Portofino and the Riviera

"A little village stretching like an arch of the moon around a quiet basin.

Never have I felt the way I did when I walked into that green indefiniteness, with such a sense of peace and fulfillment". From Vie Errante by Guy de MaupassantPortofino is a typical fisherman village of the Ligurian Riviera, which has become one of Italy's most famous tourist spots.

However, it is best known worldwide for its tall colored houses situated in a semicircular formation around the small port and piazza. Portofino and the Tigullio Gulf are symbols representing Italy throughout the world.

The coast is a sequence of fashionable resorts with their marinas, pastel-colored houses, first-rate sports facilities, and the Dolce Vita's seductive atmosphere. But perhaps the most striking thing for the traveler is the beauty of the seascapes, with some of Italy's most famous views suspended between the intense blue of the sea and the green mountains. Portofino's area boasts an exceptional natural heritage that includes traces of rural and nautical civilizations, beautiful religious architecture, and clusters of rural houses surrounded by tiny orchards and sections of land planted with grapevines and olive trees. This is a guide to a visit to Portofino and the towns of nearby Riviera del Levante, from Sestri Levante to Genoa, including Sestri Levante, Santa Margherita Ligure, Camogli, San Fruttuoso and the villages of the Cinque Terre, with the trails between them. There are extensive descriptions and photos of the attractions. It contains many reviews for the best-recommended restaurants that are at the location described.