Welcome to Portofino
From Jesse's Journeys in Italy
Population: 529 (2001)
Official site:
Portofino
Wikipedia:
Portofino
Map:
MapQuest
Portofino is
an exclusive resort on Italy’s
Ligurian coast. It has a glitzy
reputation as a playground for
the rich and famous and a first
glance will certainly confirm
this view. The brightly coloured
buildings eventually yield to a
harbour filled with oversized
yachts and surrounded by
fashionable restaurants and
bars. Yet scratch the surface
and you will find that
underneath it all, there is
still a charming little fishing
village to be found.
Of course it
has to be said that a trip to
Portofino does not come cheap.
The exclusive eateries and
boutiques, which so often play
host to wealthy movie stars,
have prices that will make your
eye pop-out in true cartoon
style. Yet if you can cope with
the pressure on your wallet,
Portofino’s tranquil setting
will do its best to make sure
you forget all about your bank
account.
What isn’t in
dispute is Portofino’s charm and
there is plenty to admire, even
for mere mortals without bulging
wallets. The clear waters, the
rugged cliffs that plunge into
the waters below, and the little
rocky inlets and beaches frame
the town, and make it as easy on
the eye as some of its more
famous visitors.
With
such pretty scenery in abundance
the opportunity to give your
credit card a time out and head
off into the countryside should
not be missed. There are some
great walks around Portofino and
a number of paths take you from
the town and up into the
surrounding hillside. Along the
way you will stroll past olive
groves and pine trees before
reaching the top where, high
about the town, you can discover
excellent views of the coast.
All of this
is likely to induce a thirst and
a popular activity in Portofino
is whiling away an hour or two
over a drink in one of the cafes
near the harbour. Many a
contented afternoon can be
passed watching the boats come
and go with the sun on your
back.
Portofino is
very much a destination for a
day trip due to its size and
relatively high costs. It can be
fully explored in a few hours
and its cosy size breeds
familiarity quickly. Yet it is
the town’s undeniable natural
beauty that makes it a must see,
just bear in mind that you might
need to do some serious saving
if you fancy a longer stay.
Article by
Gill Clark, Dec 5/05 |
