The island within the island, not a tongue twister
Visit the Asinara Island in Sardinia. How to get there, what to see. Travel notes from a millennial.
Welcome back or welcome?
Welcome back to another adventure together! How do you say? We’ve never met? It doesn’t matter!
I have so many things to share, this is my “lounge” of discoveries and everyone is welcome.
Make yourself comfortable and travel with me! Today I want to take you to a wonderful place in the north of Sardinia: the island of Asinara.
Indeed, it’s an island that belongs to another island! The funny name might make you smile, but this is a… unique adventure!
Let’s go!
OMG! Smartphone dead
To reach Asinara, I first drove to the northwest of Sardinia in a small village called Porto Torres.
I had a clear plan: to take a boat trip to Asinara.
So, just after passing the Porto Torres sign, I took out my phone from my pocket to book online and realized it was completely dead.
Since I’m a millennial… I felt completely lost.
No photo.
No selfie.
No check-in.
No stories.
I couldn’t even update my stories on Whatsapp.
Just kidding, I don’t know anyone who does that.
Excuse me, sir, a question...
So we decided to head to the port and then we would ask someone – like in the 80s, I suppose, I wasn’t there.
I meet a couple with fair skin and very blonde hair while strolling. I suspect they weren’t locals and I don’t stop them.
I then spot an elderly couple sitting on a bench; despite the July heat, they looked as fresh as roses, while my forehead was sweating like a waterfall.
Excuse me, sir, a question: how can I book the boat to Asinara?
He looks at me a bit surprised, and for a moment I feared the old man would scold me:
why, don’t you have a mobile phone?
…
But after a moment of suspicion, they broke into a big smile and the generous heart typical of Sardinians.
1. Buy ferry tickets here.
2. Rent an electric bicycle here.
In two simple moves, clear, concise, and without room for interpretation, I had already forgotten the anxiety of being without a phone.
After buying the tickets, how best to pass the time while waiting for the boat to Asinara if not by going to a pastry shop rich with typical Sardinian products?
I nibbled on everything, but those braid-shaped sweets covered in honey called Acciuleddi…. 
Better than a dream
Upon reaching the island, I thought of replicating the style of the old man, dictating on the map the route to the main attractions: “ Okay, we go here, here, and here”
So we got on our electric bikes heading towards: “Tumbarino, Cala Reale, Trabuccato, and Cala d’Oliva, all clear?”
Game, struggle, or love?
Continuing my bike ride and my solo mental concert with AC/DC, I suddenly had to stop because I couldn't believe my eyes: a sweet little family of donkeys!!!!
I cautiously approached for fear of scaring them, but they are not shy at all!
They looked like stuffed animals because of the softness of their coats, I immediately adopted them.
From a distance of course.
Shortly after, we incredibly encountered… more donkeys! Or perhaps incredibly not, since we are on the Island of Asinara.
It was a very cute couple, and we still have different ideas about what they were doing. To me, they were playing; to others, it was courting behavior.
What do you think?
Historical Thrills
Another point of great interest on the island is the former Asinara Prison; observing the white, peeling walls sent shivers down my spine – I have to admit, I am somewhat fearful. Part of the prison buildings has been converted into a hostel.
Did you know that Asinara was for some time the “obligated” residence of Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino? This story is depicted in a film shot on the island: Era d’Estate.
The mafia is not invincible at all
it is a human fact, and like all human facts
it has a beginning and will also have an end
Those who are afraid die every day
Those who are not afraid die only once
I truly left my heart in this place and will definitely return. After all, I need to check that the donkeys are doing well 
TIP
A piece of advice from a modern explorer? Don’t wait in line under the sun like I did, I was only able to board by a stroke of luck. Buy your ticket online for your boat trip to Asinara.
No queue, no sweat.