The Delphina Valle dell’Erica resort in Sardinia is big.
Even the identify is on the massive facet and once I checked out its web site I had misgivings, not least as a result of I’ve stayed in so many unwieldy motels all over the world that I all the time lengthy for one thing small and private.
I had visions of elbowing fellow holidaymakers on the breakfast buffet and setting the alarm to seize a solar lounger which may truly face the solar.
Mum’s the phrase: Jodie and her son Indio loved their first journey to Sardinia
What’s extra, this was to be an necessary vacation for my three-year-old son, Indio, and neither of us had been to this Italian island earlier than.
However, from the second we set foot within the 28-hectare resort close to Santa Teresa Gallura, I realised my worries have been completely misplaced. Frankly, we have been stunned. Sure, it’s large – the truth is it’s actually two motels joined collectively – but it surely by no means felt large and there have been days once we hardly noticed a soul.
It helps, after all, that there are 5 or 6 completely different seashores to select from, 4 swimming swimming pools (three with salt water), 5 eating places, 5 bars, a mini soccer pitch and golf course.
Our room confronted the ocean. On clear days we may see Corsica looming over the Strait of Bonifacio and each night we have been handled to spectacular sunsets.
Whoever designed this place ought to take a bow.
There have been kids’s areas, adults-only areas, household areas and ones the place nobody appeared to go in any respect. In all places there was an abundance of timber, shrubs and pots spilling over with all the colors of the Mediterranean.
You can potter about for hours alongside shaded walkways as if wandering round your individual non-public backyard.
The phrase that saved coming into my thoughts was ‘tranquil’, which, given there are greater than 250 rooms, is superb.
Even the employees appeared utterly relaxed, however they have been additionally extremely environment friendly and went out of their option to make everybody really feel particular. On a few events I organized for a babysitter for Indio and, consider me, I’m not a mom who readily leaves her little one with a complete stranger.
However I trusted them utterly and Indio appeared to stay up for their arrival.
There have been only a few British folks staying – and plenty of Italians.
I took that as signal as a result of Italians love kids. Additionally they love meals and wine and are at their finest within the sunshine. Come to consider it, meals, wine and sunshine charge excessive alone record of priorities — particularly meals, after MasterChef, the place to my astonishment I reached the ultimate.
The large morning resolution was whether or not to make camp by the pool or on one of many seashores.
Bolts from the blue: The resort sits on the serene waters of the Strait of Bonifacio
I preferred having that alternative and what I preferred particularly was that the seashores have been quiet and never overrun with jet skiers.
In the future, I dropped Indio off on the children’ membership and booked in for a day of windsurfing and kitesurfing.
I discovered to windsurf in Barbados, the place my mom and brother nonetheless dwell and the place I attempt to go to as typically as I can. However I had by no means tried kite-surfing.
Kite-surfing is nice enjoyable when you get the hold of it – and also you want instructor.
It is also unbelievable train, as a result of it relies upon so much on core muscle tissues and, as we’re relentlessly informed by health gurus, it is these core muscle tissues that type the idea of a well-toned physique.
With kitesurfing, you first should learn to fly a kite, which suggests attending to grips with the course of the wind. The truth is, there’s quite a lot of preparation work to do earlier than occurring the water and having a board strapped to your toes. I appeared to get the hold of it.
Maybe our greatest day was once we went out on Poseidon, one of many resort’s fishing boats.
We went exploring across the north level after which visited the island of Maddalena. It was magical – and the ice lotions have been the very best ever. We referred to as in on the church of Santa Maria Maddalena after which I swam again to the boat and was met with drinks and canapes.
Delphina has a Thalasso spa, the place I spent as a lot time as I may.
It has plenty of jets that pummel your physique into submission however afterwards you are feeling amazingly invigorated and able to conquer the world.
Truly, I believe Indio and I each felt prepared to beat one thing or different after our every week at Delphina. Extra importantly, our vacation labored brilliantly for each of us.
I do know we can be again and simply hope it is quickly.
