. ^ & 7 ∑ compendio the beach of Pesce, on the either to observe marine life or
garibaldino.it western coast. for underwater fishing.
Sailing in Northern Sardinia
The Straits of Bonifacio are dotted with small islands and rocks with lighthouses which create
natural buoys, making the area ideal for yacht and dinghy racing. The wind is pretty constant,
and in summer the west wind blows steadily at 40 km per hour (24 mph).
The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Porto Cervo, founded by H.H the Aga Khan, is the main
sailing facility in this area. This world-famous club organizes several major sailing races and
other competitions. Among the most well-known are the Sardinia Cup, an international offshore
championship held in even-numbered years, and the Settimana delle Bocche, a summer race for
yachts from all over the world.
In June and September the
new marina at Porto Cervo
plays host to fleets of sailing
superyachts and the largest
gathering of Maxi class yachts
takes place at the Club each
year. Other important races,
such as the Euro pean and world
championships of various
yacht categories, also take
place here. The Yacht Club
Costa Smeralda represented
Italy in the 1983 America’s
Cup with the yacht Azzurra and
in 1987 the Club organized
regattas to select the Italian
representative in the America’s
Cup in Perth, Australia. Yachts racing in the Straits of Bonifacio

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