TOURIST RESORT:

La Maddalena otherwise known as ‘Little Paris’ is a lively tourist resort and is renowned for sailing, surfing and diving.
It’s especially good for sailing, both for beginners and more advanced sailors.
 
‘THE DIVING CENTRE’ of La Maddalena offers both day and night excursions, a fantastic opportunity to stroke giant groupers, if you’re lucky!
All equipment is supplied by the diving centre and tours are guided.
 
EATING OUT:
There are lots of nice fish restaurants along the seafront and in the historic centre.
There are also several good pizzerias and bars offering sandwiches / salads.
Most restaurants have special lunch time tourist menus and offer set menus in the fish restaurants.

NIGHTLIFE: 
La Maddalena is known for being a quiet and relaxing place where one can get in touch with nature and take it easy. A calming break from the hustle and bustle of big cities 
In the Summer the historic centre comes alive at night. You can sit and watch the world go by in one of the numerous bars in the piazzas.
There is a Summer night market in Piazza Commando.
There are numerous ice cream parlours offering a mouthwatering selection of locally made ice cream.
If you like dancing there are a few clubs on the other side of the island, most of the clubs are in Porto Cervo.
July and August offer an interesting programme of free cultural events from cinema to theatre, music, art and dance.

WEATHER:

The weather in Sardinia is typical of a Mediterranean climate.
Autumn / Winter are mild with predominant northwest wind; Spring / Summer are warm with hot dry winds from Africa.
 
Average annual temperatures from 14’C to 20 ‘C

Average Winter temperatures from 9’C to 10’C on the coast but inland in the Gennargentu mountains below freezing

Average Summer temperatures from 30’C to 35’C occasionally reaching 40’C 

Rainy season – November / December
Driest months – July / August 

HISTORY:

Archaeological evidence proves La Maddalena was inhabited in prehistoric times. Written history dates back to Roman times.
During the 12th century the islands were at the centre of a dispute between the republics of Pisa and Genoa.
The islands were later abandoned,then colonized first by Corsican shepherds and in the 16th century by the first Sardinian settlers.
The island of La Maddalena has undergone many name changes.
The Romans called it ‘Ilva’,’ Fussa’ and’ Bucina’.
In the Middle Ages it was known as’ Bicinara’, before being given the name of ‘Santa Maria Maddalena’ and eventually La Maddalena.
Being so close to the straits of ‘Bonifacio’, through which maritime traffic must pass, the archipelago of La Maddalena has a strategic military position.
As the main island within the archipelago La Maddalena has born the brunt of Military action over the years.
 In 1767 it was occupied by the ‘Piemontese’, in 1793 the town was bombarded by the French revolutionary forces under the command of Napoleon Bonaparte. Lord Admiral Nelson used it as a base during 1804 blockade of Toulon and 139 years later Benito Mussolini was held prisoner on the island before being moved to Campo Imperatore on the Gran Sasso where he was famously rescued by Otto Skorzeny.
Up until recently there was a NATO base on the island of Santo Stefano. Over the years the island has housed both the Italian Navy and US Navy. 
The 2009 G8 SUMMIT is set to be held on the island of LA MADDALENA in JULY 2009.