Handcrafted Gifts from Oliena, Sardinia

Posted on September 15 by Jennifer Avventura

The thing that sticks with me the most from my weekend getaway to Oliena are the people. In every cortes (home) we entered, we were greeted with humble welcomes and gracious smiles. Each and every artist was eager to explain his or her handcrafted goods. I popped into cortes Sa Mea and was warmly greeted by Angelo. I was drawn to the traditional necklaces he had placed on an old tree. I picked up a necklace and a bell rang out, I must have looked surprised as Angelo quickly came over to offer the background to the necklace I eventually purchased.

The necklace is worn by women who are pregnant. The bell bounces on the woman’s stomach, ringing out soft chimes for the developing baby to hear, supposedly calming the baby and calling out to the angels for protection.

Even though I have no intention of becoming pregnant, I was still drawn to the necklace, its sound and sway, so I bought it. I peeked around the small shop and noticed a yellow face in the shape of the island of Sardinia. I love yellow, I love Sardinia and I love handcrafted goods, so another little gift in the bag.

If you’re interested to know more about this artist:

Sa Mea – Creazioni Artistiche
Angelo Brundu
(349) 880-2126
angelottos@tiscali.it

Do you like to buy traditional gifts from the country you visit?

Inside Sardinia: The People of Cortes Apertas at Oliena

Posted on September 13 by Jennifer Avventura

From early September to the beginning of December small towns throughout the Barbagia region of Sardinia open their doors for tourists and locals alike. It’s a refreshing time to wander ancient alleys and discover a Sardinia from hundreds of years ago while sampling the local flavours of wine, beer, bread, sweets, suckling pig, wild boar gnocchi and so much more! Here are just a few of the warm, generous people we met during our adventure to Oliena for Cortes Apertas – Autunno in Barbagia 2016.

It is here at the foot of the Supramonte mountain where you can immerse yourself in a world of historical flavours, ancient traditions, and spectacular panoramic views of neighbouring towns and mountain ranges so vast, wild and spectacular that it leaves your mind and soul spinning.

A huge thank-you to the people of Oliena, who put on a spectacular event, who opened their hearts, homes and traditions to the world and who collectively put a smile on thousands of people’s faces, including mine. The memories will last a lifetime. Grazie mille.

Have you gone to any Cortes Apertas – Autunno in Barbagia? Tell me about it in the comments below.

Snapshot: Rose-Coloured Glasses

Posted on September 2 by Jennifer Avventura

Reminiscing of August past, through rose-coloured glasses, in all her splendid glory, she lays waiting for me. Sardinia.

My Sardinian Life Jennifer Avventura 2016

Where did you spend your summer holidays?

An Open Love Letter to Sardinia

Posted on August 3 by Jennifer Avventura

It’s good to be back in your arms, with your wide open rugged coastline lapped in refreshing turquoise waters and your jagged mountain peeks where I sit 365 meters above sea-level. I’m restoring my faith in you, dear Sardinia, to bring me back to that place, you know that one, that little special place we hold so tight and dear.

It has been 2.5 years since we touched souls, and you haven’t changed a bit. You still glow, like summer’s first kiss, and you’ve welcomed me back with flair, graciousness and that inquisitive curiosity that I so fell in love with that first time back in 2008.

I can hear your locally made bells twang in the distance, around the neck of your goat who is languidly walking down the mountain. Your local dialect, a symphony of flair and history floats on the mountain air, sending wisps of words into my living room.

I’ve tasted your delicacies that I’ve so longed for: Ichnusa, pane carasau, cannonau, mountain water, pecorino, espresso, olive oil, peaches, pane and the list could go on. It’s been an assault on my senses just reuniting with you, I hope you feel the same way.

These last five days with you in the mountains has been spectacular. You’ve helped me realign my body, focus my energy and restore my soul. Now, it’s time for the beach.

Thank you, Sardinia, it’s good to be here.

Love

Jennifer Avventura
xoxo

Sardinia’s Blue Flag Beaches 2016

Posted on June 14 by Jennifer Avventura

Sardinia has done it again with an impressive 28 Blue Flags flying effortlessly around her turquoise coast. That is 21 more blue flags since 2013, so there is plenty of beach to play for those seeking a little vitamin sea in the heart of the Mediterranean.

What is a Blue Flag?

The Blue Flag is a world-renowned eco-certification awarded to beaches and marinas in countless countries across Europe, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, New Zealand, Brazil, Canada and the Caribbean.

When you see a Blue Flag flying, you know a beach or marina is clean and accessible; has great water quality; meets high safety standards; and is working hard to protect local shorelines and ecosystems. Blue Flags are flying at 25 beaches and six marinas in Canada.

Beaches are awarded the blue flag based on several criteria which the beach must meet; should the beach fail to comply with these criteria during the year, the blue flag can be withdrawn. Here are just a few of the criteria needed:

Environmental Education and Information
Water Quality
Environmental Management
Safety and Services

It takes a strong community and desire to keep these beaches immaculate. These 28 beaches are sparkling gems from Sardinia’s coastal populations. Please enjoy responsibly.

28 Blue Flag Beaches: Sardinia 2013-2016
(by province)

Cagliari

Poetto, Quartu Sant’ Elena
Mare Pintau, Quartu Sant’ Elena
Portu Tramatzu, Teulada
Sabbie Bianche, Teulada
Tuerredda, Teulada

Oblia-Tempio

Rena Bianca

Spiaggia di Li Junchi, Badesi
L’Isuledda, Porto Pollo
La Sciumara, Palau
Foce Fiume Liscia, Palau
Palau Vecchio, Palau
Spiaggia dei due Mari, Isola Caprera
Spiaggia del Relitto, Isola Caprera
Porto Lungo, La Maddalena
Spalmatore, La Maddalena
Rena Ponente, Capo Testa
Rena Bianca, Capo Testa
Zia Culumba, Capo Testa

Ogliastra

Lido di Cea, Tortoli
Lido di Orri, Tortoli
Muxi, Tortoli
Orri Foxilioni, Tortoli
La Capannina or Potente, Arbatax
Porto Frailia, Arbatax

Oristano

Spiaggia di Torregrande, Oristano

Sassari

Rena Bianca

Marina di Sorso, Sorso
Madonnina/Stella Maris, Castelsardo
Sacro Cuore/Ampurias, Castelsardo
Porto Ferro, Sassari

There you have it! 28 stunning stretches of sand, sea and sun to sink your feet into. Which beach(s) have you set foot on?

Useful links:
Programma Bandiera Blu – Sardegna
FEE – Foundation for Environmental Education Italia

Running Roads in Sardinia

Posted on April 7 by Jennifer Avventura

Running. It’s relaxing, clears the mind, gets the body pumping and, if you’re a distance runner, you can witness stunning views like this treasure of a running road in Sardinia, Italy.

Run, hike or bike Sardinia? Which is your adventure?

A snapshot of time at Tonara

Posted on March 15 by Jennifer Avventura

A snapshot in time from Tonara, Sardinia, Italy. A place so magical that you feel as though you’ve stepped back a few centuries.

Tonara was one of the most geographically stunning areas I’ve visited in Sardinia. Have you been?

Looking at the little things in life

Posted on March 2 by Jennifer Avventura

Sometimes in life the big things take over, they are uncontrollable and we lose focus. I prefer to look at the little things that make this world spin, that make me spin. The little things that get inside my head and complete me. The little things that seem so insignificant to the bigger picture that I’ve forgotten how I got here. It was the little things that built my grand picture, the little things that held me up, the little things that make me believe, make me hold on to the dream that I will see you again.

Have you looked at the little things in your life lately?

The naked truth on nude beaches in Sardinia, Italy

Posted on January 22 by Jennifer Avventura

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Sardinia is a mecca for beach lovers, and with over 1849 kilometres of beautiful, pristine coastline, it’s no wonder naked vacationers return year after year. It’s easy to see why, with miles of glorious, sandy beaches and award-winning panoramas. It’s a place where endless turquoise waters meet rugged coastlines and where the world comes to play each summer.

Did you know?

It’s illegal to get naked on a Sardinian public beach.

That Sardinia hosts very few, secluded nude beaches (so few, in fact, I can’t find any resources on legal nude beaches in Sardinia) and if caught in the buff on a beach in Italy that the fine is hefty – very hefty!

Do you know the difference between a topless beach and a nude beach?

What is a topless beach?

A topless beach is a public beach where upper body clothing is optional for men and women. Most beaches in Italy are topless beaches.¹

A general rule of thumb is to look around and see what others are doing. If there are hundreds of people on the beach – dressed in their beach best, then you should stay dressed in your beach suit.

A little incident that happened…

I parked my pasty-white Canadian butt on the hot, white sand and noticed that every other woman was topless and thought – I’m in Italy, I’ll go topless too! Continue reading →

Inside Sardinia: Cork from the Gallura

Posted on January 10 by Jennifer Avventura

Sardinian cork oak grows in abundance in the northwestern part of the island. The forests are large and breathtaking and the capital of cork in Sardinia is a small mountain town called Calangianus in the province of Olbia-Tempio.

Cork planks are used to create some fascinating items like: kitchen utensils, serving trays, containers, insulation, spice stands and various souvenirs like: purses, notebooks and postcards.

85% of Italy’s bottled cork comes from the northwestern region of the Gallura.

Cork oak is first harvested when the tree reaches the age of 25-30 years and then harvested every 10 years after. The lifespan of a cork oak 150 years.

Have you checked your cork lately?