Portofino is another stunning port along the Amalfi Coast of Italy. It marked Day 5 of the Pearmund Cellars wine cruise.
As you sail into port, you will be struck by the picturesque harbor that anchors this small town. The quaint setting, with boats of all sizes, serves as a backdrop as you sail close to shore. Tendering into shore is essential here; there is no port to handle any size cruise ship, not even the mid-sized 30,000 ton Oceania Nautica.
Outdoor cafes and restaurants line the horse-shoe harbor. Dining here is definitely for the view and the experience, but be prepared. The cost for a modest lunch can be substantial. We chose instead a small bakery on one of the few side streets for a reasonably-priced slice of focaccia bread followed by gelato at an ice-cream stand.
Portofino requires mobility. There are numerous paths and walkways, steep at times, that take you to vantage points where the views are amazing. There also are numerous small public beaches you can visit along the way. Here again, the beaches tend to be rocky, not the sandy beaches to which many Americans may be accustomed.
A few of the sites to see during your visit to Portofino include the lighthouse, reachable by walking a trail, portions of which are steep. Located about a 15 minute walk from the harbor, the lighthouse, and the route to it, offer excellent opportunities for photographs and simply taking in Portofino's beauty.
Trails from the opposite end of the harbor lead to the lavish Hotel Splendido. One of Europe's premier resorts, the hotel offers incomparable views, with its least expensive rooms starting at about 552 Euro per night (about $811 per night). If you want a taste of the experience, consider lunching at the hotel, or simply walking through its grand lobby.
Perhaps the best thing to do in Portofino, however, is to simply grab a seat, relax, and soak in the impressive scenery. After all, chances are Portofino's landscape and shear beauty are unlike any place you will have visited, and you should make the most of its tranquility and beauty.
