Gino's Costa Smeralda

Gino's top picks for the Costa Smeralda, the glamorous northeast corner of Sardinia. It runs from a mountain agriturismo run by an old friend - Gino's favourite spot for an authentic, well-priced Sardinian meal - to La Dolce Vita aperitivo in Porto Rotondo, seafood restaurants built out over the water, and boat trips to Tavolara and the magical La Maddalena islands. Porto Cervo is the base for nightlife and colour (Gino calls it the 'Flintstones town'); Phi Beach and Nikki Beach are the beach-club and party picks. Rent a car, because taxis are pricey, especially in summer, and come in June, July or September - August means Ferragosto, sky-high prices and crowds, most of them not even Italian. June, July and September offer the same Sardinia without the madness.

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