Because you’re looking for a brilliant Italian break without the noise and stress of the mainland. And because Sardinia has some of the Mediterranean’s most seductive beaches, yet within tootling distance of some great restaurants, agreeable bars and the soothing evening ritual of the passeggiata.  Mention Sardinia and most people think of the glitz of the Costa Smeralda and dodgy dealings in Berlusconi’s villas, but there’s plenty more. The Costa Smeralda itself is a tiny strip of coast studded with elite hotels, five-star beaches and Beverly Hills-type shops, but if swish ain’t your thing you’ll find acres of swimming spots to die for on every coast, but without the superstar pretensions.  When you’ve had your fill of those, there’s plenty more to divert you: the magnificent rugged landscape of the granite interior, the fabulous seafood and, for history buffs, the strange and evocative remnants of Sardinia’s ancient nuraghic culture, not to mention a scattering of Carthaginian and Roman ruins, Pisan churches and Spanish Baroque.  There’s one golden rule: avoid August. That’s when the whole of Italy with mothers and kitchen sinks in tow storms the island, flooding the beaches and booking up all available accommodation. Prices go up too, and it can be excruciatingly hot. Just about any other time is fine, with May/June seeing the island at its best, with the clearest skies. The depths of winter can see resorts looking a little drab and forlorn, though, and some places are closed until Easter.  Flights: EasyJet (www.easyjet.com) flies to Olbia from London Gatwick, Luton and Bristol, and Jet2.com flies there from Leeds-Bradford and Edinburgh airports. There are ATMs and an information point in the arrivals hall.  Transfers: A regular city bus shuttles between the airport and Olbia’s centre every 20-30 minutes, a 10-minute ride.  Cruises: Ships and ferries pull in closer to the centre, but still a bus or taxi ride away. There’s an information desk and left-luggage office points in the port building.  Getting around: The centre of town is fairly compact, with most hotels and restaurants within spitting distance of the main drag, Corso Umberto. If you want to venture out to the more alluring coast north, including the Costa Smeralda, you’ll need to use local buses, taxis or a rented car.  There are dozens of rental agencies at the airport, and a couple inside the terminal building at the port; try Hertz, at the airport (00 39 0789 66024, www.hertz.com) and in town at Via Regina Elena 34 (00 39 0789 28114).  Flights: Between March and early November, Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) flies year-round to Alghero from London Stansted, Gatwick and Luton airports, alternatively take any flight to Milan or Rome from where there are frequent flights.  Transfers: Alghero’s airport is 7.5 miles from the centre of town, a 20-minute local bus ride. Drivers should park up as soon as possible, as the old town streets are mainly pedestrianised.  Cruises: Ships and ferries dock at Porto Torres, an industrial centre some 22 miles north of Alghero, and not worth hanging about in. Five to seven local buses connect the two towns in around an hour.  Getting around: Car rental agencies in Porto Torres include Sardinya (00 39 079 291113, www.autonoleggiosardinya.it) at Via Lungomare 48. In Alghero, try Avis, which has agencies at the airport (00 39 079 935064, www.avis.com) and in town at Via Garibaldi 87 (00 39 079 914 4557).  Flights: EasyJet (www.easyjet.com) flies from London Stansted to Cagliari all year.  Transfers: Local buses connect the airport to the centre of town in around 10 minutes – buy tickets from the machine in the arrivals hall. Taxis cost about €15.  Cruises: The port is right in front of the old town, though most ships dock a little further out, connected to the centre by shuttle bus.  Getting around: Cagliari’s bus and train stations are both in Piazza Matteotti, where there’s a taxi rank. There are tourist information booths scattered around town – at the port, in the citadel, in the town hall (00 39 338 649 8498, www.cagliariturismo.it) – and you’ll find an information desk at the airport too. There’s a Hertz car rental office in Piazza Matteotti (00 39 070 651078, www.hertz.com), and Hertz and all the other major companies have desks at the airport.  Consular agency in Cagliari (00 39 070 828628), Viale Colombo 160, Quartu Sant’ElenaEmbassy in Rome (00 39 06 4220 0001, ukinitaly.fco.gov.uk)Emergency services: Dial 113Tourist offices and information There’s no office covering the whole of Sardinia but you’ll find loads of useful information at www.sardegnaturismo.it. The most useful local offices are: Molo Sanita (port), Cagliari (00 39 338 649 8498, www.cagliariturismo.it); Piazza Porta Terra, Alghero (00 39 079 979054, www.alghero-turismo.it); Via Nanni 39, Olbia (00 39 0789 557732, www.olbiaturismo.it).  Currency: EuroTelephone code: Dial 00 39 when calling Italy from abroad, and always use the full area code wherever you call from (070, 0789, etc)Time difference: +1 hourFlight time: From UK airports to Sardinia is two to three hours.  Note that the law requires drivers to carry personal ID, licence and car documents while on the road, and all cars must have a warning triangle and reflective jacket on board. Speed-radar detectors are banned.
Our Sardinia expert, Rob Andrews, provides an insider's guide to the island, including the best hotels, the top sights and tips on getting there and around.