Rapallo and Santa Margherita
Extending about 110 miles, with the sparkling Mar Ligure on one side and sun-bathed hillsides on the other, the Italian Riviera is one of the most famed destination in Italy. The road winds over, around, through and past colourful fishing villages.
Staring from the pier of Portofino, you will enjoy a short cruise along the coast. On your way to Santa Margherita you will see from the distance rocky cliffs, wind-swept promontories, age-old pine forests and enchanting villas and castles.
In 15 minutes, you will be in Santa Margherita, a thoroughly attractive, palm-laden small resort tucked into an inlet, replete with grand hotels, garden villas and views of the glittering bay.
You will enjoy a pleasant walking tour including the inside visit of the Church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia and some free time to have a coffee sitting in one of the many bars and cafeterias facing the sea promenade.
Re-boarding the motor lunch, you will get to Rapallo: set in a small bay, it has maintained the lay out of a fishing village
Today it is a major seaside resort town with a long and rich maritime past. This coastline was no doubt used by early Phoenician, Greek and Roman traders but there was never much in the way of a permanent settlement until the Middle Ages.
You will enjoy a pleasant walk through the streets of the Medieval centre and visit the Castle (from the outside), and the Oratorio dei Bianchi containing a precious XVIII century organ and see the Oratorio dei Neri (outside visit).
After crossing the Vegetable market, you will pass by the Porta delle Saline, giving onto the road to Santa Margherita.
On board of the motor launch on your way back to Portofino, you will enjoy some typical Ligurian focaccia drinking a glass of white wine.
Camogli and San Fruttuoso Abbey
The Italian Rivera extends from the border with France and the French Riviera to Capo Corvo close to the border with Tuscany. It is famous for its particularly mild climate which, together with the charm of its old fishing ports and the beauty of its landscape, has made it a popular destination for travellers and tourists since the time of Byron and Shelley.
This coastal cruise will let you discover the western part of the Tigullio promontory: San Fruttuoso and Camogli.
The Abbey of San Fruttuoso lies on the Promontory of Portofino and can only be reached either on foot or by sea. The local fishermen used to tell of a dragon that breathed out fire and tore apart those who tried to land here. Times have changed and dragons seem to have disappeared, so all you’ll find now in San Fruttuoso is a charming little beach, a beautiful abbey and a cluster of fishermen’s homes.
Some free time to take some pictures and you will then reach Camogli.
Situated on the western Portofino promontory, not too far away from Genoa, Camogli is an ancient seaside village in the wonderful Paradise Gulf on the Eastern Riviera, a unique place where the colourful houses give directly onto the old harbour, which is still the centre of the village life. If you really want to meet the local fishermen, then don’t miss it.
Time seems to have stopped in Camogli: even if ferries and yachts are moored in the old harbour, it is still crowded with fishing boats
The harbour is shielded by a pier and dominated by the castle and the old parish church at the top of steep stairs; the church has been rebuilt several times over the centuries, but its Baroque features are quite visible.
After some free time to take pictures and enjoy the nice shops and cafes facing the sea promenade and the port, you will re-board the boat to get back to the ship.
Olive Oil Tasting at the Splendido Hotel
A Stroll in Portofino
City Tour of Genoa
