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SINKING my toes into soft white sands as crystal clear waters lapped over my feet, I felt I had found heaven on Earth.
I was in Chia, a southern Sardinian village defined by a rocky limestone landscape littered with towering cacti and coastal lagoons full of flamingoes — or as the locals call them “sa genti arrubia”, meaning red people.
Though officially part of Italy, Sardinia’s southern tip sits closer to Africa than the mainland, resulting in a warmer sea.
That’s something that is very welcome at this time of year, along with balmy temperatures, which reach the mid-20s right about now in October.
I am staying at the Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia resort, where taking advantage of the autumn sun is all you have to worry about. Just an hour along the coast from the island’s capital, Cagliari, the five-star Hilton hotel overlooks the ocean with a natural yet luxury vibe that draws inspiration from the surrounding landscape.
With 17 room categories, there is something for every type of guest — whether it be multi-generational families wanting connecting rooms or honeymooners seeking privacy.
My king junior suite with its own private garden left me awestruck, complete with a sprawling bed, beamed ceilings, and sleek cream sofas.
In the garden I spent afternoons laid out on a lounger, letting the warm, salty sea breeze flutter over me while I take in the view of the sun setting over the 16th century Chia Tower.
Of the varied restaurants on site, La Terrazza is the main hub where breakfasts, including a classic full English as well as Italian hams, cheeses and local honey fresh from a honeycomb, is served.
Evening meal-times are just as indulgent — I tried the local amberjack fish with black garlic, which awakens all my senses.
For dinner under a setting sun, Osteria, located outside next to the resort’s entertainment stage, offers three-course dining from a menu featuring delicately cooked scallops, tender minty lamb and a refreshing mango tiramisu.
Low-key lunches can be picked up from the pool bar that dishes up BLT sarnies and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Guests can easily spend their days rolling from sun lounger to restaurant, but to unwind even further, the ultimate indulgence can be discovered in the hotel’s Conrad Spa and Fitness Centre.
I’d booked in for a massage and have no regrets, sinking further into the bed as my masseuse rolled his hands firmly down my back.
He was using just one oil, made from the lentisk plant found on the island and known for its medicinal properties.
Its subtle smell was reassuringly calming and just what my sore muscles are crying out for.
If you prefer sand and sea to serene swimming pools, guests also get access to two beach clubs located just a few minutes away via a free private shuttle.
It’s worth checking out the Bioaquam circuit while you’re here.
This spa experience includes three outdoor heated whirlpools, a steam room, sauna, Rasul (the Arabian ritual of clay bathing), experiential showers (incorporating sounds and colours), indoor heated whirlpool and a cold, rooftop pool looking over the expansive coastline.
If you prefer sand and sea to serene swimming pools, guests also get access to two beach clubs located just a few minutes away via a free private shuttle.
At Monte Cogoni beach, 60-steps carved into the rock lead down to a quiet private white sand beach with plenty of sunbeds and parasols.
Campana Dune beach is more suited to guests with accessibility needs and can be accessed via a flat wooden walkway.
If you have any room left in your stomach, you can order drinks and light bites direct to your sunbed. Or more active holidaymakers can enjoy a 30-minute stand-up paddle boarding session for free.
That’s just one of the many activities on offer here. The most unforgettable experience for me was a two-hour horse riding trip, trotting through the unspoilt Sardinian hills where the stunning views simply blew me away.
When I tire of laid-back pool days, the resort makes a great base for exploring further afield with Cagliari as the ideal day, or half-day trip.
Authentically Italian yet with its own identity, the city has strong Catholic links and consequently, discreet entrances to extravagant churches can be found on just about every street.
Even visiting on a Saturday, the city’s winding alleys were absent of crowds, and locals filled the cafes and restaurants as opposed to fellow tourists.
I couldn’t have asked for a more peaceful holiday if I’d tried. I suppose one more massage at the Conrad Chia Laguna wouldn’t hurt, would it?
GETTING THERE: Flights from London Stansted to Cagliari are from £43 return with Ryanair.
See ryanair.com.
STAYING THERE: Rooms at Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia start from £257 per night, for two people including breakfast. See hilton.com.
PREGNANT Dianne Buswell has hit back at conspiracy theories that claim Stefan Dennis’ illness is a “cover-up”.
It was revealed yesterday that the Neighbours legend, 66, would not be performing tonight after being unwell.
The soap star is paired with fellow Aussie Dianne, 36, who is pregnant with her first child.
But Strictly announced yesterday that the actor would not be part of tonight’s live show as he had been “ill”.
Since the news dropped, fans have gone into overdrive wit conspiracy theories about why they aren’t performing tonight.
This is despite the fact that the BBC said it was because he was ill.
Today, in a bid to shut down the rumours that Stefan‘s illness has been used as a “cover up” for her being unable to dance, Dianne took to Instagram and penned: “Just to clarify as I have had lots of people msg me thinking this is a cover up for me being not able to dance!?
“Firstly we wouldn’t lie especially about somebody being sick!
“And secondly I am fine, yes I am pregnant but I’m also very capable and feeling really good!”
Yesterday the BBC confirmed Stefan would not be dancing in a statement that read: “Due to illness over the past few days, Stefan Dennis has been advised by doctors to rest and as a result, he will not dance this weekend.
“In line with the rules of Strictly, Stefan and Dianne will receive a bye through to next week when they will hopefully be able to dance again.”
It means the couple will miss out on being part of Movie Week, where they were due to perform a Waltz to It Is You (I Have Loved) from Shrek.
Writing in the comments to the post on the official Strictly Instagram page, Dianne said: “Sending alll my Aussie love steffo 
I know how much you wanted to dance.”
On It Takes Two, host Janette Manrara also shared the news and added: “Stefan, we’re sending you our best wishes and can’t wait to have you back soon.”
Other Strictly stars also sent their best wishes to Stefan – who played Paul Robinson on Neighbours – with host Claudia Winkleman posting three red love hearts.
Meanwhile pro dancer Amy Dowden commented: “Sending lots of love and well wishes xxx.”
Fellow contestant Amber Davies added two red love hearts.
Last week, Stefan performed a mistake-filled Cha Cha Cha to Give It Up by KC and The Sunshine Band.
The judges panel gave a mixed review with Craig Revel Horwood branding the dance “stompy” and “stiff” whilst Anton Du Beke thought it was “very good” in places.
Stefan also went on to explain that even before stepping onto the floor he was ‘petrified’ admitting that the routine had completely ‘stumped’ him.
The pair ended up receiving a score of just 17 placing them as one of the lower scoring couples on this week’s leaderboard.
Strictly airs tonight on BBC One and iPlayer.
Strictly Come Dancing news and the latest line up
DRIVERS can update their ageing motors with relative ease and even on a budget with a host of new, modern features that can enhance their driving experience and safety.
Better yet, retrofitting new gadgets onto a decade-old car can not only make it feel brand new, but can even help raise its value.
Speaking exclusively to Sun Motors, Paul Baker, editor of Auto Express, spoke how the average age of a set of wheels in the UK is now almost 10 years old – an increase from an age of seven years and five months recorded a decade ago.
He said: “The average car on UK roads is now older than ever – almost 10 years – as rising new-car prices, supply chain shortages and cost-of-living pressures mean drivers are holding onto vehicles for longer.
“But just because a car is old doesn’t mean it can’t have the latest tech, and with the right upgrades, you can give an older car a new lease of life – without the £40k+ price tag of a brand-new model.”
To that end, he’s suggested seven ways you can modernise an older car – all without completely breaking the bank.
Paul said: “Swap your old radio for an aftermarket unit with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
“Brands like Sony offer slick touchscreen systems for under £400, while Porsche and Land Rover even make factory-style retro units from £1,000 for classic models.”
For the real penny-pinchers, drivers can find basic Double DIN stereo units with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on sites like eBay for as little as £47.
And more feature-rich, portable touchscreen units that stick to the dashboard and include dash cam functionality can be found for around £100.
Dash cams can be picked up reasonably cheaply and help provide peace of mind and evidence in case of an incident.
“Car insurance prices are sky-high nowadays, and older cars typically demand higher premiums because they don’t have all of the latest crash-prevention technology,” said Paul.
“While a few new cars come with dash cams pre-installed, retrofitting one on an older car is a great way not only to provide peace of mind, and have evidence of fault in any incident that occurs.”
We did some digging, and for those on tighter budgets, online marketplaces like eBay are the go-to for a dash cam under £15, but for those who prefer buying from a familiar name, Argos offers the cheapest high-street starting price at around £25.
Retailers like Halfords and Screwfix cater to customers looking for recognised brands, with prices beginning in the £40-£60 range.
Replacing old speakers with plush new sets can significantly improve audio quality – something that many drivers find pretty vital.
Paul agreed, adding: “Older speakers can sound thin.
“Replacing them with a new amp and subwoofer system instantly transforms audio quality to rival modern premium systems.”
We found that Halfords offered a great balance of price and quality when it came to car speakers, with their range of branded speakers, such as Pioneer, Kenwood, or their own brand, starting from a very competitive £49.
They also offer a fitting service for those not comfortable with DIY installation.
A very handy addition to your motor, especially with newer systems that can be programmed with the car’s dimensions for accurate guidelines.
Paul said: “Installing a reversing camera can be a really handy addition, especially now that you can get aftermarket options with the ability to programme the car’s exact dimensions in order to generate accurate parking guidelines.
“This really can make the feature feel as if it’s been there from the factory.”
For those wanting an all-in-one kit from a trusted high-street name, both Halfords and Argos are excellent options, with prices starting at a very reasonable £30.
While not as sleek as factory-fitted systems, retrofitted monitors are a useful safety feature – and can be picked up at a pinch.
“Blind-spot monitoring and even budget head-up displays can be retrofitted and while not as slick as factory systems, they’re useful extras that make older cars feel up-to-date,” added Paul.
For the ultra-quickest, cheapest and surprisingly effective safety upgrade, stick-on blind spot mirrors can be bought for as little as £3.29 at Halfords or around £4 at Argos.
For those interested in a more advanced, high-tech solution, online marketplaces like eBay offer electronic radar-based systems with prices starting from around £40.
Generally, though, you’ll be looking at prices from around £70 plus fitting.
A budget-friendly way to get a feature that is often a pricey option on new cars.
Paul said: “Many of the options available online are much cheaper, although they often fail to provide the type of instant response and breadth of at-a-glance data you’d expect from a factory system.”
Head-Up Displays are a prime example of a gadget found almost exclusively online – with basic phone-based reflector cradles available for as little as £5, while dedicated electronic units that plug into the car’s diagnostic port start from around £15.
Simple enough; these help to locate your vehicle if it’s stolen, often requiring a subscription for features like real-time tracking.
“No one wants to lose their pride and joy, and while a tracking device won’t stop thieves from trying to take it, installing one should hopefully make things a lot easier when you’re attempting to get it back,” said Paul.
He added: “Most require a small monthly subscription in order to work – you can also pay a hefty fee.
For an ultra-low-cost tracking solution, many drivers are turning to Bluetooth item finders like Tile or Apple AirTags, which can be bought for £20 to £35 from retailers like Argos.
But for those wanting a dedicated, real-time GPS vehicle tracker, devices start from under £20 while Halfords is the best bet on the high street, offering proper GPS tracker kits from around £50.
Plus, Europe’s best-selling car is coming to UK with radically new design rivalling Tesla and Toyota.
SUV drivers in England could face tougher parking rules in law inspired by Europe.
And an iconic German car brand has axed two models in a major EV shake-up.
Plus, a long-forgotten car brand is returning as two iconic models get bold new looks.
Motorists have been issued a warning over “contaminated” fuel at a major UK supermarket.
To prove their point, Auto Express worked with eBay Motors to work their magic on a 2005 BMW 330Ci worth £8,990 – updating it with a full suite of modern tech.
This included:
With fresh tyres, a new official BMW gearknob and floor mats, as well as replacement light bulbs, it set them around £2,500.
That doesn’t however, include the estimate for fitting, which would be around £1,000.
Still, it means a 20-year-old Beemer now boasts the sort of tech you’d expect in a car that costs some £32,000 on the used market.
