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I’d go to Cala Spinosa Beach for a beach stop.

I like to choose an Italian region for its own rhythm, then give it enough time. Rome rewards long walks between ancient landmarks and neighborhood tables; Florence and Tuscany pair Renaissance art with vineyards and hill towns. In the Dolomites, the mountains and the season set the pace, while Sardinia calls for coastal drives, clear-water coves, and time in its villages.

My favorite approach is to leave breathing room between the famous sights. Choose a city trip, a Tuscan or Sardinian road journey, or an alpine adventure from this collection, then let the smaller moments become part of the trip.

Cala Spinosa Beach is a rocky cove below Capo Testa, with clear water and sculpted granite around the shore. It’s a peaceful spot for swimming and sunbathing, often missed by visitors heading to more famous beaches.

The descent to the beach is a bit steep and rocky, but the reward is a quiet, wild-feeling beach where you can swim among smooth boulders and watch fish in the shallows.

TIP: Visit in the morning for the best light and calmer seas — the beach faces east.

TIP: Combine your visit with a quick stop at the Capo Testa lighthouse, just a few minutes' walk away.

Official website

Cala Spinosa Beach

Colorful fishing villages, coastal trails, sea views, and leisurely Ligurian meals.

Cinque Terre Escape

Alpine hikes, mountain lakes, winding roads, and quieter corners of northern Italy.

Dolomites Adventure

Dramatic peaks, turquoise lakes, alpine villages, and the Dolomites' defining views.

Dolomites Highlights

Renaissance masterpieces, grand churches, artisan streets, and long Tuscan lunches.

Florence Escape

Neighborhood wandering, remarkable art, Roman food, and time beyond the headline sights.

Roman Holiday

Ancient icons, grand piazzas, Vatican treasures, and the lively streets of central Rome.

Rome Escape

Wild coves, coastal drives, ancient villages, and the rugged heart of Sardinia.

Sardinian Adventure

Val Gardena slopes, with Cortina extensions for confident skiers new to the Dolomites.

Ski the Dolomites

Renaissance cities, vineyards, and hill towns, with colorful coastal extensions.

Tuscan Adventure

A playground of hidden coves, emerald waters, and rugged granite cliffs, the Northeast offers a blend of beach adventure and upscale charm—ideal for sea kayaking, cliff jumping, and discovering coastal trails.

Costa Smeralda

Use a car between Porto Cervo, San Pantaleo and the coastal bays, then walk from authorized parking. Beach approaches can be steep or unpaved and parking fills in summer; choose a small number of coves rather than repeatedly moving the car.


Cervo Hotel, Costa Smeralda Resort is a five-star hotel beside Porto Cervo’s Piazzetta and marina, with pastel façades and a lively village setting. It suits travellers who want restaurants, shopping and waterfront evenings close by, with a more social atmosphere than an isolated beach resort.

Rooms and suites vary in size, outlook and outdoor space. A seasonal pool, fitness facilities, bars and restaurants add useful time at the property, while the hotel’s private beach is reached by a seasonal guest shuttle. Beach access is a separate journey, rather than a sandy shoreline immediately outside every room.

This is a luxury option with substantial summer price swings. Check the selected room’s view and meal plan, the beach-shuttle schedule, and which restaurants and pool facilities are operating for the dates. The hotel advertises complimentary parking, making it a practical starting point for drives to the surrounding villages and coves.

Cala Spinosa Beach

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Cervo Hotel, Costa Smeralda Resort