Joyfully announcing to anyone that would listen that we were heading to Sardinia for the weekend, it was interesting to see the reactions. Some faked knowledge and put it right next to Hungary, others were more honest and either just looked at us sideways or asked 'where the hell is that?'. They could be forgiven, as we were asking the same question when we booked our ridiculously cheap flights from Gatwick to Olbia. We were almost brave enough (but not quite) to book it and go without looking up where it was. For those still in suspense, Sardinia is that big island off the west coast of Italy.

We arrived in Olbia on the east side of the island, and Aaron bravely drove the 100 or so kms to Alghero on the west coast, where we were staying in a small B&B. Having a car made life easy, we could come and go as we pleased, and on the first night when it hailed (yes hail! on a tropical italian island) we could shelter from the weather.

As we were there in off-season it was pretty relaxed and quiet, but it was nice to soak up some italian atmosphere, by that I mean pizza, pasta, coffee, wine and gelati, and wander the tiny streets and windy cliffs. Apart from the attrocious weather on day 1, it was mainly sunny, but cold, but you could imagine the beaches packed in the summer time.

I would recommend it if you want to head away and not do much. Obviously more appealing in the summer, but it was enjoyable to get some fresh sea air and sunshine.