Portofino: Glamor Corner of Italian Riviera

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Looking at what is happening today in the world made me realize how much we should have appreciated the time when we could freely travel around the world…

During our last trip we had visited for one day Portofino. In winter season it was almost empty, so we could enjoy its beauty just for ourselves.

Portofino is a small town located in the province of Genoa. This is one of the most beautiful ports in the Mediterranean sea. It is part of the Italian Riviera. This city is very small, its population is only 439 people (for 2014). Saint George is considered the patron saint of this city.

The resort “glamor corner” Portofino is a real earthly paradise, located in one of the most expensive areas of the Italian coast.

The ancient Romans noted the heavenly beauty of these places, giving them the poetic name “Dolphin Bay”. Until the nineteenth century, Portofino was a sweet Italian fishing village. Fortunately, the coast had a good landscape – even in the strongest winds it was possible to moor here quite safely.

Completely different times began here from the end of the 19th century – at first the cape was adapted to fit its needs by the European aristocracy, and at the beginning of the 20th, it was already the stars of the flourishing American “Dream Factory”. Of course, the artisanal charm of a fishing artel was destroyed, but the era of that very Portofino, about which almost everyone knows now, has come.

Ernest Hemingway, Sigmund Freud, Guy de Maupassant – who in the whole glorious resort history could not be seen here? Today’s stars are not left behind – Madonna herself annually celebrates her birthday here, and all the cult Hollywood movie actors have their own villas here. Therefore, the favorite joke of the local population was the expression “every window in our city costs a million dollars.”

Portofino is a favorite city of not only tourists, but also all Italians. It was in this city that many moments of famous Italian films were shot. And it is here that famous politicians, cultural figures and show men come together annually. This is justified by the fact that Portofino, despite its small area, is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. It is here that the most beautiful growing plants are concentrated. The city also holds the blue flag for its clear sea water, in which flocks of dolphins, as well as various other fish, are still swimming.

But you should not think that Portofino is an exclusively refuge of “money bags” from all over the world. This, among other things, is a very interesting town in terms of its sights – exclusively ancient, and preserving the spirit of the past. A vivid example in this sense is the miniature central square of Portofino called Piazzetta. In the center of the resort town, the movement of all transport is completely prohibited. Olive groves and the gentle sea – this alone is enough for the human eye to enjoy.

Portofino is located on the territory of the National Park, which in turn is considered one of the most protected areas of the northern coast of the western Mediterranean region. This park has been under protection since 1935. It contains a huge number of various shrubs and flowers, a wide variety of invertebrates, birds and other animals, and important monuments of ancient architecture are concentrated here. If you are close to nature, then you definitely need to visit the local parks and alleys.

The cape under which Portofino is located is more than 600 meters high. Regardless of where you eat, you will not be indifferent to this wonderful view of the cliffs under which snow-white beaches can be seen.

Portofino is also famous for its magnificent climate, because it is very mild, sunny and warm, especially in spring and winter. Low rainfall all year round makes it pleasant to spend time here at any time. You can safely say that this is a real paradise.