We spent three nights in Marine Sifredi, Carloforte where we found the staff to be very welcoming and helpful, particularly Carmela in the office who even offered us cakes when we registered. There are only 3 sets of facilities but showers/loos/handbasins are in individual bathroom units. We made use of the large washing machine (which includes detergent), but didn’t bother with the tumble dryer as it was so hot. Our (rather dodgy) thermometer regularly posted numbers in the high thirties and sometimes showed a four as its first digit – it might have been exaggerating but it was the sort of temperature when going out in direct sunlight was not attractive.

We did bits on the boat, braved the sun to get to the supermarket about 400 yards away and then, when the temperature cooled in the evenings, wandered into town. It’s a lovely town, narrow streets with old but well maintained buildings and our first impressions were reinforced with friendly people and a very relaxed feel around the place.

We did go to watch the Euro Final and our initial understanding proved wrong (it was the bar that had organised the screen and you had to have booked a table) - no table, no service! As this was before kick-off we walked around and found a place to eat - ‘La Bottega Dell’Isola’ in Via Gramsci is a small restaurant dedicated to local produce and homemade pasta in particular. We ate ravioli with ricotta and spinach and it was clearly all freshly made and very tasty. Paired with a local Sardinian wine they recommended we had a very nice meal. Well worth a visit.
When we went back to the screen the match had started and no tables were available so we asked next door at a bar we had visited the previous night. They were happy to bring chairs out for us, placed right on the edge of their allocated area so we could see the screen next door and serve their own beer and wine. By the end even Carolyn was supporting the Portuguese as they fought to hold on to their lead, a good match and (as long as you’re not French) a good outcome.

We are told that there are good cycle rides and views to be had around the small island that Carloforte is on but we didn’t fancy that in the heat and spent the time reading and relaxing. Carloforte is one of the nicest towns we have seen this year, we’d strongly recommend it as a place to make landfall from Menorca or a stop along the way.

Photo: one of the four Fig trees in Carloforte square