Lets face it: Italy is not an undiscovered destination. Its perennially popular with American tourists and even the so-called “undiscovered” regions such as the Cinque Terre coast can sometimes suffer from tourist congestion. Sometimes in Europe its well worth turning away from the crowds and finding the road less traveled.
Portofino, Italy
So how do you avoid the crowds but still do a bit of hiking along picturesque winding paths from one stunning medieval village to the next? Well head a little north up the coast to beautiful Portofino and the surrounding villages of Camogli, San Fruttuoso, and charming towns of Santa Margherita and Rapallo.
Parco Naturale di Portofino boasts 700 species of flora, 100 species of birds and forests full of heather, myrtle and hornbeam. While on the more popular sections of the Cinque Terre walkway you may meet hundreds of fellow walkers, in the stunning forests of Parco Naturale di Portofino you might be lucky to see a tenth of that number. In the centre of this natural beauty is a man-made gem: the town of Portofino.
Portofino itself looks like it came straight out of a movie set – except its for real. The exquisite square is surrounded by six-story buildings in pleasing terracotta colours. The tiny harbor contrasts nicely with the clear turquoise sea. The backdrop is provided by green hills studded by luxury villas. The only thing that Portofino lacks is a beach, but a few minutes by car or a 30-minute walk, is the Baia di Paraggi (Bay of Paraggi). Here, in a quiet cove is a beautiful sandy beach.
Hotel Splendido, Portofino
When in Portofino you would crazy not to stay at the best rooms in town: the aptly named Hotel Splendido. This historic four-story hotel started life in the sixteenth century as a monastery. Subsequently it was a summer house and then in 1901 was turned into the area’s original hotel by the well-connected Mr. Ruggero Valentini, whose first guests to sign the new guest book were the Duke of Windsor and Wallis Simpson.
Presidential Suite, Hotel Splendido, Portofino
Facilities include a heated salt-water swimming pool and a “wellness centre” which offers yoga and pilates. The flagship hotel, La Terrazza Restaurant where fine Italian food combines with magnificent views across the bay. Of the 26 rooms in this boutique hotel, the most impressive is the Presidential suite which features 2 bedrooms with separate living and the balcony with the best view in the hotel.
Photo credit: seaoats
