La Dolce Vita, Sardinian Style

Two weeks in paradise — and we weren’t even ready to leave

April 2026  •  San Teodoro, Sardinia, Italy

When our first Airbnb turned out to be a “death trap for children and drunks alike,” we knew this trip was going to be one for the books. We rebooked to Villa Karex in San Teodoro, loaded up our trusty van Bufalina (aka Scratchy), and never looked back.

The Beaches

Sardinia’s coastline is the stuff of screensavers. Cavallo Beach, Capo Coda Cavallo, La Cinta, Arya Beach Club — each one better than the last. The kids built sand sculptures, we watched flamingos take flight, and our stretch at Spiaggia Salina Bamba became our quiet afternoon ritual all trip long.

The Food

Carbonara. Gelato. Repeat. Standout meals included octopus at La Lanterna in Olbia, swordfish at La Terrazza, Cacio e Pepe in Budoni, a whole fish buried in salt at La Tavernetta, and homemade carbonara on the patio on our final night — arguably the best of them all.

The Winery & Olive Oil Tasting

Tenute Olbios in the Gallura region was a highlight — Cannonau reds, Vermentino whites, and a 2014 sparkling still turned by hand. The rosé won unanimously.

At AltoEvo, a father-and-son team walked us through the art of olive oil: five kilos of olives per liter, trees that take seven years to first produce, and tastings from traditional to blueberry that we promptly bought out.

The Boat Trip & Everything Else

A perfect day on the water took us out to dramatic Tavolara island and around uninhabited Molara, complete with a picnic on board. Back on land: a 90’s movie debate that ended with Step Up taking the crown, a spontaneous Ferris wheel ride in Olbia, custom sandals stamped with our initials, and a hike at Parco di Punta Molara with views worth every steep step.

“This trip was loud, sun-soaked, shared with great friends — and absolutely, perfectly ours.”

Sardinia, we’ll be back. The gelato alone makes it worth it.