circular walk to Portofino

...this morning, we woke up to wall-to-wall sunshine after a very windy night. Following a typical Italian breakfast, we took the coast path from Santa Margherita to Pariggi and, from there, the delightful footpath to Portofino, which climbs high above the road and takes a peaceful route through the forest before dropping down into the famous village of Portofino.

There was the usual array of millionaires' yachts moored along the quay and the strange sight of Gucci, Pucci and Louis Vuitton taking up space among the overpriced restaurants and bars around the harbour's idyllic piazza.

Taking the steep steps up from the port, we climbed up to Castello Brown. The garden offers spectacular views over Portofino and the castle itself is interesting but empty apart from an exposition of black and white photographs of the rich and famous in Portofino. After the castle, we continued along to the very end of the promontory where we enjoyed a refreshing beer in the bar below the lighthouse.

Retracing our steps to the port by way of the church, we enjoyed a good value lunch a little way away from the seafront establishments.

Our return route was what made the day extra special. We climbed the steep and many steps up into the hills and, after levelling out, we made our way along a way-marked series of mule tracks through several hamlets and villages until we emerged back out in Santa Margherita. About halfway back, there is a lovingly restored and very welcome mulino that serves excellent beverages and torta!

A wonderful day, which is not yet finished as we about to go out for dinner...