Why Sardinia Is the New Mediterranean Secret New Yorkers Are Falling in Love With
Calm seas, modern design, and Italy’s warmest welcome — closer than you think.
From New York to the Mediterranean in Hours
Reaching Sardinia from New York is smooth and simple. With a short connection in Rome or Milan, you can be in Olbia the same day. Even better: beginning in Summer 2026, Delta Air Lines will launch the first-ever nonstop flights from New York–JFK to Olbia (OLB), cutting travel time and making the island more accessible than ever for East Coast travelers. Within minutes of landing, you can be sipping espresso in the historic center or watching the sunset from your terrace in an AZULIS residence curated and serviced by RENTAL12.
“We left JFK on Friday — woke up to turquoise water on Saturday.”
Italy’s Best-Kept Secret: Space, Stillness, and Style
Sardinia isn’t a postcard cliché. Beaches stretch wide and white, the sea shifts from pale turquoise to deep cobalt, and even in August you can find quiet coves minutes from town. Olbia blends everyday Italian life with world-class nature — ideal for travelers who want authenticity with comfort. The rhythm is unhurried, the air is salt-sweet, and the evenings glow with that unmistakable Mediterranean light that turns ordinary moments into memories.
Where Design Meets Dolce Vita: The AZULIS Philosophy
AZULIS by RENTAL12 reimagines the holiday stay: newly built or fully renovated residences curated by our in-house team. Expect CREO kitchens for real cooking, custom linens for deep sleep, calm lighting, JBL sound, and ultra-fast Wi-Fi — with digital self check-in for total independence. It’s boutique-level refinement with the privacy and ease of a home, designed for travelers who appreciate clean lines, natural materials, and spaces that simply work.
“Luxury isn’t loud. It’s comfort, light, and everything working beautifully.”
Slow Mornings, Long Lunches, Sunset Aperitivi
Mornings begin with espresso and market colors; afternoons drift into the sea at Pittulongu or Porto Istana; evenings return to Corso Umberto for a stroll, a gelato, and a glass of Vermentino on your terrace. The pace is gentle and generous. You feel it in the way conversations stretch, meals linger, and time loosens its grip. It’s a place where the day’s greatest ambition is to swim twice and be home before the sky turns pink.
Olbia’s Perfect Balance
Walkable old town, artisan shops, and landmarks such as the Basilica di San Simplicio and the Archaeological Museum. Ten minutes from the airport, minutes to beaches — Olbia is the convenient, cultured base for exploring the northeast coast. It offers the rare mix of local life and easy logistics: ferries, marinas, boutiques, pharmacies, and bakeries all within a few sunlit streets.
Neighborhood Highlights
- Historic center charm on quiet, sunlit lanes
- Shops, cafés, bakeries, and wine bars within a short walk
- Beaches like Pittulongu, Bados, and Porto Istana a quick drive
- Ferry terminal and marina nearby for island-hopping
Stay Like a Local — With Boutique Comfort
Apartments by AZULIS are real homes designed for living: proper kitchens, generous storage, blackout curtains, climate control, and hotel-level housekeeping by the RENTAL12 team. Private gardens or terraces create your quiet corner of Sardinia, perfect for slow breakfasts and sunset aperitivi. Every detail serves a purpose — from acoustic comfort to lighting that shifts with the day — so you can settle in as if the place were made for you.
What Guests Love
- CREO kitchens with quality cookware for real meals
- King-size beds plus premium sofa beds with toppers
- Smart TVs in each room, JBL audio, ultra-fast Wi-Fi
- Beach kit: towels, parasol, cool bag with ice packs
- Vikey digital self check-in; private or gated parking options
“We wanted Italy without the rush — Sardinia gave us room to breathe.”
Practical Notes for New Yorkers
Typical routing today is JFK → Rome or Milan → Olbia (total 10–11 hours). Starting Summer 2026, fly JFK → Olbia nonstop with Delta on select days, reducing travel friction and maximizing time on the island. Once you land, city-center residences by AZULIS are about 10 minutes away, and the beaches sit within a 10–20 minute drive. For families, couples, and friends, the combination of quick access and calm surroundings is the definition of easy luxury.
Getting Around
- Walk for daily needs: supermarkets, pharmacies, boutiques, cafés
- Rent a small car for beach days and coastal drives
- Optional secured parking nearby (advance request via RENTAL12)
Why Sardinia Works for Remote Life
Quiet streets, inspiring light, and fast Wi-Fi make extended stays effortless. Work mornings on the terrace, swim afternoons in clear water, and cook dinner at home like a local. Residences by AZULIS offer independence with the reliability of in-house services by RENTAL12 — the balance remote professionals and creatives value most.
What Makes AZULIS Different
While many rentals promise style, AZULIS properties deliver it — down to the smallest detail. Each residence is newly built or fully renovated, with design curated by the in-house team. Expect quality you can feel: smooth hinges, silent drawers, layered lighting, and fabrics that age gracefully. The hospitality backbone — cleaning, laundry, and maintenance — is handled entirely by RENTAL12, ensuring consistent, five-star standards without compromise.
“Every AZULIS apartment tells a story — design, light, and Sardinian soul.”
Sample Days That Feel Like Yours
Wake to soft sun and espresso. Walk to the market for peaches and pecorino. Spend the late morning floating at Pittulongu, then a long pasta lunch shaded by pines. Nap, read, or wander the old town. As evening settles, share Vermentino on the terrace and make simple dinner in your CREO kitchen. The next day you might ferry to Tavolara, hike to a lighthouse, or do nothing at all. That’s the beauty: options without pressure, days that belong to you.
Your Stay with RENTAL12 & AZULIS
Book direct for tailored advice, best availability, and local insight — from family-friendly beaches to dinner reservations and day trips. The RENTAL12 team manages design, housekeeping, and maintenance in-house for consistency you can trust. Whether you choose a quiet suite with a garden or a penthouse with a wide terrace, you’ll find the same signature mix: thoughtful design, seamless tech, and calm Sardinian character.
Ready When You Are
When the city feels too loud, Sardinia is just a flight away — and soon, a nonstop one. Pack light, arrive digitally, and let the island set the pace. AZULIS creates the space; RENTAL12 keeps it flawless; you write the story. Peace, light, and the luxury of time — all waiting on the northeast coast of Sardinia.