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 Maupassant It was Pliny who first described this stunning natural area and named it ‘Portus Delphini’. This over time was corrupted to Portofino. Portofino is a typical fisherman village of the Ligurian Riviera which has become one of the most renowned tourist spots in all of Italy, best known in all the world for its tall colored houses situated in a semicircular formation around the small port and piazza. This is a guide to a visit to Portofino and the nearby Riviera del Levante, from Sestri Levante to Genoa, including Santa Margherita Ligure, Camogli, San Fruttuoso and the villages of the Cinque Terre. There are extensive descriptions and photos of the attractions. It contains many reviews for the best recommended restaurants.