Arrived at Abbaruja Hotel on 11 June and stood there for only one week. The moment I entered the garden of this property (it is a family run hotel) I knew I have made the best choice for my Olbia vacation. Actually it is in Pittulongu, few steps away from sea and 7 km to the center of Olbia. The first think that pleased your eyes is the lovely, very large garden with lot of perfumed flowers and a palm tree guarding the entrance door. The second pleasant aspect are the hosts themselves, who, very friendly and helpful, couldn't do more to assure me a very comfortable stay, providing all kind of information a bout the places around, giving maps. The third thing which made me be happy for selecting Abbaruja hotel, was the perfect clean room on first floor (room no. 3) with a wonderful sea-view.Even if the room is a small one (it is more a single room but with a large bed where even two can sleep) it feels very homely and comfortable. There is a minibar, TV and phone in room, the beds are impeccable clean plenty of sunlight entering the room (I hate dark rooms). Same the bathroom is very clean (cleanness in a hotel room is my first requirement), there is a shower cubicle and lavatory with cold and hot water around the clock. From the bathroom window I could look down into the lovely garden, where there are some tables and chairs and two swings. Also in the back of the garden there is a small playing ground for kids. A nice restaurant, where a buffet with a good choice for breakfast is offered. On all walls in the hotel and in the restaurant there are nice pictures (flowers and local landscapes) and flowers are everywhere. Actually the hosts do take big care of that garden, watering and maintaining it at its best. The hotel consists of to buildings, ground-floor and first floor. Ms. Sara is speaking English, the other members of the family mostly only Italian, but this is not an inconvenient .
The surroundings are very peaceful as Pittulongu is a small beach village with nice houses and far from the hustle and bustle of a big city. few steps away there are the bus stations (well public transport in the area is not the greatest thing if you visit outside the high peak season (on 12 June, a Sunday, the bus to Olbia was not running, so had to walk for an hour to reach the town, but such happens only on Sundays , when it is not high season, as I learned form the hosts). Not even 5 minutes from hotel there is a supermarket, daily open from 8 to 20 hours.
Te greatest thing in Pittulongu is, of course, the beach. Long and wide, with a clear blue sea, I have hardly seen in other places such amazing tints of blue, from light silver to turquoise and deep dark blue, all tones make a delight for eyes. Sea is not deep near the shore and safe for kids, sand is soft. There are few eateries along the beach, among them the Mamabeach club.
While in Pittulongu, try to get around the Costa Smeralda area, which has indeed lot of breathtaking landscapes to offer. Not only visit the nearby Olbia town, but take the bus to Porto Rotondo, visit the exquisite Porto Cervo (the place of the riches of the rich!), visit the nuraghes in Arzachena, or take the boat from Palau to Isola Maddalena. Ancient history is everywhere at home in Sardinia. A very interesting and unique museum is the Ethnographic Museum Gallura in Luras, which shouldn't be missed (mostly for learning about the unique and dreadful tradition of euthanasia practiced in the middle-age in the area of Luras and to see the instrument used for this purpose - indeed impressing - "martello de femina aggabadora"). Visit south of Olbia , at Posada, the Castle of the Eleonora de Arborea and learn about the history of this powerful women who governed there in the middle age. With one word, from the lovely hotel Abbaruja one has many possibilities of spending a pleasant time at the beaches or step into the ancient history (from the neolithic to middle age - everything is special and unique) of this warm place,called Sardinia.
Many thanks to the hosts in the Abbaruja and I hope to return there as soon as possible!