Planning a European holiday? Lock in some beach time along the Sardinian coast.

I have written before about my preference for ‘swimming options’ when I’m on holiday – I like beach time and pool time and being able to have both is pure joy. When I discovered Forte Village Resort on Italy’s Sardinian coast, located on prime beachfront and boasting more than ten swimming pools I was fairly sure I’d found my Italian version of paradise.

Forte Village Resort has won a swag of awards and the eight hotels, forty-four suites, twenty-one restaurants and the resort’s day spa within the Village complex are all different versions of five-star luxury.

The resort is located on a magnificent beach that, sheltered by a chain of mountains rising a few kilometres behind, creates a microclimate that is never too windy and never too hot (in other words, bliss). Enjoy the beach on the doorstep of the resort or travel along the coast and explore the Chia lagoon or the rugged Cala Cipolla shoreline.

The swimming pools at Forte Village are known as a ‘sea within the sea’. More than ten freshwater and saltwater pools are set amongst lush tropical gardens, including two shallow pools especially for children – note that there is a total of two hundred and fifty metres of water sliding fun to be had at Forte Village and the Laguna children’s pool is adjacent to the beach so that you can switch between pool and beach easily.

With all the great beach and pool time to be had, you may think your kids won’t have energy for anything else – think again. The Forte Village Kids Club, known as Città dei Bambini or Children’s City, is paradise on a mini-scale. As well as numerous guided creative pursuits from dance, creative writing and music, they can take part in Italian cooking classes and learn the art of making all sorts of treats from pizzas to pastries. The resort also boasts a restaurant reserved specially for children with everything designed with kids in mind from the chairs and tables to the serving times and menus. I think this is an exceptionally good idea – after a day swimming, kids are so often tired and hungry at 5pm!

There are many different accommodation options to choose from at Forte Village. If travelling with a family, the traditionally styled Hotel Il Villaggio, Hotel Il Borgo and Hotel Le Palme are recommended. Each of these ‘hotels’ offer individual bungalows, giving families space and privacy. Bungalows generally accommodate two adults and two children although at the Hotel Le Palme, bungalows can be configured to suit large families of two adults and up to four children. Book online directly with Forte Village and find flights to Italy online via Flight Centre.