Camping in the Bay of the Blue Turtle (Camping Village Baia Blu La Tortuga)

Member Name: Praskipark

Product:	Camping Village Baia Blu La Tortuga
Date:	28/06/08 (670 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Set in a fantastic beach location with clear transparent waters.

Disadvantages: No seperation of pitches and cleaning of toilets could be better.

Another campsite review. For someone who isn't that keen on camping I seem to have been to a lot of sites in different places. Probably because it is one of the cheapest ways of staying in a country and seeing the world.

As we were in Corsica we thought we might as well take a look at Sardinia as it was only an hour's crossing across the water. I am so glad we did as it is a very beautiful island.

Sardinia is very different to Corsica, much wilder and untouched.

It is a mediterrnean island with 1,800 kilometres of coastline with bays, grottoes and hidden coves. It's waters are transparent and some of the beaches are the most glorious in the world. The sand is mostly white but sometimes a shade of pink, created by the presence of millions of tiny particles of coral mixed with the sand.

Inland there is a diversity of landscapes. Wild rugged mountain areas, wide luscious green valleys adorned with shrubs. Landscapes barren and windswept with strange stone monuments dispersed amongst the rocks and shrubs. These megaliti monuments belong to the mysterious nuragica civilisation which was formed at the end of the Ancient Bronze Age, around the time of 1.600 BC. The architecture formed by this culture was quite elaborate with nauraghic towers, megalithic burials and graves of the giants with some places of cult worship.

Signs of other cultures are to be found throughout the island - Romans in Cagilari, the capital of Sardinia, Byzants and Spaniards, Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Fenis traces in Nora very near to Cagilari.

With it's cornucopia of beauty, culture, traditions and history it is a beautiful and interesting island to visit for a holiday.

There are many ways to reach the island but we caught a Moby Lines ferry form Bonifacio in Corsica to Santa Teresa di Gallura which takes about one hour. We then drove north to the campsite of Baia Blu Tortuga which I am going to review for you now.

Where is the Campsite?
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Camping Baia Blu La Tortuga (which I think transaltes as the bay of the blue turtle) is situated on the northern coast of Sardinia which is an island south of Italy. The nearst village is Vignola Mare which is a small coastal place 18 kms south west of Santa Teresa and 82 kms north east of Porto Torres.

One side of the camp site has beaches and crystal clear water and the other side is dominated by 17,000 square kilometres of pine forest. When driving to the site I noticed how empty and uncommercialised the area seemed. The roads are wide and would be great for motor biking. You really would feel a sense of freedom here.

How do I get to the campsite?
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Like I said we caught the ferry from Bonifacio in Corsica but there are other ferries from Corsica: -

From Ajjacio to Porto Torres,

From Popriano to Porto Torres.

Nice and Marseille or Genoa,

Livorno and Piombino

Porto Torres is approximately 82 kilometres north of Vignola Mare so you will need to hire a car. You follow the road from Porto Torres to Santa Teresa then you follow the coastal road in a SW direction for about 18kms. The campsite is on the right.

Fly drive is an option.

Nearest airport is at Olbia which is 82km away or Alghero - 109 kilometres away.

Realistically if you are camping I don't think you would fly.

Regarding buses and trains I think this would not be practical as it is in such a undeveloped area the train line doesn't exist - nearest one being at Olbia and Palau.

The Site/Setting
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Camping Baia Blu La Tortuga is set amongst a forest of pine trees, dwarf oaks and scented shrubs such as myrtle and serpillo. The scent is quite tantalising in a morning and afternoon when the gentle winds brush against the leaves sending these smells high in to the air.

It is a medium sized site with small secluded pitches of around 80 square metres in size. All have shade and protection from the sun because of all the pine trees. Altogether I think there are about 800 pitches. The ground surface is grass, dust and gravel. There is no seperation between pitches so can be annoying sometimes especially if you are opposite a tent full of noisy Italians showing off the use of their mobile phones. I was convinced that half the time they weren't receiving calls - just strutting around and posing. It was quite amusing most of the time and I love italians as they are full of life but sometimes you do want a bit of shut eye. It has direct access to the beach which is quite shingly although the sand is golden. Facilities are good and the site is in a good position for exploring this enchanting island.

Opening times
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Parc opens: 03/05 - 20/09/2008

Nearest Facilities
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The nearest town/ village is 8 kilometres away - Vignola mare. This is extremely tiny with only a couple of bars.
Bank - 10km
Post Office 10km


Restaurant
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The restaurant opens from 15/03 and stays open until 20/10.

Sardinians love food and as you can guess being near the coast the restaurant serves a selection of fish dishes. Mullet, lobster and shellfish are some of the favourites on offer. Pecorino cheese is very popular which is a cheese made from ewe's milk and has a strong taste. It is soft and slightly greenish in colour. There is also a pizzeria offering take away meals The bar is open from the 15th of March also and closes down on the 20th of October.

Reception
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Phone cards are available if you forget your mobile. There is a mail box. Currency exchange isn't available on site. The only places that change travellers cheques are called 'Bankomarts' and the nearest is 10 km from site. They open Monday - Friday until 12.30pm every day but are closed all weekend. Only 3 travellers cheques can be cashed at any one time

Internet Access available

Languages spoken: English, German, French and Italian.

Washing Facilities
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Hot water showers
Seperate washing cubicles with warm water
Normal toilets
Seperate sinks for dish washing and clothes washing
Washing machines: 9, Euro 5.00 per load
Clothes dryers: 2, Euro 5.00 per load

Although the toilet block is okay I didn't think it was too clean. I suffered from a dose of the trots while I was there so I was in the block quite a lot. (I bet you all wanted to know that) I wouldn't say they were cleaned that regularly like some blocks on sites are. Generally I find Italian toilet facilities a bit hit and miss and I hate the fact that you have to put your loo roll and other unsightly items in an uncovered bin. Totally unhygenic especially when it is hot.

Activities
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Organised animation: Similar to animation on Fench camp sites a bit OTT

Activities: Cabaret, sporting activities and tournaments, piano bar, aerobics school

Children's club:
On offer there is face painting and organised play activities.


Entertainment
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Family Disco : 7 x per week. This starts from 6 June.
Games room
TV

For the sporty types which I am not one there is:

Tennis: 2 full size synthetic courts
2 X Table Tennis
Football Matches
Volleyball
Playground
Beach Volleyball
Gym
Archery Contests

Cycle hire
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Mountain Bikes with child seats can be hired.
Prices are:
Adults: Euro 46.00 per week / Euro 9.00 per day
Children: Euro 46.00 per week / Euro 9.00 per day
As this is agreat place for watersports equipment can be hired for windsurfing, and dinghy sailing. Diving lessons are also given

Other activities on site or close by
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Various Boat trips
Horse riding:
Motor boats:
Scuba diving:
Tennis:
Water skiing:

Other attractions
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Aquadream
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This was the first water park built in Sardinia and it is one of the largest and most creative. It conists of 10 swimming pools with different games and purposes for all ages. There is a 'Black Hole', 'King Kong', 'Dream Hill', water soccer and a water basket. As well as trampolines, mini-golf, large shopping area, fast food complex and sunbathing terrace. Something for all the family.

Boat trips to Corsica
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Sailings are every day and the trip will take less than 1 hour to the Corsican town of Bonifacio with its old town and ramparts. This really is a must. I have already described Bonifacio on my Corsican review but it is really outstanding and a must.

Santa Teresa di Gallura is the point of departure for the ferry to Corsica and in itself quite a swanking resort. It does get very hectic with visitors but worth a visit if only just to look at the chic cafes and boutiques. Oh and to try the ice creams!

Tombe dei Giganti
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Here stands three giants tombs from the Neolithic period. They are totaly unique for their size and structure and of course they are an important piece of Pre-historic Sardinian archaelogy.

Castles of Olbia
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Two well preserved ruins of castles:

Castello di Pedras which dates back to the 13th century. It is the work of the Visconti family from Tuscany.

Castello di Sa Paulazza is a Byzantine structure from the 6th. It is well preserved and has four angular towers. The castles are situated on opposite sides of Olba but can be seen and reached in one day.

I think that's all the detail.

And my thought are:

This is an average campsite but the setting is truly outstanding. This area of Sardinia is brutally rugged and wild, like some parts of the Scottish highlands. It is an enormous island and unfortunately because we were only there for 10 days we were unable to take it all in although we did go about 150 miles south to Nuero as we had arranged to meet fellow campers who we had met in Corsica. This guy was a soldier based in Calgliari. It seemed a crazy thing to drive all that way for a picnic lunch and a beer but it was an exciting drive as the scenery was awesome.

This ends my travelogue for today but seriously if any of you out there have time and the inclination to go to Sardinia then go as it is gorgeous.

So if any of you out there find time to go to sunny Sardinia then give it a go. You will not be disappointed.

Summary: A camp site set in pine, sand and sparkling waters