So I’m off to Sardinia, Italy this coming week and I’m just getting around to planning my itinerary. Things have been a little hectic as I transition from the job I’ve had for the last five years to a new one–and in the middle of it all I have a 10 day vacation planned. Hopefully I’ll finally get a moment to relax while I’m there but that’s unlikely because I’ll be traveling with my entire family. That’s right–my mom, stepfather, sister, brother, and grandmother will all be in attendance.
We should hire a reality show camera crew to follow us around because we are a cast of characters! Starting with my grandmother, who has never traveled further than the Caribbean, she’s been packing every runway-worthy outfit she has in her closet (“Perfect for It-al-y”) to go to a place known mostly for it’s beaches, archaeological sites, and outdoor landscapes. I had to remind her at least three times that we are not going to Milan. Eventually, I just packed her bag myself to be assured she’d have the proper attire.
My mom is no better really–she’s a diva in every sense of the word. While we were researching villas to rent for our stay on HomeAway.com she wouldn’t consider places that didn’t look like they were designed to be in Better Homes and Gardens magazine. I found countless places that could accommodate our large group in comfort but, according to her, they were missing the aesthetic! She finally settled on a monster of a villa for a grand total of $6,000 for the week, while I found several for under $2,000.
Another diva, my brother, doesn’t own an item that can’t be purchased at Saks Fifth Ave. So both he and my mom, after stepping foot off the plane, will be looking for the nearest mall. Although he’s had more travel experience than most of this motley crew, he’ll also have two other concerns: where’s the bar and where’s the party.
My sister will share the sentiment: where is the bar. She’s a lush at the ripe old age of 23. But she’s generally a pleasure to hang with because she’s so laid back–except if she’s in a bad mood–then watch out!
Lastly, my stepfather is pretty laid back too but has a dry and caustic sense of humor. He’s the designated driver of the group–not because he doesn’t drink (because he does liberally), but because he’s the only one that knows how to drive a manual car, which is all they had to rent in Sardinia. On top of that, he’s the worst with directions… please wish us luck.
Now, take this entire crew, shove us in a small European car and put us on the road for hours at a time traversing all over the tiny roads of Sardinia… (sigh). Now picture them all staring me down because I planned our itinerary (because no one else was going to do it) and they a) don’t want to follow it, b) would rather go to the bar or the nearest mall, c) don’t trust the information I’ve provided but are unwilling to do their own research, or d) heard from a random friend about something they should do but, again, only have a stitch of information and no motivation to do the research to find it…but want me to…
Yeah this is gonna be a blast!!
Well, here’s my itinerary. Hopefully it will help you on your trip to Sardinia even if we (above) don’t use it…
Thu, Jul 4
Fri, Jul 5
We can reserve tickets online ahead of time. We should do this. Stop 1 - Via Marsala Stop 2 - Santa Maria Maggiore Stop 3 - Colosseo Stop 4 - Circo Massimo Stop 5 - Piazza Venezia Stop 6 - Vaticano Stop 7 - Piazza Augusto Imperatore Stop 8 - Fontana di Trevi Stop 9 - Piazza Barberini
Marion Hirsch
Sat, Jul 6
Start at Torre dell'Elefante or Torre di San Pancrazio http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torre_dell%27Elefante Next to the ll Castello http://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/sardinia/cagliari/sights/castle/il-castello And then to the Cattedrale di Santa Maria http://www.duomodicagliari.it/gb/index.php A stop at the free Museo Archeologico Nazionale http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g187881-d242636-r147450033-Museo_Archeologico_Nazionale-Cagliari_Province_of_Cagliari_Sardinia.html
Sun, Jul 7
Mon, Jul 8
First stop in Bosa Province of Oristano for a stroll http://www.relaxinsardinia.com/bosa.htm Driving directions - http://goo.gl/maps/xd9CU Then to Navisarda Ferry to Grotta di Netuno 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 14 euro - www.navisarda.it *not including 10 euro cave entrance fee 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Alghero in the evening
Tue, Jul 9
Driving directions - http://goo.gl/maps/EyjrN
Wed, Jul 10
Thu, Jul 11
Scenic drive between Santa Maria Navarrese and Tiscali *Hairpin turns through a beautiful canyon Boat from Golfo di Orosei http://followbenandjenna.com/italys-best-secret-breathtaking-golfo-di-orosei-sardinia/ Gola Su Gorropu: Europe's Grand Canyon 10:30 a.m. -3:30 p.m. 5 euro http://www.summitpost.org/gola-su-gorropu/152700 Tiscali http://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/travel-tips-and-articles/76875 http://gorropu.info/en/Cala Brandinchi - beach
Fri, Jul 12
Sat, Jul 13
Sun, Jul 14
nicole marie richardson 
Hahahahahahahahahaha I luv this post!! Why didn’t you send it to everyone…lol!!!
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This was entertaining! Good luck and I hope to see lots of pics. What’s the new job? Kudos to you again.
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Lol sounds like u r gonna need some therapy after this journey. Lol have a blast!
Thanks so much for linking to our Orosei post! It’s always such a pleasure when an anonymous page hit turns into a living, breathing person you can read about.
Sardinia is one of our very favorite places, and we’re crossing our fingers that you get to experience the supreme bliss of floating around the Gulf. Did you actually make that day of sightseeing in Rome after your red eye? (Highly ambitious!) It’s for people like you that they have those convenient espresso stands right in baggage claim….
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