The Corsica & Sardinia Yacht Vacation :

While it is likely that the island was inhabited as early as Paleolithic times, the skeletal remains of the Bonifacio Woman, dating from 6570 BC, is positive proof that it was inhabited by the Neolithic era. By the 6th Century BC, the Phocaean Greeks founded Alalia, at what is now called Aleria, on Corsicaís flat eastern plain. Two thousand years later, around 4000 BC, it would appear that the inhabitants succumbed to the romance of big stones. Various sites around the southwestern corner of the island still bear evidence of this period, with large upright slabs standing in the earth, and structures consisting of two large slabs supporting a large stone ìroofî. Torri, or towers, constructed by the Torreens in approximately 1100 BC are also standing, seemingly indestructible, especially taking into account the later history of the island.

Sardiniaís early history is closely linked with the history of nearby Corsica and Elba. It appears that there were communities in the Paleolithic era, as the first traces of human settlement go back to before 6000 BC. Replaced around 4000 BC by an agricultural culture called the Bonu Ighinu, this society was named after the grotto near Mara where their most significant remains have been found. Around 1500 BC, a new group of settlers, the Nuragic people, arrived on the scene. They were obsessed with protecting themselves from invasion, and proceeded to build roughly 30,000 circular fortified dwellings, strategically located so each could see its neighbor. It would appear that this may be where the Banco di San Giorgo got the idea to build the watchtowers that ring Corsica! Today, about 7000 of these megalithic structures survive. The most important complex is Nuraghe Su Nuraxi, in Barumini, centered around a three-story tower. Among the best preserved are S. Antine, which also has a central three-story tower connecting to three, two-story watchtowers via walkways, and Nora, which is an extensive village complete with an amphitheater, forum, baths, temple and kasbah.

Cagliari is at the southern end of Sardinia, situated in the broad curve of the Gulf of Cagliari, and is backed by lagoon and surrounded by an imposing ring of medieval walls. The islandís capital since Roman times, littered with 2000 years of history, is also Sardiniaís busiest port. Wandering around Cagliari is best done on foot, and the four quarters that you will want to visit are all close by. The areas of Stampace and Villanova are known for their important religious monuments and old churches. The old citadel, Castello, is famous for its flamboyant cathedral and the best museums. The Marina quarter is home to most of the shops and restaurants. The arcades of Via Roma are often regarded as the best to sit with an ice cream and a cup of coffee; viewing the port and watching the people go by. This would seem to be the perfect way to end your charter before catching your flight home. Or maybe you should just skip the flight and continue on up the west coast of Sardinia, or head southeast to Sicily or anyplace elseÖ but maybe that will all have to wait until next time!