Meet Alistair Vance

I am Alistair Vance, a former surveyor from Edinburgh, Scotland. In 2018, I decided to leave the rainy Scottish hills and make my home in Cagliari, the sun-drenched capital of Sardinia. I wanted to live in a place where the mountains meet the sea. Over the last eight years, I have walked thousands of kilometres across the island, mapping paths and documenting regional logistics.

My constant companion is Winston, a six-year-old Border Collie who is a beloved fixture on the trails. He has accompanied me on the long stages of the Sentiero Italia and knows the paths by heart. Together, we explore the steep limestone gorges of the Supramonte and the sandy paths of the Masua coast. Winston is particularly fond of the trail from Cala Fuili to Cala Luna, which is a path Winston is very fond of.

Expat Insights: Sicily vs Sardinia

Many walkers ask me: "Which is better Sicily or Sardinia?" or "Which is quieter, Sardinia or Sicily?" As an expat who has traveled extensively in both regions, I can share a clear perspective. Sicily has incredible history, Greek temples, and a deep culinary style centered around street food. Sardinia, however, gives a much wilder experience. If you love remote trails, quiet coastal paths, and deep nature, Sardinia is the superior choice.

Sardinian food is also unique. While Sicily is famous for arancini and cannoli, Sardinia is the land of spit-roasted suckling pig (porceddu), paper-thin crispy carasau bread, and aged pecorino cheese. The food is simple, rustic, and tied to pastoral traditions. Tipping is not mandatory in teh local trattorias, but rounding up the bill by a few euros is a polite gesture that shephard families appreciate.