A yonder fed on the works of Mario Miranda came flashing back, when faced with the Trompe l’oeil painting in Portofino.

Ok… agreed. They are arguably in different leagues, but a ‘mario’ is as synonymous to Goa, as a tromp Loniel is to parts of Portofino.
In my little eclectic cosmos, ‘reality’ is a matter of perception, so a Trompe l’oeil certainly gave wings to my imagination.

Echoing the thoughts of Nirvana you can ‘come as you are’ to Portofino. And that is exactly how I like my holidays, sunshine on the rocks. That would explain my sudden absence to the summer wonderland.

In Portofino, everyday is drenched in art, and drizzled with unexpected beauty (well, not literally as one would expect in good ’ol London).

Like I said, before Portofino, Trompe l’oeil paintings was just a form of art I had seen very beautifully adorning spaces of varied forms and frills, be it seraphic ceilings, or floors, or facades. I have been rather intrigued with the depth created by thoughtful stripes and strokes.

My perfectionist streak in the form of a protruding nerve sniffs it’s way to the local library… this is my attempt to avoid any ‘art attacks’ amongst people who seem to have a shot of art with their lunch breakfast and dinner!!!.
As I discover, Trompe l’oeil, is an art form, where the artist painstakingly creates realistic imagery in a form to create an optical illusion, and the depicted objects appear in three dimensions.

At least I was not entirely wrong calling it ‘3-D illusionism’!!

Written for Portofino.com by Nicola

Missing the ‘Portofino walk’ whilst there, is nearly as blasphemous as visiting London, and giving the London Eye or Buckingham Palace a miss!

You could breeze through the trail of the Portofino walk, or enjoy and soak in the beauty of this Italian retreat at leisure. The quay leads you to splendour that will leave you gawking spell bound.

Winding labyrinths of Portofinian cottages interspersed with shops disappearing into the church of San Giorgio, which was originally built in 1154 and where I am told still rests the relics of St George brought by sailors, who had participated in the Crusades.

A reflection of thousands of autumns gone by, this perched point in Portofino implores you to look down over the harbour, and engraves the panorama in your memory to enjoy over the next couple of autumns. You can capture a thousand frames here, and can be rest assured that no two frames will look the same in this Italian Riviera.

At the risk of sounding trite, I have to admit the next stop on the ‘Portofino walk’ was truly breathtaking. The pulchritude of what was once an Italian fortress, Castello Brown, can be enjoyed for a nominal fee, which I can assure you, is worth every dime.

The fortress, guarding years of history and architectural excellence, was purchased in 1867 by Montague Yeats Brown, a British Consul, who breathed new life into this sanctuary at Portofino. Folklore has it that the two striking pines that have become an inseparable part of the Portofino skyline were planted by the Consul, representing him and his bride, and to celebrate their marriage.

An appropriate climax to the Portofino walk is the lighthouse. The altitude is bound to give you an adrenaline rush for more than one reason! The magic of Portofino

Written for Portofino.com by Nicola

In Portofino, it might be a good idea to make the dictionary your new best friend, lest you land up with a prospective pet dished out to satiate your taste buds, or perhaps something more catastrophic (never over estimate your luck).

Portofino, is as exotic as it sounds, with extremely helpful locals (well, hope your luck is as good as mine). Though it is not necessary to be a linguist when travelling, it might help to learn a couple of important phrases before you travel.

Make sure you lock your hesitation in a vault back home when you travel to Portofino, for it will get you nowhere!! (Literally)

Portofino is seasoned to all the attention it draws especially from tourists, the locals understand the verbal disconnect. So if you are lost do not hesitate to make gestures or even draw pictures to communicate!

Here are a few basics, that might help you around,

No – No (it IS universal, I guess!)
Si (pronounced see) – Yes
Ciao (chow)- Hello
Parla inglese? (Par ~ la een ~ glay ~ ze) – Do you speak English?
Dov’è…? (doe ~ way) – Where is…
Porto: Harbour
Ristorante: Restaurant
Pollo: Chicken
Pesce: Fish
Maiale: Pig (pork)
Ospedale: Hospital
Aeroporto: Airport
Museo: Museum
Bus: Bus
Quanto costa? (quan ~ toe cos ~ ta) – How much is it?
Come ottengo: How do I get to …?
Vorrei ottenere: I would like to get a/an …

Portofino, characteristic of Italy is full of lively, happy, and zestful locals, they love to enjoy life. You will see this as soon as you set foot in a celebration called Portofino!

Written for Portofino.com by Nicola

I must confess (as much as this may horrify some), olives- pickled, pruned or in any other form (considered desirable to many) have never seduced my taste buds, of course up until now. And I do have a holiday in Portofino to thank for this long lasting camaraderie between me and my newly beloved olives.

Now this may seem like a rather frivolous discussion, but imagine your most unpleasant relative moving in with you. This is exactly how I felt whilst in Portofino, Italy, everywhere I went, and everything I did thrusted an olive in my face! I almost felt marooned on a surreal island called Portofino with only giant olives for company! Again, this may sound rather dramatic, but that was the vengeance with which I hated olives, I would rather be in a pickle than eat ’em pickled.

But in Portofino, my first ice breaker with this fruit, was the most heavenly stuffed olives with cheese and herbs, I think anyone would have tasted (I can assure you that, since it managed to instantly replace hate with love). Now that I had warmed up to the idea of co-existing with the fruit, I decided to know it better, and must admit was rather fascinated with what I found out.

Apart from the almost celestial cheese, in Portofino you will also find olives stuffed with various varieties of meat pastes such as chicken breast, pork, etc. and then fried to perfection. Pods of garlic embraced by green olives are a very common sight.

In Portofino, I decided to plunge into the background of my new found friend, and discovered that to maintain its supremacy over the mediocre quality, the best one’s are hand-picked, so that they are hardly bruised, and plucked only when they are completely ready.

I think my next trip will be to an olive orchard in Portofino, to take this relation to its next level!

Written for Portofino.com by Nicola

A land so imaginatively carved by the Creator, Portofino is undoubtedly a perfect abode for those creatively inspired. And as for the fashionistas, there are several shops that bejewel every alley and lane, which retains its traditional essence. From specialized hand made products, to artifact, to cashmere, to beachwear, and sandals, this little port village has it all.

Apart from the well manicured orchards, vineyards and picturesque greenery, this Italian destination is a very popular getaway for the crème de la crème. The destination was in the news last year for being chosen as an ideal destination to exchange vows between Coleen McLoughlin and Wayne Rooney, and before that Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster.

It is not surprising that couples choose Portofino, for the most memorable day of their life. The serenity of the village is infectious. The relaxing ambiance, the happy Mediterranean weather, the hills towering around Portofino covered with cypress and olive trees, all this and more are the perfect mix to make that one day memorable.

This fish village of Portofino is almost surreal and seraphic, set in a cosseted inlet and surrounded by the stunning Italian countryside. The panoramic vision of the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains of Corsica, is the sight from the pinnacle of Monte Portofino, which stands tall over the village.

The overwhelming beauty of Portofino makes for a rather fairytale wedding.

Written for Portofino.com by Nicola

Eating out is almost inevitable when holidaying in Portofino. You would not want to trade soaking up the vibrancy exuded for a quiet home- cooked meal while in Portofino. In fact, if you are visiting the port during spring, be sure to reserve in advance lest you are left picnicking with your goody basket by the bay (which may not be such a bad idea after all, not in Portofino). Locals swear that for the finest views over the harbour, ensure you reserve a table at the Hotel Splendido’s La Terrazza restaurant located on the hillside, outside the centre of the village.

Well, what can you expect whilst on a gastronomical tour of Portofino? Portofino gastronomy is predominantly traditional Mediterranean cooking, which translates into a number of simple ingredients that may lack character in isolation, but the amalgamation can be rather dynamic.
Italian pizzas and pastas have created a mark for itself in the world of culinary. Undoubtedly, olive oil creates the base for most of Italian cooking. One of the most popular sauces being pesto, a sauce made of basil, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil and Parmesan cheese.

It might be a good idea to familiarise yourself with the Italian cuisine, to avoid any surprises that may be ‘dished out’. Be sure to feast on the varieties of stuffed olives ranging from exotic meats to herbs to cheese.
You will encounter a lot of mushrooms, pine nuts, walnuts and lots of herbs during your stay in Portofino or Italy at large.

If a gastronomical adventure is what you crave, Portofino will not let you down.

Written for Portofino.com by Nicola

Reverie in a Riviera… that is an experience that awaits you at Portofino, a fantastic Italian location, based in the Riviera Ligure. Wafts of sea breeze veering away every trace of fatigue, where you can lap up the beauty of this seraphic coastline.

Legend has it that Portofino was discovered by the Romans and christened Portus Delphini, or Port of the Dolphin due to the large number of dolphins that inhabited the Tigullian Gulf.

It is believed that a smart traveller always befriends locals first. So here’s what the town might look like to a local. This quaint little town of Portofino nestled along the Linguarian Sea boasts of a Piazzetta that will make tourists feel at home, with the reverberating hustle of cafe and restaurant tables. Meandering around the waterfront and the lanes, you can feast your eyes to the rows of yachting boutiques, jewellers, and art galleries.

If sitting back and watching the ebbs and flows of the sea waves balancing yachts is not your idea of relaxation, you can stroll into an orange horizon along the Linguarian Sea, as you face the harbour. A winding set of stairs leads you to the Church of St. George, a serene church with a calm, plain interior, dramatically perched on the narrow neck of the Portofino headland. With benches strewn all over, you can give your feet a break, and put your shutterbug to work, and capture some great photo opportunities of the harbour.

Laden with folklore, every nook and cranny of Portofino exudes unmatchable regalia.

Written for Portofino.com by Nicola

It is picturesque – What makes them so special is something most people who have not yet visited wonder. It is one of the smallest known regions in Italy. It has one of the steepest and hence dramatic coastlines in the regions. With mountains on one side and the sea on the other. The towns are small and steeped in character and history. The entire area benefits from its rich history by contributing to its architecture and culture. The buildings, churches, museums and gardens are a delight even if you do not understand much about architecture. The little houses that dot the area add to its charm. Besides being one of the most quaint areas on the Riviera, there are terraced hillsides that grow olives and other produce.

The weather is typically Mediterranean and remains one of the reasons why people flock to the region. It is mostly moderate temperature even in the hottest months. The summers are very pleasant and the winters are mild. The presence of the mountains ensures that the temperatures never rise above 90 degrees F.

Italian cuisine – with its beautiful weather, Mediterranean vegetation and cultivation, the area boasts of some of the best Italian fare. The food is bursting with flavours from the ingredients drawn from local produce and of course from the sea. There is an abundance of sea food, along with lots of pasta, pesto, cheese and fresh vegetables. The local wineries produce some very good local wines such as Pigato, Rossese di Dolceacqua, Vermentino and Bianchetta Genovese.

A few decades ago, the Italian Riviera developed a reputation for being the chosen spot of the rich and famous. It is now gaining a reputation of being equally accessible for all kinds of travelers. With so much going for it, it is a place that should be on the wishlist of travelers at every budget.

Written for Portofino.com by Arturo

Two of the main attractions in Portofino are its harbor and its spectacular views. There is the high profile yachting and other water sports and the churches and museums that give us a little peek into the history of this Italian resort town. To read more on this, go here.

To set a leisurely pace for you to see the town, I recommend walking about. You can walk just about anywhere in Portofino. It is just about 2.6 square kilometers area, so the town of Portofino isn’t too large. Most of the hotels and beaches are just a short walk away from the harbor. Walking around this small town and listening to the sea and taking in the amazing scenery, is an unforgettable experience. Should you need to relax and cool off, there are small wine bars less than a meter from the sea where you could sit and sip on something to refresh you and watch the residents of Portofino and Tourists walk on by.

If you aren’t up to walking, mopeds are catching up as a popular way of getting around town. These are also a wise choice if you plan on seeing neighboring towns like Paraggi or San Fruttuoso as well. Mopeds can be rented quite easily enough. Motorists must park at the village entrance where an obligatory parking fee must be paid.

There are also the ferries that run between the towns on the coast during the tourist season from April to October. Boat rentals are also available around the harbor area and if you have the fortune to hire a boat and have it at your disposal, this is a delightful way of getting around the whole Amalfi Coast of which Portofino forms a part of.

The beaches are one of the biggest draws in Portofino. Just lazing on the beach, watching the stunning views and the harbor can really induce anyone to spend all their time just doing this. During the summer months, the harbor becomes the hub of all the yachting. Amateurs and professionals come into Portofino to drop anchor for the season. The tourist harbor is equipped to handle up to 300 boats to accommodate all the people who come in to Portofino for its spectacular yachting. It has played host to some of the most prestigious crafts of the world what with its reputation as an exclusive destination attracting the most discerningly exclusive type of tourist. Sea sports like sailing and windsurfing too is a big draw here. The Portofino Diving Centre which is open the whole year through supports diving enthusiasts who explore the reef and the sights underwater. The wreck of the Mohawk Deer and Christ of the Abyss are popular diving attractions.

If you can tear yourself away from the buzz around the harbor, there are a few other must see sights in Portofino. One such is the Castello Brown which is a castle dating to the 16th century. It was once used to defend the area and is now primarily a museum. The Castello Brown has one of the most fantastic views of the harbor and the Mediterranean Sea. San Giorgio is another museum worth a look. This is an old church that offers a view of Portofino in the present which is a total contrast to the building itself. A tomb stone bears testimony that the relics of St. George are preserved here. The Church of St. Martin built in the 12th century. And the Gothic styled Oratory of Santa Maria Assunta are some of the other must see sights of Portofino.

Written for Portofino.com by Arturo