Excursion to the Ligurian coast and Portofino

Friday, July 14, 2023
Tuscany, Tuscany, Italy
Itinerary - Join the first of your holiday's included excursion and head to the beautiful Ligurian coast. Here, some of Italy’s most famous resorts are dotted along the shoreline, backed by wooded hills. A mecca for visitors from around the world, elegant Santa Margherita Ligure overlooks a stunning bay, and lies at the eastern end of the Portofino headland. Spend some time exploring the resort, then board a boat for a trip along the coast to discover its ultra-chic neighbour, the world-renowned, jet-set watering-hole of Portofino. Despite the crowds, this glamorous pastel-painted village remains one of the Mediterranean’s most idyllic settings.
Good morning, it was an early start today as we had to have breakfast at seven and be ready and waiting outside for collection at half past. I think in our speedy breakfast we have all decided as a group that a tour of room 50 is an optional excursion on Sunday, they are all interested in the room with the felt tip pen number. After a speedy breakfast we all boarded the coach and made our way towards Santa Marguerite Ligure. The jury is out on the other traveler's from different hotels Daniela gave us some information along the route. However, I really don’t care about cypress trees and boy can she talk. In saying that though, she did explain about the Via Francigena - the Italian pilgrim route to Rome - it sounds fantastic, but unfortunately I don’t have 90 days to spend doing it at the moment. I’m sure you don’t need to have god in your life to complete these pilgrimages, but it might help. Daniela explained about the Apennine mountains range being the spine of the country and it carries on through the sea to Sicily and is part of Mount Etna. About 90 minutes into the journey, we took a quick comfort break and were told it would be only a ‘quick comfort break’, so that meant wee’s only.
 As we drove through the lush, green countryside we passed Torre del Lago which is where Puccini wrote most of La bohème. We drove past the Carrera marble mines and saw the yards where they stored the marble. This is the marble of choice for many of Michaelangelos sculpture. This trip is making me sound quite intelligent but it will go downhill when I am left to my own devises. As I watched out of the window it was lovely to see what I call stereotypical Italian men tending to their gardens in navy shorts and varying shades of white vests. Many of the villages are built up in the mountains as a means of defence. As we reached the coast you could see houses get more colourful and they say the reason sir that is so that the sailors could be guided by the colours.
Santa Margherita Ligure is a commune in the Metropolitan City of Genoa in the Italian region Liguria, located about 35 kilometres southeast of Genoa, in the area traditionally known as Tigullio. It has a port, used for both tourism and fishing activities. I made my way to the church at the top of the town and boy was it hard work climbing up the steps in 39 degrees. At the top I sat for a while in the church for a few reason 1, it was beautiful 2, it was respite from the sun and 3, I was knackered. Next I walked into the park attached to the music school and it was so tranquil (minus the tree critters) listening to the students playing the piano and watch the turtles in the pool. After I had composed myself and got my strength bag up I walked along an alley and asked the workmen if the path would lead to the square, si si was my response and sure enough it did - what nice people. Once I made it to the square I went in the main church but felt a bit awkward as there was a service going on so I quickly made my exit and decided that it was time for some refreshment. A mimosa was my drink of choice and it came with crisps and olives - oh how classy. At half 12 we got the ferry to portofino and even then you got no respite from the heat, there was no breeze just more melting people.
Portofino is a fishing village on the Italian Riviera coastline, southeast of Genoa city. Pastel-colored houses, high-end boutiques and seafood restaurants fringe its Piazzetta, a small cobbled square overlooking the harbor, which is lined with super-yachts. A path leads from the Piazzetta to Castello Brown, a 16th-century fortress and museum with art exhibitions and panoramic views of the town and the Ligurian Sea. Omg - you would expect Portofini to be so glamorous,unfortunately, it is so humid that the sweat is running off of me. Fortunately I am not stinking unless my fellow travellers are too polite. I walked to the church, castle and lighthouse and wasn’t impressed with any of them. It was far too much effort for little gain. I went inside the 2nd church hoping for some respite from the heat but that didn’t work I was just dripping more. I know, what cools you down …., you’ve got it, I went for a beer (and a cheese and ham toastie Italian style) Whilst waiting for the ferry back the entertainment was a husband and wife arguing, they were super rough and she was f’ing and blinding in front of everyone then her husband was just saying inappropriate things. For those of you who think I have no filter think again , I am an angel compared to these 2. The coach back to the hotel seemed to take ages and I was so pleased when we finally turned into our street, even the thought of getting back in my hot sweaty room was great. After a beer and a coffee I got ready for the evening ahead. As usual, dinner was pretty poor but I am on a winner as Martin and Elaine came to look at my room and Martin sorted out my air on so that is a bonus. We went out to an ale house and I ended up drinking a beer that was 7%, I only had 1 all night. We said our good nights and it was a pleasure to get to bed in my air conditioned room. This hot weather makes me feel bushed but hey, onwards and upwards.

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2025-02-12

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