the formerly wild, lonely costa smeralda, stretching from the golfo di cugnana to the golfo di arzachena, was developed at the end of the 1950s by a consortium of magnates including the aga khan, into one of the world's most lucrative holiday resorts.
its pristine appearance is now strictly controlled.
in porto cervo, the main town, boutiques jostle with nightclubs, fine restaurants and luxury hotels.
it caters for the seriously rich, billionaires, crowned heads and pop stars.