Newsletter 4

ort Explorer P © 2010 maps.com PORTOFINO ITALY ortofino is a very small sto- Prybook town known for its charming streets, villas of the rich and famous and picturesque bay. Situated on the northwestern coast of Italy, Portofino is in the Liguria region. Liguria arcs around the Tyrrhenian Sea with the Gulf of Genoa in its center. It is a mountainous and hilly land with landscapes of great beauty. The region is divided in two sections. The Riviera di Ponente is to the west from Ventimiglia to Genoa. To the east is the Riviera di Levante from Genoa to La Spezia. The strip of the Riviera di Levante is known as “Le Cinque Terre” or the Five Lands and still repre- sents a beautiful example of Italian landscapes. A fishing village, Portofino’s calm green waters attract luxurious yachts and in the Piazzetta, people like to sit HISTORY and chat at the many cafe tables enjoying the warm Mediterranean weather. The quaint town has pastel- First inhabitants of the Liguria can be dated back to prehistoric times. colored homes, exclusive boutiques, a decorative Wars between Rome and the Ligurian people between the 3rd and square, and it is a great place to relax and watch the 2nd centuries B.C. led to Roman domination of the region. According world go by. to legend, Romans founded Portofino, naming it Portus Delphini, or Port of Dolphins, because of the large number of them that frolicked Enjoying the reputation as being a favorite with the ‘Jet in the Tigullian Gulf. Set’, scenic Portofino has come to signify an image of Italy throughout the world. Portofino is the gateway to During the Middle Ages, Tigullian towns along the gulf began to pros- explore the Pearls of the Italian Riviera including the per. In the 11th and 12th centuries, Rapallo and other coastal towns sister cities of St. Margarita, Rapallo and legendary aligned with powerful Genoa in its battle against Pisa. Portofino pro- Genoa. There is a wealth of things to see and do in vided housing for Genoa’s merchant seamen. Genoa was a maritime the Liguria region. leader in the Mediterranean from the end of the 11th century to the end of the 18th and Genoese territories flourished. Discover the fascinating history of Genoa or take a In 1805, Liguria was annexed to the French Empire by Napoleon. relaxing walk through the historical coastal town cen- Ten years later, the Congress of Vienna decreed that the ancient ters. Admire the marvelous scenery, browse the fash- Republic of Genoa should be annexed to the Kingdom of Sardinia, ionable boutiques or treat yourself to the wonders of which was to become part of unified Italy a few decades later. During Ligurian food at the many cafés and restaurants. this time the tourism potential of this coastline became apparent and forever marked the character of the area. In the 1920’s the Liguria was discovered by German and British holi- daymakers. By the 1950’s Portofino had become fashionable with royalty and movie stars. Today, the town is more inviting than ever and is still favored by the rich and famous. © 2010 maps.com Paraggi V V ia ia S. Margherita P Ve a o ar ss r n Ligure ag a g V deg in l a i ia Duca i li a a t A s S b r P r o a t V u ia ra i z V b d a z e d a P el i S V o la ia rt Cornic n e all of a e V ino SP227 R S illa tt u V ia e Fondaco t Belvedere i V a 13 a e d t e t della Cornice V a a l ia ll i C T i V r V a e della C s V ia or V e n t L i l ic 12 e a a l e Punta g g P a n h V in zi e i i o a uz Caleca t a i V r o i b d V a e V ia Paraggi A l F a li 11 o l V ia g n l Du e d e ca d a V c V o i il a e d t e t 10 e l C a s V ia te SP227 A gn z e Oratorio Di zu to rr S. Maria 9 a Assunta del V ia itr V V Punta V ale ia d ia i el V 2 D zz C i V u u Del Coppo 8 as a ia ca br te D R degli A g e o ne ll m t O n o r a Pu ta a a C t i 7 o V o S p r i a p o l 1 ita o S a n 6 M G o i 4 o l o o rt 1 r e g U mb io V ia della Peniso Ex Forte 3 la Olivetta Ricotto V ia de lla Na ve V ia Castelletto d ella P e n i s o la Mare Ligure 0 .5 km 5 Punta 0 0.25 mi Portofino ©2009 maps.com PORTOFINO PLACES OF INTEREST Beyond Portofino Portofino Harbor has hosted some of the most presti- The Town of Santa Margherita is linked to Portofino by one gious leisure craft in the world. The little bay is naturally of the most attractive winding roads along the coast. The town 1 sheltered by its shape and by Mount Portofino. The cobbled has a bustling harbor and seaside esplanade with cafes, bars streets leading up from the harbor can be explored in a short and restaurants. The beaches near Santa Margherita are amount of time with Via Roma being the busiest street with a among some of the most popular on the Italian Riviera. variety of shops. The Town of Rapallo located south of Portofino, overlooks Church of San Martino is located in the oldest part of the Gulf of Tiguillio and is known for its views of the ocean the town and dates back to the twelfth century, while the and surrounding hills. A famous resort town, Rapallo has year 2 Oratorio dell’Assunta was built in the fourteenth century. round mild weather, a 6th century Baroque Cathedral and a cable car that climbs the mountain to the 16th century sanctu- Church of St. George has a plain interior and situated on the narrow Portofino headland. The church is on a ary of Montallegro. 3 site once used as a lookout point and is a place of religious San Fruttuoso Abbey is located in a deep inlet along the significance that goes back centuries. coastline of the Promontory of Portofino. The abbey of San Fruttuoso di Capodimonte dates to the 10th and 11th centu- Castello Brown is an imposing 17th century fortress which dominates the harbor. The castle contains inter- ries. The magnificent structure was the home for centuries 4 esting historical exhibits, architectural features and art exhi- of the Doria Princes. The belfry is one of the most ancient bitions. The terraced gardens have wonderful views of the architectural elements of the abbey and of the Liguria region. village. The octagonal tower with its dome was constructed in the Byzantine style. The Faro is the old lighthouse for Portofino harbor. From here there are great views of the harbor and village. Genoa located on the northwestern coast of Italy, is the capi- 5 tal of the Liguria region. Nestled between the Gulf of Genoa and the base of the Apennines mountains, the city is one of the largest Shore EXCUrsions in Europe with approximately 700,000 inhabitants. This international port To make the most of your visit to Portofino and of call is the principle seaport for Italy and is a commercial and industrial surrounding areas we suggest you take one of center. In 2004, Genoa was proclaimed the European Capital of Culture. the organized Shore Excursions. For Information Genoa Places of Interest concerning tour content and pricing, consult azamaraclubcruises.com or contact the onboard The Lanterna is a lighthouse that was constructed on a rock outcrop- Shore Excursion Desk. When going ashore, ping in the harbor in the 1500’s and has since become the symbol of the guests are advised to take with them only the Genoa. Standing at approximately 360 feet high, its light can be seen as items they need and to secure any valuables. far as 40 miles away. Cathedral of San Lorenzo is probably the most notable of the medieval Local Customs churches in Genoa. Constructed in the 12th century the present edifice Bargaining: Most items have fixed prices, but it was built upon the foundation of an earlier structure. The dome and bell may be possible to get a discount on a large pur- tower were added later. Built in Pisan style, the cathedral is famous for its chase. It is normal to bargain at markets, except black and white marble that decorates the exterior. The Cathedral con- for food items. tains the chapel housing the bones of St. John the Baptist. Tipping: Generally a 10% service charge is add- Palazzo Ducale with its neoclassical façade was the seat of the first Ge- ed to restaurant bills, however, as this amount noese Doge and the site of the Government of the Republic of Genoa doesn’t all go to the waiter, it is normal to offer for centuries. This elaborate palace has been painstakingly restored to a 5% tip to the waiter in addition to any service its original splendor.

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