L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023 www.italoamericano.org 22 L'Italo-Americano T o d a y , a s t h e w a r m s u m m e r s u n b a t h e s t h e I t a l i a n R i v i e r a i n a golden glow, my childhood m e m o r i e s b e g i n t o t a k e s h a p e . M y p a r e n t s a n d I w o u l d o f t e n v i s i t a d e a r f r i e n d w h o h a d a h o m e in Rapallo, a pretty town on the Riviera di Levante. Those were the days of care- free laughter, endless explo- ration, and giant slices of R e c c o - s t y l e f o c a c c i a , e n j o y e d w a r m o u t o f t h e bakery while walking the promenade with my moth- er. I n t h e e v e n i n g s , w e would often find ourselves in Portofino, a place that, at the time, was just another beautiful backdrop to our summer escapades. While my memories of the village itself are somewhat hazy - Rapallo, with its vivid child- hood days by the sea, has a more prominent place in my mind - there is one particu- lar evening in Portofino that stands out. We were sitting in a restaurant, the air filled with the tantalizing aroma of Ligurian cuisine, the soft murmur of conversation, and the occasional clink of cutlery. Suddenly, there was a r i p p l e o f e x c i t e m e n t : a famous Italian TV presenter had walked in. I, a child at the time, was not particular- ly moved by the event, but m y m o t h e r , s h e w a s absolutely thrilled! Now, as I delve deeper into the allure of Portofino, these memories serve as a p e r s o n a l c o n n e c t i o n , a thread linking my past to t h e p r e s e n t , m a k i n g t h i s journey all the more mean- ingful. So, isn't it time we discovered the appeal of the charming "Pearl of Tigul- lio," and understand why it evolved from a simple fish- ing hamlet into a symbol of l u x u r y , a b e a c o n f o r t h e world's élite? Portofino, a name that whispers of its Latin ori- g i n s P o r t u s D e l p h i n i , o r " P o r t o f t h e D o l p h i n , " stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of nature and culture. Its nat- ural beauty is undeniable, with a picturesque harbor that cradles colorful houses against a backdrop of lush greenery. And perhaps it is really the town's rich mix of history and cultural her- itage, intertwined with its modern allure, that sets it apart from the rest. Once upon a time in his- tory, Portofino was a part of the Republic of Genoa, a powerful maritime republic that held a monopoly over trade with the Middle East - a l o n g w i t h V e n i c e , o f c o u r s e . T h i s e l e v a t e d Portofino to a critical har- bor, a status that has been beautifully preserved and can still be felt today some- h o w . B u t h o w d i d t h i s quaint town become a VIP destination, a symbol of the "Dolce Vita"? The answer takes us back to the 1960s, a time of rapid global change and the birth of the "jet set" - a n i n t e r n a t i o n a l s o c i a l group of wealthy individu- als, who traveled the world to partake in social activities beyond the reach of ordi- nary people. They found in Portofino a perfect blend of tranquility, scenic beauty, a n d e x c l u s i v i t y . F a m o u s faces from this era - Liz Taylor was an habituée - were drawn to Portofino's luxury life, its mesmerizing twilights, and exclusive par- ties. Still today, Portofino offers a unique combination of natural beauty, cultural richness, luxury amenities, and a sense of exclusivity and privacy, which makes it an ideal getaway for those seeking a break from the hustle and bustle of city life, VIP or not. As you step into the vil- l a g e , f r o m i t s f a m o u s piazzetta ("little square") you can admire the Oratorio di Santa Maria Assunta , S a i n t M a r t i n ' s C h u r c h a n d S a i n t G e o r g e ' s C h u r c h , p e r c h e d o n t h e p r o m o n t o r y o f t h e s a m e name, and reachable by a s c e n i c f o o t p a t h . A n d f o r those hungry for culture, at the foot of Brown Castle, an ancient military fort of the sixteenth century, on the U m b e r t o P i e r , t h e r e i s the Park Museum. Found- ed in 1987, it presents over 100 works of contemporary a r t b y i n t e r n a t i o n a l l y r e n o w n e d a r t i s t s , s p r e a d over three natural terraces that make up the garden. Here, art and nature merge together, creating an excit- ing outdoor path. Last but not least, we shouldn't for- g e t t h e l i g h t h o u s e o f Punta di Capo, one of the most panoramic points in the area. FRANCESCA BEZZONE Walking along the trails of Mount Portofino, you can reach the serene San Frut- t u o s o A b b e y , t o w a r d s Camogli, also accessible by s e a . T h i s p e a c e f u l h a v e n houses the famous Christ of the Abysses, a bronze s t a t u e p l a c e d 1 7 m e t e r s deep, a wonderful attraction for diving lovers. For them, there is also the backdrop of Cala degli Inglesi, a hid- den gem beneath the waves. When it comes to your quin- tessential "summer" holi- d a y , P o r t o f i n o m a y n o t b o a s t g r a n d b e a c h e s b u t d o e s o f f e r t h e s e c l u d e d stretch of sand of Paraggi, whose homonymous bay is also known as "Portofino b e a c h . " F r o m P o r t o f i n o , t h e r e i s a l s o a p a t h c a l l e d S e n t i e r o d e i Baci, or the "walk of kiss- es," a 1.5 km walk that joins Paraggi to Portofino itself. A n d i f w e h a v e e s t a b - lished that celebrities love Portofino, those appreciat- ing the beauty of nature will find it equally interesting: the Portofino Regional N a t u r a l P a r k , w i t h i t s 1500 hectares of land, 80 km of marked trails, and m o r e t h a n 7 0 0 d i f f e r e n t species of plants, is a testa- ment to the town's commit- ment to preserving its nat- ural heritage. The park is home to a multitude of ecosystems, hosting rare b u t t e r f l i e s , a m p h i b i a n s , w i l d b o a r s , a n d a v i f a u n a species. A visit offers the c h a n c e t o e x p e r i e n c e t h e e x t r a o r d i n a r y d i a l o g u e b e t w e e n t h e s e a a n d t h e mountain, a spectacle that is as breathtaking as it is hum- bling. After all this walking and s i g h t s e e i n g , d e l v i n g i n t o some of the local gastro - n o m i c d e l i g h t s i s p a r a - mount. Ligurian cuisine, known for its simple yet fla- vorful dishes, is a culinary experience not to be missed h e r e . F r o m t r a d i t i o n a l focaccia to pesto alla Gen- ovese, all the way to fresh fish, the food in Portofino is a feast for the senses. As you can see, Portofino is much more than a charm- ing corner of Liguria, it is a place where nature and cul- ture, history and modernity, luxury and simplicity coexist in harmony. A place where we can dream of "La Dolce Vita," just like in Capri or some iconic corners of Via V e n e t o , b u t a l s o e n j o y a great deal of tranquillity. The timeless charms of Portofino, the Pearl of Tigullio Beautiful Portofino and its "piazzetta" (Photo: Xantana/Dreamstime) ALL AROUND ITALY TRAVEL TIPS DESTINATIONS ACTIVITIES

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