How I Spent My Summer in Sardinia and How You Can Get There Too?
Youâre probably wondering how I actually spent my summer in Sardinia. Many of you who followed my journey kept asking questions. Was it all just a random trip, or did I have a plan? In this series, Iâll introduce you to the whole of Sardinia, giving you a taste of what itâs like, and maybe youâll make it there too and experience a âworking vacationâ right by the sea.
Preparation for the Journey
Letâs go in order. Around the end of February 2023, a friend and former teammate from FC KoĆĄice (yeah, I played soccer, in case you didnât know) messaged me to ask if I was planning on doing a summer gig again. He knew I had been there the previous summer and wanted to tag along somewhere â those who read my first blog would know. Link Here. I told him I wasnât sure yet; it was still pretty early. The crew I went with last time (up north in the Italian Dolomites), we agreed to start confirming our dates in May.
Searching for Opportunities: The Agency and Offers
So we were chatting, my buddyâshoutout to you, Roloâwas sending me listings he found on Facebook or Instagram about gigs and jobs in Sardinia, Italy. He wanted to go with me. After all, I thought, the more the merrier. I checked out the offers, we discussed them, and eventually, we found a lucrative opportunity in Sardinia.
I was completely enchanted by it â just imagine, youâre by the sea, in a warm area on an Italian island, during summer, you get meals three times a day (even if youâre not working), just like in a hotel, accommodation paid for, and you work only about 7-8 hours a day. So, you have plenty of time to relax or explore the area. Swimming in the sea or doing some other little jobs. And someone even pays you for it. I say itâs a win-win situation, what could you possibly lose?
Signing the Contract: Commitment and Initial Concerns?
We reviewed the offers from the agency Rolo found, and I immediately sent an email applying for the job. The agency is called Nipa Jobs, link Here. I contacted them, made a few phone calls, and we arranged for an interview via Zoom. Everything went smoothly, like a dream. We agreed on the details, and a week later, we had the interview where we discussed the specifics and conditions in advance of the departure or the start of the work.
Later, the agency sent us the contract documents. It was clear there would be some feesâafter all, nothing comes for free, especially not when arranging work abroad. They sent us the documents to sign and read. Reading them for the first time, I must say they were quite poorly written. But since it was a new agency that had started in January of the same year, I took it with a grain of salt. It was March by then. Everyone has to start somewhere, and I didnât take it badly, understanding it with respect.
Decision to Go Alone: Courage and New Encounters
As I further examined the documents and discussed them with my parents, we had some concerns. But as they say, no risk, no reward. I agreed, thinking whatâs the worst I could lose? Maybe just a bit of money upfront. But hey, there are worse things in life, and you never know until you try. I even paid a part of the agencyâs fee in cash.
Since I was heading to Poprad to enjoy a swim at Aquacity with friends, and the agency was based in Svit, we met at a cafĂ© in Aquacity Poprad. After that personal meeting, I was convinced it was going to be an epic adventureâin the best sense of the word. We had a great chat, and it became clear to me that this summer would be one to remember for many years.
In the end, my friend Rolo disagreed with the contract terms and the fees, so I went alone. I have no regrets because I ended up meeting some fantastic people there, some of whom I am still in contact with today.
How did the preparations for the trip and saying goodbye to my family for the whole summer go?
As soon as we agreed that I would go, preparations began. First, all of us who were scheduled around the same date were added to a WhatsApp group. There, we negotiated the departure and exact dates.
I vividly remember buying the plane ticket. It was all sorted in about 15 minutes, and where I did it might blow your mind. It was the 4th of May. We had a school outdoor training or health and sports activities day at school, out in the park at AniÄka in KoĆĄiceâthose who know, know; those who donât, hereâs the link. I finished my run and then just chilled on the grass with others.
It was really warm at the time, so I took off my shirt and sunbathed. It was an interesting period, and Iâm proud of it. I achieved so many personal goals, and the inner feeling is indescribable. Youâll experience this too, donât worry, everything happens when itâs supposed to, just leave it to fate and give it a nudge.
Suddenly, I saw that other members in the WhatsApp group were arranging who was going when, so I joined in, and naturally, I wanted to go with the earliest date possible. I chose the 26th of June. I looked up flights for that day and bought one right away. It was over 150⏠for a one-way ticket to Alghero in Sardinia. By then, I was halfway there.
What All Do You Need?
I really appreciate that about agencies; aside from the trip itself (the flight), they handle everything for you. I also arranged my travel to Bratislava airport. And let me tell you, if youâre from the east or from KoĆĄice like me, you know itâs a nightmare to travel from the east of Slovakia to the west by train. Itâs an endless journey. And thatâs doubly true if you travel overnight without a sleeper car.
In the carriage with me was another school class traveling to Vienna on a trip. And if youâre or were a student, you definitely know that thereâs no such thing as night-time peace and sleep on school trips. So, it was chaotic all night and I didnât sleep a wink. I reached the airport before seven in the morning, taking a bus from Bratislava railway station.
Since I was there early and quite tired, I lay down on a bench and tried to catch some sleep. That didnât work out, so I just walked around and as soon as the luggage compartment for the flight to Alghero opened, I was among the first to board. A check followed, and then the journey to the gate.
A little look back. What happened from the time I bought the ticket in May until the departure to Sardinia?
As I mentioned earlier, I bought my ticket to Sardinia at the beginning of May. By the end of May, I went to France on an Erasmus+ program with my classmates. Those who know, know; if you donât, definitely check out this PART. This meant that almost the entire month of June, typically a period for finalizing courses and taking exams, had to be tackled already in May.
And so it was, I endured this turbulent period where nearly every day involved an exam or a test. But what wouldnât I do for traveling? I survived it all, and here I am. By the end of May, I was part of an expedition in France.
When we returned around Friday the 19th, I was home for a week, and then on Sunday, June 25th, around 10 PM, I caught the night train to Bratislava to make my flight.
The first group meeting and new people.
As we had agreed on who would fly out when, we met for the first time in person at the gate at Bratislava Airport. Right from the start, I could tell they were great people, and that held true throughout the summer as we shared countless experiences and gained new insights together.
The flight was short, about two hours, and upon landing at Alghero Airport, two Italians who worked for the hotel were waiting for us. They drove us across the island to the small town of Orosei, which is home to the Gulf of Oroseiâmore on that later. Thatâs where we worked in a hotel. The narrow streets and highways across Sardinia, along with their driving experiences, were something I had never encountered before. I can confirm that Italians drive like madmen.
That evening, they assigned rooms to all of us, spreading us throughout the town in small groups. I personally stayed in a house with some local Italians who, as a few of the only ones, spoke English. This was great because they could offer advice and were good for a chat.
We were also promised bicycles for transportation to the hotel, but we received those a bit later. Until then, we were shuttled from town by van. It was more than a 30-minute walk to the hotel, and the bicycles could also be used for personal errands, which Iâll tell you more about in the upcoming parts.
What Can You Achieve in Just a Few Minutes in the Town?
Since the hotel was right by the sea, but I wasnât staying there directly, I took a walk to the beach in the evening and picked up some basic groceries. The beautiful sea with its sandy beach was something to behold. Meeting new roommates, colleagues, and friends was quite the experience. I knew this summer was going to be fantastic, and it truly was.
What All Do You Need If You Want to Work in Italy?
If youâre planning to work in Italy, youâll need a âCodice Fiscale,â a tax identification code essential for employment and daily transactions such as opening a bank account (not needed for payroll) or registering for health insurance (handled by the employer). You can obtain this code at the local Agenzia delle Entrate office, where you will present your passport and fill out the necessary application. Having previously worked in Italy, I already had this code, which simplified the employment process for me.
Equally important is reliable travel insurance, which protects against unexpected events or health issues. I use insurance from Tatra banka provided by Uniqa, which can be easily arranged directly through the Tatra banka app. This insurance gives me peace of mind, knowing that I will have the necessary support if needed. More info Here.
And what then?
How did my journey of discovering Sardinia continue? Which national park and mountains did I visit, and what can you see there? Iâll tell you all about it in the next part. So start following me on Instagram and subscribe to the newsletter to make sure you donât miss anything!
Flying Easterner
Cross your boundaries â thatâs where the treasure youâre seeking is hidden
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