Porto Cervo-Italy | Exclusive Yachting Hotspot of Sardinia.


The name Porto Cervo is so famous all around the world, a so famed resort considered one of the most classy destinations of Italy and in addition to be a more than  exclusive Yachting hotspot of Sardinia, elevated since some decades ago as a Jet Set s holidays symbol.

 In a place in which glamour but also business meetings and sunny stays are protagonists playing all together next to a superb offer in terms of hospitality with superb Hotels and great accommodations something of extremely considerable in the Tourism panorama ad you wil find all that and more in  that famed coastal paradise situated in a magnificent Mediterranean corner  called Costa Smeralda.

That Top Class Destination is well known worldwide but it is extremely interesting to discover and know better that impressive escalation and the history of that popular place means to come back to the 60s when in those years it was a pretty small and almost inhabited site of the municipality of Arzachena,a splendid seaside town famous for its stunning beaches and immense beauty, for its secular history and to be the most populated municipality of that magnificent Sardinian sub region well known with the denomination of Gallura.

The incredible development of Porto Cervo is like reading a novel to understand how in a very short time that resort which today is always in the first pages of Tourism magazines, brochures, catalogues and present in every channel linked to the media reached such astonishing popularity and prestige becoming for someone a sort of dreamland and icon.

The land in which was "invented" Porto Cervo  and we can use that verb  was originally a simple beautiful string of virgin coast forming a wonderful natural bay lined by crystalline waters populated by some locals mainly dedicated to fishing and agriculture in the nearest interior.

Almost unknown to the globe it was transformed in the engine of the tourism economy of Costa Smeralda,Sardinia and Italy and strongly coming in the International scene as a star, protagonist of dreaming holidays. In a very short time landings of VIPs, glamour, luxury yachts,vibrant nightlife,fine cafes, elegant restaurants, comfortable Hotels filled the local environment becoming as actors chose to create a stunning movie in a superb scenic setting.

 Important meeting point of businessmen,Top Managers, favourite heave for famed models,famous footballers, sport and cinema celebrities, notorious  characters closely linked to entertainment and fashion and for that also a big attraction for many .journalists and paparazzi.


Due to that Porto Cervo has always been a site which attracted furthermore the curious and ordinary people who at least once in a life wanted to see that distinctive and renowned resort highlighted by its enchanting luxury Yachting port so trendy and classy and that was an incredible metamorphosis which surprised the entire globe considering its very fast establishment.

 Situated just 34,0 kilometres north of Olbia well known to be a a notable and considerable  maritime port with a relevant International airport, that iconic site lies in a picturesque promontory flanking the splendid resort of Baja Sardinia and facing the famous wild captivating  Isola di Caprera, a small  island part of the small Arcipelago della Maddalena a group of islands and islets of enchanting charm and appeal.

That place easily admired from the local coastline is historically famous to be the last stage of Giuseppe Garibaldi the hero of the two worlds and leader of the reunification of Italyc who died there in 1882 .It  is sort of Eden lining emerald waters under an always warm sun details which give it a stunning  image of an exotic paradise in the Mediterranean I recommend to visit during your stay.

The name Porto Cervo derives by the shape of the bay which seen from a particular perspective it looks like a deer and Cervo in Italian language means that while Porto is the Port established in the 60s and the composition of those two words generated the current denomination of that top class destination.

With approximately 190 official residents the former area was originally called Monti di Mola,a  mountainous territory of  the Gallura formed by a a group of heights overlooking the local coast and that name  inspired a popular and  famous Genoese singer Fabrizio De André who wanted to dedicate a hymn to that marvellous land giving one of his successful song the name of that place.

In the 19th century that place  practically unknown,in the 20th century it was  simply  a humble fishing hamlet inhabited by a dozen of people,the 21th century was the transformation in a symbol,image and main spot of tourism often present everywhere including in gossips,newspapers and publications and constantly surrounded by a sort of magic and glitzy aura and for many people awarded as one of the places to visit once in a life. 

The idea to transform all what a visitor can see today reaching  something of  extremely relevant in that Sardinian scenic paradise of the Costa Smeralda came by the notorious Prince Karim Aga Khan IV son of Ali Khan III descendant of the noble dynasty Qayar who immediately fell  in love with the view of that striking coast highlighted by wonderful beaches lined by stunning crystalline waters able to capture the dreams of everyone.

That notorious character decided to develop a project and for that called a talented architect,Luigi Vietti native of Cannobio a small town situated on the shore of Lake Maggiore. That talented man was well known for his works and  great experience regarding urban arrangements and important  architectonic operations led by him in several  prestigious destinations so famous worldwide such as Portofino,Sanremo,Cortina d'Ampezzo and the Red Sea among others.

Next to Vietti was also  involved in that plan aqlso the Swiss-French Jacques Couelle, a brilliant and eclectic artist,architect and sculptor well known to be a close friend of the famed Spanish painter Pablo Picasso and creator of very valuable works especially along the French Riviera,Grasse and Ile de France.

To that trio was added Michele Busiri Vici, a famous architect from Rome,a figure with innovative and modern ideas,very active in the Italian Capital and in coastal resorts of the Region Lazio with several outstanding projects executed in the areas of Ostia,Anzio,San Felice Circeo and Sabaudia.

Busiri Vici was also popular because he was the creator of the Italian Pavilion in the universal Exposition of New York and apart that relevant detail he was pretty  famous to be a sort of pioneer and exponent of that kind of movement and style called Mediterranean architecture which is mainly focused to preserve the balance of an environment establishing structures that with right and appropriate colours, shape and layout have not to ruin or change the local environments.

The Businessman and Magnate once formed his team decided to to transform his dream in reality  buying that stupendous coastal land of Sardinia and the architects after some meetings entered in action, all them part of a special mission and totally convinced and confident to consider Monti di Mola despite it was an almost uninhabited place was the right place to establish something of simply great.

The works once started were mainly concentrated in concrete architectonic and urban plans which had not to distort the natural landscapes and setting of that tiny charming Mediterranean Eden and that was the order of the Prince Aga Khan very sensitive to an excellent preservation of the frame of his creation.

The operations were linked adapting the architecture of the new buildings to the few already existent in the immediate surroundings with an integration of new structures which should not generate conflicts or bizarre contrasts with the typical appealing architecture of the Gallura something which was indicated as main message forbidding extremely bizarre and strange constructions.

 A highlight which gave a relevant importance to Porto Cervo was naturally the establishment of its famous Yacht Club Costa Smeralda founded in 1967 by the Prince,the mentioned architect Vietti with the cooperation of a famous French lawyer called Andre Ardoin and that of Giuseppe Kerry Mentasti a famed businessman which was well known as the  King of Mineral Water San Pellegrino and drinks as Bitter among other.

Those charismatic founders thanks to their endless links and contacts started an automatic promotion mainly directed in large scale to all the VIPs who wanted to visit that resort or expressing the desire to do that as soon as possible.

That proposal led by strategic operations of marketing and promotion was quickly highlighted by the edition and delivery of illustrative brochures and catalogues with inserted  the most stunning local pictures and the second stage was that of official invitations to see live all what was represented. All that had
a very positive response in terms of interest with a notable feedback and  in a very short time Porto Cervo became a considerable meeting point of prominent figures.

The list closely related to that was simply impressive starting from the Greek Shipping Magnate Aristoteles Onassis,the King of Spain Juan Carlos,the Fiat Group owner Gianni Agnelli,the Saudi Arabian Ahmed Zaki Yamani linked to the Petrol Industry,the Industrialist Top Manager Carlo De Benedetti among others.

Next to such prestigious characters flocked on that new stunning seaside resort other famed related to the Jet Set of those times such as Pierre  Cardin, Cardin,Jacqueline Kennedy,Greta Garbo,Alain Delon and many others.

The 70s were those years in which Porto Cervo had to establish a consolidation and a continuation of all those successful operations and since then started an intense activity of Real Estate managed by the Prince  in a close and intense collaboration with his friend and right hand Andre Ardoin and naturally always flanked by his trusted architects.

In that period there was a construction of luxury villas and apartments suitable to meet the needs and the taste of all those VIPs with a very busy promotion in a segmented mission of marketing mission directed to every continent. 

The structures built in Porto Cervo were  studied to attract immediately the interest of many people, decorated with fine architectonic details,exotic layouts of the gardens,presence of large pools and a location with striking views on that superb and mesmerising Sardinian coast.

In a short time that former humble hamlet after the construction of such appropriate residences totally erected respecting a loyal programmed design became a place immediately able to call and attract the international nomenclature as a sort of siren song also persuading new investors who decided to convince other prominent people focused to spend frequent sunny holidays in Sardinia to chose that emergent destination without hesitations.


Although that Italian region was already very famous for its unique beauty with splendid beaches and magnificent crystalline waters so loved and admired by a myriad of people but that Region never had in its history and on its soil something similar and that aspect had a notable resonance in the medias elevating the Costa Smeralda as one of the Tourism hubs at international level.

In the 80s took place an enlargement of the port and that exclusive Yachting hotspot of Sardinia with a Club which reached an impressive capacity able to host over 700 yachts had a further important step in terms of appeal and resonance.

 In those years the resort gained much more relevance because it also became the official seat of the the project and creation of  Azzurra,that distinctive Yacht Racing Team led by the Prince Aga Khan and the FIAT Magnate Gianni Agnelli, another prominent figure who played an important role about the success of Porto Cervo.


That yacht venture was protagonist in the America ´s Cup and Louis Vuitton Cup and its base was in that Sardinian resort and those prestigious sporting events linked to the Top Nautical world undoubtedly increased furthermore the image and fame of that site with other people flocking to see the headquarter of the notorious Azzurra.

That stunning complex reached the levels of Top Class Yachting harbours as Portofino and Saint Tropez (if you are interested I wrote posts about those two famed destinations)and its appeal calls another important industry of high relevance when  it started to be visited by filmmakers who in those years produced some well known works as Vita Smeralda, James Bond in the movie the Spy Who Loved me  and others of extreme success.

All the medias,televisions,magazines in Italy were totally connected to the daily life of such place for the continuous presence of famed characters and obviously that popular Sardinian destination became a more than fertile soil for journalists always busy to have a special and exclusive interview with some notorious characters.

 Another aspect which took a notable escalation was the advent of  paparazzi always searching the sensational scoop linked to the most frivolous gossip and society news and Porto Cervo naturally became for them a special place more than appropriate.

Naturally also the Tourism and Hospitality Industries started to work very assiduously.It was born another product very demanded and attractive and ready to be launched in a large commercial business which could have very fruitful results in terms of incoming operations attracting the most prestigious and important outgoing Tour Operators at  international scale and the resort was a perfect and unique destination for the most important markets.

The Tour Operators Travel Agencies specialised in incomng Sardinia despite the capacity in terms of beds offering constant daily overnights for a large period of a year wanted more and more  business both detecting the endless opportunities that resort offered.

There was since then an increasing and intense contract operation with consequent  agreements for a constant research year by year to have more allotments to guarantee pretty easily their selling thanks to the trendy image of Porto Cervo which was a more than desired dish for every Destination Manager.

In the case of special offers were stipulated contracts and conditions linked to an immediate sale due to the strong demanding requests which day by day were increasing with considerable incoming flows.

Immediately started in the most important fairs the promotion and automatic sale of such destination consolidated as a sort of myth of tourism which in a while attracted the attention of different countries from Switzerland to Germany,Great Britain, USA, France and many other operators all around the world.

including Arabian and Middle East countries also created a new emergent outgoing market towards Porto Cervo with more than successful result and that was closely linked to the name of the Prince Aga Khan.
 
Porto Cervo,Porto Rotondo,Costa Smeralda are shining gems and naturally thanks to the presence of such wonders, Sardinia was immediately and easily elevated as a dreamland for every tourist also at national scale with a tourism which reached superb peaks with a very high index of preference as dreaming holidays by Italians consolidating all those places in the Top Ranking.

That new reality was very captivating,over the average expected media and it is certainly high interesting thinking which kind of empire was developed there bordering those magnificent immaculate waters in a so short time with a constant incentive thanks to the rich offer in terms to excellent facilities,luxury and comfortable accommodations and very trendy Hotels.

A delicious local cuisine with well established notorious Restaurants and the chance to enjoy water sports under a warm sun generated a sort of superb and sublime cocktail to enjoy daily thanks to the presence of all those brilliant features and perfect combinations in terms of tourism, hospitality, catering, sport, outdoor activities and leisure.

In more recent times is notorious the affluence of further flows of famous people such as Flavio Briatore,Naomi Campbell,Sting,Joaquin Cortes was the continuation of a glitzy trend which probably will continue for a long time.

A simple walk today along the quays of the marina of Porto Cervo is also the occasion to see often one of those VIPs landing in that luxury Yachting harbour to spend their glamorous holidays and stays.

The visit of that famed place is pretty easy but at the same time enjoyable with the centre mainly developed facing the banks of the Yachting Club Costa Smeralda and the stunning view of the glamorous setting around it with also a magnificent image of the wonderful local bay.

Just 200,0 metres from that iconic site lies the Marina developed in the innermost point of the local port in which you can also find a centre of assistance for all the luxury yachts mooring there.

The harbour obviously dominates the scenery and in walk of approximately 500,0 metres along its banks you can reach an area in which you can see a series narrow streets,elegant shops and luxury boutiques.

The houses shows an architectonic style and aspect according the original projects of the founders and they are totally in  harmony with all there is around.Many of those buildings are greatly decorated by coloured doors and shutters, flowered balconies in a perfect balance of tonalities.

The promenade which crosses two attractive small squares called  Sottopiazza and Piazza delle Chiacchiere gives that place a vague resemblance without comparison to Capri or Portofino but with their own distinctive identity obviously linked to different realities.Luxury Hotels, lively Clubs, fine Cafes and renowned Restaurants are all protagonists of a very vibrant  nightlife of the resort and they are mainly established outside the core in in the immediate surroundings.  

Facing the Yachting Club you can see the Chiesa Stella Maris,the local Church which was built in the 60s by the architect Michele Busiri Vici who used his famous Mediterranean Architectonic style and you will notice as that Religious building in its image was erected totally respecting the canons of the local architecture.

That white big construction highlighted by the presence of a bell tower integrated in an adjacent setting including an  undulated facade with an ample long curved arch is completed by a scenic sloping red-tiled roof developed over a portico formed by six gray stoned columns which give a vague resemblance to Dolmens if seen from a special perspective.

The subdivision of three columns on each side permits the access to the interior and on the sides you will see a series of white painted windows placed on rounded protruding walls while the doors are made in bronze.

Inside despite the young age of that Sacred structure the Church contains relevant artistic masterpieces such as an organ dated 18th century,a painting by El Greco,the Mater Dolorosa dated the 16th century and two splendid crucifixes dating back 17th and 18th century of German school.

You can easily notice that the building reflects a mixture of architectural elements with a varied combination of details linked to a typical rural Sardinian house,a traditional Cortijo of Andalusia and with also some strong links to those distinctive Greek houses you can see in Santorini,Mykonos,Corfu or in other Hellenic resorts.

Around Porto Cervo were developed several small agglomerations with luxury villas,elegant apartments and outstanding Hotels. One of them which worth a special mention is certainly the famous Cala di Volpe Hotel Costa Smeralda Resort,a shining jewel of fine architecture designed by the architect Jacques Couelle.

According to the project,  the execution of the construction of that superb accommodation took inspiration by a fishermen village providing furthermore a magnificent waterfront.  That Hotel complex consists in typical white buildings embellished by splendid arcades and charming large windows with view on the Mediterranean and also the wings were very well studied,erected using elements and lines making them resembling to towers.

The structure is arranged facing a maritime arched waterfront with its own charming harbour and it is member of the Luxury Hotel Collection so in the case you are thinking in your holidays to Porto Cervo searching a suggested and great accommodation that one is for you.

 As additional but important detail which worth certainly a mention is that the Hotel was the a set of that successful  movie The Spy Who Loved Me by Lewis Gilbert,starring Roger Moore as James Bond. That superb and divine accommodation furthermore is well known to have a Presidential Suite which is among the most luxury and expensive in the world.

The immediate surroundings are authentic small paradises and it is enough to mention Romazzino and Liscia di Vacca distinguished places hosting very good Tourist Villages and beloved destinations for everyone to enjoy fabulous emerald waters in a stunning natural frame.

Pevero Golf is the ideal place for that sport lovers and a great incentive to practise that very trendy activity in one of the best and scenic Clubs of the world. It is a magnificent 18 holes Golf Course considered a gem, member of the Relais du Golf and awarded with the title Europe´s Elite Selection.

That magnificent masterpiece was opened in 1972 and it offers the chance to enjoy a spectacular Mediterranean environment with a splendid view towards Corsica and its stupendous coasts.In addition to all those sublime features it provides a brilliant facility consisting in the presence of multilingual Teachers offering lessons in English,German,French and naturally Italian.

That special and outstanding service is undoubtedly an advantage for all people who want to learn to play golf choosing their language and that is not very usual in many Golf Clubs with obviously the pleasant joy to play in a stunning and astonishing shining set and what is more important without problems of communication during your lessons.

All the area is simply amazing and I suggest you to visit Piccolo Pevero and the beaches of Razza du Junco and Pantogia all them reflecting the pure essence of the beauty of  Sardinia, beautiful places all to photograph and immortalise in an infinite collection to take home with you in your best memories about the best images of the Northern coast of that marvellous island.

For its magnificent beach and panoramic views I also recommend you Capriccioli which is another shining gem highlighted by a magnificent bay with inviting and tempting turquoise waters in a place which appears to the human eye as a sort of magic dreamland.

If you want to admire something of really special and spectacular,very recommended and pretty close to Porto Cervo is the promontory north to Liscia di Vacca where you can admire in a paradise of natural amazing inlets and coves a stupendous view of the wild and picturesque tiny island Isola delle Biscie enjoying furthermore a maritime horizon simply unique to remember for ever.

From there you can also have fantastic ample panoramic views of the previously merntioned scenic and marvellous Caprera Island and much more a further beauty with the magnificent image facing you of the two sharp headlands of Isola Pecora which for its coastal formation is considered by many people a stunning attraction among the most captivating in that Mediterranean corner.

Another site very suggested is along the coast leading to Baia Sardinia which is just 15 minutes away driving from Porto Cervo before to reach that resort I recommend you to stop in an area called Poltu Quatu and once there you will have the chance to admire a spectacular inlet which is like a fjord,absolutely outstanding.

In that concrete place you can start to enjoy the marvellous views towards the wonderful Isola di Santo Stefano,St.Stephen Island,which at sunset has a very suggestive and mystical image when the sun is falling on its shoreline and also that picture will be certainly present in your best memories.

 Isola della Maddalena is another  a striking  Sardinian wonder very visible from there. It is the main island of that archipelago, highly charming for its colours with the green of its interior combined with the spots of scenic rocks scattered all around its surface and highlighted by several emerging cliffs immediately arising offshore its coast.


Definitely those two islands are two other diamonds of a wonderful small archipelago facing the mainland both characterised by their wild and picturesque aspect and with fascinating silhouettes and you can not miss to see them because in their kinds are something of simply unforgettable. 

 facing in that concrete point its beautiful southern bay of Caprera with its amazing coastline which is magnificent zigzag of fantastic inlets and hidden coves,a magnificent place for diving and highlighted by some enchanting arched bays with cliffs which seems painted flanking crystalline and emerald waters which change tonalities in other deeper points of the coast.

Apart all that aslong that coastal stretch you will be in front the beautiful southern bay of Caprera island previously mentioned with its amazing coastline which is a magnificent zigzag of fantastic inlets and hidden coves and you are furthermore in an ideal place for diving rich enchanting small arched bays with cliffs which seems painted lining crystalline and emerald waters which change tonalities in other deeper points of the coast. 

Once you reached Baia Sardinia,another paradise of Costa Smeralda I strongly recommend you to visit is  immediately in the outskirts of that resort with another unique view consisting in Capo D´Orso, Cape of the Bear a beautiful promontory over the stupendous waters of the Tyrrhenian sea,south east of the town of Palau.

That area is great if you love snorkeling and to admire a superb seabed and from there you are can have another view from another perspective of the Isola di Santo Stefano which is in that concrete point is very close to the Sardinian mainland.

Along that stunning bay continuing to south you can meet another unique marvel which worth a stop and probably you will not want to go away for its fantastic beauty consisting in the magnificent Cala Bitta. It is a natural tiny gulf which offers splendid colours with unforgettable sunsets and stunning turquoise waters. Ffrom there you can continue until Cannigione another divine place which is the innermost resort in that marvellous corner of the Costa Smeralda.

All those places offer many opportunities to practise several water sports,such as sailing,scuba diving,a paradise packed by sandy virgin beaches offering the unique opportunity to spend more than pleasant times along small picturesque coves and unforgettable tiny bays.

The best and one of the main features of Costa Smeralda is also that, you can move just a few of kilometres and in a while you will admire so many attractions moving in a while from sandy stretches to rocky sharp spurs.t.In addition to all that, if you are interested all them are also captivating starting points to for excursions inviting to discover the scenic wild interior.

The local gastronomy is absolutely a sublime hymn to the traditional culinary panorama of Sardinia with a wide variety of fresh fish and seafood offering among the best mussels,lobsters and clams of the entire Mediterranean.The local Frittura Mista is more than appreciated by a multitude of people consisting in a large plate of fried fish, squid and delectable scampi served with a mixed salad.

In the case you want to have as alternative meat,the Gallura offers the chance to taste excellent lamb prepared baked or grilled and  seasones by aromatic herbs and spices. Very tastefully is th famede Porceddu,a delicious roast pork highlighted by the fresh flavours of Mediterranean herbs.If you love to try something of really traditional do not miss the Malloreddus, small gnocchi of semolina and the Fregula.

Excellent are also the local cheeses with the famous Pecorino Sardo well known all around the world,a salted product with a strong flavour which can be combined in several snack or appetiser often served next to the famous Pan Carasau, a thin traditional local bread.

Delicious are also the cakes and desserts ready to satisfy the most exigent tastes thanks to their natural ingredients and you can try some of them such as Orilletas,Tiriccas,Papassinas among others.

The offer about fine wines is absolutely outstanding thanks to the high quality of Sardinian grapes. Vermentino,Cannonau,Vernaccia,Cagnulari,Giró and are absolutely excellent and including you can taste a sweet local Moscato of notable quality.


The nearest airport is the Aeroporto Olbia Costa Smeralda situated at 31,0 kilometres south of the resort and landing there driving along the National Road SS125 continuing on the county roads SP73 and  Strada Provinciale 94 in approximately 35 minutes you will be at destination if the case you are planning a great Fly & Drive.

I added some links below for further information if you are planning a trip to Sardinia with also some recommended Hotels. in great and splendid Top Class resort.

That island offers unforgettable places from north to south ideal to spend sunny and great holidays many moths a year,a destination to take in more than high consideration thanks to its mild climate and offering apart an endless list of natural marvels also a rich historic patrimony.

The unforgettable crystalline waters of that Mediterranean Eden are amazing next to that icon as that exclusive Yachting hotspot which is is something so  special in its kind not just for its name but also for its historic escalation and for all what of wonderful there is around it, a place which created the tourism every visitor can enjoy today.

Taking a look to that resort and its immediate surroundings you will also discover why that place became the engine of the tourism economy of one of the most wonderful island of the Mediterranean, the answer will be very exhaustive, simply admiring a place so difficult to forget and so easy to remember for an eternity.

 Francesco Mari


Recommended Hotels in Porto Cervo and surroundings

Hotel Cervo Costa Smeralda Resort
Grand Hotel Porto Cervo
Hotel Colonna Pevero
Hotel Dolce Vita
Hotel Romazzino
Hotel Le Ginestre
Hotel Colonna Park
Hotel Cala di Volpe Costa Smeralda

Useful links






 

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