Sardinia, Sicily or Corsica in July/August for Honeymoon?

The best beaches in the entire world (or at least in the Med) are in Sardinia. Below is a guide to all of them (hundreds, one better than the next).
http://www.unionesarda.it/collane/spiagge/home_spiagge.aspx
I've been to Sardinia a few times and always in Gallura (the northernmost portion). Santa Teresa is nice.
Castelsardo is probably the most famous quintessentially quaint village of Sardinia (basically Sardinia's answer to the Cinque Terre villages), which is also located on the northern side of the island.
http://www.castelsardoturismo.it/

Corsica is just as beautiful, more rugged and more lush and higher mountains (Sardinia is drier, more like Southern California). The official language is French, however the local dialect is a form of Tuscan (Corsica actually belonged to the Republic of Genoa until 1768, when they sold it to the French). The only drawback, at least in my experience, were the prices. Just cross the Bonifacio strait from Santa Teresa to Bonifacio, and everything will cost 50% more. However if you stay in or near Santa Teresa in Sardinia, you should take a day trip across to Bonifacio, a beautiful fortified village. There are ferries that go back and forth (45 min each way). While in north Sardinia, don't miss the Maddalena Archipelago. There are plenty of day boat excursions to the National Park of the Maddalena departing from the Santa Teresa or Palau harbor.

Sicily is very beautiful also, but it has a lot of historical sites to see and time for the beach would be limited. You could spend a month in Sicily and not see half of it. It's the Italian region with the most things to see.

In August, none of those places will offer opportunities to "get away from the crowds". It's August Bess, and half of Europe will be in those 3 islands. Prices will also be at their highest (no matter where you go). Whatever you decide, remember that:
1. you need a rental car, especially in Sardinia and Corsica
2. you need to reserve early, because in August, everything will be sold out, including under bridges.

I've only been to the beaches in Alghero, Bosa and Stintino but they all took my breath away.
We rented an apartment directly across the street from the beach in Alghero and had a dream come true holiday. We were there in August and Roberto is correct in suggesting that you book early. It is definitely high season.

Thank you for your responses! It's especially helpful to know that Corsica will be significantly more expensive than Sardinia or Sicily.

One concern I have about Sardinia is that it sounds as though a significant portion of the coast is quite built up with "package" resorts. Is this an incorrect assumption?

Thanks again!

Incorrect assumption. That might be true for Cancun.

In Sardinia there are resorts, but the island is so huge that there are plenty of secluded places and also Agriturismo (farmhouse), although those tend not to be on the beach, but a few km. on the interior (who would farm on a beach?). Actually Sardinia is largely undeveloped and less densely populated than many of the mainland coast resorts.

Just don't hang out too long on the Costa Smeralda (from Porto Cervo to Porto Rotondo). That area is indeed full of billionaires' resorts and villas, including Berlusconi's Villa Certosa and its volcano (can you imagine having so much money that you can afford to build a real volcano in your huge backyard?). They will pluck your wallet there.

I will cast a rather 'weak' vote. Several years ago we took the ferry from LIvorno to Corsica and spent an entire week just driving around. Stayed in pensions and the such. Did not spend a lot of money at all. Did not see very many tourists at all. It was quiet and time/money well spent. My vote is "weak" in that you absolutely would need a car. Contact Auto Europe just to see what a rental might cost. Have used them probably 10-15 times; nice people nice rates. Conclusion: Corsica; nice people very many nice things to see.

Good luck; Richard

P.S. A trip not far away for us is 2 weeks in Sicily/Malta. Have only been to Sicily once; if you like beautiful quaint mountain villages and wonderful ancient Greek architecture not a bad choice either. You would also need a car.

Thanks so much, Richard. Yes, I've gotten the impression that, at least for Sardinia or Corsica, we'd need to rent a car. We're fine with that (though recognize it adds to the expense) if it allows us to get to some less crowded places.

Sounds like we can't go wrong, but like we should choose either Corsica or Sardinia. Any feedback from folks on the food of these islands?

Thanks again!

The food of Corsica is heavily influenced by Ligurian and Tuscan cuisine. Corsica was in fact part of the Republic of Pisa and the republic of Genoa at the time when those were 2 of the powerful Maritime Republics (such as Genoa, Pisa, Venice, Amalfi). The make a lot of good charcuterie (cold cuts) and good sheep cheese. Pork is a specialty too as well as seafood, of course. If you know Tuscan dishes to order just replace 'o' in Italian with 'u' in Corse. Pork loin is lonzo in Italian and lonzu in Corse, prosciutto is prisuttu, polenta is pulenta. Brocciu is a famous sheep cheese.
Sardinian cuisine is great,but very different from what you might know as Italian. My favorite dishes are Pane Frattau and proceddu (piglet in a pit) and the seafood (especially anything with their lobsters) but Sardinian cuisine is so vast (and unique) that you need a lifetime to taste everything they have. I'm sure you can google Sardinian cuisine and find their specialties. Although I'm Tuscan I prefer Sardinian cuisine to Corse. Maybe because in Corsica I found the same foods I could get at home in Tuscany (just more expensive). Corsica is French now, so many restaurants serve French cuisine as well.