C (7:32)

day or night. VRBoCare is here 24, 7 to help make every part of your stay seamless. If anything comes up or you simply need a little guidance, support is ready whenever you reach out. From the moment you book to the moment you head home. We're here to help things run smoothly because a great trip starts with the right support. And hey, a good playlist doesn't hurt either.

B (8:03)

The free beach meaning don't stay at the beach club. Bring your umbrella, water and food. Visit on a weekday, not a weekend. Because bookings are for self for for. Beach clubs are more expensive on a weekend. Avoid visiting in the peak season. So for example, visit in late spring, May, June or mid September and October. Because if you want to rent say beach club beach beds or sunbeds and umbrellas at a beach club, they are cheaper when you go in in the off season, as I said, once again, booking only covers access. Parking, sunbeds and food are separate costs. Facts about Calabrandinki it's located in Capoco de Cavallo and are about 10 kilometers 6.2 miles from Santodoro, 23 kilometers 14.3 miles from Obia. We call it Little Tahiti. It's the place where, according to history, Giuseppe Garibaldi, Italian unification Heroes stopped on 17th October 1867 as he escaped from Caprera in the Maddalena archipelago on his way to Rome. Surrounding the beach is a forest of Mediterranean pine trees where cicadas live. Behind the beach there are small sand dunes protected from the strongest winds. The rock formations are the perfect environment for several marine species. This is a great place to go snorkeling. From Cala Brentinji you can have impressive views of Tavolara Island. It's one of the smallest beaches in northern Sardina. It's very narrow, so it fills up easily. It's family friendly because the water is very shallow. The bay is protected from some wind, so there is hardly any current ever. It's accessible to people with reduced mobility. It's an equipped beach. There are kiosks appear where boats can dock. There are a couple of beach clubs where you can rent umbrellas and sunbeds. You can also rent SUPs, paddle boats, etc. And there are two chemical toilets at the very entrance of the beach which are free for of use. Now staying at the free beach versus at a Lido area. Well, if you want to have a more comfortable experience, you can book umbrellas and sunbeds at one of the two lidos at Calabrandinki beach. Last time I visited, this is what I did because I wanted a bit more flexibility to arrive. So the the pros of the free beach is that it's the cheapest option. Full flexibility. The cons is that very limited shade. You need to bring your own umbrella. The beach feels narrow and terribly crowded, even more so at peak times. There's a constant foot traffic behind towels. You must arrive early. I mean no later than 8:30am the pros of the Lido sunbed area, the shade and comfort. It's less stress with kids, guaranteed parking spot. So you don't have to arrive too early. You can be there by 9, 9:30. It's obviously among the cons is that higher cost. And it's not necessarily less crowded, though it is more comfortable. The best time to visit Calabrandinki? Well, I want to Say in the off season. So in May or late September. October. Best time to get there early morning when the sea is calm and it's easier to park. You should try to be there no later than 8:30 or 9:00am in the peak season. It's good to arrive in the late afternoon when people start to leave and the light is softer. Not great to go between 10:30 and 3:30 because of crowds, heat and logistics. How to get there? Well, the beach is easy to access from both Olbia and Santiago. If you're traveling from Olbia, the best, quickest way to access is via Road125 southbound. It will take you around 30 minutes. The best way to get there is by car from San Teodoro. Again, you can get there by car, you can get there by bike, or you can get the Santiago Express, which is basically a shuttle bus that from Santiago it connects to the various beaches in the area, including Calabrandinki. Parking in Calabrandinki is expensive. 2 Euro per hour in June and September, 250 in July and August. You have to grab a ticket at the buyer, place it in your car. It has to be full, fully visible and on the way out you pay the attendant by the barrier. This is the main logistical challenge at Calabrandinki. Parking is paid and limited, often already 4 by 9am in the peak season. The parking areas are located near the main beach access point. Parking on the roadside is prohibited. You may get a fine. Parking is managed separately from the beach booking system. So remember, when you pay for the beach, you're not paying for the parking. If you plan to rent some beds, parking is usually easier to manage, as most beach clubs guarantee a parking spot. Do not rely on the idea that you can find something nearby. And do not rely on turnover, which is pretty slow at Calabraniki. Other useful tips? Well, don't arrive early. The beach is very narrow. So if you want, especially if you want to use the the free beach, you need to arrive early. Don't take sand again. This is forbidden in all of Sardinia. Respect other people. Basic beach etiquette to look around and acknowledge your neighbors. Before you lay down your towel and you place your umbrella. You have to leave enough room for people to walk. And avoid ball games at this very crowded beach. Pick up your garbage. There are bins on the beach. Recycling is compulsory in Sardinia. Do not smoke. Smoking is forbidden. And if you want to smoke a cigarette, you will have to look for a designated area. No pets. Unfortunately, this is not one of the dog friendly Beaches in Sardinia, so you cannot bring your pet if you cannot find a spot to in Calabrandinki, you can visit one of the nearby beaches. Now, right next door there's Lu Imposto, which is again one of the protected beaches with limited access. And the setting is pretty much identical, but free to access. You will find La Cinta, which is a long, sandy beach. The longest beach in Calabra. In Santodoro there are lots of services. It's better for walking. There's Porto Taverna, more space than Calabrandinki, but still very crowded. Lots of services, incredible views of Tavolara. All in all, I find that Calabrandinki is an incredible beach to visit if you're staying in the Olbia or San Teodoro or Porto Taverna area, or Nuiti Porto San Paulo. It's an expensive beach to visit here in Sardinia for, you know, the parking, the fact that you have to pay the environmental fee, the fact that if you want to get food and drinks at the beach, it's expensive. It's not the easiest spot because you have to arrive really early. So if you want to have a lazy holiday where you wake up at 10 and go to the beach at 12, this probably isn't the place for you. On the other hand, if you're traveling with kids, it's great because the water is super shallow, it's very sandy, the sand is soft and powdery. So it's a place where they can play safely and have a good time. This brings me to the end of my episode. Before I share the topic of next episode, let me remind you that if you ever need more tips to plan your trip to Sardinia, you can book a one hour travel consultation with me. The link for that is in the episode description, so make sure to read that. Of course, there's my blog, strictly sardinia.com that has more tips to help you plan your trip and it's completely free to read. Next week I'll be telling you everything on San Teodoro, which is the main town that gives you access to Calabrandinki. Finally, if you like my podcast, share with your friends who are coming to Sardinia and give it a five star rating and a good review. And until next week, goodbye.

D (16:39)

Jack Harndale was helping his daughter Emily lift an awkward dresser up a staircase when he slipped and fell backwards. A week later, Emily asked him how he was doing.

B (16:48)

I'm good.

D (16:49)

Truth was, he wasn't good. Jack needed help. Then the darndest thing happened. Emily called Pacific Source my health plan. Jack learned that Pacific Source provides members with support beyond healthcare. In Jack's case, we got him in touch with the local food bank.

B (17:05)

You guys do that?

D (17:06)

Yes, we do, Jack. Pacific Source Health Plan.