With its rugged landscape of limestone and granite ranges and oak forests inhabited by pink flamingos, ponies and wild sheep, Sardinia has a fair share of wilderness that's still untamed — despite the ultra-chic resorts of the Costa Smeralda and the cosmopolitan Cagliari dotted with designer boutiques. Add the charming Old City in Alghero to the list of attractions, and you have enough diversity to enchant travelers of all ages. This picturesque island in the Mediterranean is matched by an equally fascinating human history. Thousands of mysterious stone fortresses, known as nuraghi, are found throughout the island. Ancient ruins and medieval towns reflect thousands of years of invasions from ancient Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans to the Byzantines, Arabs, Spaniards and Austrians. Despite this history of domination by outsiders, Sardinians have clung to their culture and traditions, which are celebrated with numerous festivals. Among the most famous are the Ardia Horse Race (July 6-7) in Sedilo (considered even more dangerous than Siena's Il Palio race) and Nuoro's Festival of Redentore (last week in August) with grandest procession of traditional Sardinian costumes and folk dancing.