how to print and assembling assembleguide the the guide f Starting with the printer set-up: Fold the sheet exactly in the select A4 format centre, along an imaginary line, and change keeping the printed side to the the direction of the paper f outside, from vertical to horizontal. repeat this operation for all pages. We can start to Now you will have a mountain of print your guide, ☺ flapping sheets in front of you, in the new and fast pdf format do not worry, we are almost PDF there, the only thing left to do, is to re-bind the whole guide by the edges of the longest sides of the sheets, with a normal Now you will have stapler (1) or, for a more printed the whole document aesthetic result, referring the work to a bookbinder asking for spiral binding(2). Congratulations, you are now Suggestions “EXPERT PUBLISHERS”. When folding the sheet, we would suggest placing pressure with your fingers on the side to be folded, so that it might open up, but if you want to permanently remedy this problem, 1 2 it is enough to apply a very small amount of glue. THE PORTOFINO & TIGULLIO GULF CITY GUIDE © Netplan - Internet solutions for tourism © Netplan - Internet solutions for tourism © 2005 Netplan srl. All rights reserved. All material on this document is © Netplan. © Netplan - Internet solutions for tourism Photos courtesy of APT Tigulio, APT Cinque Terre Golfo dei Poeti THE PORTOFINO & TIGULLIO GULF CITY GUIDE 1 Summary THINGS TO KNOW 3 Getting there 4 History and culture THINGS TO SEE 5 Places and charm THINGS TO TRY 8 Eating and drinking 9 Shopping 10 Hotels and lodgings THINGS TO EXPERIENCE 11 Events 13 La Dolce Vita ITINERARIES 14 The Cinque Terre 16 The gulf of Poets © Netplan - Internet solutions for tourism THE PORTOFINO & TIGULLIO GULF CITY GUIDE / THINGS TO KNOW 3 4 THE PORTOFINO & TIGULLIO GULF CITY GUIDE / THINGS TO KNOW Getting there History and culture By air: five centuries Genoese territories flourished The nearest airports to Tigullio and the Cinque throughout the Mediterranean, in the form Terre are Pisa Galilei and Genoa C. Colombo. of trade centres and colonies. The crusades Both operate national and international flights also contributed to Genoas role as maritime run by traditional and low cost airlines. leader in the Mediterranean area throughout the subsequent centuries. By sea: A tourist sea service runs between Portofino In 1805 Napoleon annexed the whole of and the Cinque Terre from April to September, Liguria to the French Empire, but just ten with extra passages in August. A unique years later, the Congress of Vienna decreed opportunity to savour the maritime villages that the ancient Republic of Genoa should and the beauties of the coastline. be annexed to the Kingdom of Sardinia, belonging to the House of Savoy, which was to become part of unified Italy a few decades later. In the meantime the tourism potential of this coastline became apparent and forever marked the character of the area. Portofino: the Gulf seen from Portofino Rapallo: the Castle The Tigullio Gulf is easy to reach thanks to The history of Tigullio Gulf towns is very a convenient rail and road network and its ancient, with necropolis remains found in proximity to two international airports. several locations dating back to pre-Roman times, when the region was inhabited by the By car: ancient Ligurians. Numerous wars between From Rome or Florence take the A11 Firenze- Rome and the Ligurian people between the mare motorway, then take the A12 towards 3rd and 2nd centuries B.C. led to Roman Genoa. From Milan take the A7 Milan-Genoa domination of the region. motorway and continue along the A12 towards La Spezia. From Venice or Bologna take the Yet it was not until the Middle Ages that A1 Bologna-Milan motorway to Parma, then Tigullian towns acquired their prestige. In the take the A15 to La Spezia and continue along 11th and 12th centuries, Rapallo and other the A12 towards Genoa. towns stood by Genoa in its battle against Pisa, and in the first crusade. Since then, the By train: settlements in the Tigullian area were taken The Tigullio Gulf is on the Genoa-La Spezia under the power of Genoa and maintained rail line, with numerous trains running daily. political links with the city until modern Trains leave from Genoas Piazza Principe times. station. There are several direct trains from Turin, Milan and Rome. From Florence, change From the end of the 11th century to the end at Pisa. All coastal towns can be accessed of the 18th Genoa was a Republican oligarchy, by rail, with the exception of Portofino, governed by consuls chosen from the most which can be reached by shuttle bus service influential families. Thanks to this form of from Santa Margherita. For timetables and government, which guaranteed the interests information see www.trenitalia.it. of the most powerful classes, for around © Netplan - Internet solutions for tourism © Netplan - Internet solutions for tourism THE PORTOFINO & TIGULLIO GULF CITY GUIDE / THINGS TO SEE 5 6 THE PORTOFINO & TIGULLIO GULF CITY GUIDE / THINGS TO SEE Places and charm in magnificent gardens. All around, dozens the hum of restaurants and shops. Camoglis Basilica is also worth a visit, which houses of dream villas are dotted among the olive wealth long pre-dates tourism. numerous works of Genoese artists. We trees. For nature lovers, the ideal excursion For centuries the town enjoyed seasons of recommend a trip to the Bay of Paraggi, is through the Portofino Natural Park, which great wealth thanks to its famous shipowners with the only sandy beach in the area, and a provides a network of paths heading towards and artisans. Camogli was home to one of spectacular variety of sea fauna and a wreck the mountain or halfway down the coast, with the most renowned creators of velvet and dating back to 1917. breathtaking views from the promontory. brocade, exported all over the Mediterranean. For scuba divers, the reef is a natural Sumptuous houses bear witness to this ancient paradise. This is the heart of the Protected splendour, some rising as high as six floors, RAPALLO Marine Area of Portofino, with its underwater with trompe-l’oeil facades. Camogli is also Rapallo is the largest town on the Levante cliffs and Posidonia beds. The park is the famous for its fish festival. Riviera, although it is not as well-known as territory of red coral, which has found ideal nearby Portofino and Santa Margherita. conditions to develop. Scuba divers can also • Places to see: Let yourself wander through The town has the typical aristocratic quality visit the wreckage of the Mohawk Deer and the old “carruggi” (alleys) of the town centre, of the Riviera, seen in the villas and large the Genova. right up to the promontory and the church of hotels built from the 19th century. Santa Maria Assunta, with its baroque interior, The oldest part of the centre has held on to and Dragonara Castle. its characteristic maritime feel, with steep SAN FRUTTUOSO Camogli marks the western border of narrow alleys buzzing with shops and cafes. Set in a cove in Capodimonte Bay, at the centre the Portofino Natural Park, which offers Today Rapallo is an international tourist of the Protected Marine Area of Portofino numerous panoramic paths between the centre, with beautiful beaches, stylish mountain and the sea. Also: don’t miss San Portofino: San Fruttuoso Abbey lies one of the most beautiful and renowned hotels, conference centres, two leisure ports, corners of Italy. A tiny fishing village flanked Fruttuoso Abbey. an 18-hole golf course and numerous sports PORTOFINO by the ancient San Fruttuoso Abbey and the facilities. In a tiny creek, out of sight and almost Doria tower. Construction of the abbey dates inaccessible, is hidden an ancient fishing back to the 1013th centuries, but before that, SANTA MARGHERITA LIGURE • Places to see: The Castle overlooking the village, that has become an internationally a hermitage had stood there, built by Spanish One of the most important towns of the sea, built by the Genoese in 1550 is definitely renowned symbol. Until the 19th century, monks from Tarragona, who had brought the Levante Riviera is Santa Margherita, an worth a visit, so too are the churches of San Portofino was a fishing village, the bay was relics of the martyr bishop, San Fruttuoso. elegant international tourist destination with Gervasio and San Protasio. a well-known safe haven for ships, and the For centuries, San Fruttuoso belonged to the a unique atmosphere. Nestling around the Renowned for its lace, Rapallo has opened promontory served as an outpost for coastal Princes of Doria, who built splendid family port, its special charm lies in the unusual the Museum of Lace with over 1400 pieces of sightings. At the end of the 19th century, tombs there in the 13th century. mix of nautical and Belle Epoque styles. The rare and precious antique lacework on display. all over Europe, the middle classes and town had already developed by the Middle From Rapallo, we recommend a trip to the aristocracy began to choose this beautiful • Visit the monastery complex of the 10-11th Ages, but only began to thrive in the 17th Montallegro Sanctuary, an important place place to build their summer residences. Now, century with its cloisters, chapter house, century, when the Genoese nobility built of prayer. The sanctuary stands 600 metres since the 1950s, Portofino has received big church and Doria tombs. San Fruttuoso can beautiful villas there. In the 19th century it above the sea and provides a magnificent Hollywood names, great artists, politicians only be reached by boat from Camogli and all began to attract visitors from all over Europe.