Tax shock for mega rich

As us the world braces itself for the much-anticipated global recession spare a thought for the super rich.

Sardinia’s annual luxury tax – that’s the tax applied to private aircraft and those enormous yachts the likes of Roman Abramovich swan about on during the summer - has been changed to a weekly tax.

The tax will apply from 1 June - 30 September for pleasure craft "using any Sardinian port facility, landing stages and mooring points located in regional territory," according to a statement released by the Sardinian Joint Regional Council, though yachts moored out will are exempt from the tax.

Yachting web site The Triton reported that, “one week of the new rate is equal to a quarter of the old seasonal tax, so for a megayacht between 30 and 60 meters, the new weekly rate is 2,500 euros compared to 10,000 euros for the season last year.”

Bad news - and an extra ten grand – if you're spending the summer on the island.

Not that it seems to bother most people.

"When I was there, I never paid it," said one captain - who presumably wished to remain anonymous.

"I didn’t volunteer it and nobody every came around to collect it.”

April flights to Sardinia for under a ton

Easyjet seem to have dropped those mysterious 'taxes and charges' that push the cost of a flight into 'can't afford it this month' territory. Well it's not so much that they've dropped them more that they're included in the price.

Flights to Sardinia on the first weekend of their new Bristol to Olbia route are a defiantly non budget busting £99.98, if your willing to travel light and squeeze your clothes into your carry-on bag (trust me it is possible!).

Great... if you're not going out with a school teacher that is.

Could be interesting

Tonight's Horizon - 9pm on BBC Two unless you live in Wales in which case you'll have to wait an extra two and a half hours due to the bloody football - deals with cultures who show signs of extraordinary longevity.

One of the places Dr Brian Wilcox, the programme's presenter, visits is the tiny Sardinian mountain village of Ovodda. Despite having a population of just 1,700 residents it boasts five centenarians and as many men as women live to the age of 100.

Read about How To Live To 101 Without Trying