Villa l'orto Near Portixeddu and Buggerru close to superb 3km long beach

Beautiful villa set in very private grounds yet so close to Portixeddu beach, which is just 3 minutes drive and one of the best beaches in Sardinia. For this year we have super fast internet and wifi. There are bars and restaurants including a great seafood restaurant recently featured by Rick Stein in his BBC series. 5 minutes further on is the harbour village of Buggerru. The area has numerous quality restaurants which are an easy five or ten minute drive from the house and none of which is expensive. Great places to watch the beautiful sunsets over the sea enjoyed on the western side of the island whilst enjoying the very best in Italian and Sardinian food. The tourist information site has details of restaurants and some great photography. This coastal location just below the Costa Verde really is one of the best spots on the island close to some of the finest and yet least crowded beaches, such as the closest at Portixeddu, a fantastic 3km long sandy beach, Scivu, Picinas and Cala Domestica. Scivu has the largest sand dunes in Europe. Cala Domestica, by contrast, has a sandy beach surrounded by rocky cliffs, a sheltered bay and fantastic snorkeling. As you can see from the photographs, there are no high-rise buildings, in fact recent changes in the law now prevents building within 3km of the sea. The UNESCO listed area of Sulcis Iglesiente is surrounded by mountains, a great location for trekking, rock climbing (arrampicata buggerru) mountain or road biking especially the cooler months and is close to the Temple of Antas (Tempio di Antas) and other historical sites. There are several established rock climbing venues in this area, and the European surfing championships are often held there. It is a great area for wind surfing. There are opportunities for horse/donkey trekking including a popular full day trip across the hills to Scivu beach. Great snorkeling in lovely rocky bays and some excellent sea fishing within five minutes drive. Plenty of space around you for games on the beaches, even in August, makes a refreshing change from other parts of Europe. Set back just a few minutes from the beach down a little used country road (ideal for cycling safely to the beach with children) this recently built villa has contemporary furniture and modern conveniences and is set in very private grounds. The setting is idyllic, to breakfast on the balcony is a lovely experience in itself with fantastic views and total quiet. The large barbecue/oven, the tranquil picturesque setting and lovely dining area on the balcony combine to make for lovely evenings at the house after a hard day at the beach! The large natural grounds offer children the chance to explore and for imaginative play in safety. The new outdoor shower is handy for both kids and sunbathers to cool down. In the grounds of the villa that are mostly wild, it is possible to see and hear some interesting animal species, for example we have "singing" nightjars and calling scopes owls which can be heard from the balcony at night. You may see colourful Bee-eaters and because the grounds are wooded, guests can enjoy the evening song of 'tree frogs' This Easter (2014) we were lucky to see a Hoopoe in the garden. Hopefully it will be there when we go back. It is occasionally possible for guest parties and friends (max 10) to hire and enjoy a beautiful skippered Predator 7m RIB for diving, snorkeling , fishing, general bay hopping, swimming in beautiful locations and trips to cosmopolitan Carloforte (a great lunch stop). Adventurous adults and children alike are able to try our knee-boards, wake-boards and skis, in beautiful surroundings. The Predator 660 Rib can be seen in the foreground of the Carloforte photo, it offers a fantastic opportunity to see and experience the islands coastline and otherwise inaccessible bays from the sea. The boat is a super safe 'Category B' craft capable of handling almost any sea conditions. Recent guests used the boat for birdwatching. We visited Carloforte to see the rare Eleonora Falcons nesting there. Please enquire for full details and availability during your stay at the time of booking. The villa is situated in a lovely part of the island, with the very best in scenery and beaches but without the expensive day to day living costs that you may find in other parts of the island. We know the area well and have left some very useful area tips in a visitors book and this has been added to by our various guests. With tips ranging from where to find the local spring to refill your water bottles, to the whereabouts of the butcher who sells the best Sardinian sausage!, we hope it helps to get you settled in and your holiday started in the area. There are also English books and DVDs to entertain guests and a very rare item in Italy - an electric kettle!. Should you wish to have a chat about the area or the villa please contact us (after 4pm on weekdays, anytime at weekends) Thank you for your interest.