Anyway, the trip back was nostalgic, of course, and the beaches were still incredible--stretches of white sand and Caribbean-like aqua water. But the whole time I was there I couldn't believe that the season doesn't really get going until June. People don't go to Sardinia in May (except for thrifty Germans and nature-loving Brits). Huge marketing mistake. The landscape is particularly lush this time of year with gorgeous wildflowers everywhere (poppies even grow in the sand), no crowds on the beaches, and a whole different feel than in July and August when it becomes chockablock with Italians and boats making the scene along the Costa Smeralda. I stayed at La Coluccia, a design hotel that provided a nice base for exploring the National Park of Maddalena, an archipelago where it's definitely worth renting a boat to tool around. I had delicious grilled prawns and local wine at Locanda del Mirto, which I happened to find off this dirt road on Maddalena. (I couldn't believe my luck in discovering it; it had a very relaxed atmosphere, and I loved the design and delicious food.) The other hotel I liked was Su Gologone, which has a slight Sardinian Wild West feel--the interior of the island where it is located has a completely different vibe from the coast--very undiscovered, rugged, starkly beautiful, with amazing hiking. I hope to return next May!