Inside our Secrets of Sardinia: An Experience Beyond the Usual

Lisa Marie Staab
Jul 14
4 min read

There are places you visit... and then there are places that leave a mark on your soul. For me, Sardinia has always been the latter. But what made our most recent Secrets of Sardinia Retreat so unforgettable wasn’t just the wild beauty, ancient energy, or slow food—it was the people.

This group of incredible women arrived with open hearts and curious minds, and from day one, it felt like a gathering of old friends. One guest described it as "being on holiday with a group of girlfriends"—and honestly, I couldn’t have said it better myself. There was laughter, depth, playfulness, and a sense of shared wonder that’s hard to put into words.

Moments that Moved Us

Guiding this retreat alongside Davide from Dran Experience is always a privilege—but this time, he even surprised me. From landscapes I hadn’t seen before (soaring mountain peaks dropping into sparkling blue bays!) to ancient sites that always stir something deep, it felt like we were uncovering Sardinia’s secrets together.

One standout moment?

Watching a guest stand in the warm, bustling kitchen of Montresta, tears in her eyes, whispering, "Yep… I’m about to cry, too." I had previously shared my moment of tears in this kitchen. It was the simplicity, the love, the realness of the place. The kitchen was filled with the smells of traditional Sardinian food, laughter from generations of women preparing it, and a quiet reverence for the rituals being passed down. It was the kind of moment that bypasses words and goes straight to the heart. A reminder of how far we've drifted from the way we're meant to live—together, connected, nourished.

A Day That Had It All

When we realised we wouldn’t have time with Davide to explore one of my favourite ancient sites—or visit Bosa—my guests had a cheeky solution: "Lisa, you’re driving us." And so I did.

We started at Puttu Codinu, a little-known necropolis where we crawled into tombs and soaked in the stories with the amazing Vera as our guide. The energy there is unlike anything else. It's raw, quiet, and charged with something ancient you can’t quite name.

Then came the Sacred Well of Santa Cristina (in Paulilatino)—a place that always leaves guests wide-eyed and speechless. We managed to have the site completely to ourselves. Sitting in silence at the bottom of that impossibly perfect stone chamber, feeling the coolness of the air and the weight of time… it’s hard to describe. It was one of those moments where no one speaks, not because they’re told to be quiet—but because there’s simply nothing that needs to be said.

From there, we drove to Bosa for a late lunch along the river at Verde Fiume—a place I keep returning to for good reason. The food was delicious, the wine cold, and the conversation joyful. Afterward, we wandered through Bosa’s colourful streets, snapping photos of pastel houses stacked on the hillside like something out of a Greek island dream.

And then came one of my favourite unexpected moments of the trip: we stumbled across a little souvenir shop tucked into the street. But it wasn’t like the others. Everything inside was handmade—not just locally, but by the woman behind the counter and her mother. It was their first day open. And we were their very first customers. I bought a hand-crocheted bag, chatted with the owner, and watched her light up with pride. It was a small exchange, but one that stayed with us all—a quiet reminder of how special it is to support something real.

The Beach Stop That Wasn’t Planned (But Absolutely Needed)

By this point, the day had been long. We’d packed swimwear just in case, but the beaches we’d hoped to visit involved a steep hike down cliffs, and we were all a little too weary. As we neared Alghero, I made a snap decision: I pulled into a local beach carpark.

At first, the group was unsure—tired and maybe just ready to go home. But slowly, shoes came off. Towels were unfurled. Toes touched the water. And then: the sighs. The smiles. The swim.

The sea had worked her magic again.

Davide had recommended the beach restaurant, right here on the sand, so I dusted off my feet, wandered up, and asked for a table on the deck overlooking the sea. They had one. We returned 15 minutes later—salty, glowing, and so ready for a Sardinian feast. Chilled Vermentino in hand, seafood pasta in front of us, golden sun setting over the water. It was one of those perfect, spontaneous moments that felt too good to be planned.

And that’s the thing about Sardinia—it gives you those moments, if you let it. And why I don't plan everything down to the last minute.. to keep room for life's surprises!

Why Sardinia Still Has My Heart

This island keeps surprising me. It’s vast, wild, and full of hidden treasures—both in the land and its people. The more I explore, the more I fall in love. And the more I uncover, the more I get to share.

Looking Ahead

Every retreat reveals something new—not just in Sardinia, but in those who join us. And that’s what makes this so special. No one else is doing a retreat quite like this. It’s intimate, it's real, and it invites you to feel more deeply.

If you're curious, if something about this place tugs at you... maybe it's time to come uncover your own secrets in Sardinia.

You can watch a little glimpse of the magic here:

And if you're thinking, "Maybe this is for me,"—message me. I’d love to chat. 💛

Our next Secrets of Sardinia Retreat begins on the 26th of September (also June 2026 dates available) and I have just released 2 rooms with an incredible offer - bring a friend a friend or partner and shafre a room & you'll save 50% off the second person.