The Italian Resort Area Selling Yacht Life, Longevity—and $100 Million Villas

Tradition sets the tone in Italy’s exclusive coastal resorts, from quaint Portofino to the atmospheric island of Capri. But change is coming to the most exclusive of them all: Costa Smeralda, on the jagged northeast coast of Sardinia, known for its sandy beaches, turquoise waters and yachting culture. The area has long had a notoriously short season—weeks, or even days, in July and August—to make the most of peak yachting and the warmer waters. But as second-home owners are joined by a growing number of primary-home owners working remotely, the season has begun to extend into spring and fall, and beyond. Meanwhile, a market that included just about anyone but Americans is now seeing an influx of U.S. interest, real-estate agents say. This spring, Delta Air Lines inaugurated the first direct links between the U.S. and northeast Sardinia, with seasonal flights from New York’s JFK to Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport. LEARN MORE...