Domu Antiga, Gergei, Sardinia - Explore & Book

"Beauty, serenity and an elegant restoration in the heart of old Sardinia. Opened in 2013 in the quaint cobbled village of Gergei, this 4-bedroom B&B, managed by generous Arnaldo and his English-speaking son Samuel, is a painstaking reconstruction of a 19th-century farmhouse designed with real love and flair. White pendant lamps hang from high sloping beams in the old loggia, and homebaked bread and artisanal cheeses (the best) are brought to your check-cloth breakfast table. It’s a stylish slice of paradise behind high stone walls. The local area, a sparsely populated wilderness of olive groves, crags, gorges and megalithic towers, offers some of the most exciting history - and hiking - in Europe (you can read all about it from the big red sofa in the lounge or a chair in the garden). A short drive away is the hilltop world heritage site of Su Nuraxi, the most famous Nuraghic settlement on the island, dating from 1500BC and with huge views across the plains - breathtaking. Then it’s home to whitewashed walls and terracotta floors, logs crackling invitingly in the corner, antique dressers and beautiful bedrooms with chunky rafters and embroidered linen. There are bountiful breakfasts to wake up to - one of the best in Sardinia - and delicious homecooked dinners on request (authentic pizzas a short stroll down the road). If you're keen to look beyond the beaches and explore Sardinia's striking interiors, Domu Antiga is the perfect little base. Highs An intimate hideaway, set in a peaceful walled garden, with gorgeous rustic-chic bedroomsPerfectly located for discovering Sardinia's vineyards, hills and Nuraghic ruins, plus a chance to see the last wild horses in EuropeExcellent value for moneyBreakfasts to die for, with exceptional cheeses and meats, plus bread from the wood-fired ovenThe chance to learn age-old culinary secrets through excellent cookery classes, arranged on request Lows Though the village pizzeria is an easy walk, other restaurants are a drive awayThere’s a bus to Gergei from nearby Mandas (connected to the Sardinian capital Cagliari by bus and train), but you’ll need a car to explore properlyCheck-in is from 5pmOnly 4 rooms, so you’ll need to book early, and all are doubles. Note there are no in-room TVs, though there is WiFi Parking is 50m away" - Jake Hamilton