Best Time To Visit: Throughout the summer there are several regattas, such as the Rolex Cup in September, or the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta in June, and you can marvel at the sight of groups of super sailing yachts on the water. If you prefer to avoid crowds, the waters are still warm into autumn.

Key Cruising Areas: Porto Cervo is the gateway to the excellent cruising grounds of the Emerald Coast. Sail to the Maddalena to find peaceful turquoise lagoons and wild national parks. Anchor off one of the many islets then take a tender ashore for an afternoon spent relaxing on a deserted beach, perhaps with a chilled bottle of local rosé.

Don’t Miss: Sail to Cala Fuili and hike out to the Grotta del Bue Marino. A private guide can lead you through caves filled with stalactites and lakes, where shimmering light reflects to cast eerie shapes onto walls that are covered with Neolithic petroglyphs.

Best Spots for Wining and Dining: In Porto Cervo, you can have your pick of Michelin-starred restaurants, where you may well be seated next to a major celebrity. For an opulent evening try the degustation menu at Cipriani in one of the most exclusive Mediterranean summer clubs.

Best Local Dish: Lu Stazzu specialises in rustic Sardinian dishes. Try the gnocchi with mussels and cannellini beans, sit outside under white pergolas with the view of islands rising from the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Local Culture: The Promenade du Port is a hub of arts, food, and fashion. Head here for something a little more unusual than the designer brands of the old town. Visit the museum or galleries, perhaps pick up a luxury cashmere scarf, and don’t forget to finish with a Sicilian lemon gelato from La Pasqualina.

Best Beach:  The vast number of beaches on the Maddalena Archipelago offer plenty of opportunities for water sports and some of the best swimming spots in the Mediterranean. For a peaceful afternoon, head to Porto Li Coggi, completely un-signposted with breathtaking ice-blue shallow waters, perfect for snorkeling.

IYC recommends: The luxury boutiques of Porto Cervo are not to be missed. Head to the Piazzetta for some shopping, then enjoy an Aperol Spritz or Bellini and some people watching at Il Portico.