Travel to Italy - The Italian Riviera

If you ever get to the Italian Riviera, don't miss the small port town of Portofino. If traveling northwest on the coast road from Rapallo through Santa Margherita, this quaint port town exists where the road dead-ends. Known as a playground for the wealthy, during the summer months Portofino harbor is filled with yachts that sail in from around the world. However, during the winter months this is a very peaceful and laid-back community. Pictured above is the Portofino harbor in January. There are hardly any boats in the harbor and it is a very quiet and beautiful place.

Directly across the bay from Portofino is the old Brown Castle that sits high on top of an adjacent mountain. Many famous Hollywood and European film stars of the 40's and 50's rented this castle for their own private summer vacations. It is now open as a tourist attraction. The photo above was taken from the back yard of Brown castle (high above the bay). From one of the bedrooms in the castle, you can get a great view of Portofino below (see photo).

The whole Italian Riviera is noted for its great restaurants, fine wines, fancy hotels & villas, exotic sports cars and great weather. There are ferry boats that run up and down the coast several times daily and they stop at Portofino, Santa Margherita, Rapallo and other points along the way. It's actually much better than driving, as parking is very limited in certain points along the coast (especially in Portofino, as the coast road dead-ends there). The Italian people are very friendly and they really know how to enjoy life! In the photo below, you can look across the bay and see Brown Castle from the Portofino waterfront.

(All photographs by Rising Stardom's Blue Johnson)

-Posted by bangkokblue