Page 202 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sardinia

200  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Beaches and the clean blue sea are the towns and countryside, rich in history,
principal attractions for visitors to Sardinia, ancient culture, old traditions and
and the coastline, especially in the northeast, spellbinding scenery, are best appreciated
gets very crowded from early July to late when it’s not too hot. Government funding
August. Visiting the island out of season can for monuments is as slow and insufficient
have its advantages: apart from avoiding the here as anywhere else in Italy, so don’t be
bustling crowds, accommodation and ferries surprised to see signs such as chiuso per
are cheaper in June and September, and the restauro (closed for restoration).

at your nearest Italian consulate. information, providing complete
Non-EU citizens must carry a day-by-day listings of activities
valid passport, while for EU and events, though in Italian.
citizens a national ID card will There are also useful websites
suffice. It is advisable to check the aimed at tourists in Sardinia,
requirements before travelling. such as www.sardinia.net, which
By law you must carry your ID lists holiday accommodation,
with you at all times, as it may events and festivals.
be needed during a road block.
Admission Prices
Travel Safety Information Entrance fees for museums and
Visitors can get up-to-date archaeological sites vary between
travel safety information from €2 and €12. Under-18s and senior
Bathers cooling off in the Mediterranean the Foreign and Commonwealth citizens are usually allowed in free
as temperatures soar in summer Office in the UK, the State of charge or pay a reduced fee.
Department in the US and the Where available, student and
When to Go Department of Foreign Affairs teacher reductions can be
Sardinia is renowned for its six- and Trade in Australia. obtained by showing ISIC cards
month summer, with warm and or other forms of identification.
dry weather and seas warm Customs Information
enough for swimming from May
to October. Temperatures reach Any customs formalities are Opening Hours
peaks in late July and August, completed at the first Italian Museums and archaeological
with up to 42°C (108°F) in the arrival point (usually the main- zones are usually open every
inland areas. This is also when land). Non-EU citizens can claim day except Monday. However,
most Italians go on holiday so back sales tax (IVA) on purchases in winter, some sites close in
everywhere is overcrowded, costing over €154.94. Consulates the afternoon and, in summer,
in particular the ferries to and can generally provide up-to- opening hours are extended,
from Olbia and Cagliari, and date information on customs sometimes even to late evening
the seaside hotels and resorts. regulations. Non-EU citizens can hours. Churches in the interior
The most crowded areas are the bring in either 200 cigarettes are usually closed in the middle
Costa Smeralda, the beaches or 50 cigars or 1kg of tobacco, of the day and may only be
near the Golfo di Cagliari and 1 litre of spirits, 4 litres of wine open for mass. If a church is
the area around Stintino. The and 50 grams of perfume. closed, the parish priest (parroco)
best months to visit the beautiful
interior are May, June and Sep- Tourist Information
tember. Spring is particularly
delightful, when flowers are in The Sardegna Turismo website
bloom. In winter the cold can gives visitors an overview of the
be quite intense, especially at region’s places of interest and
higher altitudes. events, and also offers the
opportunity to book a hotel
and to create an itinerary. Every
Visas & Passports
comune (local town council)
European Union (EU) residents of tourist interest has its own
and visitors from the US, Canada, tourist information office, often
New Zealand and Australia need housed in the town hall. Local
no visa for a stay of up to three papers – L’Unione Sarda, La
months. Information concerning Nuova Sardegna and Sardegna A store in Sardinia offering
visas can be obtained in advance Oggi – are useful sources of luxury goods
Fishing boats moored on the river in Bosa

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