Bosa Holiday
Set beneath the imposing silhouette of the Castello Malaspina, the pastel-washed houses of historical Bosa are huddled right on the banks of the River Temo. Nestled on Sardinia's seductive west coast, the town was originally founded by the Phoenicians around 700 BC. Bosa today is still fascinating and a stroll through the old Medieval quarter reveals a jumble of towers and domes and warren of corridor-like cobblestone alleyways where you can see black-clad widows sitting outside their houses crocheting lace. Downstream from Bosa are the aquamarine waters of Bosa Marina and one of Sardinia's most impressive stretches of coastline.
Beaches
A symphony of piercing turquoise and deep jade, the crystalline waters of Bosa Marina are, quite simply, breathtaking. Out in the bay, brilliant white yachts bob nonchalantly in the breeze while an old Aragonese lookout tower keeps a lonely vigil at the mouth of the harbour. The beach, meanwhile, has won awards for being the cleanest in Italy and boasts immaculate sands - just the ticket if you're looking to kick back and relax beneath the warm Mediterranean sun.
Shopping
The Corso Vittorio Emanuele II is Bosa's main shopping thoroughfare. Paved with stone and lined with elegant aristocratic buildings, it runs parallel to the River Temo and is renowned for its array of goldsmiths' workshops where coral and filigree jewellery are made.
Nightlife
Nightlife in Bosa tends to be quite low key with evenings spent enjoying a good meal rounded off with a leisurely stroll or passegiato. Just north of Bosa, however, lies Sardinia's second city, Alghero, where you'll find a good selection of bars and clubs to dance the night away.
Local Specialities
With colourful fishing boats moored up along Bosa's quayside, it's perhaps unsurprising that fish and seafood dishes feature heavily on most trattoria menus. The Spanish-influenced lobster alla catalana is a west coast speciality - lobster meat is drizzled with vinaigrette made from egg mixed with olive oil and lemon juice. Burrida is another favourite and comprises fish marinated in garlic, parsley, hazelnuts and vinegar.