Portofino

Portofino, one of the most romantic places in Italy hands down, is a commune in Genoa's Metropolitan City on the Italian Riviera. The village is built around a tiny harbor and is notable for the brightly colored buildings that border the shore. Portofino has drawn European aristocracy tourists since the late nineteenth century, and it is now a resort for the world's jet set.

In the late 19th century, British, then other Northern European aristocratic tourists began to visit Portofino, which they accessed by horse and cart from Santa Margherita Ligure. Aubrey Herbert and Elizabeth von Arnim were two of the more well-known English persons who helped to popularize the area. More expatriates eventually acquired luxurious vacation homes, and by 1950, tourism had surpassed fishing as the town's primary industry, and the waterfront was a continuous ring of restaurants and cafés.

Portofino, one of the most popular resort towns on the Italian Riviera, has little over 500 permanent residents. But all of that changes on summer days when the sun shines and the yachting set anchors in the harbor to explore. The narrow lanes include boutiques, art galleries, cafes, and restaurants. Divers, hikers, and beachgoers are popular local activities, and there are several historic sites to visit, such as the Church of St. Martin (Divo Martino) and the Castello Brown hilltop stronghold.

Location: Liguria, Italy