This area boasts europe’s tallest sand dunes, reaching over 70 meters (about 230 feet) high. This location is fairly remote and it’s crazy to find a Five-star hotel here. This eco-resort was built from a repurposed former mining warehouse. While the area has a wild and rugged coastline with untouched beauty, there are other activities besides the beach and feasting on the scenery in which to engage. Such activities include mine touring, visiting the mining ruins, horseback riding, diving, quad biking, yoga, and more.
On the way to my final destination I stopped to explore some of the old mining ruins.Remnants of a very old mining site and factory dating back to 1850. The area here was chosen for its zinc, lead, and silver deposits. I wonder what these mine workers would think if they could see what is happening now 200 years later at the site of the eco-resort (formerly the mining warehouse.)Still some distance away to the coastline, the dunes can barely be seen far in the distance. That is also the location of what once-upon-a-time was the mining warehouse, now the eco-report Le Dune Piscinas.Drone perspective of the remote eco-resort. This image captures just how remote and secluded this place is. Also, barely visible in the foreground on the beach is the old pier. Back in the day this was used for the ships that would dock and then be loaded with the mined metals.This is a close up of the old shipping pier. I was glad that this was not removed when the hotel was created. While not beautiful to look at, it provides a link to the history of this place.This image was captured from the beach looking back to the hotel.At the beach the people are quite sparse. They are mostly camping nearby since there are no homes or lodging anywhere close to this location. The nearest town is Arbus, about 30 Km away, via mostly narrow winding dirt roads.Another perspective with some very rugged mountains in the background.Very welcoming hotel lounge. One of the many hotel sculptures around the property. In the off-season the hotel hosts an artist-in-residence program. The program invites contemporary artists to create works in dialogue with the surrounding landscape, the hotel, and its mining history.Relics and some art pieces as you walk to the beach.The giant beetle, while appearing to be menacing, is entirely harmless.Some company at breakfast. These are not bees and they do not sting. They are attracted to primarily food and flowers. I opened the honey (which they especially enjoy) so they wouldn’t bother me, and it worked.Great table for two and an incredible sunset happening. What a beautiful place for dinner. The menu was awesome too. That was critical because there are no other dining options anywhere nearby.
After a two night stay here I will be headed north for a bit. For my next stop I plan to see some small towns. Not exactly sure yet where that is, but I will know before I depart. Since there are many fewer towns and villages along Sardinia’s western coast the decision should be an easy one. Probably head to Bosa and then Alghero.
