Wine Tasting & Pasta Making in Sardinia 🇮🇹
- Jul 16
- 3 min read
We've recently returned from our first-ever visit to Sardinia, and what a wonderful trip it was! We were looking for a relaxing break with sunshine, great food, and Elliott had just one request – somewhere Italian! Sardinia turned out to be the perfect choice.
Our Hotel – TUI Blue Budoni
We stayed at the 4* TUI Blue Budoni, just a 30-minute transfer from Olbia Airport. The flight from Manchester was only 2 hours and 30 minutes, so we felt like we'd arrived in no time at all. We chose this hotel mainly because of its fantastic sports facilities. After a very busy couple of weeks, we wanted a laid-back hotel holiday with plenty to keep Elliott entertained. The hotel featured a waterpark suitable for children up to 12 years old, as well as a tennis court, football pitch, padel court, table tennis, and table football.
Our room was a charming rustic-style bungalow adorned with colourful climbing flowers, perfectly in keeping with the relaxed Mediterranean setting. The beautifully maintained gardens were a pleasure to wander through, filled with vibrant blooms and wonderfully aromatic plants.
Food & Drink
We stayed on an all-inclusive basis and ate most of our meals in the buffet restaurant, which offered an excellent variety of pasta, pizza, fresh salads, meat, and fish every day.
The hotel also has an Ă la carte restaurant, which all-inclusive guests can enjoy once per week by booking through reception. We saved this for our final evening, and it certainly didn't disappoint. My burrata and tomato salad starter was absolutely divine! Set amongst the gardens, the restaurant had a lovely atmosphere and was the perfect way to end our holiday.
Activities
There was certainly no shortage of things to do. The fitness deck offered Yoga, Pilates, and HIIT classes, while other activities included water polo, padel and tennis tournaments, complimentary wine tasting, a cocktail masterclass, and even a Sardinian pasta-making class.
Despite the impressive range of activities, the hotel never felt busy or overcrowded. There was always a relaxed atmosphere, and no matter what time of day we headed to the pool, we never struggled to find a sunbed.
One thing I particularly liked was how sociable the hotel felt. I think this is down to it not being overly large, combined with the variety of organised activities that naturally bring guests together.
Exploring the Area
The hotel is fairly remote, but there's a car hire desk in reception and a regular local bus service just outside the entrance, making it easy to explore.
One evening we caught the bus to San Teodoro, which cost just €1.50 each and took around 20 minutes. After dinner, we returned by taxi, which cost €40.
San Teodoro hosts a lovely evening market, which was perfect for browsing after our meal. We chose to eat at Il Centrale Restaurant, an impressive venue spread across three floors overlooking the town square. Although we hadn't booked in advance, Elliott's compliment to the receptionist worked wonders, and we were lucky enough to secure a table on the rooftop terrace with beautiful sunset views.
Beaches
Just a five-minute drive from the hotel, we found a stunning stretch of beach featuring an inflatable obstacle course out at sea. Elliott and I both gave it a go, and it was brilliant fun! It cost €12 each for 45 minutes, with life jackets provided as you swim out to the course. The sea was crystal clear and wonderfully warm.
The hotel also has its own beach with sunbeds. To reach the sea, you do have to cross a strip of seaweed, but once you're in, you're rewarded with the warm, clear waters of the Mediterranean.
Kayaking with Dolphins
Friends of ours hired a car during their stay and explored more of the island. They spent the morning at the nearby wetlands spotting flamingos before heading to a pre-booked evening kayaking excursion with dolphins.
They booked through Viator, paying around €45 per person, which included water shoes. The excursion was approximately a 55-minute drive from the hotel, and they absolutely loved it, returning with some incredible video footage that they kindly shared with us.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I'd definitely recommend TUI Blue Budoni if you're looking for an affordable, family-friendly all-inclusive holiday in Sardinia.
While the location is quite remote, the hotel has plenty of charm, excellent facilities, delicious food, and a fantastic range of activities to keep everyone entertained. Whether you want to spend your days relaxing by the pool, trying something new like pasta making or wine tasting, or exploring the beautiful coastline, it's a wonderful base for a Sardinian escape.
