Portofino

The little fishing village of Portofino is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. One visit is enough to see why: the brightly colored houses, built one right up against the next on the shore of a crystal-clear sea, together with the natural landscape around them, make Portofino an incredibly charming destination.

The town lies on the Ligurian Riviera, in a sheltered spot well suited to human settlement, which began many centuries ago, most likely in the days of the Roman Empire. The name, in fact, comes from the Latin words portus and delphini, as Roman sources attest, referring to the many dolphins that lived in the local waters.

The little harbor is the oldest core of the village: Cala Marconi and Molo Umberto I are its two quays, both fully equipped. Famous vessels have moored in the bay in the past, such as Guy de Maupassant's Bel-Ami.

The writer praised the beauty of the place in these words: “perhaps never have I felt an impression to equal the one I felt on entering that green cove, an equal sense of rest, of contentment, of a pause in the pointless turmoil in which life struggles.”

Indeed, many famous people have formed a bond with Portofino since the 1950s and '60s: not only actors, actresses and members of the nobility, names such as Clark Gable and Humphrey Bogart, were captivated by its beauty, but this infatuation, which spread to many other well-known faces, still wins over plenty of today's stars.

For all its glamour, the village is also perfect for a relaxing vacation close to nature: you can linger by the sea, especially in summer, or take a walk through the greenery, following the trails among the aromatic plants of the promontory. A nature walk is especially lovely in the warm season, when the Mediterranean plants give off heady, intense scents.

On that note, there's the Portofino Park, an area that takes in the promontory of the same name and the three towns of Camogli, Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure. The variety of plant life in the park, thanks to the area's climate and terrain, is truly surprising, as is its wildlife, rich in species of birds and invertebrates.

Many streams also run across Monte di Portofino; in the past they powered numerous mills, now abandoned and out of use, apart from a few converted into bed & breakfasts.

Portofino is an ideal destination for luxury shopping lovers: boutiques and exclusive brands offer one-of-a-kind products and garments with an unmistakable style. Plenty of internationally famous Italian labels, jewelry, handmade shoes and shop windows of every kind cater to the most refined tastes.

Among the most important events, a much-loved occasion is the bonfire of Saint George, a pagan festival held on April 23, a week ahead of the religious celebration of the town's patron saint. A big fire is lit for the bonfire and fish is roasted over it, while music, lights and the crowd make for a lively, enjoyable evening.