Accommodation & food.

Typical mountain road 'Hire car heaven!' I'm not going to list the accommodation. But suffice to say there are a few Hotels, quite a few apartments and we found one B & B in a little old ladies house for £9 a night. On average in the winter expect to pay about 16 euros or £10 a night per person.

Generally eating out is quite cheap. Looking back at my bank statements, we where spending about £15 a night on a meal for two with beer. Many of the restaurants were closed in Dec but at least 3 places were open in the evening and towards the end of the trip we were eating at Roadhouse Blues every night, great Salads & great Italian Burgers.

Shops, well there are a few in Cala (chemist, supermarket and bookshop), but really you need to go to Dorgarli.

Weather.

Well we were there at the end of Nov, beginning of Dec. We climbed in shorts, had a duvet when not climbing and in the shade. Generally about 16-18 degrees but cold in the morning and at night. Great temperature to climb in the sun. Most days there was just the occasional cloud in the sky. Friends who have visited in early October have found temperatures very hot. But it's possible to find lots of climbing in the shade.

Guidebooks & Websites.

We bought at least 3 guidebooks but either Arrampicare A Cala Gonone or Peitra di Luna will do. The later covers most locations around the Island, whereas the first one covers most of the climbing in Cala Gonone. For Carla Gonone we found that most routes have names painted on the rock with the occasional grade.
OTE Issue 106 & Climber Sept 2001 both have articles on Sardinia.
Websites try www.PlanetMountain.com , www.Sardiniapoint.it/sardiniaclimb/

Rest Days.

Well we didn't have many, but a visit to Tiscali (about a 1-11/2 hr walk) What an amazing place, shame you can't climb here? Won't say too much but its well worth the walk to discover the place for your self. PS. Take some money, you have been warned?

The Gorroppu Gorge Secondly, a visit to Gorroppu Gorge, a slightly smaller version of the Verdon Gorge. It is well worth a day's exploration. You may even decide to climb here, the day we visited we found Beat Kamendler (and friend) on a new project which they had been trying for the last 6 days and so far they were only half way up the crag, first pitch 8c? with a 1000 ft to go?

We also took a drive to Arbatax , but were disappointed, boy what a journey? However a visit along the way to Santa Maria Navarrese will give you an idea of the potential this Island holds? Typical Bar Cafe in Sardinia

One of the bars in Dorgarli is a bit of sport bar with a large TV, it's worth a night or two watching the football and drinking with the locals. Finally before flying home make time to visit the old port of Alghero which has a pleasant stroll around the old fort and plenty of places to do a bit of last minute shopping.

Gear.

50 or 60m rope and 12 quickdraws, we did not come across any traditional climbing so save your baggage allowance and leave your trad rack at home.