Granite rocks, coastal tree, turquoise sea, Sardinia

Spectacular Sardinia

The Mediterranean's second-largest isle by both area and population, Sardinia, Italy, has been described as a whole continent in miniature. Both sandy beach and rocky coast abut the surrounding turquoise waters, giving way to vast plains, rainy forests, and rugged mountains farther inland. With so much variety packed into so little space, it's a wonderland for nature lovers—not to mention ancient history buffs. Humans first arrived here in distant prehistory, and Sardinia is dotted with ruins left by the early Nuragic civilization as well as Phoenicians, Romans, Vandals, and others.