A light breeze moves through your hair…
You are looking at a beach that is almost completely deserted. The sun is warm but not heavy. The water is the kind of blue you only believe when you are actually standing in front of it. This is Sardinia — and it is nothing like you expect.
I have been to a lot of places in my years as a luxury travel advisor. I have walked the streets of Florence at dawn and watched the sun rise over the African bush. But there is something about Sardinia and Corsica that stays with you differently. These are islands that do not need to try very hard. The beauty is just there, waiting.
What surprised me most was the quiet. Even in summer, you can find pockets of stillness here that feel rare in the Mediterranean. Come in May or September and that stillness becomes the whole trip.
Not Quite Italy, Not Quite France
A quick note on geography, because it surprises more people than you’d expect.
Sardinia is an autonomous region of Italy — the second-largest island in the Mediterranean, sitting in the Tyrrhenian Sea roughly 125 miles west of the Italian mainland. It has its own dialect, its own food culture, and a distinct identity that feels only loosely connected to mainland Italy. People here are Sardinian first.
Corsica, just to the north, is a territorial collectivity of France — separated from Sardinia by a narrow strait of only about 9 miles at its closest point. It is the fourth-largest island in the Mediterranean, and despite being French, it too has a fiercely independent character. The food, the architecture, and the pace of life feel unlike anywhere else in France.
This proximity is exactly what makes combining them into a single trip so compelling. You are moving between two distinct cultures, two languages, two culinary traditions — and doing it in under an hour by ferry. Very few trips in the Mediterranean offer that kind of variety in such a compact geography.
Where to Stay in Sardinia and Corsica: Properties That Earn Their View
The range of properties across these two islands is wider than most travelers expect — from sociable beachfront resorts to privately perched Michelin-starred retreats. Here is what I found, and what I would recommend depending on what kind of trip you are after.
Southern Sardinia: Conrad Chia Laguna
We started in the south at the Conrad Chia Laguna — and that part of the island sets the tone perfectly. It is all about little hidden beaches. Quiet coves you stumble into. The kind of coastline that makes you feel like you found something most people miss. Just across the road, the Curio Collection property is worth a wander too. Between the two, the Conrad is the stronger choice for first-time visitors — but if you are traveling with a group or want a slightly more casual atmosphere, the Curio is a good complement.
Forte Village and Cagliari
We drove north toward Forte Village, stopping for a casual lunch in Cagliari along the way. It is a real city — worth the pause even if just to feel the rhythm of everyday Sardinian life before you disappear back into a resort bubble. I often encourage clients to build in at least a few hours here — the old quarter, the harbor, the local markets. It grounds the trip in a way that a resort-only itinerary cannot.
Forte has its own energy entirely. We did a cooking class at Hell’s Kitchen there — a seafood risotto that I will not pretend I have been able to replicate at home. It was fun, hands-on, and exactly the kind of experience that makes a resort stay feel like more than just a beach holiday.
Costa Smeralda: Hotel Pevero
Then on to the Costa Smeralda and Hotel Pevero — my favorite of the trip. We had lunch outside, in the open air, with the bay spreading out in front of us. The atmosphere was warm and completely unhurried. The whole afternoon had that quality where time just slows down in the best possible way. If I were going back tomorrow, I would start here. The Costa Smeralda is one of those places that rewards slow exploration — it is not a destination you rush through. Pevero sits at the heart of it beautifully.
Corsica: Casadelmar, Porto-Vecchio
In Corsica, I stayed at the Casadelmar in Porto-Vecchio. If Sardinia has a social energy to it, Corsica feels more private. More wild. The Casadelmar leans into that beautifully — modern, serene, and perched above the water with views that feel almost cinematic. If you want somewhere that genuinely feels like you have escaped the world, this is it. It is a property I would recommend without hesitation to travelers who want something quieter and more architectural — less resort, more retreat.
On the Water: The Moments You Will Not Forget
I cannot overstate what it means to see these islands from the water. We took a boat around Sardinia and I will never forget rounding a corner and seeing the Hotel Cala di Volpe rising from the hillside above the bay. From the sea, the whole Costa Smeralda takes on a different kind of beauty.
And then our guide told us something that stopped me cold. It is said that the last night of Princess Diana’s life was spent right there — at Cala di Volpe. That detail settled over the boat quietly. Somehow it made the view feel even more significant.
A boat excursion is not optional on this trip. It is essential. The coves and hidden beaches and dramatic coastline of Sardinia cannot be fully appreciated from land. Go out on the water. Let yourself be surprised by what appears around each bend.
Expert Tip: I recommend arranging a private boat charter rather than a group excursion — the flexibility to linger in a cove or change course on a whim is worth it, and it is not as expensive as most people assume when it is built properly into the trip.
Where to Eat in Sardinia and Corsica: From Hell’s Kitchen to Michelin Stars
Forte Village: Hell’s Kitchen
Our host in Sardinia had a wonderful sense of humor — and she knew exactly how to use it. We were having dinner at the Brazilian restaurant at Forte Village when she picked up her lamb chop bone and started gnawing on it with the most committed straight face. No explanation. No warning. Just full dedication to the bit. The whole table completely lost it. It was one of those moments that has nothing to do with the destination and everything to do with the people you are with — and why travel like this, with the right company and the right guide, creates memories that stick around long after you are home.
That is the thing about these islands. The best moments often come without warning.
Casadelmar Restaurant: Two Michelin Stars
In Corsica, the dining shifts register entirely. The restaurant at the Casadelmar — also called Casadelmar — holds two Michelin stars, and every bite reminds you why. The setting is intimate and quiet. The menu is refined without being precious. It is the kind of meal that makes the whole trip feel elevated. If you are a food lover, do not skip it. Reservations fill well in advance in season — this is one of the details I help clients lock in early.
When to Go and How to Get Around
The Best Time to Visit Sardinia and Corsica
May and September are the sweet spots. The weather is warm, the water is inviting, and the crowds have not yet arrived — or have already gone home. July and August are beautiful but busy and hot. If you want that deserted beach feeling, avoid peak summer.
For context on trip length: to do both islands justice, spend between eight and twelve days. That gives you enough time to move between properties without feeling rushed, and to actually settle into the pace of each place.
Getting Between the Islands
Getting between the two islands is simpler than most people expect. The ferry from Sardinia to Corsica takes about fifty minutes. It is straightforward and easy — more of a scenic crossing than a transit experience. The main ferry routes run from Santa Teresa Gallura in northern Sardinia to Bonifacio in southern Corsica — a short and scenic connection that I typically build into itineraries as a highlight rather than a logistical step.
Getting Around on the Islands
On the islands themselves, I recommend traveling with a private driver. Sardinia in particular rewards those who venture off the main roads. A good driver knows where to go and when. That local knowledge makes an enormous difference to the trip you end up having.
Why These Islands Deserve a Place on Your List
Sardinia and Corsica are not on everyone’s radar yet. That is precisely what makes them so special right now. They offer the beauty of the Mediterranean without the crowds of the Amalfi Coast or the tourist fatigue of certain parts of Greece. They feel discovered but not overrun.
But getting this trip right takes thought. The properties are all different in feel and positioning. The timing matters. Knowing which experiences to prioritize — and which ones are best planned in advance — can completely change what you come home with.
I have been to both islands personally and have helped clients design trips across Sardinia and Corsica at a range of paces and budgets — from focused week-long escapes to multi-week itineraries that move slowly and deliberately between properties. I know the properties, the guides, the restaurants, and the moments worth building a trip around. If Sardinia and Corsica have been on your list — or if this is the first time you are hearing their names and already feeling that pull — I would love to help you design it properly.
Ready for Your Own Sardinia and Corsica Trip?
As a luxury travel advisor specializing in bespoke Mediterranean itineraries, I’ve visited these islands firsthand and work with a trusted network of guides, drivers, and properties to design trips that feel personal — not packaged.
