My wildest dream didn’t include a zodiac with a private skipper zipping up the Orosei Coast but that’s what our reality was!  Laurel and I hired a boat for the whole day at the little port in Santa Maria Navaresse on the Island of Sardenga – complete with a skipper ready to meet our every whim and to share his intimate knowledge of the area given he had spent his life here on the water.

Tucking into stunningly beautiful beaches, exploring spectacular but rather creepy caves, and just taking in the rugged coastline scenery was a thrilling experience.

Faces soaking up the sun, the wind in our hair, breathing in the salty sea air and for the moment not a care in the world – time stood gloriously still. Sitting side by side, no words necessary , basking in the profound sense of being deeply connected.

Most beaches are only accessible by boat or by hiking in over steep terrain so most were practically deserted. Some were soft pink pebble beaches while others deep fine velvety sand. All of them had the most incredible crystal clear azure blue and turquoise water – Mediterranean magic I like to call it.

Our skipper would drop us off and come back to pick us up at our agreed upon time. It was such marvellous fun and it felt so surreal.

We are both die-hard beach bums so it was an experience of a lifetime. Something we will reflect on for years to come, savouring the memory of these precious moments lolligagging under the Mediterranean sun!