Sardinia - Costa Smeralda

The Costa Smeralda is a worldwide known tourist destination with white sand beaches, golf clubs, private jet and helicopter services, superyachts and exclusive (strictly gated) hotels. The area is known for a extremely high density of celebrities, business leaders and very affluent visitors, that do not want to be seen (and photographed) by the average tourists.

The development had started here in the early 1960s. It was financed by a consortium of companies led by Prince Karim Aga Khan. I met an old Sardinian, who told me stories about the sudden wealth of the local fishermen, shepherds and farmers. A wealthiness that for most of them did not really last very long.