Holiday Reviews
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same trip can have different views!
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Sardinia farmhouse accommodation, independent reviews
 Reviewed 26 May 2009 by Myriam Algoet |  |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Every aspect of the holiday was wonderful. The farm is run by the Pesenti family and Alberto made us feel at home. The bedroom was very comfortable, the shower pure luxury as the water comes straight from a mountain spring, leaving our skin and hair feeling like that of a baby and the views from the patio absolutely wonderful. The Gallurese area is very beautiful and May was probably the best time to visit it as everything was in bloom. We were extremely lucky with the weather, not a single drop of rain in 7 days and temperatures around 26-33C during the day but lovely cool nights. Apparently, these high temperature are a little unusual. We won't complain.
We visited quite a bit of the East and West Northern coast. Plenty of amazing places. The ones we preferred were the least developed area around the West coast and the mountains of Gallura. We did have a look at Costa Smeralda and our visit confirmed that package holiday in tourist villages is not for us anymore.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't hesitate to ask Alberto for tips on what to visit. He directed us to some wonderful places (secluded beaches, fantastic little roads which are not even on the map through the mountains, great towns (Bosa) and historic sites all within easy reach. We stopped looking at the guide as we found that his local knowledge was worth all the guides and maps we had. We took our Tom Tom with us, to avoid getting too lost. Was of some help but don't forget your map and have a good mapreader with you as neither the tom tom or the maps were very accurate. We have to recommend the restaurant. Nothing fancy but delicious home made comfort food. Whilst it was perfect for us, the concept of a set menu might not suit everybody, particularly fussy eaters. Olbia airport was the closest (~1h away). Flight choice at this time of the year was limited and we ended up with Thomas Cook airlines. Not great and we will look alternatives next time.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Absolutely. The farm complex although small (only 5 bedrooms) employs a number of local staff and the restaurant serves local produces, including the farm's own. The buildings look as if they have always been there and local materials and traditional building techniques were used when restoring stables or building the bedroom block. Nothing looks out of place. The farm is organic and the cattle free to roam.
Water and electricity are well managed, with spring water collected and electricity produced via solar panels. The lack of air conditioning might have shocked a couple that we met on our last night but thank goodness Alberto's kept it simple. Just close the shutters to keep your bedroom cool during the day!
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Splendid, beautiful, so relaxing. Having to come back home and readapting to our normal life was a shock. We could not have hoped for a better holiday. This was our first time in Sardinia, our first farm holiday, away from the beaten tracks. We spent a week and rested so much that we feel as if we've been away for months. We are now missing Alberto, the dogs and the cat, the beauty of the farm and Gallurese area and the wonderful food and wine that Alberto put on our table every night. We'll definitely come back for some more!
| Reviewed 21 Apr 2009 by Andrew Drysch | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The yacht trip from Alghero, exploring the stunning Maddalena Archipelago, climbing the incredible rocks at Capo Testa, walking and scrambling around Monte Pulciana (a stone's throw from the accommodation) in the evenings with Linda and Argo (Alberto's lovely little dogs who were always friendly, always up for an adventure, and who came for a fond farewell on our last morning), the all-encompassing quiet and tranquillity, the warm sunshine and the smell of rosemary and myrtle, the ever-changing view from our room across to Monte Limbara, the food and the wine, and of course the friendly welcome from Alberto and all at the accommodation... it was all memorable and exciting! We have been back twice and will keep going back!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Just get in the car and drive! Whatever direction you go in, you will stumble on the most breathtaking turquoise beaches and beautiful towns imaginable! We discovered Northern Sardinia by chance because of cheap flights, and were so blown away by its beauty that when we set our wedding date, there was no doubt where we wanted to go for our honeymoon!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, the farm is certified organic, although as Alberto explained to us, Sardinia is basically an organic/ environmentally friendly economy, and an example of life at its most beautiful and sustainable, so certification seems a mere formality. New development is sympathetic to the local environment and we ate the most wonderful and varied food, both at the accommodation and in restaurants around the island. Our home is now filled with beautiful items painted and handcrafted all over the island, which will be a lasting memento of a perfect honeymoon in a perfect place.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Perfect - a quiet and secluded place to stay in amazing surroundings with a friendly welcome and wonderful weather, food and wine, a short drive in any direction to stunning mountain scenery, breathtaking beaches and beautiful towns and villages, with wonderful art, crafts and historical sites all on the doorstep. We have some wonderful memories and will certainly be back - thank you Alberto!
| Reviewed 11 Aug 2008 by Andrew Drysch | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Sardinia is a beautiful island, and this accommodation was a wonderful place to stay. Very relaxed, nice bedrooms, excellent food and Alberto Pesenti was a great host - friendly, laid back and also able to speak English (very helpful for those of us struggling with their Italian!).
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Sardinia has very many beautiful areas and personally we preferred to stay away from the tourist resort areas, preferring instead the wild beauty of the Gallura mountains, the sandy beaches of the north west coast, and the castles, churches and coffee shops of the many pretty towns and villages.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes - this is a beautiful working farm staffed by friendly local people, and I assume the money we spent there helped to maintain that business.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent - will definitely return, and probably to the same place. Definitely like staying at Agriturismos - the food there is excellent and all local specialities.
| Reviewed 31 Aug 2009 by Karin Murphy | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Sardinia is a beautiful island with such contrasting landscape features that it was a pleasure to explore. The locals were unfailingly friendly and helpful - despite our pathetic attempts to communicate out of our trusty phrasebook! Each day out was finished off with a trip to one of the many beaches (of course we had to go and rub shoulders with the jet-set on the Costa Smerelda on our first day!) but it was always a great relief to escape the crowded tourist-traps back to the peaceful, simple and traditional retreat that is Alberto's agriturismo. The highlight of each day was the anticipation of a wonderful meal cooked by the delightful couple in the kitchen, and served by Alberto's brother (Marco) who was as fun, friendly and good natured as Alberto, himself.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Hire a car when booking your flight (Olbia is the nearest airport). Pick Alberto's brains re. local attractions, best beaches, route suggestions that may not be apparent on your map. Take a phrasebook - essential unless you're fluent in Italian! Consider the time of year; we went in August - it was VERY hot and the beaches crowded...
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes. Certainly Alberto's efforts to employ locally, use home-reared, homemade, locally sourced food and wine, and the use of local, traditional building materials are to be commended. Nice to see that the cleaning /laundry ladies handwashed the breakfast stuff and dried the washing outside on the line.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Wonderful! Excellent food (the cook taught us to make pasta ''gnocchetti'' and gave my daughter some pasta dough to take home - she and friend will make it for supper this evening!), delicious home-produced wine, congenial company and gorgeous pets...Silence all around us and very dark, starry nights.
| Reviewed 24 Aug 2009 by Ruth Hecht | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The stunning panoramic views of the countryside from the position of the hammock on the terrace... the hospitality shown by Alberto - his friendliness, knowledge of the local area, and willingness to help with all our questions... the wonderful food - loved the zuppa gallurese.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
You need a car to get around. We went in August, which is not the best time - very hot (on average 35 degrees) and the beaches are packed. It's worth spending time exploring the towns and villages around the accommodation - we visited a couple of great little ethnographic museums, one in Luras and one in Aggius - both very close.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
We flew to Sardinia and used a car to get around... so although our impact on the environment was minimal when actually at the accommodation, it certainly wasn't getting there. Staying there obviously benefits the immediate people working at the accommodation and puts money into the local economy of villages and towns round about.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Had a wonderful time - extremely relaxing; wonderful to be in the Gallura countryside surrounded by the hills and silence.
| Reviewed 25 Jul 2009 by Rosie Tanner | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The beautiful small beaches of all different kinds - sand, rock, turquoise sea; practically empty beaches just ten minutes' walk away from the crowds, even in July. The mountains - rocky, thistly, full of space. The pastel-coloured towns and villages, particularly Bosa.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
This accommodation is a real gem, hidden up in the mountains which are cooler than the coast. Alberto is a fantastic host, providing delicious meals made from local products, and conversation and tips about the area. Our little apartment had everything we needed, including a lovely vine-covered patio with views of the mountains. It is quiet, far away from the bustle of coastal towns: an oasis.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes. Alberto has solar panels, cooks local products, including some from his own farm. He employs locals to cook and clean. He serves the most delicious (Sardinian) red wine I have ever tasted.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent accommodation, highly recommended and good value.
| Reviewed 4 Jun 2009 by Cathy Sheppard | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Everything the accommodation was great! We loved the room opening onto the veranda with a fabulous view. We loved meeting Alberto who was a terrific host - most welcoming and considerate. Every day we went out to beaches or into the countryside but the best part was getting back to the house and looking forward to supper! We really enjoyed our four course evening meals which were accompanied by really good local wine.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
I would recommend staying for longer than we did. It is striking scenery and near enough to some lovely beaches to warrant several days. Bring a good book and relax in one of the hammocks on the veranda in the afternoon. The resident cat and two gorgeous little dogs will come and see you.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Our rooms were wonderfully cool despite the soaring temperatures outside - this I guess is due to the design.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Having never stayed at an agriturismo we were not sure if it would be our sort of thing. Staying at this accommodation was the best introduction possible and our only regret was booking for only three days. It really was so relaxed there.
| Reviewed 3 May 2009 by Aj de Beaufort | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Maybe the most impressive moment was waking up, after arriving late at night in the dark, and overviewing the magnificent panorama outside for the first time. And just the start of a series of great little family-adventures. For the oldest boy (7) being in nature, seeing lizards and turtles, climbing rocks, looking for stones and relighting the fire was fantastic. The smallest (2) loved to play on the veranda, the little playfield or inside in the large common room.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
We went here with our two boys the end of April, and the surroundings are quiet, lush and green, with an abundance of flowers (like orchids) and birds (like the hoopoe). So no unbearable heat and yellow grass as probably in august (at least some parts of Sardinia), but also in our case it meant that we had one rather cold, windy and rainy day. No problem at all but take some warm clothes with you and you can enjoy overwhelming nature. We made a trip to the enormous 2000 year old olive tree near an artificial lake, and saw some really impressive nuraghes. We can also recommend a trip to the coast nearby, or La Maddelena Islands. Also we really liked the zuppa Gallurese, the ravioli dolce and the ricotta with honey in the restaurant of la Cerra, delicious. For travelling the pane carusau/carte musica is worth trying. You can look up the house on Google Maps, its east of Monte Pulchiana, an enormous rock that you can recognize by its large shadow. The entrance at the main road SS133 is (if I remember correctly) between km-sign 12 en 13.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, lot of home made food, also in the small and delicious restaurant that is part of the accommodation.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Great, too short though (7 days). The friendly and helpful owner of the place Alberto Pesenti who is around often attributed to this a lot too. Our boys adore him. There were books and maps of the area and Alberto told us the ins outs of special locations. He made us feel at home in a place completely different from our real home in Netherlands.
| Reviewed 2 Apr 2009 by Linda Harrison | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The peace and quiet as we sat on the patio was very special.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
We visited at the end of March, pack warm clothes. As the holiday season had not started many things were not open, but that did not detract from our enjoyment of this beautiful island. We also found our Sat Nav very useful.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes. As it is a small farms area, we feel that Agriturismo is a very good idea to supplement local incomes.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Stress free, interesting and very relaxing. Alberto our host was very helpful in every way, he spoke much better English than we did Italian, and pointed us in the right direction to start exploring. We claim the right to fame as the only ones to get lost on the local walk, soon rectified by retracing our steps, Alberto thought it was highly amusing. We found the local people helpful and friendly.
| Reviewed 13 Aug 2008 by Ana Monica Costa Antunes | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Beautiful mornings, great landscapes from the accommodation during the day and amazing starred nights in a peaceful and quiet place (after a magnific typical "galluresse" 3 course dinner!).
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
- When you arrive, go directly to the kitchen (La cuchina). Alberto, the owner, will give you all best tips and spots from the region.
- For local products, go directly to the major town around, Tempio Pausania.
- Plan, at least, 1 week to get to know only the north of this beautiful island. Preferably outside the high season in August.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent, paradisiacal beaches, see-through blue (sometimes green) water, not so crowded even in August. A paradise for agriturism, we will surely be back soon!
| Reviewed 4 Aug 2008 by Polly Doyle | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
We stayed at this accommodation for three nights and really enjoyed our stay. Alberto was a very welcoming and accommodating host who helped us brilliantly with all our queries. The view as you lie in the hammock on the veranda outside the door to your room is incredible. The local food that was served each night was delicious.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Book in advance so you don't miss out!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
The food was all locally sourced and the cooking/ production process was described to us. Alberto recommended and arranged for us to go to a local riding stable that we enjoyed too.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was excellent - in a beautiful and tranquil setting.
| Reviewed 21 Jul 2008 by Aidan Fitzpatrick | |
Thanks for your recommendation, it really was great. Staying with Alberto Pesenti and his family in Sardinia was a real joy and a highlight of our Italian adventures. The food was great and he does his best to minimise the impact of his guests, while treating us like royalty and fattening us like his best livestock!!!
He also commented very favourably on the people who contacted him through your good offices. I was very impressed too by your service and would hope to use it again.
He also commented very favourably on the people who contacted him through your good offices. I was very impressed too by your service and would hope to use it again.