Sardinia, the second-largest island in the Mediterranean, feels like its own continent. Its landscape offers a diverse spectrum of inspiration, including grandiose mountains, fragrant forests filled with rosemary bushes and strawberry trees, sweeping plains awash with warm ocean breezes, and miles and miles of long, sandy beaches. These lands have long inspired travelers with their natural beauty, and now a new Conrad sits on the island’s tranquil southern shores, overlooking the Mediterranean and just steps from the beach.
Days on Sardinia are as active or as relaxed as you would like them to be, and the hotel’s concierge team is always on hand to help tailor your itinerary accordingly. Experience the landscape and unlock the island’s secrets with hiking, water sports, horseback riding, and mountain biking, or take things a little slower and reserve a lounger at the Beach Club. When you’re here, there’s no wrong way to do Sardinia, and the best of the island is all within reach.
Food and drink are no exception. Allow yourself to be carried away with the big flavors and quality ingredients of Sardinian fare. During the day, it’s hard to think of a more beautiful breakfast spot than the buffet at La Terrazza, where you can enjoy a pastry and authentic Italian espresso as the sun shines overhead.
The informal yet exuberant trattoria atmosphere at Sa Mesa highlights the best of Sardinia, with handmade pastas, fresh catches of the day, wines from small and local producers, and family-style sharing platters that turn everyday dinners into everyday celebrations. And no matter what time of day it is, whether at teatime or for a nightcap, stopping by Bollicine Bar is always a good idea. The menu offers a curated selection of Champagne, Prosecco, Spumante and more, as well as light bites and shareable plates. This panoramic terrace bar captures the very best of Sardinia—elegant without trying too hard, refined while still feeling casual and effortless, and replete with stunning views creating an unforgettable backdrop. You’ll walk away from this trip feeling absolutely refreshed, experiencing the best of this special island brought to life through food and drink.
For a taste of authentic Brazilian life beyond the well-known metropolises of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, set your sights on Criciúma, a smaller city found in the country’s southern province of Santa Caterina. The streets here are alive with history, the rhythm of day-to-day life, and authentic Brazilian food. This new hotel is located just five minutes from the center of town, so it’s close enough that it’s easy to get everywhere, yet just removed enough that you’re away from the crowds. There is, after all, much to see and do here, like catching a soccer match at the Estádio Heriberto Hülse, going for a hike through Parque Natural Municipal Morro do Céu, or searching for souvenirs at the Criciúma Shopping Center (conveniently located next door to the hotel).
Before you start exploring, however, make time for breakfast, a meal that many tend to overlook when they think of Brazilian cuisine. The country benefits from a few unique cross-currents that make its food unique—specifically, the abundance of locally-available tropical fruits, and the European influence of pastries and breads. Your day might start with a delicious pão de queijo cheese bun, a steaming pile of tapioca pancakes filled with coconut and condensed milk, or a bowl of fresh açaí and papaya. Complimentary breakfast is included in your stay at this new hotel, where the breakfast bar is set up to give you a sampling of Brazilian cuisine and get you out the door to start your busy day. Whether you’re stopping for a quick grab-and-go bite or you’re more the type who needs a filling breakfast, the breakfast bar here is a great place to take your morning coffee, or café da manhã.
No matter where or why you’re traveling, food makes an indelible part of the experience. Whether you’re making the most of your all-inclusive rate with a Mexican feast, enjoying a perfectly-cooked piece of Mediterranean catch-of-the-day, or simply grabbing a warm Brazilian pastry on your way out to grander adventures, go for hotels that take their food seriously. You’ll walk away from your trip feeling that much more satisfied—in every sense of the word.
