Page 210 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sardinia

208  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Getting Around Sardinia pleasant excursions. Although
the bus systems in towns and
Many of Sardinia’s roads are characterized by an interminable cities are rather busy and
number of curves and tight bends: annoying if you are in a chaotic, they are always a better
hurry, but pleasant if you’re on holiday and can take time to and more eco­friendly options
enjoy the scenery. With the exception of a few major roads, than driving in city centres.
such as the SS131, which connects the four corners of the
island, the roads wind their way over hills and across plains so Parking
that, even though the traffic outside the towns is light, always In winter, parking at the beach
calculate plenty of time when planning a tour. The empty is normally free. In summer, car
roads, on the other hand, are perfect for cyclists. park attendants charge by the
hour, half a day, or a full day. The
Costa Smeralda has the highest
charges. Cagliari’s Poetto beach
always has free parking.
Renting a Car
Most international car rental
companies, such as Avis,
Europcar, Hertz and Maggiore,
are represented in Sardinia, with
offices in the main port towns
(Olbia, Cagliari, Porto Torres) and
in the airports of Cagliari Elmas,
Olbia­Costa Sme ralda and
Bikers cycling down a dirt track in Cagliari Alghero Fertilia. Hertz offers
discounts for those who fly
Travelling by Car
of breakdown, contact with Meridiana and Ryanair.
Given the inefficient public the ACI Breakdown Service. A number of holiday com­
transport system, and the spec­ panies offer fly­drive deals.
tacular natural scenery, travelling
by car is the best way to become Green Travel Rules of the Road
acquainted with the island. Sardinians rely heavily on
It is important, however, to be their cars for travelling owing The speed limits are 50 km/h
aware of the issues that may to the lack of an efficient and (30 mph) in town and 90 km/h
occur. Minor roads will often be fast public transport system (55 mph) on major roads. Seat
blocked by flocks of sheep, between smaller towns and belts are required, and motor
adding to your travel time. Road cities. However, in big cities such cyclists, moped riders and
signs are not always clear and as Cagliari, car­sharing schemes passengers must wear helmets.
may be missing just when you are becoming increasingly
need them most. Should this popular. These are aimed mainly
occur, the best thing at residents rather than tourists. Boat Hire
to do is to ask someone on the Bicycle tourism is also popular In many ports it is possible to
way – Sardinians will happily throughout the island and the charter yachts, from one
help. Another potential problem website www.piste­ciclabili.com, day to one week. The prices may
is petrol, as there are not many provides a map of bike lanes include a crew or simply the use
filling stations in the interior. and bike­friendly itineraries for of the boat. Hiring a boat enables
Lastly, you will often find
yourself forced to take difficult
dirt roads, particularly when
looking for an out­of­the­way
church or archaeological site.
Always carry a good,
up­to­date road map.
One of the best is published
by the Touring Club Italiano,
to a scale of 1: 200.000. Keep
your vehicle and identity
documents (including driving
licence) with you in the car at
all times, since the police often
do spot checks. In case A car on a single-track road travelling through the Sardinian countryside

208-209_EW_Sardinia.indd 208 11/2/16 2:13 PM