Alghero was founded in the XII century by the powerful Doria family, who ably exploited the strategic location of Alghero, there building one of the most important examples of military architecture on the island. Despite the various re-workings, the fortifications remain a distinctive presence today, with the defence towers framing the ominous yet harmonious architectonic seafront design. The town has been occupied by various colonists over the years, but it was the Pisa domination that really altered both the look and spirit of the town, particularly as concerns the language. In 1354 the expansion policy of the Crown of Aragon reached Alghero, which, by the hand of Peter IV the Ceremonious, was then purged and transformed, in just a short space of time, into one of the many colonies that orbited around the central power of the kingdom. The important examples of Gothic-Catalan architecture located within the urban nucleus, form a unique, lavish, and indelible proof of the Catalan past. The linguistic heritage is yet more surprising: the local variant of Catalan – algherese – is ever more alive and spoken amongst today’s inhabitants. Although Alguer was founded only relatively ‘recently’, the surrounding area is dotted with settlements of remote and historically important origin, as borne out by the imposing nuragic complex of Palmavera, and that discovered in Sant’Imbenia during the 1980s. Right next to the Sant’Imbenia complex, located in the enchanting bay of Porto Conte (the only natural harbour in Sardinia), we find the remains of a villa dating back to Roman times, and that can still be seen today.

Porto Conte Ricerche, which is placed close to Alghero city centre, is one of the pivotal players of the Science and Technology Park of Sardinia, and is active in complementary areas of technology: biomarker discovery, diagnostic systems and biotechnologies applied to nutrition and health. For over 15 years, the Research Centre has been developing and delivering high-tech services to companies engaged in the innovation of their production systems through industrial research and experimental development activities. The organization, as a subsidiary controlled by Sardegna Ricerche, manages the Tramariglio centre of the Science and Technology Park. The creation of services for companies in the region of Sardinia and the simultaneous development of research products of international interest represent the quality and quantity of the functions performed by Porto Conte Ricerche. The innovation, research and training activities are made possible by regional contributions and by participation in ministerial and community networking programmes with other regional, national and foreign research centres.

Hotel Oasis is located along the coast between Alghero and Fertilia, around 2 km from the centre of Alghero, just 100 metres from the beach, and a mere 8 kilometres from the airport. Making your way along the seafront, on foot, on two wheels or using public transport, you can reach the quaint “Catalan” old town of Alghero, which is famous for its streets and alleyways that exude an unusual-but-evocative part-Italian, part-Spanish ambience. Opposite the hotel is a beautiful shared pine forest, which leads directly to the wonderful Maria Pia beach, with its white sand and crystal-clear water. Hotel Oasis in Alghero features a large, free private car park reserved for guests, two play areas for children and a generous open-air space featuring swimming pools that are equipped with hydromassage tubs, as well as a small fitness area. At reception, guests can hire bicycles and cars, with on-site drop-off, while a small market (open from mid-May to the end of September) offers guests fresh bread, fruit, frozen foods, wine and drinks. Every day, the hotel’s restaurant serves up wide-ranging, high-quality dishes, including Sardinian and Italian specialities, along with a delicious buffet breakfast.