The entirety of year seems to be wedding season. The amount of people that have multiple weddings to attend shows that a lot of people are tying the knot after the world closed down during the pandemic. Now things are well on their way back to normal, it’s great to have to opportunity to travel to wonderful places again, making that all important honeymoon decision extremely exciting, and nowhere could be a more appropriate than Northern Sardinia.
The large Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea is surrounded by mountainous clifftops that look down at incredible sandy beaches where the shoreline is awash with perfectly clear turquoise waters. It is perfect. Sardinia is one of just five blue zones in the world, where people live considerably longer, healthier, and happier. A mere two hours from Gatwick airport, it seems paradise has never been closer. Hosted by the Delphina collection, we spent six nights exploring two resorts, Resort Valle Dell’Erica Thalasso & SPA and Hotel Capo d’Orso Thalasso & SPA in search of those extra special and magical experiences that will make honeymooning here simply unforgettable.
Here are our favourite experiences that will make your honeymoon exceptional.
The Wild Aperitif
Following a small team from Valle Dell’Erica, we took a short walk to an extremely romantic setting, zig-zagging along a narrow dirt path within the Mediterranean Macchia, to reach a small yet secluded clearing on top a cliff edge, overlooking the ocean on one side and where the sun would soon sink under the horizon inking a pastel masterpiece across the sky. Here, a table was whipped up before you could say ‘wow’. A fresh, crisp tablecloth was floated and smoothly pressed over its surface before a feast of oysters, fresh fruits, cheeses, cold sliced meats, breads and the sound of a champagne popping was presented before our very eyes. Once served, the staff retreat back to the hotel, allowing privacy for a truly special and romantic moment sharing food and bubbles as the sun began its descent and we took in the amazing 360 panoramic view. Being amongst these unique surroundings at one of its most impressive times was a truly incredible experience.
Elevated Dining At Li Ciusoni Restaurant
Food is often the way to the heart and Li Ciusoni, a typical Sardinian restaurant within Valle Dell’Erica, is a real gem. They offer an elevated dining experience, housed in a beautiful open restaurant overlooking the countryside in the upper part of the resort. Meats are cooked on open grills and in traditional wood-fired ovens to serve as hot appetisers that are collected from the chefs, after visiting the cheese and cold meats table; be warned, this is the warm up so don’t go mad (which seems impossible by the way). Then the rest of the meal is brought to you, as freshly made pasta is created and dishes are served, sliced and dished out bringing theatre to the table. They use produce from the gardens and surrounds of the resort; the raviolone of handmade pasta filled with cheese, ricotta, parsley and lemon, served with tomato sauce was exceptional, as was the zuppa gallurese, a combination of bread, cheese and more cheese snugly resting in a bath of warm, rich broth with ghisadu (that’s a sauce beef, tomato sauce, Sardinian herbs and spices) on the side.
Take a Boat Excursion in the Archipelago of La Maddalena
We climbed onboard the Norwegian wooden sailing ship dating from 1927, The Pulcinella, to explore around the island of the La Maddalena Archipelago and the northern Gallura coast visiting stunning, secluded beaches and the island of Spargi. With crystal clear turquoise waters and golden sands set against a background of rolling hills, locations don’t get much more idyllic than this. Onboard we were treated to a beautiful lunch with cheeses, cold sliced meats, breads and seafood pasta along with local wine from the Gallura hills. Our boat trip was taken from Resort Valle Dell’Erica.
Find Your Inner Zen in the Thermal Spas
We found a whole oasis is dedicated to wellness at Capo d’Orso Hotel. Surrounded by granite rocks shaped by nature and overlooking the sea, we sank into the multifunctional outdoor seawater thalasso pools, each heated to different temperature and made our way to the jacuzzi and Turkish bath, before flopping down in the elegant relaxation area. With multiple treatment rooms, we experienced a Sardinian Signature massage using local oils that sent us off into a whole new world. The Le Thermae Thalasso Centre & SPA Valle at Resort Dell’Erica also offers the height of luxury with seawater pools and an array of treatments.
Dinner by the Sea at Île Flottante
The beautiful secluded floating deck right by the sea is the Île Flottante restaurant, offering lunch and sunset dinners. We dined overlooking the emerald sea of North Sardinia with a menu of beautiful octopus, rich lobster pasta, and champagne & pistachio ice cream. Having the intimacy of only seven tables, Île Flottante is a very romantic experience. It’s a popular option, so bookings are a must.
The Hotels
Valle Dell’Erica Thalasso & SPA
Driving from the airport to Resort Valle Dell’Erica gives a sense of the landscape, the hills, the lush green, the stone buildings you spot embedded into cliffs. The 5-star resort was our first stop and set in a huge private park and surrounded by 1,400 m of unspoilt coastline, it delivers total escapism. The resort has been recognised with Europe’s Leading Green Resort award and the team are passionate about the nature found only in Gallura. The Resort Valle dell’ Erica is composed of two hotels, Hotel Erica and Hotel La Licciola Valle Dell’Erica it has four swimming pools, of which three with sea water, 271 rooms decorated in a Mediterranean style by local craftsmen; a prestigious SPA with four outside multi-functional swimming pools; seven restaurants; and plenty of activities, from golf to boat trips, to keep you entertained.
Resort Valle Dell’Erica Thalasso & SPA, Rates per person per night in a double room start from €190 on half-board basis.
Str. Liscia di Scopa, 07028 Santa Teresa di Gallura SS, Italy
delphinahotels.co.uk
Capo D’Orso Thalasso & SPA
Hidden amidst olive and juniper trees, Hotel Capo d’Orso at Palau is located directly on the sea housed within a bay facing the La Maddalena Archipelago and the Costa Smeralda. It is beautiful and perfect for a romantic break with every corner set up with sunbeds for two, hidden away on different levels of the grounds.One of our favourite things here at Hotel Capo d ‘Orso is the breakfast, which is served to the gentle melodies of harpist. With 86 rooms, a Thalasso Centre & Spa and four restaurants, it’s the ideal quiet time retreat.
Rates per person per night in a double room start from €220 on half-board basis, for more info on their new for 2022 special honeymoon packages see here.
Hotel Capo d’Orso Thalasso & SPA, Cala Capra, Palau, SARDINIA
delphinahotels.co.uk