SAKANA TRAVEL BLOG

Just for info, we attach the time schedule we found in LUFTHANSA website.
Please this is for info only, subject to availability and LUFTHANSA may change their schedule.

When we checked it, it was the most convenient and cheap way to spend 1 week during Easter in Gallura!
There are several flights a day (at different prices).
Flights are not direct, transfer at Milan or Munich.

Flight schedule of RYANAIR (Stansted to Alghero) is also attached.

If you require info on accomodations during Easter period, we may be able to help you, please contact us by email.
info@sakanatravel.com


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FLIGHTS FROM LONDON HEATHROW TO OLBIA COSTA SMERALDA
EASTER PERIOD
FLIGHTS BY LUFTHANSA www.lufthansa.com
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3 APRIL - 10 APRIL
===================
OUTBOUND 3 April
12:25 - 15:25 Heathrow - Milan Malpensa
17:30 - 18:45 Milan Malpensa - Olbla

INBOUND 10 April
15:25 - 17:00 Olbia - Munich
18:20 - 19:20 Munich - Olbia

===================
3 APRIL - 11 APRIL
===================
OUTBOUND 3 April
12:25 - 15:25 Heathrow - Milan Malpensa
17:30 - 18:45 Milan Malpensa - Olbla

INBOUND 11 April
16:45 - 18:20 Olbia - Munich
19:05 - 20:05 Munich - Olbia



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FLIGHTS FROM LONDON STANSTED TO ALGHERO
EASTER PERIOD
FLIGHTS BY RYANAIR www.ryanair.com
****************************************

===================
31 MARCH - 7 APRIL
===================
OUTBOUND 31 March
06:15 - 09:50 London Stansted - Alghero

INBOUND 7 April
10:15 - 11:50 Alghero - London Stansted

*Please note Alghero airport is approximately 2 hours drive from Olbia and the area.
Rent-a-car is available at Alghero airport.

Christmas celebrated in all Sardinia with plenty of religious events connected to the Christ nativity is a magic time in Gallura region where tradition and culture is re-discovered every year.

Nativity scenes can be seen everywhere usually organised inside the main churches of the towns, Christmas markets and colourful lights gives a beautiful setting to the already fascinating landscape of the island.



Christmas Events in Tempio

NATALE E’ UNA STELLA
4° Edition
Associazione "Amici di Monica"


Programme 2009

Saturday 5th December : Tourist Office. H.17,00—Opening of the Nativity Scenes exhibition, with the guests: the archbishop of Tempio and the Coro Gabriel.

Tuesday 8th December: Tourist Office h. 17,30 Benedizione dei Bambinelli (the kids blessing) by the archbishop Sebastiano Sanguinetti .

Thursday 10th December: Saint Peter Cathedral h 18,30: Christmas Concert with the famous singer Maria Giovanna Cerchi.

Saturday 12th December: Tourist Office h. 18,30 Il Natale nella tradizione (Christmas in the tradition) Music and readings in the traditional Gallurese dialect.

Wednesday 16th December: Tourist Office h.18,00 The Kangaroo in Concert –the Sixtees Revival.

Saturday 19th December Auditorium Istituto Tecnico Industriale H 17,00: Award Ceremony of the Poetry Contest “Se io fossi Babbo Natale”

Sunday 20th December Tourist Office h. 17: Interactive Puppets’ show with Lucio Azzena and Carmelo Mammola.

Monday 21th December Carmine Theatre h.17,00 : musical The Purgatory.

Tuesday 22th December Casa del fanciullo h. 17,00 : musical of the 5th year kids of the Vecchio Caseggiato

Monday 28th December: Tourist Office h. 18,00 Da pasca a capuannu - parauli folti;
Christmas in the Gallurese Dialect tradition with stories telling and forgotten sayings typical of the Tempiese community.

Sunday 3rd January Tourist Office h.17,00: The magician Mago Pirri e Stelle nascenti:exhibition of new artists.
Wednesday 6th January Tourist Office h 17,00: Award Ceremony of the Competion “Nativity Scenes and shop displays.”


Contacts:
Segreteria organizzativa: Ufficio Turistico di Piazza Mercato tel. 079 63090080
Paola Scano – via Iosto Azzena 3 Tempio – tel. 079 631061
e-mail paola.scano@tiscali.it www.amicidimonica.it


Christmas Events in Palau

Palau Christmas Events starts 5th of December with the Paints’ Exhibition open every day 9-13 and 16-22:00 till January. The Christmas atmosphere follows: Clowns shows, Musicals Theatre Performances and the fascinating Live Nativity Scene.
A good chance to taste typical autumn delicacies: roasted chestnut and great Sardinian nougat from Tonara.

Programme 2009:

5th December h 19.00 (Galleria Commerciale Pischedda– Via Fonte Vecchia)
Palau Arte Contemporanea presents: “Reazioni”- "First Paints’ Exhibition “Opening. Open every day from 6th December . Opening times: 9-13 / 16-20


6th December h 17.00 (Teatro Montiggia)
-Clowns Show “L’incantatore” with Saeed Fekri (Iran) h 18.30 (Centro di Documentazione del Territorio)
-“Christmas flee market”: exhibition and sale of small objects and art crafts.
Opening times: 7 - 8 -12 -13 -19 – 20 – 21 – 22 –
23 December, from h 15.30

8th December h 17.00 (Piazza due Palme)
Chestnut and nougat festival, with the “ Coidores”
And the “Torronai di Aritzo”

10th december h 19.00 (Palazzo Fresi)
”Paints Exhibition ” – images and texts of Gret Lutz
Stemmler. Open every day till 23rd December.

11th December h 15.00 (Palazzo Fresi)
Storie telling reading by the kids of Istituto Comprensivo
“Tutte le Acque Vanno al Mare”, Gret Lutz Stemmler

12th December h 18.30 (Teatro Montiggia)
“Suoni Natalizi per Chitarra”, with Silvina Talasesco

17th December h 18.30 (Teatro Montiggia)
The Centro Educativo di Palau presents: the musical “Le
Voci del Mare”(Voices of the Sea).

19th December h 18.30 (Chiesa Parrocchiale)
Recital “Dedicato al Natale” with Piero Marras.
Christmas typical religious songs translated in Sardinian language and music from the tradition.

23th December h 18.30 (Piazza di Chiesa)
The Consulta degli Anziani presents: “The Live Nativity Scene”

26th December h 17.00 (Palazzo Fresi)
“Boxing Day Super Bingo”,

27th December h 17.30 (Piazza di Chiesa)
“The Live Nativity Scene”, by Consulta degli
Anziani

31th December (Teatro Montiggia)
H 23.30 - “Quelli che aspettano il nuovo anno”
H 24.00 – Welcome the New year with the cabaret of
Francesco Rizzuto (Zelig off) and continue drinking and celebrating with the sound of
Blu-Pipers.

6th January h 17.00 (Teatro Montiggia)
The Theathre Company il Crogiuolo in: “Babbo Natale
Rock Star”. Musical for families.

Link to Officila Brouchure in Italian: http://www.palau.it/images/documenti/pdf/2009/novembre/natale.pdf

Contacts:
Comune di Palau, tel. 0789770813
email: comunicazione@palau.it

Sardinian Diet Can Help You Live Longer
by Deborah Dunham
Oct 21st 2009 4:00PM from www.thatsfit.com



The Sardinian diet could up your chances of living to 100 by 50 times. After researching the lifestyles of people living on the Italian island of Sardinia and interviewing its natives, Dan Buettner, author of "The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest," found that the fountain of youth is their diet. Drinking red wine and eating bread, cheese, nuts, fruits and vegetables may explain why Sardinia has low rates of disease and high numbers of centenarians.
Before you head to the grocery store to pick up some Cabernet, Italian bread and cheddar cheese, be aware that the Sardinian diet includes special variations of each of these tasty items. The red wine that is drank on the island, known as vino nero -- or black wine -- is made from the darkest grapes on earth, which produce heart-healthy antioxidants that are two to three times greater than other red wines. Sardinian bread is made with whole grain and levain, and cheese is produced from grass-fed sheep which results in higher Omega-3 fatty acids than grain-fed sheep. Also, for those who are really serious about living longer (and have a strong stomach), Sardinians eat a maggot-ridden cheese which is thought to create "healthy" bacteria.

"The Sardinian diet appears to be similar to a typical Mediterranean diet, adjusted to that region," says registered dietitian and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, Joan Salge Blake. "We know that people who follow this type of diet tend to be leaner, live longer and have less heart disease."

In addition to diet, Buettner also identifies other factors that contribute to the Sardinian's longevity: They reportedly put family first, have a sense of humor, respect and care for their elders, walk and maintain a stress-free lifestyle. "When you add daily exercise, family and community bonding and a healthy diet, you have all the components for a longer, healthier life," says Blake
Follow the link below to watch Buettner explain the Sardinian Diet on Good Morning America.

VIDEO from ABC (American Broadcasting Company)

Under the burning sun of Sardinia, I managed to visit archaeological sites twice this summer.
In end of July with our friends from Tuscany, and mid August with a friend from Australia.
But if you are thinking of visiting these places, DO NOT COME IN SUMMER! Too hot!!

Unfotunately some sites are closed in winter, but should be open between April and October, and spring and autumn are definitely best time to visit these places.
They will be updated in the website soon but here are some previews...


Albucciu

A unique nuraghe, because one side of the wall is actually a natural rock.
This nuraghe has an escape route, possibly prepared for unexpected attacks?
Very easy access, in front of turist office and parking area.


Tempietto di Malchittu

A temple situated 2km high on the hill from the tourist office, the view is amazing but the walk definitely not ideal in summer!


Moru

The giants' tomb, unlike the ones you may find in guidebooks, this type of tomb was not created with tall flat rocks but created with smaller rocks.
Only recently opened to public, just behind the tourist office.


Monte Icappiddatu

From neolithic period, much older than Nuraghe.
It is a huge rock that was used as shelter to those prehistoric people, and is also known as "il fungo", the mushroom.
Now it is in the middle of the town of Arzachena.
It's a bit dangerous to go up as it's steep and there's nothing to prevent you from falling down to somebody's back garden.
Makes me wonder how many people have fallen down in these 5000 years...


Li Lolghi

"The giants' tomb" in the east of town.
There are 2 different stages of construction, suggesting the newer part was added later.
You often see this site in guidebooks, and the tall and flat stones are unforgettable.


Li Muri

A necropolis from neolithic period.
The stones are layed in circle, as this is quite unique, it's called "Culture of Arzachena"


Coddu Vecchiu

The giants' tomb also called Coddu 'Ecchiu.
Similar style and peiord to Li Lolghi, and of course built for same purpose.
You can see the wineyard in the back.


La Prisgiona

A nuraghic village that's recently opened to public in June 2009.
As they are still digging the area, it cannot be entered without supuervision (a guide).
This has shed the light to some of the mystery of nuraghic communities, and the research goes on...

3rd 4th and 5th of July, we had a festival at Porto San Paolo to celebrate its guardian saint.
Just like many other Sardinian festivals, there were endless food and drinks, all organised, cooked and served by local people- all free!
(Of course a little contribution to the local church is always welcome)
First night was boiled sheep meat with vegetables, second night goat meat with gnocchetti, and third night dessert, always accompaniged by local wine and music til late!






On Sunday there was procession, and as it is a port town, they brought the statue of the saint from the church to the port, then around the sea in front of Tavolara island.




The saint was brought by these big guys above.


The festival is for local people and for visitors, there were a lot of people at the procession despite the hot weather, and even more people in the queue in front of the food!!

And now, back to everyday life of summer for locals, work, work and more work!




(A break while the saint is at the sea...)