Sardinia: Island of Beauty and Wonder

PORTORO Interior founder Nathalie Küpfer Henares shares her memories of glorious summers in this stunning Italian paradise and how it inspired a charming new collection.

If there is any destination that I would love to return to when the world reopens, it would have to be the sunny shores of Sardinia.

Since I was in my teens, Sardinia was one of our favourite destinations: a place of pristine beaches and scenic coastlines. I remember how we would drive across the entroterra (It.: inland/hinterlands) passing through the rustic villages that dot the roads from north to south. We would explore hidden bays and coves and then swim in the crystal-clear waters. Long sunny days would be spent at the beach, sailing over the waters, or simply relaxing around the pool.

For me and my cousin Andrea who is PORTORO Interior’s Brand Curator at our studio in Milan, time spent in Sardinia with our family was time well-spent. And we are not the only ones who have the fondest memories of Sardinia: many people have been captivated by the way time on the island follows the rhythm of the sun, the sea, and the winds.

I remember early morning walks with Andrea on pristine beaches, the only sound the whisper of waves gently rolling onto the shore, our feet leaving marks in the pale sand as we skirted off from the picturesque stones scattered throughout the beach. At the same time, we talked about how we would someday have our own brand – PORTORO – and we discussed as to what it should stand for: a way to merge the best of different cultures together to bring beauty and elegance into modern homes.

Islands of Inspiration

Artists and authors have found much in the way of inspiration on the scenic island and its brilliant blue seas. Throughout the centuries, different places within the region have fascinated travellers and locals alike with their unique natural beauty.

Considered one of the most luxurious destinations in Italy and anywhere in the Mediterranean, Porto Rotondo has been considered a getaway for celebrities and corporate power players since the mid-1960s. It is the architectural brainchild of Venetians Luigi and Nicolò Donà dalle Rose, and was originally commissioned in 1964 by a group of enterprising businessmen that included the shipping magnate Vittorio Cini and British banker George Frank.

These days, Porto Rotondo has the distinction of being the home of barely a thousand permanent residents. It is famed for its eclectic mix of architectural styles: its designers were inspired by the breezy, leisurely look of Puerto Rican and Floridian architecture in the 1960s but also incorporated the distinctive elegance of the Venetian aesthetic. Its nightlife is also vibrant and exciting, and I have many happy memories of clubbing with friends in Porto Rotondo on sultry summer evenings.

Not too far away, Porto Cervo is another destination within the region that has both historical and cultural value for the Sardinian people. Inhabited since 400 BC, this side of the Sardinian coast is famous for its yacht club and an annual regatta attended by the world’s finest sailors. For those who aren’t into the excitement of aquatic sports, you will find that its naturally beautiful seashore lends itself to introspective walks as you enjoy the magnificent scenery where the sea and sky appear in different shades of blue depending on the season or the time of day.

Both Porto Rotondo and Porto Cervo are part of the famed Costa Smeralda – the Emerald Coast – a stunningly beautiful area adored by many famous people who consider it the ultimate Mediterranean getaway. Costa Smeralda is characterized by pristine white beaches and exquisite hotels featuring world-class amenities and it has also gained fame for its annual car rally where automobile fans are delighted to see well-kept vintage cars on the track. One of my favorite things to do with Andrea whenever we are there is heading to the piazzetta (it.: small square or plaza) in the early evenings to enjoy our aperitivo in surrounding cafes, to relish the experience of Italian elegance, or to shop in small exclusive boutiques.

The coastline is dotted with elegant, sprawling homes, and it has been that way since 1961 when Aga Khan IV collaborated with the architects Michele Busiri Vici, Jacques Couëlle, and Savin Couëlle to transform the raw beach into the illustrious coastal destination it is today. The most luxurious and picturesque homes are the ones located on an islet named Cala di Volpe which also served as the exciting and scenic location for the Roger Moore-headlined James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me. Today it is where you should go if you want to enjoy the experience of celebrity watching on holidays.

A Sportsman’s Paradise

Given the sun, sand, and sea that so characterize the environment of its coastal areas, it’s easy to assume that swimming, snorkelling, and sunbathing are the only sports the island has to offer.

But Sardinia is the perfect place for those who, like ourselves, love the great outdoors. Long known for the magnificence of its horses and the way its terrain invites the adventurous to explore, stables offer horseback rides across the hills and country roads. I can tell you personally that riding through the scenery on horseback is thrilling, memorable, and gives you a greater appreciation of Sardinia’s natural beauty.

For those seeking a more intense adrenalin rush or a magnificent view from high above, mountaineers will rise to the challenge of scaling peaks that rise majestically to challenge the sky. Indeed, Sardinia’s famed mountain ranges Monte Albo, Monte Limbara, and

Monte Linas pose serious challenges to even the most seasoned climbers, while its highest peak, Punta La Marmora (It.: The Marble Point), stands stern and forbidding in its majesty. On the isle of Tavolara, more casual hikers will enjoy exploring the hills and dales.

Gustatory Pleasures

All that sport is bound to sharpen one’s appetite and Sardinian fare is certainly hearty and a welcome departure from the classics of Italian cuisine that many of us are familiar with.

We prefer to have a light start to the day with a hot and creamy cappuccino and a freshly-baked brioche. Other meals throughout the day are more substantial, but the sunset is greeted with refreshing white wine or a classic negroni during the aperitivo hour, usually accompanied by affettati (It.: cold cuts) and small portions of good cheese. The evening meal may feature pork, the staple meat of the region, cooked in myriad ways and accompanied by salads or smaller side dishes featuring produce in season.

Italian Aperitivo

Negroni served on our Mini Lacquer Tray

Frutti della terra e mare – the fruit of the earth and sea – is the best way to describe the provenance of much of Sardinian cuisine: grown on local farms and fished from coastal waters. Here, even the sweets are made with local produce: fresh citrus peels are candied with native almonds and walnuts to become the zesty confection known as aranzada.

If you’re looking for an excellent snack to accompany the excellent Vermentino and Cannonau wines of the region or to enjoy with an aperitivo prior to a meal, pane carasau is a crisp and crunchy flatbread characteristic of Sardinian cuisine. Known elsewhere in Italy as carta da musica– music sheets – because of how the twice-baked bread resembles the parchment used for musical notation, this unleavened, cracker-like product is excellent for munching on its own – and I personally recommend pairing it with a glass of Vermentino as a precursor to the evening. But it is also a perfect addition to a cheese plate with such regional delights as the salty and nutty fioresardo, rich ricotta, and the sharp-tasting goat’s cheese casuagedu.

An Inspired Collection

We have so many fond memories and exciting experiences from our times in Sardinia that we feel that it is the perfect inspiration for our newest addition to PORTORO Interior’s growing selection of home accents. Thus, we present our Sardinia Collection.

This unique collection of dinnerware, glassware, and linens is characterised by the amazing craftsmanship of Italian artisans whose skills have been honed throughout the centuries. Our porcelain plates and bowls feature motifs that are inspired by Sardinian waters, particularly their brilliant blue colour and the gentle rolling of the waves on a summer day.

Our drinking glasses and tumblers are tinted a bright aquamarine that calls to mind pristine waters sparkling in the sun, and our linens edged in sky-blue and coral are bound to evoke the leisurely pace of refined island living.

Sardinia Dinner Set

Sardinia Drinking Glasses

Sardinia Bowls

Our recommendations for your Sardinia experience

We always enjoy our time in Sardinia, but for those who are new to the region, we suggest the following:

Where to Go

• Visit Cagliari, the regional capital, to experience a sense of Old Sardinia with its beautifully preserved mediaeval quarter, and the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta (The Cathedral of the Assumption) which was originally built in the 13th century;

• The Costa Smeralda is best known for its vibrant nightlife and palatial residences where celebrities come to relax and unwind;

• Ready for some fun on the water? Check out the marina in Porto Cervo which is famous for its yacht, stunning beach, and expertly laid-out golf courses.

Where to Eat

Agriturismi (It.: agricultural enclaves where tourists can experience local farm life) are the best places to sample the local cuisine and diners have the assurance that everything on their plates was harvested within the premises. Consider the simple gustatory pleasures of Ristorante Lu Stazzu, for example. Part of the Lu Stazzu agriturismo, it’s a place where visitors can stay with farming communities to see how food is produced from field to plate and come away with a deeper understanding of food and local culture.

What to Do

There are so many activities to choose from in Sardinia, but this island destination is best for the following:

• Beach activities and water sports;

• Archaeology buffs will love the tours of Etruscan ruins and mediaeval castles and watchtowers;

• Mountaineering and hiking.

Sardinia Dinner Set

Sardinia Coaster and Napkin Set

Sardinia Dinner Set

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