The bluest water in the world.
Maddalena Islands
After the small matter of masterminding the reunification of Italy, talismanic leader Guiseppe Garibaldi lived out his days in the beautiful Maddalena Islands. He couldn't have picked a better spot to put his feet up.
Spot the oligarch...
Nowadays, staying in one of the luxurious hotels on Sardinia's Costa Smeralda is all well and oligarch-like (actually, most stay on their uberyachts) but we strongly recommend renting an inflatable rib and heading over to the beautiful Maddalena Islands Marine Park.
Water as turquoise as any in the world
These uninhabited islands have pink sand beaches and the water is as turquoise as any in the world. It could be the Caribbean, apart from the water temperature which is fresh in spring and autumn and only really warm in the height of summer. That said it is hugely inviting, and you can snorkel in the crystal clear water and have a picnic lunch on a deserted beach.