Summarize and humanize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs in EnglishBy the time we picked our way up a short path to the hilltop, I was already regretting my wife’s suggestion that we skip breakfast and nourish our chakras instead with a morning yoga session. But 20 minutes later, stretched, relaxed by class leader Leonarda’s calming breathwork and feeling thoroughly chilled out, I sat cross-legged on a raised wooden platform gazing at the sea and wondering why every day couldn’t start like this.Sounds like classic California? Well, if you want yoga by the shore, miles of sandy beaches, surfing, sunsets that turn the sea to fire, vineyards, even an island prison similar to Alacatraz, then this is the place. But what if you could experience all this without flying for 11 hours? You’ll find it all in the north-west of Sardinia, a place so life-giving it’s bursting with centenarians. The only surprise was that we didn’t see any on a surfboard.There’s always something charmingly old-fashioned about Italian beaches; the locals are perfectly happy with a wonky umbrella and a towel. A favourite for Sardinian families is Li Junchi beach, which unfolds in a majestic five mile curve of white sand heading south from the town of Isola Rossa.They also flock to one of the island’s longest stretches of sandy beach, just below Badesi. Here, beach bars gaze out on limpid waters in which we floated for hours.Shoals of inquisitive fish drifted near our feet, while one day we spotted a ray flying gracefully along the seabed – a thrilling window into a hidden world. Li Junchi is a popular beach destination in northern Sardinia, offering 8km of white sandy beaches and spectacular 360° degree views This sixteenth-century relic in Isola Rossa is known as the ‘Spanish watchtower’ and was built as part of a coastal defense system against pirate raids from North Africa Li Junchi has enjoyed Blue Flag status since 2016, making it an ideal location for swimming, surfing and stand-up paddle boarding. It is accessible by car or on footA family hideawayWith our two teenagers, we stayed at Hotel Le Sabine, the newest and most secluded hotel at the Resort & SPA Le Dune resort which overlooks the beach.It encompasses five hotels spread over 69 acres among juniper trees and stands of pines.It’s a haven for families. Each hotel has its own pool and at least one restaurant. But you can swim wherever you like and, on a half-board basis, can choose a different place to eat every night, though some restaurants do have supplements.The Il Leccio restaurant in Hotel Le Sabine had us returning night after night. It served outstanding food with the children’s favourite, mountains of sushi, which they attacked like true epicurians. One night (18 Euros each) we treated ourselves at Lo Scorfano, where sitting under trees, we gorged on grilled fish, cheeses and ice cream.Hotel Le Sabine was conveniently positioned next to the modern and peaceful hydro spa. We embraced the chance to enjoy a few hours of adults-only time (20 Euros). It was so blissful, we visited twice.Some days we lazed by Hotel Le Sabine’s main pool, rising only for an occasional dip, or a round of salmon toasties at the pool bar. But the beach was often too much of a draw. We strolled to it most days either hiring hotel loungers (12 Euros a pair) or doing as the locals do, sprawling on a towel. Guests staying at Le Sabine half-board can book dinner at the Il Leccio restaurant at no extra charge. The Mediterranean buffet includes main courses with fish and meat and a wide variety of desserts Le Sabine is an four-star superior hotel within the Resort & Spa Le Dune in Badesi Marina. The rooms are decorated in typical Mediterranean style and have views of the gardens or the swimming poolWe could have had a surfing lesson (40 Euros) or tried paddleboarding, but we crashed through the waves with boogie boards, tumbling off them like drunks in fits of giggles.Sardinia’s winelands Two names are big in these parts: Vermintino, and Cannonau. Just back from the beach is a delightful vineyard which has made an art out of both.Those Californian winelands might have been made famous by the movie Sideways, but Sardinia’s sun-kissed slopes have their own charms.We were welcomed at the Cantina Li Duni by the manager Francesco, whose father used to make wine at home.This cantina, allows you not only buy their wines but to savour tastings on a terrace overlooking the vines stretching down to the beach.Eliana, the resident expert, had us slurping away like old hands at a very punchy 16.5% white wine, Vermentino di Gallura (the name of this wine region), a sparkling white, and big-bodied, medal-winning Cannonau red. The white wine made in the Vermentino di Gallura region is typically dry, and has ‘DOCG’ status, meaning it is of the highest calibre of wines produced in ItalyIt was all wonderfully indulgent, and when a plate of locally produced pecorino and figs grown in the vineyard was delivered, it became a truly epicurean event.They sell their wines at just 3.50 Euros for a litre container poured straight from a tap.Hippy MeccaThe stretch of north-west coast cries out to be explored. The roads curl around fantastical granite rock formations like demented walnut whips.There’s one very Californian aspect to the area too – forest fires.We witnessed hillsides ablaze just across the valley. It was shocking to encounter it at close quarters.Hippies used to camp here at the Valle della Luna – Moon Valley – at the very northern tip of the island, near Santa Teresa.So we hired a car from the Europcar office at the resort and cruised up the coast. Hoards of hippies set up camp in Moon Valley, Sardinia, during the 1970s. Today, the area is a hotspot for people who enjoy ‘geocaching’, an outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS devices Turns out the last of the hippies were evicted a year ago, so we spent an indulgent afternoon in a sandy bay where granite columns still stand or lie in the shallow water – carved here in Roman times to be shipped across the water to the heart of the Empire. You won’t find those in California!Hippies used to camp here at the Valle della Luna – Moon Valley – at the very northern tip of the island, near Santa Teresa. TRAVEL FACTS Seven nights half-board at the four-star Resort & Spa Le Dune from £819pp, including return flights from Heathrow. Book with BA Holidays by April 16 for stays between September 1 and 30 inclusive. Wine tasting at Cantina Li Duni available Mon-Sat, between 10am and 1pm, and 4-8pm.
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