Letter From The Editor: Swept Away

Adele Cygelman

01/01/2004

There aren’t many places left in the world where glitter is considered good.

Thank goodness for Sardinia.

Writer Susan Price-Root, who knows a thing or two about boats and more than a thing or two about glitter, returned to the Mediterranean island last summer in grand style aboard a charter yacht. Her observations about Italian boats in general and the chichi scene at Costa Smeralda in particular make for a great read. But there were some delicious tidbits that we just couldn’t squeeze in, no matter how much we put the pages on a diet. I suppose that is why we have the editor’s letter—to pick up any leftover morsels.  (Click image to enlarge)

Here are more of Susan’s anecdotes about this tiny island in the sun, which I could not, in good conscience, leave on the editing room floor:

A charter yacht manager relayed the story of one of her housekeepers, who called to ask how to handle the awkward discovery of a cache of cash stuffed under the mattress of a yacht chartered to an East European businessman (we won’t divulge his exact nationality, for fear of international reprisal). “Just make the bed and don’t say anything to anybody,” the manager hissed nervously.

The most annoying thing about Sardinia, in fact, is that everything must be paid for in cash. That and the appalling $200 taxi fare for the 20-minute ride from the airport to the Hotel Cala di Volpe. Fortunately, most hotels and yacht charter companies will send a car to pick you up if you give them advance notice. Even billionaires—especially billionaires—hate being ripped off.

The trend in Italian boats is—surprise, surprise—bigger, faster, more luxurious and, of course, more beautiful. Like Ferraris, the boats look like they are flying, even when they are standing still. “Our most popular model used to be the little Don Giovanni,” says Apreamare’s Francesca Casarola, “the little speedboat for two that was a floating mattress. But then everyone started needing bigger family-size boats. I guess that was the inevitable outcome of Don Giovanni.”

As you start plotting your course for Sardinia this summer, keep in mind that it is crucial to be seen there in July or in early September. Never in late August. Why? You’ll just have to read the article on page 38 to find out.

collection@robbreport.com