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Mega-yachts line up aside humble fishing boats in this charming village on the Italian Riviera. Set against the lush backdrop of a forested hill, colorful homes in pink, yellow and orange face the harbor. Sip a coffee in one of the alfresco cafes that edge the broad waterfront square, then browse the shops lining the narrow lanes streets that fan out from the quay. There’s an uphill path that leads up to the yellow San Giorgio church and Castello Brown; both locales offer sweeping views of Portofino and the sea.

At the top of a steep, winding road, the ultra-luxurious Hotel Splendido, a former Benedictine monastery, offers a scenic setting for afternoon tea on its terrace restaurant. Visitors can also ride a boat to the sandy stretches of beach at Santa Margherita, or view exhibits of 13th- and 14th-century pottery at Abbazia di San Fruttuoso, a beachfront monastery.

Language: Italian     Currency: Euro (EUR)