A Real Italian Jewel

I have been lucky enough to travel widely over the years but there are still plenty of places that I haven`t been, but would love to visit. One of  those places is the Italian town of Portofino. I almost visited once on Regent Seven Seas Voyager but unfortunately the weather prevented us docking and we went to Genoa instead !

Portofino sits on the Italian Riviera coastline southeast of Genoa. It is actually as fishing village but has, in recent years, become a favourite of the rich and famous. The town reminds me of Positano, on the Amalfi coast, with its colourful houses cascading down the hillside towards the sea. Its harbour hosts many grand yachts in the warm summer months, making it a very busy place so the best time to go.  September onwards is probably good when things start to quieten down and the locals come out to stroll in their beautiful town. Its is small, but perfectly formed, and it is said that even the tress are handsome on Portofino!

Of course its popularity, and air of exclusiveness, means that it is not the cheapest place to visit, making a cruise one of the best ways to get there. Head up to the pretty Piazzetta,  by the harbour, which  is lined with cafes and restaurants,  a lovely place to relax with a drink and watch the boats go in and out. The small streets leading up from the harbour are full of shops, both designer and souvenir, and well worth the climb to take in the views from the top.

So, as a cruise seems to be the best way to visit this beautiful Italian treasure, who goes there ?

Mainly  small, luxury lines as the harbour is not big. Oceania Riviera, Silver Seas Silver Muse, Celebrity Constellation and Voyages to Antiquity`s ship Aegean Odyssey. The best option though must be the wonderful Royal Clipper who visits in September. What better way to sail into Portofino than on a real sailing ship !