Expert: Andrew Smith - 9/7/2009

Question
Hello Andrew.  We are leaving for a cruise in 2 weeks and are looking for do it yourself "touring" in 2 of our ports:  Genoa and Cagliari, Sardinia.  In Genoa, we would prefer to either spend the day in the Cinque Terre region or Portofino/S. Margherita and were wondering which you would recommend and best forms of travel.  We love public transportation.  In Sardinia, I have family who stay in the northernmost part of the island and would love to really see this beautiful island, perhaps beaches, the countryside, etc. and heard you really need to go outside of Cagliari.  Can we rent a car, what should we see and how much can we fit in in one short day?  Thank you so much for your help!

Answer
Hello Renata

Sardinia is one of my favorite regions in Italy. I have a site on the best beaches (http://www.my-italy-piedmont-marche-and-more.com/best-beach-in-sardinia.html ). Although most of the beaches are on the east coast there are some wonderful beaches outside of Cagliari. Most famous is the Poetto beach which is one of the longest in Italy and only 5kms from Cagliari. You can get to the beach by car or by bus. If I remember correctly the buses leave from Piazza Matteotti which right near  the port. The bus service is good although having your own car gives you more chance of exploring the coast. The other good beaches are to the South West of Cagliari and are known as the Chia beaches. The are a little outside Sardinia and the Sardinia Point website provides directions on how to get here - the website is http://www.sardiniapoint.it/5155.html

In Genoa I would suggest if you can to visit the Cinque Terre. They are very easy to get to by train from Genoa. You need to get the train to Levanto and from Levanto the little regional train goes up and down between all the towns of the Cinque Terre.  

I hope this is of some help and I hope you have a great trip, it sounds superb and I am quite jealous.