An Enchanting Season for Families and Couples
Autumn arrives with a more tranquil kind of magic; the beaches regain their deserted loveliness, the landscape mellows into more gentle tones and the Tyrrhenian Sea retains its crystalline blue and gentle surf, but without the intensity of the summer heat.
For families who are seeking real togetherness and couples who are looking for romance, the golden month of October presents an irresistible invitation to Budoni and its surroundings in their most genuine and hospitable aspect.
The Ideal Climate for Exploring
October feels yet unaccountably summery. The weather is warm, the sun very abundant, but the dazzling rays temper into that ideal climate when exploration is sheer pleasure instead of endurance. The day time temperatures hover comfortably between 20-24 degrees centigrade, warm enough for swimming, but magnificent for strenuous pursuit without the oppressive heat of the summer inhabitable days. The maestrale blows with gentle moderation, ideal for the family with littler children and the couple who commends the leisurely pursuit of discovery instead of languishing by the sun drenched sea.
The temperature of the sea remains tempting far into mid October, generally running about 21-22 degrees centigrade, so bathing in it is enjoyable instead of a Piatti challenge. Important of all, the great diminishing of human visitants means that Sardinia’s most outstanding beaches, these post card perfect stretches that constitute the stereotyped idea of the island, are practically private retreats where the children can build sand castles undisturbed and where the couple can enjoy hand in hand the deserted sands.
Coastal Explorations for All Families
The unrivalled gem of the northeastern Sardinian maritime setting remains the protected waters which surround the stunning island of Tavolara. In October, boat excursions from nearby San Teodoro to Tavolara itself and the other islands of Molara are still in operation, providing families with a wonderful day be enjoyed on the sea, exploring hidden inlets and unspoiled beaches, the whole of which can only be reached by water.
The excursions normally include visits to Cala Brandinchi, which is affectionately known as ‘Little Tahiti’ on account of its exotic turquoise colours, and continue around Capo Coda Cavallo, where the granite coastline gives a backdrop of wonderful sculptured rocky formations. For families, the gentler autumnal seas provide favourable conditions for the children’s first adventures in snorkelling – where they can enjoy watching the captivating underwater world full of sea urchins, starfish and fish darting about the Mediterranean waters.
Couples looking for more intimate opportunity may find a private sailing excursion more appealing, where the slower, more contemplative way of life offered by wind-powered sailing will bring a better opportunity for enjoying a more realistic communion with the natural beauty of the landscape. The autumnal sunlight gives a glow here which is peculiarly enchanting, making for that magical light when all photographers dream of and all romantics long for.
Natural Refuges and Coastal Paths
For active families and those couples who are lovers of nature, the easy and moderate temperatures of October lend themselves to the fruitful use of the vast network of coastal and inland pathways in the north east of Sardinia. The Oasi Biderosa, a beautiful nature reserve in the Budoni locality, gives a network of easy family hikes leading to a series of beautiful beaches. It is a rare occurrence when hiking can be coupled with programme for swimming breaks to refresh younger adventurers in their explorations of the environment. The circuitous routes that have been righteously maintained by the reserve, lead through aromatic Mediterranean macchia, whose rosemary, myrtle, and juniper give out their fragrant oil in the warmth of autumn sunshine. On payment of a small fee the visitor will be able to reflect that he has helped to preserve a priceless environment, which is well worth the investment by families who desire a genuine knowledge of the natural heritage of Sardinia which is so strictly preserved.
For the adventurous spirits who are somewhat at the mercy of their entertainments, the shore paths between little coves give opportunities of real exploration. The paths between the beaches are made more easily accessible in the gentle climate of Autumn, when romantic explorations are possible, difficult in the intensity of the heat in mid-summer. Pack a picnic of local pecorino, sun-dried tomatoes and pane carasau, and a perfect afternoon escape has been arranged.
Cultural Encounters and Authentic Experiences
The quieter existence in October allows of a closer cultural life—that close acquaintance which is obscured by the crowds in summer. The local weekly markets in Budoni, together with the neighbouring villages, are still in full swing in the autumn, and promise good visits for families or couples with opportunities of inspecting the artisan crafts, testing the seasonal products, and seeing Sardinian daily life go on in its own natural social tempo.
The harvest time of the year means a special vitality in the countryside surrounding Budoni in a magnificent harvest season. It is at this time that the wine harvest is completed, both quantity and quality being important. It is the height of the wine harvest time, and several cantinas run by the family on a scale of intimacy receive visitors and allow a sampling experience in the tasting-room or cellar experience. For families, many estates provide educational opportunities for children to learn about traditional agricultural practices whilst parents savour Vermentino di Gallura and strong Cannonau. This is an enriching experience for young travellers who are provided with an important opportunity to connect with the land and understand where food is produced.
Couples can arrange a private sunset wine tasting at a vineyard high in the hills, where the golden light of autumn transforms the area into a scene so approaching the sublime that it makes the finest wines being tasted seem an almost demeaning finality: a pacific row of vines heavy with the fruits of harvest, romantic granite mountains glowing in the dying sun and the distant glimmering expanse of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Leisurely pursuits and agreeable pleasures
October brings an attitude of contemplation, that both families with children and couples who seek revive are sure to enjoy. The beaches that were a riot the months previous are again offering a time honored way for genuine relaxation. The children can enjoy tidal pools, where they search for shells apart crowded neighbourhoods whilst the adults actually finish that book they have been carrying since they left home.
For the couple, Autumn gives some of the more voluptuous encounters. We find uninhibited places of dining at restaurants where candlelight dinners are not rushed for next seating, beach walks where the footprints have not yet been erased by others and morning swims where the beach resembles some personal discovery and the soft autumn light produces an extraordinary quality: everything appears softer, richer, more incredibly beautiful in recess into the undisturbed.
ENAJA: Your Retreat for Autumn Discoveries
October to ENAJA brings a peculiar mellowness to the villa experience. The salt water heated pool drops the usual required temperature and is thus enjoyable. For families it serves as a welcome resting place after beach excursions and provides intimate surroundings for evening dips, where under the stars after ‘the world is lost’ deliciously cool.
The estate itself is separate and extensive grounds with treatments of native Mediterranean landscaping coverings of softly luxuriant autumn tones whilst the properties lend themselves to leisurely morning cups of coffee on private terraces or afternoon aperitivi whilst the sun descends.
The ENAJA concierge service is so important in the month of October for to enjoy properly all that this month gives to this part of Sardinia, it is imperative to have knowledge of the district. The service provides for virtually anything, boat trips for children, giving them rapidly to local rhythm, visits to the wine estates for couples requiring intimate and cultural pleasures, everything is carried out so that memories can effortlessly wound their stretch over all and many days of delightful relaxation.
Those who seek Sardinia out at this time of the year outside of the summer months must seek it because here they will appreciate a side to the island not seen in theistic crowd atmosphere of the summer, here is revealed softer and less known side to the island in Autumn at Budoni, an invitation incomparable to families and couples.
