Road Trip Day 1 to Portofino and its neighbouring villages

by Chantal & David · July 26, 2024

On the 5th July we jumped in our little hire car and took the quickest route to beyond Genoa, picking up the coast road to drop down to visit the cute seaside town of Camogli. A typical, romantic seaside village characterised by highly-stacked and vivaciously-painted houses. Camogli is part of a magnificent natural setting that has enchanted tourists the world over, for centuries. It didn’t disappoint!

Camogli

Having visited the tiny harbour, far too small for Seaclusion, we went in hunt for a fridge magnet, as always, (we might possibly need an extra fridge to accommodate them all soon!) and found a little artisan shop that sold some that were a bit different. The shop keeper however was so rude and obnoxious, that when he gave me €22 euros change from a €20 note, there was only the briefest hesitation before I pocketed it and walked out of the shop, not normally something I would do, but what goes around comes around! So a free coffee with croissant stop next before wandering along the seafront!

We then went on our merry way towards Rapello, stopping to take in the views from the top of the hill.

Parking was a bit of a nightmare so we finally parked in a little supermarket car park, taking a ticket, knowing we would need to go to buy something before leaving so we could get it stamped. we then went wandering.

Rapello

This is part of the Italian Riviera but much more of a working town than a tourist spot, the only thing to note really was the Castello di Rapallo, a 16th-century fortress, that sits on the waterfront surrounded by sun worshippers!

We did have a giggle at these crocs though, completely blinged up, something that would have fitted in better in the shops in Portofino than here.

We returned to the supermarket, picked up a bottle of water to join a very long queue, just to get our ticket stamped, no kind person let us jump in so we stood patiently waiting for our turn, only to find that a stamp wasn’t needed, the barrier was up!!!

We then drove towards Portfino, only to join another long queue, but at least we had aircon! When we finally got to the beginning we were approached by a Policewoman saying that Portofino was full and tried to turn us around. David’s quick thinking then said but our Mother was there and was expecting us, it actually worked so we got through. Luck was still on our side when we arrived, as we seemed to grab the last available parking space in the whole of the town!

Portofino

Well everyone and their dog knows about Portofino… a fishing village, with pastel-coloured houses, high-end boutiques with seafood restaurants fringing its Piazzetta, a small cobbled square overlooking the harbour, which is lined with super-yachts. Well, only they could afford to moor there… even for us on a buoy the cost was €250 for a night, hence leaving Seaclusion in Savona and driving! The pics of course can do the talking…

The Manic Harbour

We then took a path that led from the Piazzetta to Castello Brown, a 16th-century fortress and museum with art exhibitions and panoramic views of the town out to the Ligurian Sea.

Followed by lunch!

A few hours later, we returned to the car to drive to Santa Margherita for another looksee, (after a long drive around in search of a parking spot). Stopped for the obligatory Fondente ice cream. It was another lovely seaside town with plenty of good bars, cafes and restaurants, beach huts that could be on Brighton beach with a nice old town and a relaxed feel.