(Portofino Bay, Liguria, Italia)

If you happen to find yourself in the rolling hills of the Italian Riviera, where the Alps plunge into the Mediterranean, make it a priority to get to the village of Portofino. It is a small town between Genoa and Cinque Terre, making it a convenient stop. For hundreds of years the small fishing village was cut off from visitors due to its location at the point of a long seashore outcrop. However, when a road was built along the winding coast between Portofino and neighboring Santa Margherita, the town soon became an exclusive destination.

(Baton Rouge mega-yacht outside of Portofino)

The quaint Portofino bay is filled with beautiful yachts and sailboats that are surrounded by rows of vibrantly colored houses. Higher up the hills, nestled into the lush vegetation, you can find the stunning villas of world-renowned designers Dolce & Gabbana and Giorgio Armani. As you may infer, staying in Portofino is an expensive venture. Luckily, your visit can be a simple day trip, which provides more than enough time to see everything the town has to offer.

I recommend taking the train into neighboring Santa Margherita. From Santa Margherita you can take a bus that will leave you in Portofino in roughly 15 minutes, for just a few euros. If you prefer a more active alternative, it is quite common to see people strolling along the side of the road. You’ll be able to take in the beautiful coast, which is also a national marine park offering great diving, firsthand while walking past jutting promontories.

(View along the hike to from Santa Margherita to Portofino)

The best option, in my opinion, is to walk from the train station through the town of Santa Margherita, from which you can follow a very manageable hiking trail along the crest of the hills. The trail itself is tucked away behind an IP gas station, so you’ll have to keep an eye out for it. The walk to Portofino is approximately two hours, allowing plenty of time to stop and take in the magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and coastlines. Additionally, you’ll get to walk by beautiful gardens and olive orchards while making your way through the plush forest.

(One of the many water-side cafés)

Once you get into the actual town of Portofino, you’ll likely be ready to sit down and have a drink. Luckily the bay is surrounded by shops and restaurants with outdoor seating that provides an incomparable backdrop. After taking a quick rest you can continue exploring the different shops and boutiques, but make sure you save your energy to walk up to the castle -- Castello Brown (cover photo; center) -- and the church, Chiesa San Giorgio. The two structures are perched on the hillside, offering spectacular views of Portofino bay and the surrounding national park. After a long day, you can hop on the bus and head back to Santa Margherita.