Portofino
If you are looking for the
high life, come to Portofino, one of Liguria's most exclusive seaside
resorts, east of Genoa, and also one of its most beautiful. A draw for
the jet-set. It is situated on an idyllic
promontory, its harbour is full of the elegant yachts of the
international jet-set and its calm waters reflect the lovely ochre and
yellow houses ringed around the water's edge.
The village has long been a favourite with celebrities - Truman Capote
and Guy de Maupassant both wrote here; Hollywood stars such as Greta
Garbo, Clark Gable, Elizabeth Taylor and Rex Harrison stayed here, the
Duke and Duchess of Windsor honeymooned here and Aristotle Onassis
arrived on his yacht. Today the rich and famous tend to holiday in
private villas up in the hills behind the town but you never know who you
might spot hiding behind sunglasses and sipping a Campari and soda at a
waterfront bar.
Take the steps up to the Castello Brown, bought by an English diplomat in
the 1860s and transformed into a family home. The gardens are lovely and
offer great views of the harbour below. A little farther on the
lighthouse has even more spectacular views.
Take a boat trip or a walk across the promontory to the eleventh-century
Abbazia di San Fruttuoso, set amongst pine trees and olive groves.
Nearby, but out to sea, is a bronze statue of Christ, placed on the
sea-bed in 1954 to protect sailors. You can either take a boat to see
this, on a calm day, or dive down for a close-up look, if you are not too
busy shopping in one of the expensive little boutiques around town.
Besides, also enjoy the cafe culture and partake in an afternoon of
celebrity spotting. Travel buy bus or ferry from Santa Margherita to get
to Portofino.
