Portofino: One Fin(e) Port

If San Fruttuoso is a secret little hideaway for Italians and tourists who happen to be "in the know," Portofino is quite the opposite -- the small harbor is perhaps Liguria’s most exclusive seaside resort.

And though Portofino is one fine port, it was actually originally named Portus Delphini by the Romans -- or Port of the Dolphin  -- because of the large number of dolphins that inhabit the adjacent Tigullian Gulf. The town and harbor provide a classic Italian view, with well-tended pink and yellow houses framed by boats big and small.

Back in the 50s and 60s, Portofino was popular with Hollywood types and authors like Rex Harrison and Truman Capote, but today the tourist trade reigns supreme. In addition to some high-priced pleasure craft, the harbor is lined with fancy boutiques and café terraces.

Be sure to bring lots of money. Portofino is quite expensive; a two-scoop gelato cone was almost five euros. Instead of lunch, we toured the beautiful grounds of the Parco Naturale Regionale di Portofino and hiked the trail past the Chiesa di San Giorgio to Castello Brown.