ALGHERO
Alghero, Sardinia, Italy
Encircled by ancient walls, paved with stones and boasting with Catalan Gothic buildings. Alghero, a city on the northwest coast of Sardinia, which name comes from latin word Aleguerium meaning “stagnation of algae”. Indeed, dead algae, species called Posidonia oceanica, to be found all around the cove near the old city, creating a strange seaweed balls. But once you walk further, these hairy balls are replaced by soft sand, thats how you know that you reached your lunch spot, Spaggia di Maria Pia.
Living in a landlocked country with winters lasting longer than necessary, any little break in the direction “south” seems like a good idea. That's how I ended it up in Sardinia in February. On a long empty beach walking on tender grains of sand. Barely touched. The sand is curving into slopes on the side, allowing pine trees to grow. They look like they struggle, in the ever-moving sand, grain by grain. In the first row, resisting the wind coming from the sea. Every winter. Year by year. Resisting the drought and endless sun. Every summer. Year by year.
It was surprisingly warm for a February. At least for me. I rolled my trousers, put away the shoes and walked along the shore, stepping on the lightly wrinkled sand, shaped by those tiny waves, which appears only when the tide is getting low again. Giving up a piece of land and leaving the last mark. Some people don't like the foot dippers I was told, but I am definitely one of them. It was a lazy day finished with the bottle of wine on the beach and long nap underneath the thick feather blanket.
Population: 45.000 people
Name: comes from latin Aleguerium meaning “stagnation of algae”
Note: Part of its population descends from Catalan conquerors from the end of the Middle Ages, when Sardinia was part of the Crown of Aragon. Hence, the Catalan language is co-official (a unique situation in Italy) and known as the Alguerès dialect.
Trapani is perched on the western tip of Sicily, and its climate is quintessentially Mediterranean, with average temperatures hovering around 20°C—a perfect respite all year round.