Portofino and Cinque Terre

The Italian Riviera stretches languidly along its breathtakingly picturesque coastline on the Ligurian Sea, dotted with charming seaside towns, mediaeval villages and rugged cliffs that cascade down to azure waters. From Cinque Terre to Portofino, this is a landscape that has inspired artists, writers, and travellers for centuries, where citrus trees heavy with fruit offer shade to walking trails and ancient piazzas sing with the noise of lively chatter and clinking glasses.

Portofino is one of the gems of this coastline, and its colourful historic buildings sit along the harbour where yachts drop daytrippers to explore the town’s designer boutiques and fine dining. When not feasting on seafood delicacies, the hiking trails wind their way past historic sites such as the mediaeval Castello Brown and the 11th century Abbey of San Fruttuoso. Further down the coast, the five villages of Cinque Terre – Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare – sit in a National Park of coastal hikes, terraced vineyards, olive groves, and staggering sea views. Whether hiking the Sentiero Azzurro path that links all five villages, strolling through mediaeval alleyways lined with pastel-hued homes or relaxing on the sun-drenched beach of Monterosso al Mare, be prepared for breathtaking sights at every turn.