Sardinia

The author: uncovers the hidden sights of the elegant capital of Cagliari; ponders the quiet simplicity of Oristano, which explodes into life for Sa Sartiglia, a two-day festival, every year; explores the wild beaches and turquoise seas of the Nurra coast; clambers through the rocky granite mountains and medieval villages of Gennargentu National Park; noses out the best festivals and the most stunning wildlife areas, with a section on Sardinia's famous flora; and studies the beautiful political murals adorning the streets of Orgosolo. 'Now Italians as a whole, even the ones in Armani suits, do eat some rather strange things when visitors aren't looking - donkey sausages, raw baby horse carpaccio, spleen pate, cock's combs, tripe sandwiches, and so on - but when it comes to ethnic soul food, the Sards take the proverbial cake. "Anything that doesn't kill you can feed you", they like to say.'