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Those who spend a holiday along the Sardinian coasts cannot find a place which does not spark intense sensations and emotions, but, in any case, they always hesitate to move to the northern part of the island due to the exaggerated prices of famous places such as Porto Cervo, Cala di Volpe or Porto Rotondo. At the far north, anyway, in front of the arcipelago of La Maddalena, you can stop at Palau without risking of getting ripped off.  This nice town, with an impressive and picturesque small port from which you can leave for daily trips to the nicest islands around, is closed between the majestic fortress of Monte Altura and the famous Capo d’Orso. Even those who don’t like -almost impossible- to spend their
time at the little wonderful beaches and the hidden bays surrounded by the red rocks and the blue sea, can enjoy Palau with its many shops of Sardinian specialities, pottery, corals and tissues. But, in any case, you are literally “obliged” to stop for a swim at the marvellous Porto Rafael, just out of the city, along the coastal road that leads to Santa Teresa di Gallura. Along this street, you meet several typical farm holidays named “stazzi”, but if I had to choose one of them I would suggest the Restaurant “La Capannaccia” (0789/704014): you can taste the excellent noodles with the famous bottarga, some tempting Sardinian cheese and other typical dishes of the island cuisine at a cheap price. But who wants to experience an emotion
really one-off, MUST absolutely discover a precious jewel hidden and not so much advertised, located in the island of Caprera: it’s Cala Coticcio, named also Tahiti for its outstanding beauty.  You can get there by car from La Maddalena following the signposting but the last part of the path is accessibile just on foot –in about 30 minutes– along a narrow path creeping among bushes of myrtles and maquis. The view that you can enjoy at the end pof this walk is simply marvelloustwo small creeks with an incredibly white sand, borderd by a cristalline sea and cxlosed between two high rocky walls that the wind modelled over the centuries.  Here you will not have to bear the
screams and the noise of the crowded beaches because there is a “religious” silente, interrupted just but the light lapping of the waves which break on the rocks. Even the bathers who arrive swimming from the distant boats feel the charm of this place and stop here silently and politely, as if they were scared of profaning a holy location. And when the sun, after illuminating the rocks creating a kaleidoscope of colors, starts dipping below the sea, it will be hard to leave Cala Coticcio, not because of the weariness but because of the desire of staying in that enchanted place.