Things to do / Local Area
There are plenty of things to do in the local area. In summertime the warm sunny days will be best for lazing under an umbrella on one of the nearby beaches or relaxing on the veranda with a good book or a family board game. Gumtrees in the cooler months is a perfect base for walking the nature trails in the nearby mountains and forests, or a scenic drive through the spectacular limestone canyons in the area.
Beaches
Sardinia is renowned for the beautiful beaches and crystal clear warm waters. The closest beach is Museddu (marina di Cardedu), a 10-minute drive from Gumtrees. This is a long (approx 2km) stretch of beach with lifeguards in summer. Pedalos, wind surfing equipments and other items are available for hire on the beach and there are several bars. There are a number of other good beaches nearby:
There are plenty of things to do in the local area. In summertime the warm sunny days will be best for lazing under an umbrella on one of the nearby beaches or relaxing on the veranda with a good book or a family board game. Gumtrees in the cooler months is a perfect base for walking the nature trails in the nearby mountains and forests, or a scenic drive through the spectacular limestone canyons in the area.
Beaches
Sardinia is renowned for the beautiful beaches and crystal clear warm waters. The closest beach is Museddu (marina di Cardedu), a 10-minute drive from Gumtrees. This is a long (approx 2km) stretch of beach with lifeguards in summer. Pedalos, wind surfing equipments and other items are available for hire on the beach and there are several bars. There are a number of other good beaches nearby:
- Cea beach - 20 minute drive on the road to Tortoli - beautiful sheltered bay with slowly shelving sand
- Torre di Barisardo - 20 minute drive past Barisardo and with a historic tower
- L'Ultima Spiaggia - 15 min drive - on the way to Barisardo - has a large campsite
- Lido di Orri - 20 min drive - the beach of Tortoli - long and very popular
- Porto Frailis (Arbatax) - 25 min drive - through Tortoli and head right- sheltered bay, pretty busy but with lots of good restaurants in the bay
- Spiagetta - 15 min drive - past Museddu - stony beach with gently shelving water
- Sarrala - 30 min drive - very gently shelving beach - many locals have houses here but it is quite built-up (for Sardinia)
- Su Sirboni - 15 min drive - ex-private hotel beach that needs to be walked to (20 minutes) - after Museddu - beautiful secluded spot
Walks and Drives
There is an excellent driving route up through the mountains west of the Pelau valley, which takes you through some of the most majestic scenery in Sardinia, showcasing the limestone buttes and canyons characteristic of the Ogliastra region. Along the way you will see small mountain villages, interesting views of a large wind farm and probably share the road with the local farm animals! An excellent place to stop for lunch is a restaurant in Sant' Antonio called Rifugio d'Ogliastra, which serves good local dishes including the traditional roast suckling pig, 'porchetta'.
Nearby there is a rural church set in a natural amphitheatre surrounded by limestone buttes and ancient oak trees. Here there are many interesting nature trails among the hills and rocky outcrops with excellent views and the chance to glimpse the local wild boars.
There is an excellent driving route up through the mountains west of the Pelau valley, which takes you through some of the most majestic scenery in Sardinia, showcasing the limestone buttes and canyons characteristic of the Ogliastra region. Along the way you will see small mountain villages, interesting views of a large wind farm and probably share the road with the local farm animals! An excellent place to stop for lunch is a restaurant in Sant' Antonio called Rifugio d'Ogliastra, which serves good local dishes including the traditional roast suckling pig, 'porchetta'.
Nearby there is a rural church set in a natural amphitheatre surrounded by limestone buttes and ancient oak trees. Here there are many interesting nature trails among the hills and rocky outcrops with excellent views and the chance to glimpse the local wild boars.
Perda Liana near Gairo, is a rocky pinnacle rising 1300 metres, which has been declared a national monument. From the Arcueri roadman's house on national route SS198, take the road to Villagrande and follow the edge of the Mantarbu forest. A short side road will take you to the base of the monument.
From Osini you can take an interesting drive along the 'Scala San Giorgio' route. The road takes you through a cleft in the limestone butte up to a plateau where there is an archaeological park, which has some good examples of nuraghi settlements.
The Geological, Mining, Historical and Environmental Park of Sardinia near the town of Seui, has been recognised by Unesco as a World Heritage Site.
Wine buying and tasting
The Cantina at Jerzu is the most important cooperative winery in the region, specialising in the Cannonau grapes grown locally in the Pelau valley. You can taste the various wines produced at the cantina, including white (bianco), rose (rosa), red (rosso), sweet (dolce) and even vinegar. There is also a small museum, which was just opened in 2007.
It is a 15 minute drive from Gumtrees just before you enter the village of Jerzu and is visible from a distance as the big white tower to the left of the road
From Osini you can take an interesting drive along the 'Scala San Giorgio' route. The road takes you through a cleft in the limestone butte up to a plateau where there is an archaeological park, which has some good examples of nuraghi settlements.
The Geological, Mining, Historical and Environmental Park of Sardinia near the town of Seui, has been recognised by Unesco as a World Heritage Site.
Wine buying and tasting
The Cantina at Jerzu is the most important cooperative winery in the region, specialising in the Cannonau grapes grown locally in the Pelau valley. You can taste the various wines produced at the cantina, including white (bianco), rose (rosa), red (rosso), sweet (dolce) and even vinegar. There is also a small museum, which was just opened in 2007.
It is a 15 minute drive from Gumtrees just before you enter the village of Jerzu and is visible from a distance as the big white tower to the left of the road
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Arbatax, Santa Maria Navarrese and Northwards
Arbatax is a large town about 30 minutes drive north-east from Gumtrees. There is a busy port, shops and restaurants and the coastline is dominated by striking red rocks, which form popular diving boards for the local children.
A great day out starts from the seaside village of Santa Maria Navaresse north of Arbatax, where you can go on boat excursions to the idyllic sandy beach at Cala Luna and visit some fascinating underwater caves (grotte).
Arbatax is a large town about 30 minutes drive north-east from Gumtrees. There is a busy port, shops and restaurants and the coastline is dominated by striking red rocks, which form popular diving boards for the local children.
A great day out starts from the seaside village of Santa Maria Navaresse north of Arbatax, where you can go on boat excursions to the idyllic sandy beach at Cala Luna and visit some fascinating underwater caves (grotte).
Mountains and caves
The limestone hills around Gumtrees hide some beautiful and cool limestone caves, with excellent examples of stalagmite and stalactite formations. The main caves at Ulassai are open most days and approximately a 25-minute drive from Gumtrees.
Check out http://www.ulassai.net/ for some information on the ulassai area and more details about the caves and climbing
The limestone hills around Gumtrees hide some beautiful and cool limestone caves, with excellent examples of stalagmite and stalactite formations. The main caves at Ulassai are open most days and approximately a 25-minute drive from Gumtrees.
Check out http://www.ulassai.net/ for some information on the ulassai area and more details about the caves and climbing
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Feast Days
There are a large number of feast days and special events - particularly over the summer period. These are well worth a visit of an evening but do vary in quality and interest.
The biggest local feast is the Sagra Del Vino, which is normally the first Sunday in August in Jerzu. This involves parades with local costumes and a late night celebration with plenty of wine and dancing.
It is best to check for signs and adverts in local shops as there is normally something going on in one of the nearby villages over the summer. We will have information available on arrival as well.
Other attractions
Horse riding for all ages and abilities is available near L'Ultima Spiaggia campsite - ask for more details
Archaeological sites where you can explore the 'nuraghi' ruins from the ancient settlers of Sardinia
Rock climbing ('arrampicante') see http://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/page.php?id=343
Watersports on the Mulargia river
Shopping and ice cream ('gelato') in Tortoli
Sea-kayaking excursions see www.cardedu-kayak.com
Tennis - we have a newly surfaced court available free of charge 1km away - you just need to let us know when you want to play
Places to Eat
There are a number of excellent authentic places to eat in the locality. This part of Sardinia has yet to be overrun so the tourist menu is the exception rather then the norm. Do bear in mind that pizzas are in general only available in the evening as the restaurants use wood-burning fires. All restaurants are very child friendly.
There are a number of items you should probably give a try:-
Here is a list of the closest restaurants and those most frequented by us.Is Murtus. Hotel restaurant - 5 minute drive in Pelau. Has a large open terrace with panoramic views, which is great for the summer days or evenings.
Al Bivio. Restaurant on the way to Museddu beach. Good pizzas.
La Vela Restaurant. Restaurant on the way to Museddu beach. Nice location but food variable at times.
S'Olia. Restaurant and hotel between Cardedu and Museddu beach.
L'Orchidea Blu. Restaurant as you leave Barisardo and head to Tortoli. Seems to always be open even off-season.
Tortoli and Arbatax have a large number of restaurants - no specific recommendations.
Sant' Antonio - Rifugio D'Ogliastra - 25 minute drive up in the mountains. Really good food and great views.
Punta Moros - near Sarrala (Marina di Tertenia) beach - approximately 30 minute drive - with a beautiful view over the bay - best to ask for directions
Local Shops
The best bet for daily food shopping is probably Cardedu - there are a couple of mini-markets, a bakery and butchers etc. There are lots of different sorts of bread rolls to try, local pecorino (sheep) cheese, which is very renowned, and many other items.
There is a very large 'Pellicano' supermarket just before you enter Tortoli, which is a good spot for any hard to find items and is also open very long hours. Generally the shops will be open from 8am - 1pm and then from 5-8pm in the evening.
Fresh fruit and vegetables in summer can be bought from any number of roadside stalls. On the way to Museddu beach on the left (just before Al Bivio) restaurant is a stall owned by a lady called Anna, which has great fruit, vegetables and honey. Produce is incredibly fresh and very reasonably priced. Herbs are great from here as well.
Watermelons are best bought from a small van in the centre of Barisardo - they tend to be the tastiest.
Various beach sundries will be available at the mini-markets and there is a selection of beach umbrellas, petanque balls and other items in the garage, which you can feel free to use.
There are quite often market stalls on the beach in summer on a Sunday.
Clothes shopping is at a premium - Tortoli has a number of boutique stores but this is really the main centre for such shopping.
There are a large number of feast days and special events - particularly over the summer period. These are well worth a visit of an evening but do vary in quality and interest.
The biggest local feast is the Sagra Del Vino, which is normally the first Sunday in August in Jerzu. This involves parades with local costumes and a late night celebration with plenty of wine and dancing.
It is best to check for signs and adverts in local shops as there is normally something going on in one of the nearby villages over the summer. We will have information available on arrival as well.
Other attractions
Horse riding for all ages and abilities is available near L'Ultima Spiaggia campsite - ask for more details
Archaeological sites where you can explore the 'nuraghi' ruins from the ancient settlers of Sardinia
Rock climbing ('arrampicante') see http://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/page.php?id=343
Watersports on the Mulargia river
Shopping and ice cream ('gelato') in Tortoli
Sea-kayaking excursions see www.cardedu-kayak.com
Tennis - we have a newly surfaced court available free of charge 1km away - you just need to let us know when you want to play
Places to Eat
There are a number of excellent authentic places to eat in the locality. This part of Sardinia has yet to be overrun so the tourist menu is the exception rather then the norm. Do bear in mind that pizzas are in general only available in the evening as the restaurants use wood-burning fires. All restaurants are very child friendly.
There are a number of items you should probably give a try:-
- Culurgiones. Local pasta specialty. Pasta filled with mixture of potato, cheese and mint - universally liked
- Pan Carasau (carta musica). Flatbread sometimes served with olive oil and salt. Interesting.
- Pizzas with chips as a topping …… haven't seen them anywhere else but very popular here!
Here is a list of the closest restaurants and those most frequented by us.
- Pepitos. Restaurant by the SS125 sign - 5-minute drive or a 25-minute walk. Great pizzas and very reasonable. The mussels are very good and if they don't have quite what you want then do ask. Not the most attractive venue but the food is very good.
Local Shops
The best bet for daily food shopping is probably Cardedu - there are a couple of mini-markets, a bakery and butchers etc. There are lots of different sorts of bread rolls to try, local pecorino (sheep) cheese, which is very renowned, and many other items.
There is a very large 'Pellicano' supermarket just before you enter Tortoli, which is a good spot for any hard to find items and is also open very long hours. Generally the shops will be open from 8am - 1pm and then from 5-8pm in the evening.
Fresh fruit and vegetables in summer can be bought from any number of roadside stalls. On the way to Museddu beach on the left (just before Al Bivio) restaurant is a stall owned by a lady called Anna, which has great fruit, vegetables and honey. Produce is incredibly fresh and very reasonably priced. Herbs are great from here as well.
Watermelons are best bought from a small van in the centre of Barisardo - they tend to be the tastiest.
Various beach sundries will be available at the mini-markets and there is a selection of beach umbrellas, petanque balls and other items in the garage, which you can feel free to use.
There are quite often market stalls on the beach in summer on a Sunday.
Clothes shopping is at a premium - Tortoli has a number of boutique stores but this is really the main centre for such shopping.
Gumtrees Villa
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