Beautiful Italian Riviera

The first night in Italy was quite pleasant. It was still a chilly 5°C at night, but compared to the previous days, we didn't need the heated blanket this time.

From Lake Maggiore, we continue southward. We initially consider staying on the country road, but when the navigation system suggests a travel time of 4 hours for a distance of 200km, we decide to take the highway.

After a good two and a half hours of driving, we reach our destination for the day, Genoa. The highway exit takes us to the harbor and around the city center. We find a parking space near Piazza della Victoria and then set off on a sightseeing tour.

The city center is adorned with large shops and even larger squares. At the harbor, you can find both fishing boats and cruise ships.

The Apennines (mountain range in Italy) cut through the city, making it overwhelming in length, width, height, and depth. Small alleyways lead through the residential areas, and without an internal compass or Google Maps, it's easy to get lost in the maze of narrow streets.

We continue our journey from Genoa to the 30km distant peninsula of Portofino. In the hills of Ruta, we find a parking space with a beautiful view of the southwestern coast.

The 19th of October arrives, and we are ready to be more active again. We have driven many hours by car, and to give Beppo a break, we leave him at the same place today.

From Ruta, we hike across the summit of Portofino. The route follows along the cliffs at San Frutuosso up to Portofino itself. After 7km and nearly 700 meters of elevation gain, we reach the small fishing village. The facades of the houses paint a pretty picture in the little harbor. However, the village is no longer a hidden gem. Designer stores and fine restaurants quickly reveal the presence of the high society who frequently visit here.

Since we have a great desire for a seafood platter, we spontaneously choose one of the numerous fish restaurants at the harbor. With shrimps and Vino Bianco de la Liguria, we willingly join the bustling life of the posh crowd.

After the meal, we take the bus back to Ruta. The bus tour is extremely adventurous. While the winding serpentines made me sweat during the first rides, our bus driver remains completely calm. With experience and speed, he safely takes us through the narrow streets to our destination. Slightly tipsy and with heavy legs, we fall into bed.

The next morning, we continue driving southeast and pass through towns like Rapello, Lavagna, and La Spezia.

Our next stop is the small coastal town of Manarola. The colorful little houses stand out on the cliffs of the Riviera. The village is known for its winemaking art and fishing. Unfortunately, we can only stay here for a few hours. But we would love to come back with more time in the future.

In the evening, we drive to a nearby summit to spend the night.