hellobeautifulcreatures

Nestled in the Mediterranean Sea , surrounded by jade- coloured water lapping against grey and white rocks and spilling onto golden sands, sits the island of Sardinia. Neighbouring Corsica, this delightful Italian island ’s 2, 000km coastline inhabits rocky hiking trails and views for days, though I’m here for a slightly more sedate holiday and, thanks to 5* Valle Dell’Erica, it consists largely of splashing around in clear seas, dipping into bubbling Thalasso pools and indulging in fine wines, fresh fish and butter-soft pasta. After a 90-minute drive from Olbia airport (and a 2.5 hour flight from Gatwick) we arrive at a vast, air-conditioned reception, leading onto a terrace where deep white armchairs overlook the dusky coast. A live cellist provides the classical soundtrack, a waiter appears boasting a silver tray of cocktails, nuts, olives and sun-dried tomatoes. If there is a more splendid welcome to a destination, I can’t think of one. Valle Dell’Erica is big – two hotels ( H...

Finally. FINALLY. I've lived here for almost two decades, and finally I have found out what the secret is to the mysteriously happy, glowing ladies I spy every spring. I mean, it's Mud Season for goodness sake - at this point of the year I am pasty-white, anemic, and damn cranky from lack of warmer summer rays . I always assumed these serene women must be the Adirondack equivalent to the Stepford wives - blissfully unaware that they have entered the post-skiing/pre-hiking-biking-boating/what-do-I-do-today season. The Muddy Background Info Let's take a moment to set up how this adventure came about... It's spring break, my son has had no school for two weeks, and I'm working from home trying to decide which Mud Season activity to highlight. Oliver is lamenting (and by lamenting I mean repeating over-and-over-and-over as 5-year-olds are wont to do) the fact that I won't take him out to ride his bike. Now, in my defense, this is his brand-new Christmas bike, bigge...