Travel from Portofino to visit three colorful beachfront villages backed by the coastal mountains of the lovely Italian Riviera. Begin in Camogli, one of the prettiest fishing villages in Italy, with façades in various shades of citrus rising from the beach as the 15th-century fortress of Castello della Dragonara stands guard. Continuing to Recco, you will not only enjoy another typical seaside village but also savor scrumptious Ligurian cuisine.
As you follow a well-marked path along the cliffs of the Ligurian coast, one minute finds you walking through chestnut and olive groves, and the next you are shrouded in a lush pine forest that parts momentarily to reveal the Italian Riviera sparkling in the sun. One amazing vista melts into the next, including a stop at Base 0, a World War II military lookout. Your hike then descends toward the sea to reveal idyllic views of San Fruttuoso, a restored abbey nestled in a gorgeous bay.
Your two-day tour of the magical Italian Riviera begins by checking into the five-star Grand Hotel Portovenere. After lunch, enjoy a guided tour of Portovenere on the Gulf of La Spezia. Brightly colored houses line the harbor, and medieval streets ascend to Doria Castle. An ancient gate leads to the main street filled with quaint shops. Atop the promontory is the Church of San Pietro, once the site of a temple of Venus for which the village is named.
Gliding along the pristine waters of Portofino’s Marine Protected Area in a kayak, you will discover a hidden and otherwise inaccessible natural paradise that is home to the most colorful marine life of the Ligurian coast. Guided by an expert, you will enjoy captivating views of the coastline, including beautiful beaches framed by venerable maritime pine trees; secluded coves, caves and inlets untouched by modern civilization; picturesque lighthouses and quaint villages.
Enjoy a full day exploring Genoa, one of the world's greatest cities – a Middle Ages maritime superpower and the launchpad for Italian migration to America. Begin by exploring two key residential districts, Castelletto in the hills above town and Boccadasse, an ancient fishing village with colorful houses. Then experience a guided walking tour of the narrow lanes and alleys of the historic city center, featuring treasures like San Lorenzo Cathedral and squares like San Matteo with the palaces of the powerful Doria family.
Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton were known to frequent the aptly named Belmond Hotel Splendido, known as the epitome of Italian glamour. Housed in a restored 16th-century monastery, the hotel is perched in the scenic hills overlooking the stunning coast of the Italian Riviera. In this remarkable setting, a licensed mixologist will create a modern twist on two traditional Campari cocktails as well as the famous Bellini. Each will be paired with a unique appetizer created to enhance the flavor of the cocktail.
Local food celebrity Guido Porrati’s family has been passionate about the food and wine of Liguria for hundreds of years, and he will pass that passion on to you during this gastronomic tour of the Ligurian coastal region. Nestled along the cliffs of the Italian Riviera, charming Rapallo is home to some of the region’s best cuisine and is an idyllic setting for your culinary adventure. You will visit a bustling market brimming with fresh ingredients and stop at an artisanal pasta factory to watch a local chef prepare pansotti, a traditional stuffed pasta.
By road, the Golfo di Marinella is just five kilometers from Porto Rotondo. Traveling by zodiac, you’ll appreciate the natural beauty of this sheltered bay whose curve of white sand is set against a backdrop of green hills. Your destination is the Hotel Abi D’oru, where you’ll enjoy several hours of relaxation on the resort’s beach. Stretch out on your reserved chair under the shade of an umbrella, overlooking the clear green-toned waters.
Play one of the most beautiful courses in Italy – and possible in the world – on Sardinia’s northeastern coast in the town of Porto Cervo. It’s a scenic drive along the coast to the Pevero Golf Club where Aga Khan commissioned American course architect Robert Trent Jones to design 18 holes in the early 1970s. The resulting course, covering some 6,100 meters, has been lauded as one of Jones’ most daring designs, set on the edge of the jagged, rugged Costa Smeralda. On clear days, the stunning sea views from the course can extend to Corsica.
It’s a scenic drive along the coast to the helipad near Porto Cervo, on the other side of the peninsula. There you’ll meet your helicopter pilot for the half-hour flight that will showcase the spectacular scenery in and around the Costa Smeralda, from mountainous inland areas to the protected islands of the Maddalena archipelago just off the coast and the turquoise coves and the deeper blues of the Straits of Bonifacio, which separates Sardinia from Corsica.
